The Compost Pile, Volume 2, Issue 1

SPRING IS IN THE AIR!

for discerning weeders

On the Cover - Flowering Cherry courtesy of Ed and Lynn

Fabian

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

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Dazzling Daffies! What better way to welcome Spring?

At Large and In Charge! Another great Check out what our installment on group has been up to!

Camellias! This time how to make more!

DEPARTMENTS

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21 Just for fun! There are a lot of things to celebrate!

IN OUR YARDS 8

All Season Plant

COLUMNS

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Florida Weave Update

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President’s Message

17

Surprise!

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Agent’s Corner

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Olive Update

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Wildlife Happenings

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Bonsai Bits

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Last Word

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Recipe Round-up Don’t forget to log in your hours on VMS.

NEWS AND INFORMATION 7

Updated Publications

7

Helpful Links and More

14

Book Review

18

Product Review

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

Please submit articles, photos, recipes, etc. to Marg Stewart or Debbie Sewell before May 27th to be included in the next issue of The Compost Pile which is due out June 1st.

Please remember when submitting photos to let us know who took the picture and provide us some information as to content.

Volume 2, Issue 1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Season’s Greetings!

Yes, that’s right, and the season is Spring. Well, almost, as the temperature was 34 when I woke up this morning. Fortunately, my MGV training to defer outdoor plantings until after March 15th (thank you, Larry) has trumped my zeal to go outside and PLANT SOMETHING. My orchids are particularly grateful that I’ve waited to move them back to their greenhouse warm-weather home until a new cover arrives to replace the currently tattered and “airy” one.

Even a space heater wasn’t sufficient protection against the cold outside air.

And this is also the time of year when our organizational activities start ramping up. The lecture series and CLL, because they’re not weather-dependent, have kept some of us busy.

And what better time to learn about Landscape Design than as winter is winding down, and we can enjoy a hot beverage while we’re making our online purchases for Spring.

There’s much to do right around the corner.

Plant clinics are almost upon us, and the plant sale is in early May. As always, they need more

by Scott Berry help. Some would say that translates to lots of work. Those events also offer opportunities.

One of my mantras has been to increase participation beyond the tremendous and continued contributions of the “usual suspects.”

The above activities, in addition to others, offer those opportunities. I recently sent out an updated organizational chart that identified some existing vacancies, and any of the areas listed would appreciate some help.

Let me be blunt. I’m not asking for anyone to take over the nursery but try to contribute several hours of activity in whatever area speaks to you. My personal experience has been that once I get past the mental speed bump of getting my toes wet in the water of some endeavor, I soon find myself submerged, enjoying it, and wondering why I didn’t do this before! Does that strike a familiar chord with you? I hope so because, as I mentioned in a recent email, our level of activity defines us as an organization.

That is all for now. See you at the next meeting!

Scott

A NEW LOOK! Change is good right?

Once again, The Compost Pile is undergoing a few changes. We are sticking to the quarterly publication schedule. You may have noticed that this issue is a bit smaller in overall size (as in paper size.) There were just too many hurdles with trying to produce a good quality ‘magazine’ with the larger paper size.

Since we reduced the paper size back to 8 1/2” by 11”, you will encounter a few more pages. We want to keep the in-depth articles that everyone seems to enjoy and not reduce the type size to miniscule.

From the Editor

manufacturers to do the same thing when it comes to what we buy!

Many thanks to all those who submitted articles and photos! THIS newsletter remains vibrant and frankly awesome ONLY because of you!

Plentiful Plantings

I’m sure as time progresses we will come up with more changes. Our goal is to continue to produce a better product for your consumption with every issue! Now, if we could only convince An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

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Volume 2, Issue 1

BONSAI BITS

by Lynn Fabian

A bonsai tree is just like any other green and growing plant…they need moisture and fertilization. We grow them as bonsai in pots, or on slabs of rock, or on wooden slabs…but if we plant them in the ground they will revert to the tree they were destined to be. Pine trees would soon be many feet high, boxwoods would spread and grow taller, azaleas would happily spread and produce blooms in their time. And in case you wondered…leaves and structure will reduce in size…flowers will NOT reduce…no matter how small the plant is.

So why do we do it? A small yard perhaps; only a balcony on which to grow the plants and enjoy them; the challenge of keeping a large ball cypress only a few feet high. It depends on your point of view and your willingness to work with the plant you have.

