Nlaugust17

IT’S GETTING HOT! HOT! HOT!

for discerning weeders

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....

An equal opportunity institution.

DID SOMEONE LEAVE THE OVEN ON? I think most of us would agree that we’ve had enough of the heat, humidity and could do with a few days with no rain.

Amazing how too much of a good thing can alter your perceptions.

Happy Birthday!

Remember to remind our clients that some plant problems are caused by nothing more than the weather. There won’t be a spray to use for some problems. As much as they would like to buy something off the shelf and spray away, sometimes you just have to accept the fact that Mother Nature has other ideas. But do remember to be nice about it.

B. Buckellew F. Frederick D. Pfoertner J. Waters-Smith J. Yelverton

School will be starting again and with that, more folks will have time to be out in their yards. The tourists will start leaving and we will all have more time to get out and about without the steady headache of bumper to bumper traffic. That means we should start getting busier at the help desks and during plant clinics.

Don’t forget to log your hours in the VMS system!

VMS is your one-stop location for information, dates, events and more!

We also need to remember that a lot of times folks have turned to us when it’s too late to fix something or we’re the last resort phone call. If you have to deliver bad news about their problem, take the time to explain what has happened without sounding like an accusation. Granted, they might have done everything wrong but we’re going to educate them so next time they’ll do things correctly and will call us (hopefully) before the problem gets out of control.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

This issue is our skinny issue for the year. Everyone is on vacation, dealing with visitors, or just plain tired from the heat.

By September we should be back on track and have loads of interesting tidbits for your enjoyment and edification.

Event Calendar

2

In Our Yards

3

Plentiful Plantings

Ye Old Farm

4

Editor-in-Chief

Gardener Holidays

5

August chores

5

Wildlife Happenings

5

Edibles to Plant Now

6

What’s Blooming Now

7

News You Can Use

8

Book Review

9

Recipe Round-Up

9

Breaking News

9

The Jokester Ethical dilemma: What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

Last Word

10

On the Cover - Cypress on 7 Runs Creek. Photo courtesy of E. Fabian

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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August, 2017

For details on any of the upcoming events, go to www.ocmga.org/Calendar.html. Master Gardener members go to VMS to sign up for events and log in your hours.

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IN OUR YARDS

by Staff

Strix varia (barred owl) on bird feeder.

Photo courtesy of S. Gerber

‘Texas Star’ swamp hibiscus.

Photo courtesy C. Rose

Two pollinators: lady bug and bee on duranta.

Photo courtesy of S. Gerber

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August, 2017

YE OLDE FARM

by D. Gordon

Several years ago I planted, at the base of a trellis, a pipevine in the pollinator garden. Over the years, the Pipevine Swallowtail has never failed to lay eggs on the leaves several times a year.

The Pipevine Swallowtail is a large black butterfly with short hindwing tails. The bottom of the hindwing has iridescent blue with a row of large orange spots in both sexes. They are a rather large butterfly with a wingspan of about 3-5 inches. The adults fly with rapid wing beats and continue to flutter their wings even when visiting flowers. You will see multiple generations produced each year. When you view the pictures, of the larvae, you will understand why all life stages are unpalatable. The larvae utilize pipevines as host and woolly Dutchman’s pipe. If this plant is not in your pollinator garden it should be. Pipevine is easy to grow and will germinate from seeds.

Photos courtesy of D. Gordon

‘Faces in the Forrest’ taken at 7 Runs in Walton County.

Photo courtesy of E. Fabian

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August, 2017

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS August means sticky heat and the likelihood of afternoon rains.

The wildlife doesn’t seem to mind. Here are some things to look for this month.

Birds •Blue-winged and green-winged teal begin to arrive to winter over.

•Yellow warbler migration begins.

Mammals •Two-year old black bear cubs will wean from their mothers.

•Short-tailed shrews begin a second round of breeding.

Reptiles •Sea turtles are hatching and nesting. Don’t disturb nest sites, clean up after your time at the beach, and turn off the extra

by Staff lights.

