Gardening Guide

By: Patricia Porchey

As the cold weather came to an end, the advice from the University of Florida researchers was to be patient and give the palms six months to determine their fate. Initial symptoms in Coconut palms included the loss of lower leaves with the youngest leaves, including the spear, remaining green as well as the trunk. However, over time, the youngest leaves may wilt and die. In this case, the primary problem was the cold, but the secondary problem, trunk rot caused the demise of the palm.

In Christmas palms, new leaves may have emerged after the freeze only to collapse and have leaflet tips breaking off. They may also have new leaves that appear to be stuck together and scorched, mimicking nutrient deficiency. The good news is the bud (meristem) is still alive.

Now as we near the end of our "wait and see" period, University researchers warn, "In the case of freeze-damaged palms with basal spear leaf rot, such palms may eventually recover by mid-summer if the meristem itself was not killed. On the other hand, palms, especially coconut palms, which appeared to be recovering well and displayed no evidence of spear leaf rot, may ultimately die from secondary trunk rots associated with cold damage."

Many factors can influence this reaction to fruit set. We have been fortunate that we had a wetter than normal spring; however, May was dry. Drought can influence both fruit and leaf drop. The overall health of the tree can be a factor as well as the age of the tree. Let’s not forget that nature itself dictates some fruit drop. Can you imagine how many extra grapefruit you would have if there was no self pruning in the spring?

If your trees have greasy spot (symptoms include brown or black swollen spots on the underside of leaves) and/or melanose (symptoms on fruit are small raised areas that may appear as irregular stripes and have a sandpapery feel), this is a good time to spray a copper fungicide. It’s also a good idea to rake up the infected leaves on the ground.

Timely reminder:

The new fertilizer ordinance makes it illegal to apply Nitrogen and Phosphorus June 1 – September 30. If your turf needs greening up this summer, you can apply chelated iron.

PLANTING GUIDE

Vegetables & Herbs (plant herbs from transplants and vegetables from seeds or transplants): Basil, borage, catnip, collard and mustard greens, eggplant, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, okra, oregano, rosemary, southern peas, summer savory, sweet potatoes, thyme and turnip.

Annuals: Begonia Celosia, Coleus, Crossandra, Gazania, Gerbera daisy, Gomphrena, marigold, Melampodium, Nicotiana, periwinkle, Portulaca, Salvia, Torenia, and Zinnia.

Perennials: Blue daze, Gaillardia, Coreopsis, daylily, Pentas, Ruellia caroliniensis (native), Salvia, Shasta daisy, society garlic, Stokes aster and Verbena.

Fruits in season: Banana, blueberry, Carambola, guava, citrus (calamondin, key lime, lemon and lime), Jackfruit, fig, kumquat, lychee, macadamia, mango, papaya and pineapple.

Blooming plants: African tulip tree, Allamanda, beautyberry, bird of paradise, Canna, crape jasmine, crape myrtle, dwarf poinciana, Gardenia, gloriosa lily, Jacaranda, Jerusalem thorn, Ligustrum, Magnolia, Mexican flame vine, ponytail palm, Plumbago, Plumeria, royal poinciana, thryallis, and Yucca.

Upcoming educational classes:

Call 861-9900 to register for the following classes.

• Chinch Bugs & White Grubs, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. June 8
• Chinch Bugs & White Grubs, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. June 10
• Rain Barrel Workshop, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 12
• Invasive Insects, Twin Lakes Park, 3:00 p.m. June 15
• Landscaping with Color, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 16
• IPM for Home Landscapes, Laurel Park Pavilion, 10:30 a.m. June 19
• Alternatives to Turf: Groundcovers, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 23
• Irrigation 101, Twin Lakes Park, 4:00 p.m. June 23
• Partnering with Pollinators, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 25
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Longwood Park, 10:30 a.m. June 26
• Stinging Insects, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. June 30

For information

The Master Gardener Help Desk now has an email address: mghelpdesk@scgov.net to answer questions. It is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. You can call (941-861-9807) or visit our office at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road east of I-75 with landscape questions. We also have weekly satellite help desks at the four south county libraries and every Monday at Gulf Gate Library.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted: June 1, 2010

I used tree fertilizer stakes up north to fertilize my trees because they are so easy to use. Can I use them here too?

Tree fertilizer stakes or spikes are not recommended here because of our sandy soils. Moisture moves laterally in soils such as clay soil with its fine soil particles; whereas, moisture percolates down rather than laterally in our sandy soils. Thus as the moisture breaks down the stake, the only roots receiving nutrients are those immediately around the stake and below it. One must remember too that the tree’s roots can spread well beyond the canopy so a granular fertilizer applied to the soil surface is the best option.