People have different ideas about the trees they call bonsai. “My tree” is 12 inches tall.

The next fellow has the same species but it is only a few inches tall in a very small pot.

It takes some serious effort to keep the tiny trees growing and healthy. Put that same tiny tree in the earth or a large pot…it will be a large tree in time.

We do not ‘stunt’ our trees. We carefully tend them and enjoy the challenge of working with nature to provide the trees with what they need to thrive.

The large Boxwood bonsai was taken from an overgrown nursery pot. The pot was under the deck of the owner’s house...that accounts for the severe bend. The large boxwood is 30+ years old...best guess. The small tree is a Kingsville Boxwood grown from a cutting and is around 6 years old.

The tree will grow but will always have small leaves.

In the process, we learn a great deal about keeping trees, shrubs and grasses alive.

Soil Testing & Sage Advice Beginning March 4, on Wednesdays from 11 am—1 pm Master Gardener Volunteers will be at the Niceville Senior Center, 201 Campbell Drive, to answer gardening questions and perform soil testing. This is a change from the previous Monday time frame.

On Fridays from 9 am—12 pm Master Gardener Volunteers will be at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex, 127 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach to offer the same services.

The Okaloosa County Extension Office at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview is open from 8 am—5 pm Monday through Friday.

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Volume 2, Issue 1

NATURAL AREAS: WHAT ARE THEY FOR? “I’ll bet you can’t find a truly natural area near your home,” says Dr. Jeff Jackson, retired wildlife biologist with University of Georgia Extension.

A really natural area would be one that has never been chopped or tilled, planted or deliberately burned. No exotic plants – just a wild place. Jackson explains that natural areas in their pure form are rare in the Southeast. He says, “Unfortunately, we never bothered to save natural examples of our land back when we had the chance.

We threw away many interesting communities of plants and animals.”

In this article, I’d like to share some insights on natural areas with you from Dr. Jackson. I spent a good bit of time with Dr. Jackson. Years ago, I had the privilege of walking through wooded, “natural” areas with him. And it’s almost comparable to knowing how to read verses not knowing how to read. He could “read” the forests. He saw and heard things that most people would miss or not see in an understanding way. As you read, I think you’ll pickup on this.

Today we are scrabbling in the ruins of what’s left of our natural areas. Some have been untouched for a number of years and are growing back toward a natural condition. Today natural areas are in bits and pieces at nature centers, school forests, parks and parts of the natural forests. Some exist on private land.

What are natural areas good for? A natural area is one that has produced itself without human help or technology. It has grown up according to the natural rules of ecological succession. It may contain a marsh, pond, waterfall, dune, rock outcropping, forest or other naturally selected plants, animals, soils and waters.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

by Larry Williams

In a natural area, you can see the wars of succession between plants. There you can witness the way of all flesh, growth, death, rot and the names and details of all the living players and how they interact with themselves and each other and the earth, water and air during every season of the year.

A natural area saves and preserves a sense of time. It gives you a sense of natural history to see a 50-year-old woods. The history is longer and better in 100- or 200year-old woods.

Visiting such a place is to see bottled time. There are no products and no souvenirs to take home. The goal is to take only knowledge and memories, perhaps a few pictures, and leave, if necessary, only footprints.

By contrasts, utilitarian land makes use of its time by producing products. The greater the product yield, the better the land. That’s why so many of our natural areas have been set-aside on “poor” land.

The values of natural areas are impossible to explain to people with a strict utilitarian sense of values. A natural area has no cash bottom line as does, for example, a managed forest that shows income from sale of logs. Of course, people can observe nature in managed environments where nature study is a secondary opportunity, but it’s often an experience of lesser quality.

The goal of improving or developing a natural area indicates that there is confusion about what a natural area is for. The following example shows this.

A park interpreter was talking to me (Dr. Jackson) on a tour of a nature center. We passed by a little woodland pond. The sun glinted on the backs of turtles basking along the shore. A giant 3

Volume 2, Issue 1

NATURAL AREAS

cont’d

pine had fallen into the water, a victim of a storm. Someone had, at considerable inconvenience, waded out and sawed off the branches.

“What did they do that for?” I asked the interpreter. “The tree is considered a mess,” said my guide a bit defensively. It seemed that an administrator wanted the pond “cleaned up.”

Can we make nature more beautiful by “cleaning it up” to make it meet our standards?

