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A quarterly online magazine published for Master Gardeners in support of the educational mission of UF/IFAS Extension Services January 2016 Issue 4 Time to Take a Walk on the Wild Side Fragrant White Water Lilies in FL Ponds It’s All About the Dirt Pomegranates as Viable FL Crop Soil… Let’s Stop Treating It Like Dirt Life Underground Invasives: Nature’s Dizzy Balancing Act Invasive Species Are Everywhere Fabulous Fading Florida Controlling Weeds in Lawns New Editor & Co-Editor Announced Time to Take a Walk on the Wild Side By Ellen Mahany On a cloudy October day at Brooker Creek Preserve, I was one of nine fortunate participants in a five-hour advanced plant identification class taught by James Stevenson, extension specialist. What a wonderful day. If you have not yet joined James on one of his Brooker Creek walks or in one of his plant identification classes, you should take this opportunity soon. Trudging two hours through wetlands, we cooled off in a heavy shower, tramped on penny royal to release a pungent fragrance, viewed newborn rattle snakes, shot a close-up of a dewy spider and gazed at great variety of wild plants, collecting several for possible identification. Back in the classroom we began the serious work of plant identification. We consulted books, looked under the round microscope and, as much as possible, hounded James. Eventually, James and his nine disciples sat together at a large Images courtesy of SoutheasternFlora.com Beach False Foxgove, Agalinus fasciculate table with reference books, magnifying glasses, the specimens and nine puzzled expressions. In a harmoniously cooperative venture, punctuated by James’ advice, we slowly identified wild flowers and a fern here and on the following page. Continued…

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Page 1: Time to Take a Walk on the Wild Side

A quarterly online magazine published for Master Gardeners and trainees in support of the educational mission of the UF/IFAS Extension Service

TheDirt April2015

A quarterly online magazine published for Master Gardeners in support of the educational mission of UF/IFAS Extension Services

January2016Issue4

TimetoTakeaWalkontheWildSide

FragrantWhiteWaterLiliesinFLPonds

It’sAllAbouttheDirt

PomegranatesasViableFLCrop

Soil…Let’sStopTreatingItLikeDirt

LifeUnderground

Invasives:Nature’sDizzyBalancingAct

InvasiveSpeciesAreEverywhere

FabulousFadingFlorida

ControllingWeedsinLawns

NewEditor&Co-EditorAnnounced

TimetoTakeaWalkontheWildSide ByEllenMahany

OnacloudyOctoberdayatBrookerCreekPreserve,Iwasoneofninefortunateparticipantsinafive-houradvancedplantidentificationclasstaughtbyJamesStevenson,extensionspecialist.Whatawonderfulday.IfyouhavenotyetjoinedJamesononeofhisBrookerCreekwalksorinoneofhisplantidentificationclasses,youshouldtakethisopportunitysoon.

Trudgingtwohoursthroughwetlands,wecooledoffinaheavyshower,trampedonpennyroyaltoreleaseapungentfragrance,viewednewbornrattlesnakes,shotaclose-upofadewyspiderandgazedatgreatvarietyofwildplants,collectingseveralforpossibleidentification.

Backintheclassroomwebegantheseriousworkofplantidentification.Weconsultedbooks,lookedundertheround

microscopeand,asmuchaspossible,houndedJames.Eventually,Jamesandhisninedisciplessattogetheratalarge

ImagescourtesyofSoutheasternFlora.com BeachFalseFoxgove,Agalinusfasciculate

tablewithreferencebooks,magnifyingglasses,thespecimensandninepuzzledexpressions.Inaharmoniouslycooperativeventure,punctuatedbyJames’advice,weslowlyidentifiedwildflowersandafernhereandonthefollowingpage.Continued…

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TheDirt January2016

TimetoTakeaWalkontheWildSideContinued…

St.Peter’sWortHypericumtetrapetalum(ClusiceaeorSt.John’sWortfamily)ImagecourtesyofSoutheasternFlora.com

Blazing-starLiatristenuifolia(Asteraceaefamily)Image©ShirleyDentoncourtesyofFloridaNativePlantSociety.