This is the month that all the plants in your landscape should receive an application of fertilizer to get them off to a healthy start this spring. Do remember the fertilizer ordinance in Sarasota County requires that the fertilizer contain at least 50% of the nitrogen be in a slow–release form.

If there are palms in your landscape, the University of Florida recommends you use an 8-2-12-4 palm fertilizer not only around the palms, but out fifty feet from the base. For many homeowners, this means you will be using palm fertilizer on your turf as well as around your palms.

It has taken lots of self discipline to keep our pruners tucked away while brown shrubs have dominated our landscapes. However, by waiting to prune, further cold damage has been averted. If you cut a plant to the ground, you may put an additional stress on this plant. Some plants are more tolerant of this method than others, but because most of our subtropical plants were under tremendous stress with the cold temperatures this winter, a less severe pruning is recommended.

By waiting for the flush of new growth to emerge, you will know where the live growth is and where the winter damage occurred. Cut down to the green area. Just like with trees, cut above a leaf node or branch juncture.

If you have a spring-blooming shrub, refrain from pruning it until after it blooms unless, of course, the terminal growth is dead. A plus this year is that some plants’ blooms are richer in color as a result of the cold winter.

PLANTING GUIDE

Vegetables & Herbs: Anise, basil, beans, beets, borage, cantaloupe, chervil, comfrey, corn, cucumber, cumin, kohlrabi, lemon balm, lettuce, marjoram, mustard, okra, oregano, peas, summer savory, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, radish, summer squash, tarragon, thyme, tomatoes, and watermelon.

Annuals: Ageratum, alyssum, Begonia, Browallia, Celosia, coleus, Cosmos, Dahlberg daisy, dusty miller, Gazania, geranium, Impatiens, Lobelia, marigold, Nicotiana, Petunia, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Torenia, Verbena, and Zinnia.

Perennials: African iris, Amazon lily, blood lily, blue daze, Caladium, Canna, Coreopsis, Crinum lily, daylily, Gaillardia, Gerbera daisy, Gaura, gloriosa lily, Mexican heather, milkweed, Pentas, Salvia, Shasta daisy, and society garlic.

Fruits in Season: Banana, carambola, citrus (calamondin, grapefruit, key lime, lemon, lime, orange, and tangerine), jaboticaba, kumquat, loquat, strawberry, and papaya.

Blooming plants: Azalea, blue flag iris, blue sage, bottlebrush, Buddleia, cape honeysuckle, Carolina Jessamine, citrus, dwarf Indian hawthorn, flame vine, fuchsia skullcap, geranium, lantana, Mexican flame vine, Nemesia, orchid tree, purple Tabebuia, silk floss tree, spiderwort, Surinam cherry, Turk’s cap, and Walter’s Viburnum

SPECIAL EVENTS

Rain Barrel Workshop, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Mar. 13. Learn about the construction and use of rain barrels and their environmental benefits. Rain barrels will be available for $37.

Upcoming classes

Call 861-9900 to register for the Rain Barrel Workshop and the following classes.

• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 6
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, North Port Library, 6:30 p.m. Mar. 9
• Home-grown Vegetables, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. Mar. 10
• Africanized Honeybees, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 10
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Fruitville Library, 2:00 p.m. Mar. 15
• Good Pruning Equals Good Structure, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. Mar. 17
• Ants, Ants, Ants, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 17
• Creating Wildlife Habitat in and around Stormwater Ponds, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. Mar. 18
• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Laurel Community Garden, Forest & Collins Roads, Laurel, 10:30 a.m. Mar. 20
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, Elsie Quirk Library, 10:00 a.m. Mar. 23
• Propagation, North Port Library, 6:30 p.m. Mar. 23
• Growing Herbs in your Kitchen Garden, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. Mar. 24
• Chinch Bugs & White Grubs, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 24
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Twin Lakes Park, 4:00 p.m. Mar. 24
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, Venice Library, 10:00 a.m. Mar.25
• Green Pest Management, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 30
• Butterfly Predators: What Preys on Them? Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. Mar. 31

GETTING HELP

The Master Gardener Help Desk is available to answer your questions. Email: mghelpdesk@scgov.net. It is open Monday-Friday from 9-Noon and 1-4 p.m. Phone: 861-9807. Office: Twin Lakes Park, Clark Road east of I-75.