The job of fallen wood in a natural area is to gather mold, produce fungus – to rot and join the soil. To make nature more perfect by “picking up” wood and carrying it out as garbage is to misunderstand the meaning and purpose of a natural area.

To gild the lily shows we do not consider it beautiful as it is. To improve or beautify a natural area is to show that we do not understand it.

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS Spring is in the air. Now is the time we’ll be seeing a lot of animals that we haven’t seen for a while. Check out the activities to look for.

Amphibians - Male frogs and toads move to ponds, streams, and ditches to breed during rainy nights.

Birds - Migrating birds from Central and South America visit the state.

- Mourning doves nest now through November.

- Carolina wrens are nesting now.

- Summer tanagers and great-crested flycatchers arrive to breed.

- Listen for newly-returned chuck-will’s-widows calling after sunset.

- Plant flowers and fill the hummingbird feeders.

- Wild turkey and quail begin breeding.

Reptiles - Snakes become active and move to favorite feeding areas.

Fish - Largemouth bass are spawning.

Mammals - Look for red foxes emerging from remote beaches.

- Striped skunks are fighting over mates.

Don’t forget to log in your hours on VMS! Not sure of where your hours should be assigned? There’s a helpful FAQ guide at

https://www.ocmga.org/administrative.html You’ll also find a link the VMS system on that page as well!

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Volume 2, Issue 1

DAZZLING DAFFODILS

photos by Sarah Petty

Carlton daffodil

Ice Follies

Unknown double daffodil. Isn’t it pretty!

Many thanks to Sarah Petty for sharing her garden with us! More spring beauties on the next page!

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DAZZLING cont’d

Erlicher daffodil

Summer Snowflake

And just because you can never have too many pictures of gorgeous flowers—Dick Hickenbotham shares his Cajun hibiscus in bloom…..in January!

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UPDATED PUBLICATIONS Recommendations for the detection and mitigation of laurel wilt disease in Avocado and related tree species in the home landscape – 7page publication https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1358 Japanese Persimmon Varieties in Florida – 11page revision https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg242 Bottling, Labeling, and Selling Honey in Florida – 4-page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in918 Urban Fertilizer Ordinances in the Context of Environmental Horticulture and Walter Quality Extension Programs – 8-page document https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae534 Nutrition and fertilization practices for Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida 7-page publication https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1356

by Staff Peach Brown Rot – 7-page publication https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1357 Citrus Pest quick Guide: Brown Soft Scale https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1252 Mammalian Carnivores of Florida 20-page fact sheet https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw464 What does Florida weather during the past 20 years look like? 8-page document https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae537 How to quantify Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies – 8-page fact sheet https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1257 A beginner’s guide to begonias: classification and diversity 5-page publication https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep581

LINKS TO INFORM AND AMUSE

by Staff

Why people can’t write—https://tinyurl.com/ yfosmwj9

Where you can have your well water tested https://tinyurl.com/ttwmh9k

When people REALLY like cacti and succulents https://tinyurl.com/w4wtrbn

Embrace the Gulf https://tinyurl.com/to8fdy4

Never miss another webinar! https://tinyurl.com/wrdvvm2

Year of the (snapping) turtle https://tinyurl.com/rqzosw3

2019 weather summary and 2o20 outlook https://tinyurl.com/vj5lwyh

It’s so...vanilla! https://tinyurl.com/sjtxrrs

Honeysuckle eliminates mosquito larvae https://tinyurl.com/wplvjo6 My mind to me a kingdom is, Such present joys therein I find, That it excels all other bliss That earth affords or grows by kind.

Glyphosate use update https://tinyurl.com/v2jbmgp Glyphosate fact sheet https://tinyurl.com/s7sfe9p

Sir Edward Dyer 1543-1607

EDIS publications on GMOs https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_gmos An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

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Volume 2, Issue 1

ALL SEASON PLANT

by Dave Gordon

I purchased a small plant, Brazilian Firecracker Vine, in July from Pensacola Seed and Garden Nursery.

The small plant was placed in a hanging basket thinking that it would travel downward. Guess what? The plant decided that climbing upward was a better option. As the vine continued to grow up the hanger, I cut and placed a small piece of fencing over the trunk of the Sand Live Oak. The Brazilian Firecracker Vine or Candy Corn Vine certainly passed my expectations.

This vine produces a profusion of red-orange, yellow tipped flowers on a dainty flowering vine. This is an easy vine to grow that is small enough for hanging baskets, small trellises or fences. It likes fertile, well- drained soil and full to mostly sunny locations. The Candy Corn Vine is a great magnet for hummingbirds.