Insects •Great southern white butterflies may be seen migrating through coastal areas.

Loggerhead turtle hatchling headed for the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo by Molly O’Connor.

AUGUST GARDEN CHORES

by Staff

Annuals - Only plant heat tolerant plants such as: vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.

Seasonal - Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time form for winter blooms.

Bulbs - Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted now.

General: Remove spent blooms, cut back and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the season and prepare for fall.

Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Keep an eye on lawns for damage due to diseases and/or insects.

Herbs - Plant bay laurel, ginger, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary plants may be added to the garden.

Vegetables - Many cool-season crops can be started now as well as a final crop of warm-season vegetables. The alternative is to take this time to clean up beds and amend the soil with organic material in preparation for fall plantings.

The Jokester 50-50-90 Rule Any time you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there is a 90% probability you will get it wrong.

Palms - Check older fronds for yellowing which may indicate a magnesium or potassium deficiency.

GARDENER HOLIDAYS

by Staff

August was original named Sextillis when it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar. August is the month with the highest birthrate in the United States.

Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day 7th National Garage Sale Day 12th National Honey Bee Day 19th

Monthly Observances American Adventures Month Arrr-gust: International Pirate Month National Goat Cheese Month National Panini Month

August’s birth trees are: Cypress, poplar, cedar and pine. Birth flower is gladiolus and/or poppy. Birth stone is Sardonyx or Peridot. Colors are orange, red and light green.

Weekly Observances National Farmers’ Market Week 6-12 World Water Week 27-Sept 1 Daily Holidays Mead Day 1st National Night Out 1st National Coloring Book Day 2nd Watermelon Day 3rd National Chocolate Chip Day 4th National Oyster Day 5th An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

August 21st is the date of the so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse.

For information about where and when to see it, how long it lasts, what you can expect to see, and how to plan ahead to ensure you get the most out of this once in a lifetime experience go to www.space.com/33797-total-solar-eclipse-2017-guide.html

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NEWS YOU CAN USE General: As goes agriculture so goes our society video http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2017/07/14/friday-featureas-goes-agriculture-so-goes-our-society/

by Staff Tiny wasp to fight the Asian psyllid http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2017/07/14/a-tiny-wasp-tofight-the-asian-citrus-psyllid/

Video on aquaponics https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLpkEiJv9k6M28Ho_AyCky6AWzuC7ksaMM

Laurel Wilt Fungus and Ambrosia beetle spread http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2017/07/14/laurel-wiltfungus-raffaelea-lauricola-reflects-the-spread-of-redbayambrosia-beetles/

Tools for evaluating soil health - four page fact sheet identifies ways to evaluate soil health http://edis.ifaf.ufl.edu/ss657

Predatory Praying Mantis http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/07/14/the-predatorypraying-mantis/

Florida fertilizer usage statistics - three page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep541

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) - ten page fact sheet providing management recommendations, strategies for detection and scouting, and advice about control measures for this pernicious pest http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1171

Herbicide residues in manure, compost, or hay - three page fact sheet discusses aminopyralid, compost, questions to ask when purchasing bulk, conducting a bioassay, aminopyralid injury symptoms, and steps to consider if contaminated manure or compost has been added to a garden or field site http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag416

Fire Ant decapitating flies Pseudacteon spp. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1174

Plants: Muck: Causes and Corrective Actions http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa200

Master Gardener:

Antiquity of fruits and vegetables http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/07/12/ponder-theantiquity-of-fruits-and-vegetables/

Master Gardener 2017 Conference registration and information http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/gardener/index.html

Why don’t my plants match? http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/07/12/why-don’t-myplants-match/

UF/IFAS branding guidelines, templates and more http://branding.ifas.ufl.edu/brand-guidelines/

New one page citrus identification sheet on fruit disorders and physical chemical injuries http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/has1290