VirginiaChainFernWoodwardiavirginica(Blechnaceaefamily)Photoby©BettyWargo

SeasideGoldenrodSolidagosempervirens(AsteraceaeorSunflowerfamily)ImagecourtesyofWikipedi.org.

Page 3: Time to Take a Walk on the Wild Side

FragrantWhiteWaterLiliesinFloridaPondsLindaSmock,MasterGardenerTrainee2015

Waterlilieshavefloatingleavesandareoftenseeninshallowwateraroundapondorlakesedges.TheonesinmanyretentionpondsthroughoutPinellasCountyareknownasthefragrantwaterlily(Nymphaeaodorata),andoccurthroughoutFloridaandthecontinentalUnitedStates.Therearemanysubspeciesandvarieties,whichmaybeseeninponds,lakesandsluggishstreamsthroughoutNorthAmerica.

AsanativeFloridaplant,waterlilieshelpprovidecoverformanynativefish,turtles,frogs,insectsandotherthingsthathelpcreateahealthyenvironmentforapondandrelatedpondlife.Ottersandlargefishliketohideamongthemalso.

Waterlilyleavesarecircularshapedandarenotchedtothecenter.Theleaflobesarepointedandleavesariseonstalksfromlongrhizomesinthemud,whichmeanstheyareonlyinshallowwater.

Theflowersarewhiteandveryaromatic.Ifwaterliliesarefoundinthemiddle,notjusttheedgeofthepond,thisisanindicationthatthepondhasbecomefilledwithsediment,andisnolongerabalancedpondthatprovideshealthforwaterlifeatseverallevelsofwaterdepth.Aslongastheliliesarejustattheedgeofthepond,youcanbeassuredthatthepondismaintainingadegreeofhealth.

Moreinformationcanbefoundathttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/nymphaea-odorata/

TheDirt January2016

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TheDirt January2016

It’sAllAbouttheDirtBySherryDodson

Wouldyouliketoproducemoreveggiesandfruitsonyourplants?Itcouldbeassimpleasaddingcomposttooursandysoil.Organicandconventionalfruitandvegetablegrowers,whetherdooryardorcommercial,haveapowerfulalleyincompost.

Compostisbasicallydeteriorating,organicmaterialsuchasyardwaste,kitchenwaste,manures,andchemicals.

Compostingisthebiologicalbreakdownoftheseorganicmaterialsbymicroorganismsintoastablehumusproduct.

AllAboutCompost

• Compostmustbemature,sterile,andpathogen-free.

• Compostdoeswonderfulthingsinoursoil,byimprovingthesoil’swater-holdingcapacitytherebyreducingourneedforirrigation,andimprovingthesoil’sstructuretherebyreducingerosion.

• Compostiseffectivelyaslow-releasefertilizertherebyrestructuringourfertilizerprogram,aswellas,providingabufferforfertilizerimbalances.

• Compostcanimproveplantroothealth,andaidinthesuppressionofplantdiseases.

Althoughallthesebenefitsaffectourfinancialandenvironmentaloverhead,thoselasttwobenefits(roothealthanddiseasesuppression)areofgreatinteresttothegrowertoday.Forexample,citrusgrowersarelookingtoincreaseplantandroothealthtocombatHLB.Itappearscompostmayaidinthatfight.

MakingCompost

“Hot”compostingisonlyonemethodofproducingcompost,andit’sthemethodpresentlyfocusedonbyFloridagrowerstoday.Thecompostrecipeisbothcomplicatedandsimple:

1. Oxygen2. Optimumorganicparticlesize,3. Propercarbon:nitrogenratio,andwater

Eachcomponentandapplicationisfine-tunedtomakethefinalproduct:compost.Notethatjustshreddingorganicsandscreeningtheparticlesdoesnotproduceaqualitycompostproduct.