The Brazilian Firecracker Vine is a succulent, twining vine that is well suited as a vertical accent in container gardens.

Isn’t it good that plants can’t read? The pictures you are viewing with this article were taken February 10, 2020. This succulent vine from South America has no business continuing to grow beautifully in the dead of winter. I have not protected this vine during the coldest of nights. It seems to be in a good location that receives the proper amount of sun and shade. I believe this beautiful plant is going to survive our mild winter.

Brazilian Firecracker Vine is a plant that I would encourage you to grow in your garden. It is fast becoming one of my favorite plants.

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FLORIDA WEAVE UPDATE After several seasons of experimenting with methods of supporting my tomato plants, last spring I decided to try the so-called Florida Weave method of staking my tomatoes. This is my updated experience with the method. First, a quick refresher on what it is. Instead of staking tomato plants individually, the Florida Weave uses rows of string attached to upright posts to support a row of tomatoes as they grow. Here is where I got the idea: https://tinyurl.com/ wg9fqmm. Note that I grow almost all of my food crops in containers because the many tree roots in my yard pretty much rule out conventional in-ground plantings. But the Florida Weave could be used with any method of gardening, including in-ground planting, containers, or raised beds. The first step is to install some sturdy posts which will support the rows of string (or twine). I used 6’ metal fenceposts because that’s what Tractor Supply had the day I went there. If available, I would suggest 8’ posts such as the ones pictured in the above article. I placed my posts at either end of my rows, each of which are about 8’ long and have 4-6 containers per row. (Figure 1)

by Karen Harper biodegrade it in nothing flat and it will disintegrate before your very eyes just when you need it most. So the twine proved to be too flimsy to do the job without intervention from me and because I had a large supply of the biodegradable twine, I spent the rest of the season tying more of it here, there and everywhere between the plants to keep them upright. (Figure 5). And all the while I reminded myself of a comment, I’d seen somewhere in my research on the Florida Weave method, to the effect that “you really should use baling twine for this purpose.” Yes, you should and this year I will!

Bottom line: it’s a good method for supporting rows of tomato plants and, done properly, it will provide a useful, simple alternative to wrestling with individual plant supports as your tomatoes grow. Learn from my mistakes and the Florida Weave can serve you well.

This would probably be an inadequate number of posts for in-ground tomatoes which get larger and heavier than container-grown tomatoes and for those I would recommend an additional post at the halfway point of an 8’ row. I tied the first row of string when I planted the tomatoes (Figure 2), weaving the string around the plants horizontally (hence that tricky name “Florida Weave). In the interest of being environmentally conscious, I decided to use biodegradable string.

More on this poor decision below. The plants quickly grew up through the first row of string and I added another row of string. (Figure 3).

This process went on for some time in an orderly fashion, the plants were sturdy and upright with minimal effort on my part and I was pretty pleased with it. (Figure 4) Then the plants started setting large amounts of fruit and this is when I discovered that biodegradable twine is not the thing to use in a Florida Weave.

The same qualities that make it biodegradable also mean that heat, rain, and humidity will An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

Figure 1

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WEAVE UPDATE cont’d

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 5 Figure 4

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OUR VOLUNTEERS AT LARGE AND IN CHARGE!

Another successful BIA Home Show! At left: Ada Bower, Linda Kulaw, and Sarah Petty—just one of our booth brigades.

Below Linda Timothy presented on Heirloom Tomatoes. Kathy Foster assisting.

A happy recipient! Many thanks to all the volunteers who manned the booth, assisted the speakers, hauled, put up and took down! Great job!

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Volume 2, Issue 1

AT LARGE AND IN CHARGE

The past few weeks Nursery Committee members have been sowing seeds for the Spring Plant Sale and seedlings are already germinating using the lighted grow table. Next visit to the Annex check on the progress of Vietnamese hollyhock, red and yellow milkweed, Confederate rose, rudbeckia and the amusing gomphocarpus physocarpus.

Shalimar Elementary added Okaloosa Master Gardener Association to their list of business sponsors due to the teaching efforts of Jennifer Yelverton and Lynda Penry. This plaque is in appreciation of that service.

Rick O’Conner and ‘Slither’ presenting to Continued Life-Long Learning.

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MORE AT LARGE When visiting a bird house, always knock before entering.