Satellite Help Desks: Weekly at four South County libraries and every 4^th Saturday at Fruitville Library and every third Saturday at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, Sarasota.

New locations: Mondays at Gulf Gate Library, 10:00 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays at Phillippi Farmhouse Market, Noon-2:00 p.m.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

What can I plant for a privacy hedge that grows about ten feet tall with a large spread in a semi-shaded area? I want it to be drought tolerant too. There are several native shrubs that fulfill your needs: Firebush, Hamelia patens,Marlberry, Ardisia escallonioides, Simpson’s Stopper, Myrcianthes fragrans, Walter’s Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum, Wax Myrtle, Myrica cerifera and Wild Coffee, Psychotria nervosa, as well as some non-natives: Natal Plum, Carissa grandiflora, andSplit-leaf Philodendron, Philodendron selloum, The cold temperatures in December were a great barometer of which shrubs withstood the lower temperatures the best.

Our native cabbage palm came through the cold without any damage; however, othersubtropical palms such as the Areca or Madagascar, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Christmas or Manila, Adonidia merrillii, Coconut, Cocos nucifera,and Foxtail, Wodyetia bifurcata. suffered severe bronzing or death.

"Treating Cold Damaged Palms" at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg318.

Rain Barrel Workshop, Twin Lakes Park, Feb. 13, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Class on the

Step by Step Florida-Friendly Landscaping Training, Venice Library, February 11, 25

Organic Vegetable Gardening, Orange Blossom Community Garden:

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, North Port Library,

Growing Edibles in your Backyard, Twin Lakes Park, February 10, 10:00 a.m.

Invasive Insects, Twin Lakes Park, February 10, 1:00 p.m.

Household Pests, Twin Lakes Park, February 17, 1:00 p.m.

Trees in the Landscape, Shamrock Park, February 18, 2:00 p.m.

Organic Vegetable Gardening, Laurel Community Garden, Forest & Collins Roads,

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, Fruitville Library,

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Elsie Quirk Library,

Butterfly Gardening, North Port Library, February 23, 6:30 p.m.

Composting Made Easy, Twin Lakes Park, February 24, 10:00 a.m.

Red Imported Fire Ants, Twin Lakes Park, February 24, 1:00 p.m.

Propagation Basics, Twin Lakes Park, March 3, 10:00 a.m.

Termites, Shamrock Park, March 4, 2:00 p.m.

Butterfly Gardening, Gulf Gate Library, March 5, 2:00 p.m.

Organic Vegetable Gardening, Orange Blossom Community Garden:

mghelpdesk@scgov.net. It is open Monday-Friday from 9-Noon and 1-4 p.m. Phone:

Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Ask an Agent November , 2009

By: Patricia Porchey

It’s not uncommon in consecutive years for fruit to vary in size and number. For example a prolific year may be followed by a less-than-average year. Add in stress factors such as drought, flood, and extreme cold and the harvest may decrease even more.

Summer rains may cause the fruit to split, whereas flooding, may actually deprive the roots of oxygen and kill the tree. Our prolonged years of drought are also taking a toll on our citrus. Premature leaf drop, low foliage production and small fruit are indicative of drought. Last winter’s cold temperatures increased the number of dead branches and fruit drop for the more vulnerable varieties, especially those caught in the flowering and early fruit set stages.

Fertilizer also influences the health of citrus. Fertilizing is recommended in late February, mid May and early October. Sometimes, all we can do is fertilize and supply adequate moisture in drought periods. Mature trees can usually survive stress better than younger trees unless the tree is significantly older and there is no reversing its decline.

With the introduction of Africanized honey bees (AHB) into our county, we no longer suggest homeowners tackle this kind of nest by themselves. Visually, it’s not possible to tell if the bees are the gentler European honey bee or the aggressive AHB. The AHB builds nests everywhere and then defends them. If an AHB colony is disturbed, it may send out several hundred bees to defend an area up to 40 yards around the colony.

We recommend you contact one or more bee removal companies for assistance if you see a bee swarm or a nest. Africanized bees can be extremely aggressive if disturbed, resulting in multiple stings. Registered beekeepers do not have AHB in their hives - it is illegal for Florida beekeepers to knowingly keep African honey bees.

Brazilian pepper tree is one of our non-native invaders. It is one of six invasive plants that are banned from sale and planting in Sarasota County. Its aggressive growth has resulted in many of our native plant communities being displaced. It bears hundreds of bright red berries in the fall and winter which are easily dispersed by birds and mammals. The leaves can be a source of irritation to many people, resulting in a rash.