Master Gardener webinars http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/ volunteers/education/webinars.html Insects: Bulimulus sporadicus, an introduced species from the West Indies. These snails were first reported in Florida in 2009. Since then populations have been reported throughout the state. Other southeastern states have reported similar infestations. http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/2017/07/14/snails-haveinvaded-the-western-panhandle/

New one page citrus identification sheet illustrating different blemishes from fungi and bacteria http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1291 New two-page fact sheet about citrus nutrition management practices http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1292 Blue chrysanthemum http://www.newser.com/story/246344/scientists-create-worlds -first-true-blue-mum.html

Be on the look out! There are article writers out there that are hankering to enter into your in-box! They are joined up with flagrant photographers that will snap pictures of places and garden items with wanton disregard to keeping The Compost Pile a boring publication.

Articles, recipes, and photos should be sent to the editor no later than August 27th. It is only with your help that this newsletter provides the information and enjoyment it does each month.

Let’s make September a month to remember!!!!!!

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August, 2017

BOOK REVIEW

by E. Smith “Your view of the world will be fundamentally changed” is a quote from a review of this very informative and well documented work. I am sure you will find it so. Reading it in 2014, when first published, was enlightening and now the second reading in 2017 has been confirming. A short introductory statement by the eminent E.O. Wilson provides a concept of understanding through which this book will guide you.

Five previous major extinction events are accepted as fact by main stream science. Critical to extinction events is the element of time.

When the environmental alterations occur slowly the life forms on earth are capable of adapting and therefore surviving. The last one happened about 65 million years ago and is believed to have been caused by an asteroid impact just south of us on the Yucatan peninsula. The Sixth Extinction is upon us now and by geological standards it is very rapid. A very probable cause of it is the theme of this work.

Far beyond the often maligned “Butterfly Effect” all life on earth is interconnected to a degree which is only now beginning to be understood. In reading this book you may develop a better understanding of our responsibilities and the relationship between Homo sapiens (or as some say Homo sapien sapiens) and all the other life on earth.

Elizabeth Kolbert’s writing style is free flowing and entertaining as well as including some personal anecdotes.

Uncomplicated by scientific jargon it presents well referenced information in a very understandable way. I highly recommend this book and you may also learn which species is the most invasive of all.

RECIPE ROUND-UP

by Staff

Tomato Jam A. Ogle

2.

This is one of the best things I have ever had. I made it with yellow tomatoes but I think red would be just as good. I used the same recipe of for fig and peach and they were wonderful. I believe you could use honey in place of sugar. If canning makes you nervous, you may also keep this jam in the refrigerator or 3. freeze it for long term storage.

several times to crush the tomatoes.

Transfer the tomato puree to a medium skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, lemon zest and juice, and ground ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and ‘jammy’ -- this will take about an hour.

(To test, dip a cool, metal spoon into the jam. It should slide off the spoon in a thick sheet--not in watery droplets.)

Ladle the jam into the jars and seal in a hot water bath. The jam is delicious right away, but tastes even better after a few weeks.

Ingredients 2 pounds ripe tomatoes 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar (I used coconut organic sugar) 1 lemon, zested and juiced (I used half) 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (I like roasted ground ginger) 4 half-pint jars, sterilized

The Jokester My 60-year kindergarten reunion is coming up and I’m worried about the 205 pounds I’ve gained since then.

Directions: 1.

Add the tomatoes to a blender or food processor. Pulse

This just in! Annex Archaeologists A. Foley, S. Gerber, L. Vanderpool, and P. Garrett proudly display their recent find of an intact Fencicus posticum. One of the intrepid adventurers was quoted as saying, “At first we thought we had found a T. Rex femur.” Understandably, their disappointment at the possibility of such a mundane find was quickly changed to one of elation! This incredibly intact 6-foot specimen will sure to attract the notice of researchers and scholars for years to come!

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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August, 2017

M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper, and S. Berry—co-editors

Have pictures or an idea for an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are always welcome.

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.

