11

Inside this

issue:

Nature Trail 2

Turkey Time! 3

Walk on the

Wild Side

4

Member Sub-

missions

4

Food for

Thought

5

Birthdays! 5

Challenge! 5

News & Notes 6

Book Review 6

Events 7

Last Word 8

...for discerning weeders November, 2013 An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

WEED OF THE MONTH By Jenny G.

DON’T FORGET TO

LOG YOUR HOURS

ONTO THE VMS

SYSTEM!

Click here to enter

Carolina Geranium Geranium carolinianum

I have to admit: the name of this weed makes

me feel just a little bit tender-hearted about it. I

mean, come on! It’s a geranium, right? Um, not

quite.

This little plant is a rather aggressive cool-

season weed. It’s also very widespread and can

be found throughout the United States, and

parts of Canada and Mexico. You can find it in

gardens, fields, pastures, disturbed places and

anywhere else the soil has been disturbed. It’s

easy to recognize, having a pinkish stem and

finely divided leaves. It’s also rather easy to re-

move. Although it has a taproot, it’s a shallow

one. Wait until the soil is moist and just pull the

entire clump out of the ground. If you are dili-

gent about pulling Carolina Geranium out be-

fore it flowers in spring, you shouldn’t have too

much trouble removing this weed without herb-

icides. Moreover, this geranium is rather mild-

mannered and can’t usually compete with a vig-

orous, well-maintained lawn. Proper watering,

fertilizing and mowing will usually crowd out

Carolina Geraniums.

If your lawn or flowerbed is completely overrun

with Carolina Geranium and you simply cannot

remove it by hand, you can use a selective herbi-

cide for broad-leaf weeds in the lawn. In the

flowerbed, the safest thing is to hand-weed.

There is no selective herbicide for this weed that

won’t also damage most ornamental bedding

plants. Because Carolina Geranium reproduces

mainly by seed, apply a pre-emergent herbicide

in the late summer or early fall. The seeds

emerge in fall and winter here and the plants

are only really noticeable when our warm-

season grasses are dormant.” http://

thepapershell.com/winter-weeds-carolina-

geranium/

Carolina Gerani-

um is sometimes

called Wild Gera-

nium, Carolina

Cranesbill,

Cranesbill or

Crane’s Bill. It is

normally a bien-

nial but can also

be a winter or summer annual broadleaf weed.

It prefers dry, open areas, but Carolina Gerani-

um can be found growing in woodlands, prai-

ries, limestone glades, abandoned fields, pas-

tures, lawns, and roadsides. Actually, it grows

just about anywhere!

Carolina Geranium seedlings are first seen as

basal rosettes. As the plant matures, multiple

stems arise from the base in an overall circular

growth pattern from the center. The elongating,

ascending stems are usually pink to red in color.

They are densely hairy and can grow 6 to 28

inches from a large tap root.

The leaves, which are ¾ to 2 ½ inches wide, are

rounded and deeply divided into 5-9 lobes and

each lobe is lobed again and is bluntly toothed.

Its flower is often white or pink to lavender and

grows two to several together on reddish stems

from the upper nodes. Each flower has 5 petals.

Flowers are less than ¼ inch wide and form in

clusters. Flowering typically occurs most often

in April and May and each flower usually pro-

duces 5 seeds enclosed in a 5-lobed capsule with

a long central beak, similar to a stork’s beak or

crane’s bill. Hence the name!

When mature, the capsule springs open from

the base and the five divisions curve upward

dispersing seeds a considerable distance.

(continued page 2)

22

Weed continued

The seeds are about 2 mm

long, prominently veined in a

rectangular pattern and ob-

long in shape. http://

edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fw017

Carolina geranium is a com-

mon open-field plant and is

preferred winter forage of

White-tailed Deer, cattle, and

Wild turkeys in the Southeast.

The seeds are consumed by

Mourning Doves, Northern

Bobwhite, songbirds, small mammals and rodents. http://

mastergardener.tamu.edu/galveston/Weeds/pdfs/108-Carolina

-Geranium.pdf

Carolina geranium’s distinctive identifying features are its deep-

ly divided leaves, the “cranesbill” fruit, and its pink to lavender

flower color. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/gerca.htm

As Carolina geranium plants grow they become excellent repro-

ductive hosts for the two spotted spider mite and the tumid spi-

der mite (the purple-red colored mite), complicating the man-

agement of these mites. http://strawberry.ifas.ufl.edu/

BerryTimes/2002/BVTFeb02.pdf

It is best to control this biennial broadleaf weed in spring or fall,

if actively growing at these times. Two, three, and four way

broadleaf herbicides control Carolina geranium in the fall or

spring. Metsulfuron (Manor, Blade, etc.) and trifloxysulfuron

(Monument) also provide control.