Manybackyardcompostpileshavelimitedsuccessprimarilyduetothecompostpile’scoretemperaturenotreachingandsustaininghighenoughtemperatures.Federallawsrequirebiosolidcomposttoaverageacoretemperatureof55oCforthefirst15days.Inaddition,thecompostpileistobeturnedfive(5)timeswithinthattimeframe.Thisstipulationallowsthecomposttobeusedasanorganicamendmenttosoil.Compostcanbepelletizedinordertobeusedinorganicsystems.

Approximately400,000environmentallawsandregulationsexistintheU.S.withFloridabeingoneofthetopfivestateshardestimpactedbytheserulings.Tomakesureyouareworkingwithaqualitycompostproduct,checkforcertificationspassinghealthandsafetyregulations.CompostwiththeSTA(SealofTestingAssurance)labelmeetsthesecertifications.

AddingComposttoYourBeds

Beforeplantingnewcrops/trees,fullycuredandgoodqualitycompostisrecommendedtobemixeddirectlyintotheplantingbedsduringsitepreparation.Continued…

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It’sAllAbouttheDirtContinued…

Compostapplicationforestablishedcrops/grovesisbetweentherows.Compostforexisting,ediblecrops,suchascitrusandblueberries,isappliedannuallyaftercropharvest.Thecompostreplenishesthesoilfornextgrowingseason.Thisapplicationtimingalleviatesaconcernaboutthehealthorsafetyofthecropfromuptakeofcompostelements,suchasmetals.

Additionofqualitycompostchangesthesoil’schemicalandmoistureprofile.Florida’ssoilsaverage1%compost.Soilcompositionwith2%compostisrecommendedforgoodgrowingconditions.Bothfertilizerandirrigationwillneedtobeadjustedbasedonthenewprofiles.

Theresultingimprovedrootandtreegrowthpromptsincreasedplantflushes.Althoughtheincreasedtreeandroothealthimprovesdiseaseresistance,increasedflushingalsoattractsincreasedinsectpopulationssuchasleafminerandpsyllids.Moreresearchneedstobedoneontherelationshipoftheincreasedinsectactivitywithincreasedtreeandroothealth.

TheBottomLine

Compostdefinitelyincreasesplantandroothealth,aswellassoilhealth.Consequently,thedifferentcomponentsoftheenvironmentarefoundtobeintricatelyintegrated.

Reference:CitrusandCompostProductionandUtilizationWorkshopbyDr.MonicaOzores-HamptonSeptember22,2015

PomegranatesAsViableFLCropBySherryDodson

Iattendedthe4thAnnualFloridaPomegranateAssociationMeetingco-hostedbytheUniversityofFlorida,LakeAlfredonOctober23rd.Dr.JohnPreecefromtheNationalClonalGermplasmRepositoryinCalifornia,Dr.GlennWrightfromtheUniversityofArizona,Dr.GaryValladfromUniversityofFlorida/GCREC,Mr.WillLovettfromUniversityofGeorgia,andMr.RichardBonsteelfromPomNaturalLLCwerethemainspeakers.California,Arizona,George,andFloridaareallworkingtogethertoresearchandpromotepomegranatesasaviablealternativecrop.

PomegranatesaretraditionallyconsideredtobenativetoIran.Pomegranateswerepropagatedaslongagoas3450BCEinJericho.

PomegranatesgrowverywellinCalifornia.AlthoughFloridahassimilartemperatureranges,CaliforniaisaMediterraneanclimateversusFlorida’ssubtropicalclimate.Thetwoclimatespresenttotallydifferentchallengesingrowingpomegranates,aswellasallplantsingeneral.OnemajorchallengeFloridahasisgrowingred-coloredpomegranates.UnlikeCalifornia,Florida’snightsdonotgetsignificantlycooler.Coolertemperaturescausethefruit’sstarchestoturntosugarandsugarisneededforanthocyanin(redcoloration).