LAST WORD Walter is jumping in to say hello. Yes, folks, we have a jumper! The photo was taken on his downward trajectory.

Cat proofing my house is just not going to happen.

Normally, there has been some sort of disaster at Chateau Stewart and I relate it to you. But lately things have been rather quiet...almost too quiet.

It’s scary.

With all this quiet time, I’ve had time to ponder some of life’s little mysteries. A lot of those mysteries confronted me at a recent shopping trip. First off, let us discuss the 10 items or less check-out lane. It goes without saying that if you have 12 items in your cart then you should not be in that lane. But what if you have 36 of the same thing? Does that count as 36 or just one. Technically you have 36 things but it is one item.

That was basically the argument of the lady ahead of me. She might have had four loaves of bread, eight packages of hotdogs, and six bottles of ketchup but it was only 3 items...not 18. (oh--and she had coupons for everything) Only I can manage to get in the Express Lane and end up stuck there for 30 minutes!

Another mystery was in the dairy aisle.

We’ve all seen the numerous and varied non-bovine offerings. There’s soy milk, goat milk, yak milk (even I’m not brave enough for that one), almond milk and so on. Well on this trip I noticed some new additions. Milked walnuts, milked hazelnuts, milked cashews….my first thought, “How in the world do you milk a walnut?????” Seriously, I’ve eaten many a walnut and I have yet to see an udder on any of them!

One of the other offerings was grass milk.

NOW--there’s something useful to do with your lawn clippings! Go ahead and make milk! Don’t ask, okay? Just don’t. I have no idea how you make milk from grass and something tells me that I really do not want to know.

Yes indeed. The grocery store is just full of little mysteries. Another good source of things that make you go….WHAT??????????? is packaging. Yes, I said packaging. Have you ever really sat down to read the box that something comes in? You should. There are some eye-opening little nuggets there.

For example, I purchased a hot plate. You know, one of those things you plug in and there is a coil in the center that gets hot.

Hence the name HOT plate. I purchased it to help with wax melting. A task, I might add, that requires HEAT. The box that contained said hot plate stated: “CAUTION! This item

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by M. Stewart may become hot!” Uhhhh, ya think? Did the manufacturer actually expect that I would purchase a HOT plate that would generate cold? I’m very happy that they have my safety in mind by listing such an important point.

After all, I might forget that a HOT plate would get hot.

But in practice their warning really won’t work unless I leave the box where I can see it. A cardboard, flammable box….near a HOT plate….so I know that the product may become hot. No thank you. I think I will take my chances that I will remember a HOT plate will be hot.

But for a really good look into the dark heart of mankind one need only go as far as the nearest instruction manual. I do so love the ones that come with computers and electronics now. ‘For instruction manual, visit our website.’ Hopefully you were able to do all of the things that required the manual without actually having it so you could get on line and make sure that you did everything correctly.

I also like the new instruction manuals that are nothing but pictures. I got a new shed.

Some assembly required--by some they meant ‘large shed comes in flat box and it ain’t a pop-up!’ There’s no manual in there.

Go on-line and sure enough there it is. Well, not wanting to keep my computer outside and not wanting to run into the house each time to see if roof part D went on before or after side lock A-4, I printed it out…...all 48 pages of it…….double sided. Not a single word in sight. Just pictures.

But those pictures lied. They showed two happy people, blissfully putting a shed together in 348 easy steps. They left out the shots of dangling off a ladder because roof truss A had to go on AFTER you attached side post 3/rear facing but BEFORE you slid locking bolt 3.29 into place. I didn’t see one picture of those people sitting in the middle of a pile of cardboard and pieces trying to find one piece that looked anything like was shown in the manual.

My favorite was a large circle with a line through it. Behind the line was a power drill.

Okay, that means no power drill to be used.

Don’t use a power drill that every picture after that shows the two happy people holding power drills.

Just realized that the new thermostat has an instruction manual with 72 pages…..pray for me.

Plentiful Plantings

August, 2017