Many post emergent herbicides such as Roundup, etc. will kill

this weed. http://

www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Weeds/

Geranium_Carolina.aspx#

NATURE TRAIL By Bob B.

The nature trail meanders through the woods behind the Exten-

sion building, for just short of one quarter mile. Blue markers

line the trail spaced every ten yards and are numbered from one

on the east end directly behind the garden storage shed to forty

one on the west. Orange marking tape on some of the trees were

the original trail markers.

Approximately 150 Salvia lyrata, lyre leaf sage or meadow sage

line either side of the trail. These plants were propagated at the

annex nursery in Ft Walton Beach . Lead by Carol Strom, the

Girl Scouts have planted a large number of various native plants

through the woodlands.

There are many trees that need to be identified and marked. This

task is planned for the fall and winter of 2013. We have been

able to identify weeping hawthorne, laurel oak, titi and many

tulip trees, all of which require markers.

Three areas are currently being developed, a redbud meadow, a

woodland shade garden, and a bog garden. There are seven Cer-

cis canadensis, American redbuds, planted in the meadow and

additional companion plants will be installed soon.

The bog garden is the latest challenge; thick undergrowth and

standing water from recent rains has made progress slow. We

will soon be planting 'Gulf Shores' pitcher plants, iris and other

available water-tolerant plants.

The woodland shade garden has seen the greatest progress with

much of the surrounding undergrowth being cleared and plant-

ing proceeding swiftly. The following plants have already been

installed:

Walking Iris, Neomarica spp.

Boston Fern., Nephrolepis spp.

Cast Iron Plant, Aspidistra elatior

Hosta-Plantain Lily, various cultivars

Violet, Viola spp.

Gold Moss Sedum, Sedum sarmentosum

Holly Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum

Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Shooting Star'

We will update the status of the nature trail on a bi-monthly ba-

sis.

Ed. Note: Now that the weather is cooling down, take a stroll

along this great addition to our teaching landscapes! In addi-

tion to the trail, you also have the planted beds, retention area

and the wooded area directly opposite of the Master Gardener

office! Folks interested in assisting with the general landscape

should contact Marg S. and those wanting to work on the na-

ture trail, contact Bob. B.

33

IT’S TURKEY TIME! By Linda M.

It’s turkey

time, and

most of us

remember as a

child learning

to identify

them by trac-

ing outlines of

our hands to

make Thanks-

giving cards.

The wild tur-

key has long

been a symbol of America’s early history. When North America

was first discovered, there were large numbers of turkey, but

they almost disappeared form the landscape in the early 20th

Century, as a result of decades of overhunting and loss of habitat.

Some estimate the nation’s entire turkey population was down to

30,000 by the 1930s. But the turkey began to make a comeback

in mid-century. Today turkey populations are higher than in pre-

vious Florida history because of restocking and land manage-

ment efforts of state wildlife agencies such as our FWC, private

land owners and the strong support of members of the National

Wild Turkey Federation. According to the NWTF, there are an

estimated 6.4 million turkeys in the country today. State officials

believe there are around 100,000 wild turkeys now living in Flor-

ida.

The eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) and the

Florida wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Osceola) are found

throughout our state. While domestic turkeys are considered the

dunces of the feathered world, their wild cousins are notoriously

wily. These cautious large birds are also both excellent swimmers

and fliers. They prefer a mix of mature hardwood or pine forest

with open areas like grasslands, pastures, or fields. Wild turkeys

will also nest in pine flatwoods with dense saw palmetto under-

story. Winter flocks of 20 or more birds may stay in a 50 acre

home range, but break up into smaller flocks during breeding

season and cover a range of several miles. The smaller breeding

groups break in march and the range of a wild turkey gobbler

may then span an area of about 350 acres. Good quality habitat

will support one bird per 30 acres or one flock for about 640 to

800 acres. If you consistently see them in an area, it is good wild

turkey habitat.

Habitat needs vary with the seasons as wild turkeys have differ-

ent requirements during their life cycle. During the nesting sea-

son, March through May, marginal areas along woodlands, old

fields and unmowed pastures and brush are important. Tall, ma-

ture trees are beneficial for they provide an escape from preda-

tors that can attack the turkeys on the ground. Turkeys also need

water daily and must have easy access to a pond or wetland.

Nesting time is difficult for turkeys. It takes 12 to 13 days to lay a

nest full of eggs, 10 for the average clutch. Hens are on the nest

25 to 28 days while they incubate the eggs. The young turkeys

that hatch, called poults, roost on the ground for about two

weeks. At this time they are vulnerable to predators such as rac-

coons, skunks, foxes opossums and dogs.