The bird houses need to be cleaned each spring...birds can be picky about where to lay their eggs and raise young.

Ed Fabian has cleaned ours each year and made the job easier for the next ‘cleaner’ by putting screws in the roof. Sooooooo much easier!

Now all we need are some momma birds to move in!

Yes folks...that is our very own Debbie Sewell holding ‘Slither’ her new friend.

Notice that she is smiling.

“I can cross this off my bucket list so I NEVER have to do it again!” Debbie Sewell

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BOOK REVIEW

by Ed Smith

The Triumph of SEEDS

By Thor Hanson ISBN. 978-0-465-05599-9

Reading this book has been such an informative joy that it has been added to my re-read list.

You may wonder why such a mundane subject could provide anything of interest as seeds are so commonplace. Let me assure you this book is an entertaining and well written eyeopener from the biological evolution of plants to the pleasure of your palate. The author has chosen to use regular vernacular and not burden us with complex jargon. My thanks for that.

Most of us think of only the reproductive process of plants when referring to seeds. So much more is involved by the interconnections of evolution and nature. Hanson has divided his work into five sections covering how seeds nourish, unite, endure, defend and travel. Each one provides a keen insight into unfamiliar concepts. The one about how observation of seed travel has led to many useful inventions.

Copious footnotes are included for verification and further reading if desired.

A few tidbits that might whet your appetite to read this. The world’s hardest nut (you will not guess it) the oldest viable seed, the largest seed (shaped like the B2 bomber) and the father of botany (not Linnaeus).

Quartet of Christmas Cacti courtesy of Carol Strom December 26 nursery visitor courtesy of Lee Vanderpool An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

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Volume 2, Issue 1

CREATING CAMELLIAS VIA CUTTINGS The most economical method of creating new camellia plants is by rooting cuttings from an established camellia plant. Some of the advantages of using this method are: the new plant(s) and their flowers will be identical to the mother plant, the task is simple, several or dozens of cuttings can be rooted simultaneously, new plants can be established in less than a year, rooted cuttings will bloom much more quickly than seedlings, usually in one to three years.

Prepare pot(s) of medium depending upon the number of cuttings you wish to propagate. Use four-inch pots for single cuttings, larger pots for multiple cuttings. Rooting medium can be any of many mixtures: 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent perlite, straight perlite, composted bark, potting soil or any mixture of these materials.

Mixing fertilizer with the rooting medium serves no purpose since there are no roots to utilize it.

Use a dibble or similar implement, to make holes in the rooting medium, one for each cutting.

Begin the cutting process by selecting a mother plant which has had the blooms you wish to reproduce. The plant should be large enough to allow it to contribute cuttings, it should have bloomed at least once, and it should be healthy with dark green leaves.

Cuttings do best when taken and stuck just after new growth is completed in the spring, usually around April 15 through May 15. The new growth should have begun to lignify or to form brown wood about six inches below the apical leaf. Remove the number of cuttings you wish to propagate; each should be about six inches to eight inches long and each should have four or more internodes. Cut the twigs just below a node since that is the area which will most likely form new roots. Sterilize the cut ends of the cuttings by dipping into a plant fungicide or a mixture of one-part chlorine bleach to nine parts water. Remove leaves from the bottom of the cutting leaving two sets of leaves at the top end of the cutting.

Lightly abrade the bark on the lower inch of the cut end of each cutting removing only the brown bark, leaving the green cambium layer. This allows more of the area where rooting will occur to come into contact with soil when the cutting An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

by Lee Vanderpool

is stuck. Apply rooting hormone, if desired, to the cut ends of the cuttings, using powder, gel or liquid hormone. Do not contaminate the source container of the rooting hormone; always empty a small amount of the hormone into a different container, use that container to apply the hormone to cuttings, then dispose of the remainder of the hormone, never return it to the source container.

Stick one cutting into each hole in the rooting medium taking care not to remove the rooting hormone from the cutting. Each cutting should be inserted with at least two internodes below the soil level. Firm medium around the cutting, water until water pours from the drainage holes of the container. Remaining leaves may be cut in half at this point but it is not necessary.

Optimal rooting of cuttings will take place when containers are maintained in a mist bed where timed misting is electronically applied.

