In this Issue HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP

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1 Volume XX Number XX Fall 2018, Issue 7 In this Issue Title Page Holiday Centerpiece Workshop...1 Irrigation Update....2 HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Florida Friendly Landscapes... 3 Lawn Care Tips All American Selections am to 1 pm $25.00 Registration Fee, Fall Veggies Bulbing onions, lettuce, arugula, spinach and more thrive this time of year. For a complete list, download the North FL Gardening Calendar: EP/EP45100.pdf Pre-registration required, Non-refundable Register via eventbrite at: sjcextensioncenterpieceworkshop.eventbrite.ca Located at SJC Extension Auditorium 3125 Agricultural Center Dr. St. Augustine, FL For more information contact: UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County Terra Freeman terraf@ufl.edu (904) FAX (904)

2 SJC IRRIGATION REGULATIONS Terra Freeman, Horticulture Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension SJC During cool weather, lawns require 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 4, Daylight Savings Time ends and automatic sprinkler systems will only be permitted to operate once a week according to St. Johns County watering restrictions. SJC residents need to adjust their irrigation controllers 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. The Floridan aquifer is showing signs of over use and water demand is increasing with growth and development. In Florida, 60-65% of our potable water supply goes to irrigating our landscapes. There are many things we can do to reduce water usage and save money on our water bills. One way to more efficiently water your garden is to use drip-irrigation. This allows the water to drip near or directly on the plant roots to maximize the plants ability to uptake water while reducing overall water usage. The expense of watering regularly with an in-ground irrigation system can quickly add up, especially when set to run automatically. Make an effort to learn how to adjust your irrigation system and ensure your rain sensor is working properly. It is important to calibrate your irrigation system annually and when noticeable problems, like brown spots or prevalence of pests, arise. Additionally, watering at the right time of day to minimize evaporation is essential to maximizing your yards ability to utilize the water you provide. St. Johns County has watering restrictions in place to encourage the public to manage their water usage more efficiently. Understanding that less is more, when applied correctly, can go a long way in growing your landscape while simutaneously reducing the expense of irrigation. Article by Matt Nunez, SJC Master Gardener 2

3 Salt Tolerant Florida-Friendly Landscapes Terra Freeman, Urban and Commercial Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County Whether you live close to the beach, are dealing with saltwater intrusion in your well, or have elevated levels of salt in your reclaimed water, knowing which plants can tolerate these harsh conditions can help you to have a thriving, low-maintenance coastal landscape. Coastal plant communities are characterized by salty, dry, sandy, shelly conditions, so it makes sense to look at the plants that naturally grow in these areas for plant palette inspiration for your coastal garden. The three main dry coastal plant communities include beach dune, coastal strand and maritime forest. Beach dunes are formed by wind and wave action which creates the foredune and upper beach. Dunes are populated with pioneer plant species such as dune sunflower, beach morning glory, sea oats and railroad vine. Coastal strands are the bands between the dunes and the maritime forest and are characterized by an evergreen shrub community. This recognizable canopy is often smooth due to pruning by salt spray. The windward side is populated by sea oats, grasses, sedges and low scrubby plants; while the lee side has scrubby trees and shrubs such as sand live oak, saw palmetto, yaupon holly, cabbage palm and necklace pod. Maritime forests are hardwood forests that start at the inland side of the coastal strand. They still receive salt spray, but not as much as the dunes and strand, making the plants slightly less salt tolerant than those closer to the water. Examples of plants include coralbean, American holly, southern red cedar, Southern magnolia, beautyberry, coontie, and wild coffee. Coral Bean, Erythrina herbacea If your house was built in one of these natural communities, you could benefit from learning which plants would naturally grow there and replicating them in your landscape. When acquiring native plants, it is important to purchase from a reputable nursery rather than dig them up from natural areas as we need to preserve, not take away from, our precious natural areas. For more information on coastal gardening visit: coastal-landscape.html. 3

4 Oct, Nov, Dec Lawn Care Tips By Joe Kirby, Horticulture 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 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 The Best Gardening Season Shirley Barber, Master Gardener, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County We have survived the 100+ heat index of the summer. Temperatures have already moderated from the 90 s to the 80 s. We are on the threshold of the best gardening season with a vast array of plant varieties that thrive in cooler temperatures. Our thoughts turn to the usual go-to cool season favorites: snapdragon, dianthus, pansy, petunia, larkspur, sweet alyssum to name just a few. While we all know the health benefits of kale, many don t know how incredibly beautiful it is in the garden. There are two categories of Kale: edible and ornamental; however, both are useful in garden displays. All-American Selections (AAS) named Kale Prizm the vegetable award winner in 2016, and Kale Glamour Red the bedding plant winner in Kale Prizm reaches at least 16 inches tall and produces tight ruffle-edged leaves in bright green. Cold temperatures are tolerated and light frost will enhance the flavor. Prizm matures quicker than other varieties, allowing multiple harvests as it continues to produce new growth. The tender leaves can be eaten fresh and will also do well in cooking. Kale Glamour Red is an outstanding beauty and represents a breeding achievement for its remarkable shiny leaves. The flower head is approximately 12 inches with frilly rosy-red inner leaves surrounded by dark green leaves. The color intensifies when night temperatures fall below 55 degrees. Kale is easy to grow from seed and transplanted into the garden. The plants are nearly maintenance free and can be grown in containers or flower beds in full sun or partial shade with well-drained consistent moisture. Prizm is a beautiful backdrop and a perfect complement to flowers of any color. There are other edibles that are also gorgeous in flower beds. Consider Swiss chard, purple cabbage, beets, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, fennel and curly parsley. Enjoy the delightful days ahead and visit the gardens at the St. Johns County Agriculture Center where you will find plenty of edibles mingling with Kale Prizm, Kale Glamour Red, beautiful flowers. Petunia Celebrity Chiffon Morn 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