Inadditiontosupplementingeachregion’sprimarycrop(citrusinFlorida),pomegranatesmakegreatalternativecropsforthefollowingreasons:

• Pomegranates,boththeedibleandtheornamentalvarieties,canbeusedinlandscapingdesigns

• Locallygrownfoodisanincreasinglypopulartrendinagricultureandpomegranateseasilyfitintothisscenariocontinuedonnextpage…

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PomegranatesAsViableFLCropContinued…

Pomegranates,althougheasytogrowandresistanttodrought,withanincrediblearrayofflavorsandcolorsstillhavequitethelistofproblemstoovercome.Florida’sdifficultiesingrowing“pretty”fruitwillmorethanlikelylendtoanarilandjuicecropratherthanfreshfruit.

(Note:MostpeoplehaveonlyseenandeatenthelargeCalifornia-grownWonderfulorAngelRedpomegranates.Thereisatremendousrangeofwhite/yellowtopink/redcoloredfruitandarilcombinations,aswellaswell-balancedtarttosweet-tarttomildtoverysweetarilswithinedibletoedibleseedscombinations.)

Sunburnedfruit,wind,lowtemperatures(highteensisconsideredtoolow),toomuchheat,pathogens,leaf-footedbug,animals,birds,fruitsplitting,fruitdrop,lackofflowering,lackofinteriorcolor,andlackofexteriorcolorareissuesbeingresearchedforresolutions.

PathogensareamajorconcernforthesuccessoftheFloridapomegranatecrop.Pathogensarealwayspresentandfungicide-resistantpathogenspresentlyexistinthepomegranatecrops.Resistantpathogenswillcompletelytakeoverthepomegranategrovesunlessresearchdiscoversnewmethodstocontroltheseresistantpathogens.Atthistime,itappearsmostpathogensinpomegranatesarespecifictopomegranatesalthoughfurtherresearchisneededtoconclusivelyconfirmthisfinding.

Acombinationofculturalpracticesandrotationoffungicidesisverycrucialindiseasemanagementofpomegranates.Culturalpracticesinclude(1)pruningdiseasedlimbsand(2)orchardhygiene;i.e.,removingallcuttings,debris,droppedleavesandfruit.

Amazingly,Floridahaslivingdooryardpomegranatesthatareover60yearsold!PomNaturalLLCtriestolocatetheseold-timetrees/shrubsandpropagatetheminordertoincorporatethemintofuturebreedingprograms.ThesepomegranatesareconsideredtobeFlorida’sveryownheirloomvarieties.

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TheDirt January2016

Soil…Let’sStopTreatingItLikeDirtByMelindaMoreschi,MasterGardenerTrainee

Soil,althoughanextremelypreciousresource,iscompletelyunder-appreciated.

Pavedover,trampleduponandsaturatedwithchemicalfertilizersandpesticides,thismagicalsubstanceisnotgivenmuchthought.Essentialforlifeonearth,soilhastheabilitytotransformmaterialsintonutrient-availablefoodsinorderforplantstothrive.Technically,soilisthemineralandorganicmatterfoundontheupperlayeroftheearth’scrust.

Onlyabouttenpercentofthisearth’ssurfaceiscoveredbylandthathasthepotentialtosupportlife–asmallpercentage,consideringtheworld’spopulationsofsix-billionpeopledependonit.Classicsoilsciencefocusesonsoil’sphysicaltexture(sand,siltorclay),andporosity,inadditiontoitschemicalproperties,soil’spHandcationexchange.NPK(Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium)fertilizersareconsideredthesolutionformanyproblems.WeoftenareinstructedtojustaddthesesoilamendmentswithamyriadofNPKcombinations(10-10-10,25-9-9…)invaryingamountsandallwillbewell.However,soilismorethanjustdirtwithanaddedchemicalmixofnitrogen,phosphorusandpotassium.Healthysoilisabiologicalandmicrobiologicalmarvel.Usingelectronmicroscopes,scientistsaroundtheworldhaveuncoveredtheextraordinarylifethatresideswithinthesoil.