For the purposes of the home gardener, the following should be used. If using a communal pot with multiple cuttings, place the entire pot in a clear plastic bag or other clear container. If using a plastic bag, ensure that a prop such as a piece of bamboo or a bent hanger is placed inside the covering to prevent the plastic from coming onto contact with the cuttings. If using small pots with a single cutting, use a plastic bottle with the bottom removed to cover the cutting. Covering the containers assists in retaining high humidity around the cuttings, enhancing the survival of the cutting. Set the container with cuttings in a location where it will get strong indirect light but no direct sun, such as under a camellia bush or on a shaded porch. Check occasionally to be sure that the rooting medium is moist. If not, water and return the container to its shaded spot.

Roots should appear in two to four months and should be visible through drainage holes in the container. Do not plant immediately but allow the new plants to remain in their rooting containers for several months to develop a strong root system. In September to November, pot the cuttings individually into six-inch pots with good potting soil or composted bark. Allow the rooted cuttings to remain in their six-inch pots until they are planted into larger containers or into the landscape the following spring.

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CUTTINGS, cont’d.

Cutting prepared for rooting

Cutting with several nodes

Dip cutting in fungicide

Dip cutting into rooting hormone Insert cutting into the rooting Powdered rooting hormone medium

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Volume 2, Issue 1

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

by Dave Gordon

What a surprise when I was walking through the Pollinator Garden, Saturday, February 29, 2020. As I was surveying the plants in the garden, my eyes caught Monarch Caterpillars on the milkweed. Yes, I was a good Master Gardener and cut the milkweed back before Thanksgiving. As you can see from the pictures, the plants are just beginning to leaf out. I found three caterpillars on the returning milkweed.

Last summer I had nine plants in the garden.

There was not a single caterpillar to be found on the plants. From time to time, I did see Monarch Butterflies flying through the gardenbut no caterpillars. Why now? Is this because of the climate change that we hear so much about?

It will be interesting to see what this spring and summer bring.

OLIVE TREE UPDATE If you are growing olive trees in your garden, it will soon be time to prune and fertilize them.

To prune correctly, it helps to remember that an olive tree never bears fruit twice in the same place. This means you must prune to encourage new growth, so prune when the tree is flowering to remove the non-flowering branches. This should ensure ongoing growth that will be productive in years to come. For fertilizer, olive trees do best with a lean fertilizer- less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potash. For more detailed information on growing olive trees, see my article on Page 18 of the July/August Compost Pile. It contains useful links to IFAS An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

by Karen Harper and other publications on this subject. https://issuu.com/ ocmga/docs/

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PRODUCT REVIEW

by Karen Harper

There’s something about reaching age 60something that makes one start considering ways to make life’s chores easier to accomplish.

And as the proud owner of more than 20 large, mature trees and countless smaller trees and shrubs, an abundance of leaves to deal with every autumn is one of my big chores. Two years ago, I acquired an electric SunJoe® leaf shredder and it has made this huge task much easier to manage. It’s lightweight and easy to set up and move wherever I need it, unlike the massive Troybuilt® shredder we used to have.

It starts with the push of a button. It has detachable legs, making it very easy to store for the off season (and when is that in Florida??).

(Figure 1) It can be positioned on top of small trash can which catches the leaves as they are shredded. This makes it a snap to empty wherever you want to place your shredded leaves. (Photo 2) And if you’ve ever struggled with changing out the line in a weedeater (and sprung the spring and had the line and it’s holder go “boinnnnng” across the yard) well,

fear not. Changing out the line in this leaf shredder is extremely simple and involves no springs or unmanageable coils of line, just a simple threading of two pre-cut 12” pieces of line. (Figure 3) I use my shredded leaves to top up my many containers in late fall and after they’ve sat through a rainy winter, the decomposed leaves mix well with the soil and enhance the fertility and tilth of the soil.

(Figure 4) Pros: all of the above. Cons: None, unless you object to moving a long extension cord around your yard. Personally, I find that much easier to deal with than working with a gas-powered shredder that only starts when there is someone around to troubleshoot just what it is that the cantankerous engine needs to going- is it oil? is it a gas additive? a certain prayer? a phase of the moon? No, thanks. I can drag a lot of cord around in order to avoid that.

SunJoe® products are available at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Amazon but I went right to the source to get mine because they had the best price at the time: https://tinyurl.com/vqe5dun

Figure 3 right

Figure 1 above

Figure 2 right Figure 4 above An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

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RECIPE ROUND-UP STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

by Karen Harper This is my all-time favorite shortcake recipe and I’ve tried dozens of them. It’s very easy to put together and the step of reserving some of the flour/butter/sugar mixture to place on top of the batter before baking creates a sweet, crunchy topping that is just heavenly when combined with the berries and cream. You could use any type of berries you like but with Florida fresh strawberry season almost upon us, it will be strawberry shortcake at my house for sure!