If trees are cut down to a stump, it’s important that the stump be immediately treated within five minutes with an herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr. Apply the herbicide with a sprayer or brush it on to the cambium layer just inside the woody bark. Follow the label directions for concentration rate, protective gear, etc. Foliar sprays can be used on seedlings, but care must be given so spray does not drift to other plants. Consult this website for more information: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/405.

GARDENING

OCTOBER PLANTING GUIDE

Vegetables & herbs: Basil, beets, Borage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chervil, collards, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, leek, mustard, onions, parsley, peas, rutabaga, sage, spinach, strawberries, Swiss chard, thyme, tomato, and turnips.

Annuals: Ageratum, Alyssum, Begonia, Calendula, Celosia, Coleus, cosmos, dusty miller, foxglove, geranium, Impatiens, Lobelia, marigold, Melampodium, nasturtium, pansy, Pentas, petunia, Salvia, snapdragon, and statice.

Perennials: African iris, aster, blue daze, bush daisy, Chrysanthemum, cigar plant, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Gerbera daisy, Liatris, Mexican petunia, Salvia, Scabiosa, Shasta daisy, society garlic, and Verbena.

Fruits in Season: Atemoya, avocado, banana, carambola, citrus (calamondin, grapefruit, key lime, lemon, lime, orange, tangelo and tangerine), kumquat, papaya, pecan, persimmon, pomegranate, sea grape, and sugar apple.

Blooming plants: Allamanda, bottlebrush, Bougainvillea, Cassia, Cordia, firecracker plant, firespike, goldenrod, Liatris, lion’s ear, oleander, Philippine violet, red and yellow shrimp plants, Salvia, thryallis, Turk’s cap, Thunbergia, and yellow elder.

CLASSES

Chinch Bugs & White Grubs, Twin Lakes Park, Nov. 4, 10:00 a.m.

Florida Buggy Critters: The Bad, Good & Harmless, Shamrock Park, Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m.

Attract Wildlife, Gulf Gate Library, Nov. 6, 1:30 p.m.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, Nov. 7, 1:00 p.m.

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Fruitville Library, Nov. 16, 2:00 p.m.

Trees & Shrubs in the Landscape, Twin Lakes Park, Nov. 18, 10:00 a.m.

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating your Florida Yard, Twin Lakes Park, Nov. 18, 1:00 p.m.

Protect Yourself from Florida Wildfires, Twin Lakes Park, Nov. 18, 4:00 p.m.

Native Plants for the Landscape, Shamrock Park, Nov. 19, 2:00 p.m.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Laurel Community Garden, Forest & Collins Roads, Laurel, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.

Florida Buggy Critters: The Bad, Good & Harmless, Twin Lakes Park, Dec. 2, 10:00 a.m.

Conservation of Native Bee Pollinators, Twin Lakes Park, Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m.

Termites in the Home, Shamrock Park, Dec. 3, 2:00 p.m.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, Dec. 5, 1:00 p.m.

To register, call 861-9900.

GETTING HELP

The Master Gardener Help Desk is available to answer your questions. Email: mghelpdesk@scgov.net. It is open Monday-Friday from 9-Noon and 1-4 p.m. Phone: 861-9807. Office: Twin Lakes Park, Clark Road east of I-75.

Satellite help desks: Weekly at four South County libraries and every third Saturday of the month at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, Sarasota.

New location: Every fourth Saturday of the month at the Fruitville Library Reading Garden, 10-Noon.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted October 27, 2009

If you have questions, you may submit them to pporchey@scgov.net. Subject line: Gardening question.

Strolling through the produce aisle at the grocery store brings back memories of days gone by when prices were only a small percent of what they are today (this depends on one’s age of course). The cost of adding fruits and vegetables to one’s diet, which is promoted by health food experts, has been the impetus for the increased interest in growing one’s own food. Whether it’s in a community garden, a backyard garden or in containers, more residents are now growing edibles in their dooryard.

For those homeowners whose outdoor space is limited, community gardens are an option. There are presently four in the county; however, several communities are having organizational meetings to start more localized community gardens (i.e. North Port, Venice and Palmer Ranch). Growing ones favorite herbs and vegetables in containers is another option for those with limited space. Even small fruit trees can be grown in containers.

Wherever you decide to grow your plants, there are some basic steps to take for a successful garden. Our sandy soil will benefit tremendously from the addition of organic amendments. Composted manure, humus, peat, or cover crops are commonly added to improve the soil texture, which aids in the retention of nutrients and water. If you don’t have your own compost pile, the count offers free compost to residents at parks throughout the county. Call 861-5000 for a location near you.