Theyhavefoundthathealthysoilisteemingwithlife,connectedinamagnificentsoilfoodweb,wheredifferentlifeformsinterrelateandinteract.Earthworms,ants,fungi,mites,beetles,bacteria,algae,yeasts,protozoa,nematodesandothermicroscopicinsectsareallpresentandhavethemightyjobofturningorganicmatterintofoodforplants.

Theyhavefoundthathealthysoilisteemingwithlife,connectedinamagnificentsoilfoodweb,wheredifferentlifeformsinterrelateandinteract.Earthworms,ants,fungi,mites,beetles,bacteria,algae,yeasts,protozoa,nematodesandothermicroscopicinsectsareallpresentandhavethemightyjobofturningorganicmatterintofoodforplants.

“Humankind,despiteitsartisticabilities,sophisticationandaccomplishments,owesitsexistencetoasix-inchlayeroffarmablesoil–andthefactthatitrains.”Anonymous

Image copyright Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc. www.denniskunkel.com. Many thanks! Electron microscope of photograph of organic compost (brown = humus, green = decaying plant material, purple & yellow = mineral particles) “Teaming with Microbes,” Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis

Page 8: Time to Take a Walk on the Wild Side

TheDirt January2016

Soil…Let’sStopTreatingItLikeDirtContinued…

Whatismostastonishingaboutthesoilfoodwebisthenotionthatplantsareincontrol.Notonlydoplantstakeupnutrientsthroughtheirrootstofeedtheirleaves,theyalsosecretechemicals,calledexudates,throughtheirrootsandintothesoil,whichthenattractspecificbacteriaandfungi.

Plantscancontrolthenumbersandkindsofbacteriaandfungiattractedtotheirrootzone(rhizosphere)dependingonthenutrientstheyneedandtheexudatestheyproduce.Thenthesmorgasbordbegins.Bacteriaandfungieattherootexudates;inturn,nematodesandprotozoaeatthebacteriaandfungi.Thewastesthatareproducedbytheseorganismsarethenabsorbedasnutrientsbytheplant’sroots.

Scientistshavefoundthatcommercialfertilizersdisruptthisbalanceofmicroorganismsinthesoilfoodweb.Plowingandtillinghavealsobeencalledintoquestionasitdisturbssoil’sstructure,chopsupearthwormsandbeneficialinsects,andcontributestosoilerosionandthelossofcarboninthesoil.

Dr.ElaineIngham,asoilmicrobiologistatOregonStateUniversity,recommendstakingapreventativeapproachtogardening.Sheaddressesthe‘causes’ofdisease,pestsandpoorfertilityinsteadofsimplysuppressingthesymptomsbyusingtoxic,chemicalfertilizersandpesticides.Goodsoilisapropermixtureofminerals,organicmatter,airandwater.Goodsoillifeproducesitsowngoodsoilnutrients.Dr.Inghamexplainsthatbacteriaandfungitie-upnutrientsintheirbodiesbecominglikelittlesacsoffertilizerthatdon’tleachoutwhenwaterpassesthrough,aschemicalfertilizerstendtodo.Thenthesebacteriaandfungiareeatenbyprotozoaandnematodes,whichreleasethenutrientsinaplant-availableform.

Dr.Inghamgoesontoemphasizethatthecorrectmicrobesneedtobepresent.Forinstance,therearebeneficialnematodesthateatbacteriaandfungiandtherearealsoparasiticnematodesthatcauseplantdiseasebyeatingplantroots.Dr.Inghamexplains,“thebeneficialspeciesofbacteria,fungi,protozoa,nematodesandmicroarthropodsarenaturallyfoundinhealthygrowingsystems,notthediseasespecies.”