The reintroduction of wild turkeys is an amazing success story of

an incredible comeback. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva-

tion Commission hopes that ongoing studies will continue to

help state wildlife officials judge the effectiveness of their policies

for managing turkey habitat and help them continue to set ap-

propriate limits on turkey hunting.

Sources:

“Not As Dumb As You Think: Wild Turkeys A Tough Catch For

UF Researchers,” Tim Lockette

UF School of Forest Resources & Conservation

Eleanor Foerste, Natural Resources Agent, Osceola County Ex-

tension

JUST FOR FUN

44

WA

LK

ON

TH

E W

ILD

SID

E

Courte

sy L

inda M

.

Fall has arrived, a favorite time of year in the Panhandle.

Not only is it one of the best times of year to garden, there

are a lot of wildlife activities we can also enjoy.

Birds

Itʼs time to set up winter seed and suet feeders.

Cedar waxwings come south for the winter. Their flocks

can be seen on cedars, hollies, cherry laurels, privet, and

other fruit plants.

Look for downy, hairy, red-bellied, and redheaded wood-

peckers on suet feeders.

Bald eagles begin their nesting season. Look for spectacu-

lar aerial courtship displays.

Sandhill cranes return in full force from their breeding

grounds up north. (Only a small number live here all year

round).

Many yellow-rumped warblers and palm warblers will be

in neighborhoods, natural areas, and yards, and gray cat-

birds have already arrived, and will be skulking (and cat-

calling!) in thickets.

Kinglets, phoebes, robins, and other northern songbirds

have arrived for the winter.

Mammals

Peak of deer rutting in central and north Florida.

Bears are on the move and crossing roads.

Look for migrating Hoary and Red Bats in North Florida.

Hoary is a large bat with frosted fur.

Amphibians

Ornate chorus frogs begin calling.

Fish

Spotted sea trout should enter tidal creeks around

Thanksgiving.

Bass congregate around jetties in south end of Lake

George.

Source of information:

Florida Wildlife Extension

October cereus by waterfall. Courtesy of Dick H. Toad lilies courtesy of Jane M.

Viva 50

0 C

elebratio

n S

halim

ar

Stace

y T., L

es C., D

mytro

S., M

arie H., B

ill B.,

and

Marilyn

K.

55

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

By Lee V.

Japanese Persimmon

Preserves

3 cups fruit, cut into small

pieces (5-6 Japanese persim-

mons)

1 cup water

1 package powdered pectin

(1 3/4 oz.)

1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh or bottled

4 cups sugar

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground dry ginger

Dash ground cloves

Measure fruit and water into a large pan. Add pectin, lemon

juice and spices. Bring to a full boil for 30 seconds, add sugar

and bring to a rolling boil for exactly four minutes, stirring con-

stantly. If the fruit pieces are larger than you like, pulse four

times in a food processor.

Makes about 4 1/2 pints.

PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE!

Join Okaloosa County Extension along with University of Florida

Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the

Florida Peanut Producers Association to help take a bite out of

hunger by participating in a local peanut butter drive.

We are competing against other peanut producing counties in

the Panhandle for the most jars of peanut butter donated. Partic-

ipate and help make Okaloosa a winner.

Bring unopened jars of peanut butter to one of the below drop-

off locations now through November 15. All peanut butter col-

lected will be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City

Week.

Drop-off locations include:

Okaloosa County Extension Office

3098 Airport Road in Crestview

Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: This location will be closed November 11 for Veteran’s Day

Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Office

921 West James Lee Blvd. (Hwy. 90) in Crestview

Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Okaloosa County Extension Annex

127 NW Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach

Note: This location is only available for drop-off of peanut butter

each Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon through November 15.

Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce

1055 E John Sims Pkwy. in Niceville

Open Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Friday 8 a.m. to 12

noon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO!

Pat C.

Harriet G.

Marie H.

Colby K.

Lee L.

Jim M.

Carol M.

Mike N.

66

UPDATED PUBLICATIONS

We had a very good response to providing the updated publications available through EDIS.

This month:

Key to Common Bay Trees of Florida—a 7 page fact sheet that includes a

dichotomous key to help in identification as well as a basic description

and photos of each species.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr379

Conserving Urban Wildlife in the Face of Climate Change—4 page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw381

Smart irrigation Apps: Urban Turf—easy-to-use mobile tool

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae499

The Green Value of Your Woods: A summary of Ecosystem Services Provided by Forest

Stewardship Lands in Florida

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr381

Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training—3 page fact sheet http://

edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi247

Integrated Pest Management in Protected Structures I: Basic Principles and Scouting

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in994

Spotted cucumber beetle—6 page fact sheet

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1008

New Caladium Cultivars—9 page fact sheet

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep481

New Gerbera Daisy Varieties for Large Containers and Flower Gardens

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep482

Eriophyid mite vector of Rose Rosette Disease (RRD)

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in999

Southern Black Widow

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1000

BOOK REVIEW by Marg S. Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identifica-

tion Guide by Katherine Kirkman, Claud L.