Other considerations for a successful garden

• Locate in full sun (5-6 hours/day) near a water source
• Site away from competing tree roots in well-drained soil
• Check for soil pH between 5.8-6.5 (too high, it ties up nutrients in the soil and makes them unavailable to plants; too low, some nutrients may reach toxic levels to plants)
• Use "Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide" to plan what to plant in your garden and the layout
• Use recommended varieties for Florida
• Maximize space by planting short- and long-season vegetables together (ex. carrots and radishes)
• Plant tall and short vegetables together (ex. corn and lettuce)
• Attend classes on gardening (see below) and visit the University of Florida website http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Vegetable_Gardening
• Enjoy your harvest and share the surplus with others

Timely reminder: The Master Gardener plant sale is at Bee Ridge Park, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on October 10.

Blooming & Planting Guide

• Vegetables & Herbs: Basil, beans, Borage, broccoli, cabbage, celery, chervil, collards, coriander, corn, cucumber, cumin, eggplant, fennel, leek, lettuce, marjoram, mint, mustard, onions, peas, pepper, radish, rosemary, sage, squash (summer & winter), thyme, tomato, and watermelon.
• Annuals: Ageratum, Alyssum, Begonia, calendula, Celosia, Coleus, Cosmos, dusty miller, marigold, Melampodium, periwinkle, Portulaca, Salvia, and Zinnia.
• Perennials: African iris, Amaryllis, beach buttercup, blue daze, bush daisy, calla lily, cigar plant, Coreopsis, elephant ears, Gaillardia, Gerbera daisy, gloriosa lily, goldenrod, iris, Kalanchoe, Liatris, Mexican petunia, milkweed, Pentas, Salvia, society garlic, Verbena, whirling butterflies.
• Fruits in Season: Atemoya, avocado, banana, carambola, citrus (calamondin, lemon, and lime), fig, guava, kumquat, monstera, muscadine grape, papaya, pomegranate, sea grape, and sugar apple.
• Blooming plants: Allamanda, bird-of-paradise, bottlebrush, Cassia, Cordia, crape myrtle, dwarf Poinciana, false dragonhead, firespike, golden raintree, Lantana, marlberry, red and yellow shrimp plants, rouge plant, Plumbago, rose, Salvia, thryallis and Tibouchina.

Call 861-9900 to register for the following classes.

• Organic Gardening Overview Class, Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, 1:00 p.m. September 5
• Growing Herbs in Florida, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. September 9
• Chinch Bugs & White Grubs, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. September 9
• Butterfly Predators, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. September 16
• Butterfly Gardening, Twin Lakes Park, 2:30 p.m. September 16
• Florida Snakes, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. September 17
• Organic Gardening Overview Class, Laurel Park, Collins and Forest Streets, Laurel, 9:30 a.m. September 19
• Annuals & Perennials, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. September 23
• Stinging Insects, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. September 23
• Container Gardening, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. September 30
• Edible Landscapes, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. September 30

For information

The Master Gardener Help Desk now has an email address: mghelpdesk@scgov.net to

answer questions. It is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m.

You can call (941-861-9807) or visit our office at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road east of

I-75 with landscape questions. We also have weekly satellite help desks at the four South

County libraries and every third Saturday of the month at the Downtown Farmer’s

Market.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS

Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted: September 1, 2009

During these hot muggy summer days, we tend to gravitate to that picnic table under a tree’s canopy or park in the space shaded by a tree. We know that the temperature will be significantly reduced in the shade of a tree compared to open spaces in the glaring sunlight. Trees shading your home can translate into energy savings.

Did you know that car speeds are reduced by 7-12 mph when driving down a canopied road? There is a definite correlation between our emotional and physical well-being when it comes to trees. Property values are increased by 5-9 % when there are existing trees. We like trees.

The City of Sarasota values trees and has been a designated "Tree City" for 23 years by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is a "national recognition for greener communities" and it "tells visitors that here is a community that cares about its environment." The national Millennium Arbor Day celebration was celebrated in Sarasota in 2000 on the grounds of the Ringling Museum. The Millennium Tree Trail was planted with 43 trees, large and small, native and non-native, all suitable for our area.

The city’s Street Tree Program has resulted in the planting of over 100,000 trees in the city right of ways. Sarasota County has a successful Neighborhood Initiative Grant Program and a Grand Tree Ordinance; both are intended to respect the beauty of trees and their intrinsic value to the environment.