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I use about a quart of fresh strawberries (weight before hulling, mashing and sweetening)

•

The edges of the cake may turn a light golden brown while baking but the topping should not brown. My oven takes the full 40 minutes but I would start checking progress starting at 30 minutes.

•

Double the ingredients to make a larger 9 x 13 cake.

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter 1 tsp. salt 3/4 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla Sweetened mashed berries Milk, cream, or whipped cream DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease a 9 x 9 dish and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cut flour, sugar and butter together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of this mixture.

3. To the remaining butter mixture, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

4. Pour into prepared dish and sprinkle reserved butter mixture over the top.

5. Bake 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

NOTES: •

I use a greased, nonstick baking pan. If you use a different type, you may wish to add parchment paper to the greased pan.

•

I use 1/2 tsp. vanilla AND 1/2 tsp almond extract

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

SWEET ‘N SOUR CARROTS by Lee Vanderpool 5 cups carrots, sliced or minis (I use canned but freshly cooked are also good) 1 small green pepper, diced 1 small onion, diced 1/2 cup salad oil 3/4 cup white vinegar 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1 can cream of tomato soup 1 cup sugar 1 Tbs. dried mustard 1 tsp. salt Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, stirring several times. Modify quantity of ingredients to suit taste. I use less vinegar and mustard and more sugar.

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Volume 2, Issue 1

RECIPE ROUND-UP SLOW COOKER BACON CHEESEBURGER SOUP adapted from Life in the Lofthouse by Marg Stewart INGREDIENTS

4 small potatoes, peeled and diced 1 small white onion, chopped 1 tsp. dried basil 1 tsp. dried parsley 3 cups chicken broth 1 pound lean ground beef 8 slices cooked, chopped bacon 3 Tbs. butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese Green onions, chopped (for garnish) DIRECTIONS 





Place potatoes, onions, basil, and parsley in a large crock pot. Pour chicken broth over vegetables. Cover and cook on low heat 6 to 8 hours or on high heat 4 to 5 hours or until potatoes are tender.

About 45 minutes before serving, cook and crumble ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain. Pour cooked ground beef into crock pot. Add the cooked, chopped bacon.

Wipe out skillet and add butter. When melted, whisk in flour and cook until golden brown and bubbly. Whisk in milk, salt, and pepper. Whisk until slightly thickened. Pour mixture into crock pot and stir to combine everything.



Add the shredded pepper jack cheese to crock pot and stir again.

Cover with lid and cook another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.



Serve with chopped green onions.

LAZY DAY LASAGNA adapted by Marg Stewart INGREDIENTS 1 bag of frozen cheese ravioli (25 oz.)

1 lb. lean ground beef 3 cans crushed tomatoes (14 or 15 oz. each) 1 Tbs. Italian seasoning 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 crushed garlic clove 4 cups mozzarella cheese, grated 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated DIRECTIONS 

In a large skillet brown the beef completely along with the crushed garlic and drain off fat. Stir in all the tomatoes and the seasonings. Cook over medium heat until bubbly.



Cover the bottom of your slow cooker with some of the meat mixture.



Place one layer of ravioli over the meat mixture.



Then place a layer of mozzarella cheese.



Continue layering in this manner until all of the meat sauce and ravioli are used up. You want to end with meat sauce on the top.



Sprinkle over left over mozzarella and the parmesan over the top.



Cook on law for 4 hours. Check that the ravioli are cooked through.



Turn off and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

An Okaloosa County Master Gar-

Volume 2, Issue 1

The following volunteers have birthdays coming up!

Happy Birthday!