Brown, and Donald J. Leopold is a must have

for your library. This is a comprehensive field

guide to 229 native tree species in the south-

eastern United States. There are over 590 pho-

tographs along with detailed descriptions,

range maps, and the part I like most, keys to

trees in summer and winter conditions. That

part alone makes it a handy guide to keep on

hand when you are out and about.

The book itself is durable in its construction so

it won’t fall apart after you cart it around for a

while.

You’ll definitely want to add this 372 page

book to your must have list.

You may purchase this volume through the

UF/IFAS Bookstore. SP 463

Don’t forget, you UF/IFAS Bookstore has

many items, not just books. The holidays are

coming and this would be the perfect shopping

place for those gardeners on your list....not to

mention a stocking stuffer or two for yourself!

http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/

77

General Membership Meeting

November 6th @ 10 am

Crestview Extension Office

3098 Airport Road

Crestview, FL 32539

Combined Meeting

and

Christmas Party

December 4th

Shalimar Baptist Church

17th 4th Ave.

Shalimar, FL

Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society’s

50th Annual Camellia Show

November 9th

12 noon to 4 pm

Westwood Retirement Resort

1001 Mar Walt Drive

Ft. Walton Beach, FL

88

Your member site:

www.ocmgamembers.org

The Foundation for the Gator

Nation.....An equal opportunity

institution.

Have pictures or an idea for

an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are

always welcome.

First off, I want to take this oppor-

tunity to thank everyone for their

thoughts, prayers and support during

my father’s recent health crisis. He is

home, doing much better and is cur-

rently hoping that the doctors allow

him to start driving again next week.

You may have noticed that this issue

is a ‘light’ one. Since we had folks on

vacation and others at the recent State

Conference, it just made sense to keep

things simple. Next month we will be

back to normal.

Speaking of the Conference, this was

the last 3-day conference until 2015.

They are going to an alternate schedule

so on odd years, we have the 3-day

conference and on even years there will

be a one-day District educational

event.

All in all, the conference was another

way to pack in 3 days of education time

at a very nice location. Here’s to hoping

that they keep that hotel on the agenda.

One thing that stuck with me was Dr.

Jaret Daniels’ presentation on the last

day regarding butterfly gardens. I

know that is a ‘hot’ topic right now, but

he provided a list of basics: provide a

mix of flower colors, flower shape, in-

clude host plants and adult nectar

sources, provide flowers throughout

the growing season, create horizontal

and vertical diversity, plant in group-

ings, include native plants, right plant

for each location, and learn to ID the

butterflies in your yard.

The two that struck me most were the

idea of horizontal and vertical diversity

as well as providing flowers throughout

the growing season.

Direction and timing. With the direc-

tion aspect, we were asked to consider

that some butterflies feed at different

levels. Lower levels are also necessary

for protection during weather events

and from predators.

Timing included when NOT to have

things blooming. You don’t want Mon-

arch sources blooming too late in the

season. If those sources are there,

Monarchs will reproduce and may not

survive when the cold weather hits.

Direction and timing. Two very im-

portant aspects of dealing with a gar-

den, a client and even life.

If you are heading in one direction

and it’s not working—don’t be afraid to

head in another one! If you’re at a low-

er level, try higher or off to the side.

You never know what may happen

when you just shift your perspective

and actions just a little bit.

Timing is another one. We always tell

folks, ‘right plant, right place’ (this ap-

plies to people as well) but we have to

remember the timing as well. There is a

right time to plant certain things and

there are right/wrong times to do

things in our own lives. Wait to long

and we might not complete what we

started out to do.

And always remember that not every-

one ‘feeds’ on the same level. Some are

on the lower branches while others are

way up high. That’s the area that suits

them best and provides the most

‘nutrition’ for growth and accomplish-

ments. Not everyone is on the same

schedule either. We should have our

lives like a butterfly garden—all levels

and proper timing. Soon you’ll see

‘blooms’ like never before and success

will be just around the corner.

On an ending note, after the trip to

the conference—the two fur balls in the

homestead FINALLY decided to forgive

us for leaving them alone. We had

someone checking in daily and taking

care of their needs...I was informed

that they rarely woke up.

On the morning after our arrival

home I was greeted by not one, but two

hairballs right where we walk....now

how is that for timing. Wishing every-

one a Happy Thanksgiving!

Marg S.—Editor

Shari F., Karen H. and

Linda M.—Co-Editors

LAST WORD By Marg S.