What are the benefits of trees to you as a homeowner? They

• lower temperatures in summer & reduce energy cost by 1/3
• improve air quality by reducing air and groundwater pollution and release oxygen into the air
• channel air flow and provide air-insulating space
• create privacy and deflect wind
• provide habitat for wildlife
• produce food – berries, fruits and nuts
• provide seasonal color with flowers and leaves
• give emotional comfort with their aesthetics

For more information about the above programs, contact the county call center, 861-5000 or the city of Sarasota at 365-2200. For information on selecting and planting trees, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 861-9807.

Timely reminder:

Read the label carefully before applying weed control products to turf since many products cannot be used when the temperature is over 85 degrees.

Blooming & planting guide

• Vegetables (seeds at end of month) & Herbs (plants): Basil, broccoli, celery, collards, corn, eggplant, lemon balm, marjoram, Mexican tarragon, mint, okra, onions, oregano, pole beans, pumpkin, rosemary, southern peas, summer squash, thyme, and watermelon.
• Annuals: Begonia, Celosia, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia, dusty miller, marigold, Portulaca, periwinkle, Salvia, and Zinnia.
• Perennials: African iris, beach buttercup, blackberry lily, Caladium, Coreopsis, firespike, Gaillardia, Gaura, Iris, Jacobinia, Kalanchoe, milkweed, Pentas, Salvia, society garlic, and Verbena..
• Blooming plants: Cordia, crape myrtle, gingers, gloriosa lily, goldenrod, Ixora, Lantana, Magnolia, Oleander, orange jasmine, yellow Poinciana, red and yellow shrimp plants, rouge plant, Plumbago, Thryallis, Tibouchina and Thunbergia.
• Fruits in Season: Avocado, banana, Barbados cherry, blueberry, carambola, citrus (calamondin, lemon, and lime), cocoplum, fig, guava, jaboticaba, kumquat, longan, mango, Monstera, muscadine grape, papaya, passionfruit, pineapple, sea grape, and sugar apple.

Upcoming educational classes:

Call 861-9900 to register for the following classes.

• Market Gardening: Introduction, Twin Lakes Park, 6:00 p.m. August 19
• Market Gardening: Holistic Management, Twin Lakes Park, 6:00 p.m. August 24
• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, 1:00 p.m. August 1
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Principles, North Port Library, 6:30 p.m. August 4
• Household Pests, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. August 5
• What to do about Ants, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. August 6
• What to do about Ants, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. August 12
• Organic Vegetable Gardening: Vegetable Pests, Laurel Park, 9:30 a.m. August 15
• Termites in the Home, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. August 19
• Farm to School Program, Twin Lakes Park, 4:00 p.m. August 19
• After the Hurricane: Caring for Storm-damaged Plants, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. August 20
• Invasive Insects, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. August 26
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, North Port Library, 6:30 p.m. September 1
• Green Pest Management, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. September 2
• Is that a dangerous Spider? Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. September 3
• Trees in the Landscape, Gulf Gate Library, 1:30 p.m. September 4
• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, 1:00 p.m. September 4

For information

The Master Gardener Help Desk now has an email address: mghelpdesk@scgov.net to answer questions. It is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. You can call (941-861-9807) or visit our office at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road east of I-75 with landscape questions. We also have weekly satellite help desks at the four south county libraries and every third Saturday of the month at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted: July 28, 2009

The recent rains were enthusiastically greeted by gardeners after a drought-stricken winter and spring. Now the much anticipated afternoon summer rains can make us forget about droughts, but we need to remember that the three prior years left us with a 30-inch deficit.

Water conservation is extremely important and more and more people are embracing conservation measures - it’s becoming "fashionable." The acronym LID (Low Impact Development) is now being used in conjunction with water conservation. Reducing stormwater runoff and keeping rain water on site is the crux of LID.

There are measures that any homeowner can employ to increase water conservation to reduce the use of potable water. Reroute gutters away from driveways to planting beds or rain barrels. Use micro-irrigation in beds and properly operating irrigation systems on turf areas. Rain or soil sensors will run your irrigation system only when it is needed. Unnecessarily watering plants will waste water, but can also lead to disease and pest problems.