S. Berry M. Drake M. Evors E. Fabian R. Hastings P. Kildow L. Kulaw D. Sewell E. Smith D. Stuart L. Vanderpool

HOLIDAYS MARCH

APRIL

MAY

International Mirth Month National Color Therapy Month National Craft Month National Kite Month National Nutrition Month National Peanut Month Quinoa Month

Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month National Garden Month National Lawn Care Month National Pest Management Month Safe Digging Month

Clean Air Month Gardening for Wildlife Month Gifts from the Garden Month National Barbeque Month National Smile Month Sweet Vidalia Onions Month Water Quality Month

Bat Appreciation Week (5-11) National Park Week (18-26) National Volunteer Week (19-25) National Scoop the Poop Week (24-30)

Hurricane Preparedness Week (3-9) National Wildflower Week (4-10) National Public Gardens Week (8-17)

National Walking Day 1st Hostess Twinkie Day 6th No Housework Day 7th Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 12th National Gardening Day 14th National Orchid Day 16th National Herb Day 25th National Honesty Day 30th

World Naked Gardening Day 2nd Garden Meditation Day 3rd National Public Gardens Day 8th Endangered Species Day 15th World Bee Day 20th Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day 21st

National Procrastination Week (1-7 of course we missed it) Termite Awareness Week (8-14) National Agriculture Week (22-28) Organize Your Home Office Day 10th Johnny Appleseed Day 11th Pi Day 14th Free Cone Day (Dairy Queen) 20th Pecan Day 25th Weed Appreciation Day 28th Crayon Day 31st

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

21

Volume 2, Issue 1

LAST WORD I have come to the conclusion that turn signals and common sense have definitely become ’optional’ equipment in today’s society. After the past few days of driving around our county and having cars either (a) have a turn signal flashing for 27 1/2 miles so you’re left guessing as to the driver’s intentions (b) car referred to in (a) then turns in the direction opposite of the offending blinker (c) vehicles turning without any blinker whatsoever and (d) the general response to COVID-19.

Perhaps with the blinkers they are an after market part? Maybe you have to pay extra for this feature? I don’t recall having to choose blinkers as an option on my new vehicle so I am a bit perplexed. I am even more puzzled as to how someone could drive quite a long distance with a blinker boinking away. That would drive me batty! Perhaps the solution would be to pay attention? Nah...that would take all the fun out of it right?

The authorities have created regulation so that you have to use hands free with your device(s) while in the vehicle. I’ve noticed some folks still think that doesn’t apply to them. The thought that crosses my mind is that the phones might be ’smart’ but the users….not so much. Again, after my latest jaunts on our roadways I would like to add the following restrictions: (1) Food that is larger than your face or requires anything other than your hand to consume may only be eaten while parked or at the very least a really long red light. (2) While Fluffy, Sparky, Fifi, or Killer may be a delightful addition to the familial structure as a whole and while they do exhibit intelligence that at times rivals (lately I believe actually surpasses) their masters, they aren’t able to drive and keeping them in your lap while you are piloting a motor vehicle is just plain mean. You’re setting the poor things up for a serious ding on their confidence by expecting them to perfect the art of a ’K’ turn. Pets, like children should be An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

by Marg Stewart secured in seats other than the one you are currently occupying, muzzled (for the children) and provided frequent potty breaks.

That’s enough for the time being.

Those two items alone will greatly improve our collective chances of surviving a trip to the local market.

Speaking of markets, I went to the local big box store to pick up Biotin and Walter kibble.

Looking around I notice that the following items were non-existent, as in bare shelves: hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bleach— anything in that genre was gone. In the vitamin aisle you couldn’t find Zinc or D3 for any price.

The cold and flu aisle had faced a similar fate.

Folks have cleared the shelves in a panic because of COVID-19.

As for me, I am left wondering why they didn’t have this stuff to begin with? Did they all wander around as the great unwashed masses of yesteryear? Unfortunately, I think that is a pretty accurate assessment. I’ve since seen instructions for how to wash your hands popping up everywhere. Seriously? I don’t know about you but I seem to recall that as soon as I was aware that you shouldn’t eat crayons and could actually reach the sink with a little help, you washed your hands—with soap! I guess that training went away just like we stopped teaching cursive writing.

Don’t get me wrong. COVID-19 is something to be aware of but panic? I’m more upset over facing the coming week that contains: the clocks being set forward, a full moon, AND a Friday the 13th!!!!

I think I’ll take Walter’s advice. Take the time to give yourself a spa treatment, take naps, never give up on catching that red dot (it could happen), have some treats, and make sure to evenly toast all your sides.

Plentiful Plantings 22

Volume 2, Issue 1

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....

An equal opportunity institution.

Mission To assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents.

Vision To be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida.

The Compost Pile is a quarterly publication created by the Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers.

Marg Stewart—Editor Karen Harper, Debbie Sewell—Co-Editors

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteer Publication

Volume 2, Issue 1