In this Issue HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP. December 6, Noon to 3 pm

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1 Volume XX Number XX Winter 2017, Issue 3 In this Issue Title Page Upcoming Events...1 Irrigation HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP Florida Friendly Plants Lawn Care Tips All American Selections..5 December 6, 2017 Noon to 3 pm $27.00 Registration Fee, Winter Veggies Our mild, north Florida winters allow for a prosperous growing season throughout the cooler months. Vegetables such as beets, broccoli, kale, onions, and radish thrive this time of year. Materials Included Located at St. Johns County Extension Auditorium 3125 Agricultural Center Dr. St. Augustine, FL Call front desk to register: For a complete list, download the North FL Gardening Calendar: EP/EP45100.pdf (904) For more information contact: UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County Terra Freeman terraf@ufl.edu (904) FAX (904)

2 IRRIGATION REGULATIONS During cool weather, lawn requires less irrigation than in warmer months because grass is not actively growing. You may need to irrigate every 2 to 3 weeks if rainfall has not occurred. Overwatering during cool weather encourages fungal disease, especially during cool nights. On Sunday, November 5, Daylight Savings Time ends and automatic sprinkler systems will only be allowed to operate once a week according to St. Johns County watering restrictions. Make sure to adjust your irrigation controller accordingly. Time of Year Odd # or No Address Even # Address Non-Residential Property Daylight Savings Wednesday & Saturday Thursday & Sunday Tuesday & Friday Time Eastern Standard Time Saturday Sunday Tuesday Exceptions include micro-irrigation, hand-held hose with spray nozzle, reclaimed water use, recycled water from most wet detention ponds, new landscape irrigation, watering in chemicals, and during repair or maintenance of irrigation systems. Master Gardener Plant Clinics and Help Desk Is your lawn suffering from insect damage? Is your citrus tree exhibiting symptoms of a nutrient deficiency? Wondering what crops will grow this time of year? Master Gardeners are available to answer your diagnostic questions at the Extension office Help Desk at (904) , many weekdays from 9 to noon. You can drop off a sample, or call in with your questions. You can also bring your diagnostic questions to the Master Gardener Plant Clinic on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10 am to 2 pm, located at Home Depot at 1750 US Hwy 1 South, St. Augustine. 2

3 Florida Friendly Plant Spotlight: Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana Terra Freeman, Urban and Commercial Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County You may see this unique plant while hiking along a wooded trail, planted as a garden specimen, or even on a rare occasion nestled into the bark of a palm tree (see image 1). Image 1: Beautyberry nestled in palm bark. Photo credit: Terra Freeman The genus Callicarpa is a Greek word meaning beautiful and fruit, while the specific epithet, americana, refers to its native origin in the Americas. This Florida native is easy to grow and is attractive to butterflies and birds. The dense growth provides birds and other wildlife space to raise young as well as shelter from predators. Small, lavender-pink flowers are produced on new growth in the spring or early summer, and remain somewhat hidden beneath the light green foliage. These inconspicuous flowers transform into abundant clusters of bright magenta berries which encircle the stems from summer through fall. A rarer form of beautyberry, Callicarpa americana var. lactea, produces white flowers and white berries. Any fresh berries the birds have not devoured will dry up and turn black when the leaves fall off for the winter, providing food for birds well into the colder months. This long-lived perennial prefers full sun to dappled shade and moist soils, but can be drought tolerant in the shade. Beautyberry has a wide tolerance to soil types, growing in sand, loam or clay, and can tolerate ph levels from 5.2 to 7.0. While not salt tolerant, it does exhibit hurricane wind resistance. When selecting a location for this loosely arranged, rounded shrub, plan for the plants mature size, which can range from five to eight feet tall and equally as wide. If planting a hedge, space plants 48 to 60 inches apart. These fast growing shrubs may be pruned in late fall or early spring since flowers are produced on new growth. Beautyberry is easy to propagate via seed, of which there are plenty, or softwood cuttings. To grow from seed, wait until it is ripe to collect, squeeze from the fleshy fruit, clean with water, then sow immediately; or allow to dry and store at room temperature if planting the following late winter or early spring. For softwood cuttings, be sure to use sterile potting media and a rooting hormone, and provide adequate humidity until rooted. Beautyberry is a favorite among people and wildlife alike, is easy to grow, and is virtually pest-free. Beautyberry will be available at our Arbor Day Tree-Give Away event on January 19, Figure 2: Beautyberry, Callicarpa Americana Photo credit: Terra Freeman 3

4 Joe Kirby, Horticulture Nov/Dec Lawn Care Program Assistant, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County When cooler temperatures arise, mowing may only be required every other week. Continue to mow at recommended height. Lawn Type Mow Height in Inches St. Augustine St. Augustine Dwarf Zoysia Zoysia Dwarf Bahia 3-4 Bermuda ¾ Continue to irrigate as needed to prevent drought stress. Apply ½ to ¾ of water when lawn shows signs of drought. Sign of drought include: -Leaf blades fold in half lengthwise -Grass turns a bluish color -Footprint and tracks remain on lawn With less time devoted to lawn care, the winter months are an ideal time for equipment maintenance such as sharpening your mower blades and repairing irrigation leaks. Periodically check for white grubs, armyworms, sod webworms and chinch bugs. Warmth and humidity can still cause fungal issues such as brown patch and leaf spot. Chinch bug damage Brown Patch Fungus. Credit: M. L. Elliott 4

5 Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun There must be something very special about a flowering plant that has been the subject of so many garden articles and magazine covers. Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun is no ordinary Black-Eyed Susan, for this one has green eyes. One look at this beauty will lift your spirits and put a smile on your face. Chosen in 2003 as an All-American Selections winner and a Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner in England, Prairie Sun remains a constant favorite. The pale green cones are surrounded by large daisy-like petals that start dark gold at the center and graduate to pale yellow at the tips. The flowers rise on sturdy stems 30 inches above a mound of healthy green leaves. The species name hirta means hairy which refers to the short hairs that cover the leaves and stems. This flower is beautiful in the garden and as a cut flower in an arrangement. Prairie Sun is considered a perennial and will bloom first year when grown from seed. Black-Eyed Susans must be grown in well-drained soil, as wet conditions will cause the plants to dissipate. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, and tolerates our hot, humid summers. Allow the cones to mature and stay on the plant and you will be rewarded with two bonuses: birds will visit to feast on the seeds and new seedlings will appear to continue the show. Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun lives up to its nickname of Gloriosa Daisy, for it truly is a sight to behold. Visit the gardens at the St. Johns County Agriculture Center where there is always a seasonal display of flowers and vegetables. Shirley Barber, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County Master Gardener Rudbeckia hirta Praire Sun Photo credit: Shirley Barber An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices. 5