Imposed water restrictions remind us that water conservation is a year-round problem. Following are some of the current water restrictions for Sarasota County including the cities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Englewood. (Reclaimed water is exempt)

• Irrigation system watering is permitted once per week before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Even numbered addresses on Tuesdays and odd numbered addresses on Thursdays.
• Hand water is permitted any day, but is prohibited between 8 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Car washing is permitted once per week and is recommended to be done on turf areas.
• New installations are limited to 15-days daily watering for turf and 30 days daily watering for ornamentals (before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.)
• Fertilizer/pest control applications before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Fountains/waterfalls are permitted to operate only 4 hours per day.

Violators will be fined $100 up to $500 per violation. No warnings will be given. Call 861-5000 to report violations. For more information on water conservation and water restrictions, go to http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/ or visit our office.

Timely reminders:

• The new fertilizer ordinance makes it illegal to apply Nitrogen and Phosphorus June 1 – September 30. If your turf needs greening up this summer, you can apply chelated iron.
• Every time a palm is "hurricane cut," it is stressed. When pruning palms, only remove the brown fronds

Blooming and planting guide:

• Vegetables & Herbs (plant herbs from transplants and vegetables from seeds or transplants): Basil, borage, catnip, collard and mustard greens, eggplant, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, okra, oregano, rosemary, southern peas, summer savory, sweet potatoes, thyme and turnip.
• Annuals: Begonia Celosia, Coleus, Crossandra, Gazania, Gerbera daisy, Gomphrena, marigold, Melampodium, Nicotiana, periwinkle, Portulaca, Salvia, Torenia, and Zinnia.
• Perennials: Blue daze, Gaillardia, Coreopsis, daylily, Pentas, Ruellia caroliniensis (native), Salvia, Shasta daisy, society garlic, Stokes aster and Verbena.
• Fruits in season: Banana, blueberry, Carambola, guava, citrus (calamondin, key lime, lemon and lime), Jackfruit, fig, kumquat, lychee, macadamia, mango, papaya and pineapple.
• Blooming plants: African tulip tree, Allamanda, beautyberry, bird of paradise, Cannas, crape jasmine, crape myrtle, dwarf Poinciana, Gardenia, Jacaranda, Jerusalem thorn, Ligustrum, Magnolia, Mexican flame vine, ponytail palm, Plumbago, Plumeria, royal Poinciana, thryallis, and Yucca.

Upcoming educational classes:

Call 861-9900 to register for the following classes.

• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 10
• Hurricanes vs. Trees, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. June 17
• Termites, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. June 18
• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Laurel Park, 10:30 a.m. June 20
• Let It Rot (Composting), Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. July 1
• Partnering with Pollinators, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. July 1
• Hurricanes vs. Trees, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. July 2
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, North Port Library, 6:30 p.m. July 7
• The Bed Bug Menace, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. July 8
• Turf Alternatives: Small Plants for Small Places, Gulf Gate Library, 1:30 p.m. July 10

For information

The Master Gardener Help Desk now has an email address: mghelpdesk@scgov.net to answer questions. It is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. You can call (941-861-9807) or visit our office at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road east of I-75 with landscape questions. We also have weekly satellite help desks at the four south county libraries and every third Saturday of the month at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted: June 2, 2009

May Gardening Guide (2009)

By Patricia Porchey

The Master Gardener program was first conceived in Washington State by Extension agents who needed help assisting homeowners whose interest in horticulture was increasing in urban areas. Volunteers were trained by land-grant college staff so they would have the knowledge to provide information and answer questions for the public. From Washington State, the program has become an important part of Extension programs in land-grant universities across the nation.

Fifty-four counties in Florida have active Master Gardener programs affiliated with the University of Florida’s Extension Service. Sarasota County has one of the largest programs with 119 Master Gardeners. These volunteer educators provide research-based information to homeowners about planning and maintaining urban and suburban landscapes with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. When you call the Extension office with a question, your call will be answered by a Master Gardener at the Help Desk. They also assist homeowners at five satellite Help Desk locations.

In addition, Master Gardeners staff information booths and give demonstrations at special events, give presentations to garden clubs, work with youth groups (4-H, Scouts, public and private school students), assist with community gardens, and facilitate horticultural activities for the developmentally and physically-challenged as well as senior populations. They grow plants for their annual fund-raising plant sale in October; whose proceeds are for educational grants for community projects. They are responsible for maintaining the landscape and conducting tours in the demonstration landscapes at the Florida House Learning Center and Extension office.

Our Master Gardeners are continually recognized for their contributions to the community at the community gardens, schools, parks and other facilities. They donated over 16,000 hours of their time in 2008. In the past two years, two Sarasota County Master Gardeners have received national awards for their work in the community from the MetLife Foundation’s Older Volunteers Enrich America.

Once a year, new Master Gardeners are recruited and trained to be a part of this volunteer program. There are no prerequisites, just a genuine desire to volunteer your time to assist others in the community. If you are interested, visit our website for more information http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu or attend the upcoming orientation program on June 3.

Blooming & planting guide

• Vegetables & Herbs: Anise, beans, black-eyed peas, borage, catnip, chervil, cilantro/coriander, comfrey, corn, cumin, dasheen, eggplant, marjoram, mint, okra, oregano, peas, summer savory, sweet potatoes, tarragon and watermelon.
• Annuals: Ageratum, Begonia, Celosia, Cleome, Coleus, Cosmos, Crossandra, dusty miller, four o’clock, Gazania, marigold, morning glory, Nicotiana, periwinkle, Portulaca, Salvia, sunflower, Torenia, Verbena and Zinnia.
• Perennials: Blue daze, Caladium, Coreopsis, Dahlberg daisy, daylily, Gaillardia, Gaura, Gerbera daisy, Kalanchoe, Mexican heather, Pentas, Rudbeckia, Salvias, shell ginger, shrimp plants, Tithonia and Verbena.
• Fruits in Season: Banana, blackberry, blueberry, carambola, citrus, (calamondin, grapefruit, key lime, lemon, and lime,), guava, kumquat, loquat, macadamia, papaya, pineapple, Surinam cherry, and tamarind.
• Blooming Plants: Amaryllis, birds of paradise, crape jasmine, daylily, devil’s backbone, Gardenia, dwarf Indian hawthorn, Jacaranda, Jerusalem thorn, Magnolia, Mexican flame vine, natal plum, oleander, pipevine, Plumeria, silk oak Simpson’s stopper, star jasmine, Texas sage, and Yucca.

Upcoming classes

Call 861-9900 to register for the following classes.

• Summer Gardening-Summer Cover Plants, Orange Blossom Community Garden, 18^th & Orange, 1:00 p.m. May 2
• Invasive Insect Pests, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. May 6
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. May 13
• Growing Herbs in Florida, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. May 13
• Backyard Landscapes for Native Reptiles & Amphibians, Twin Lakes Park, 3:00 p.m. May 13
• Organic Vegetable Gardening, Laurel Community Garden, Forest & Collins, Laurel, 10:30 a.m. May 16
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Nine Landscape Principles, Fruitville Library, 2:00 p.m. May 18
• Invasive Plants, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. May 20
• Beneficial Insects in the Garden, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. May 21
• Sex in the Garden & other Plant Propagation Methods, Twin Lakes Park, 10:00 a.m. May 27
• Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Creating Your Florida Yard, Fruitville Library, 2:00 p.m. June 1
• Master Gardener Program: What is it?, Twin Lakes Park, 1:00 p.m. June 3
• Groundcovers: Small Plants for Small Places, Shamrock Park, 2:00 p.m. June 4

For information

The Master Gardener Help Desk now has an email address: mghelpdesk@scgov.net to answer questions. It is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. You can call (941-861-9807) or visit our office at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road east of I-75 with landscape questions. We also have weekly satellite help desks at the four south county libraries and every third Saturday of the month at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.

(Patricia Porchey is an Urban Horticulture Agent with University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension. Website: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu)

Submitted April 28, 2009

Blooming and planting guide

Vegetables & Herbs: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, chives, collards, coriander, dill, eggplant, endive, fennel, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, peas, pepper, potatoes, radish, rosemary, sage, tomatoes, turnips, and watermelon.

Annuals: Alyssum, ageratum, Calendula, dusty miller, geranium, Lobelia, nasturtium, pansy, ornamental cabbage and kale, petunia, phlox, snapdragon, Statice and Verbena.

Perennials: Agapanthus, Amaryllis, calla lily, Clivia, Crinum lily, daylily, Dianthus, blue sage, Shasta daisy, society garlic, Tithonia, Viola, and walking iris.

Fruits in Season: Avocado, banana, carambola, citrus (calamondin, grapefruit, key lime, lemon, lime, orange, and tangerine), hog plum, Indian jujube, kumquat, and papaya.

Blooming plants: Bougainvillea, bromeliad, Cassia, Chinese hat plant, crown of thorns, desert rose, firebush, Kalanchoe, Lantana, lion’s ear, loquat, mango, Mexican flame vine, orchid tree, porterweed, rose, Tabebuia, Thunbergia, and Turk’s cap.