So,howdowerestoreadiverseandwholesoilfoodweb–compost,mulchandcomposttea(andsometimesmycorrhizalfungi).Feedthemicrobesthatfeedtheplants.TherecipeforDr.Inham’sactivelyaeratedcompostteacanbefoundonherwebsite:www.soilfoodweb.com

SomeofDr.Ingham’skeytakeaways:

• Organicmatterholds10timesitsweightinwater• Bacterialsecretionsprovideagluetohelpholdsoiltogether• **80%ofinorganicfertilizersleachoutofsoil(**notreflectedinUF/IFAStestsonFLsoils)• Lookatperennialdeeprooted,shortplantsascovercropsthatputmorebio-massinthegroundvia

rootsversusabovegroundbio-mass• Rainfallcancompactbaresoil.Keepbaresoilsurfacescovered.Oneoptionisabiologicalcoverthat

feedsthemicrobialsoillifeContinuedonnextpage…

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Soil…Let’sStopTreatingItLikeDirtContinued…

Theworkingsofthesecomplexandvastsoilfoodwebinteractionsarenotcompletelyunderstood.However,inthebook,“TeamingwithMicrobes,”authorsJeffLowenfelsandWayneLewispresentafascinatingvisualconnectionbetweenhealthysoilandbeneficialorganisms.Theauthorsshowanelectronmicroscopeimageofanematodetrappedintheloopofafungalstrandknownasahypha.Thefungiarehelpingtoprotecttheplant’srootsfromtheinvadingnematode.

Afungusiskillinganematode…remarkable!

Theauthorsshowasecondimage,thisoneofanematodepenetratingandfeedingontherootofa

tomatoplantunstoppedbythefungalhyphae.Onceinside,thenematoderobstheplantofnutrientsandcreatesagallontheroots.

Welaterfindoutthattheloopfungiinthefirstimageprotectedtheplant’srootsbycapturingtheparasiticnematode.Inthesecondimage,thenematodepenetratedthetomatorootandwasnotstoppedbecausechemicalshadbeenaddedtothesoil,killingtheprotectivefungi.Hadthenaturalfungibeenpresent,thetomatoplantmighthavebeenspared.

Theseimagesshowthecomplexityofthesoilfoodwebandtheimportanceofusingorganicpractices.Itreinforcesthenotionthateverythingisconnectedtoeverythingelse.

Healthysoilcreatesgoodsoilstructureinthegarden,provides

soilnutrientsforplantsandhelpssuppressplantdisease.Feedingyourmicrobeswillhelpthemworkforyou.Yoursoilwillneedlesswaterandnofertilizer.Youwillhavefewerplanthealth

problemsandwon’thavetotillorturnyourgardensoilseveragain.Asabonus,therewillbenodangerouschemicalsleachingintothewatertable.

Ifthatisn’tenough,RattanLal,professorofsoilscienceatOhioStateUniversityandanauthorityinhisfield,contendsthatgoodsoilpracticescandoevenmore.Hesuggeststhattheycanreverseglobalwarming.Plants,throughtheprocessofphotosynthesis,havetheabilitytodrawcarbonfromtheairandformcarboncompoundsintheground,wheretheycanremainforthousandsofyears.Hecontendsthatsequesteringcarboninagriculturalsoilsisawin-winstrategy.Continuedonnextpage…

TheDirt January2016

Courtesy H. H. Triantaphyllou; Reproduced, by permission, from Davis, E. L., and MacGuidwin, A. E. 2000. Lesion nematode disease. The Plant Health Instructor. doi: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-1030-02. Updated 2005

Photo by William Wergin and Richard Sayre, USDA-ARS

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“Uponthishandfulofsoiloursurvivaldepends.Husbanditanditwillgrowourfood,ourfuelandourshelterandsurrounduswithbeauty.Abuseitandthesoilwillcollapseanddie,takinghumanitywithit.”Sanskrittextwritten1500BC

TheDirt January2016

Soil…Let’sStopTreatingItLikeDirtContinued…

Weneedtothinkdifferentlyaboutsoil.Weneedtothinkofitasanecosystemthatweourselvesarepartof.Ifweshiftthefocusandviewthegardenasanentiresystem,wecanconcentrateon‘growingoursoil,’andourplantswillgrowthemselves.

Areyoua“SoilHealthScholar?”Takethequiz:

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mte1mduwoaih7n

ThisarticleisdedicatedtoMasterGardener,DorothyHall,awonderful,sweetladywhohadthegiftofgardeninginhersoul.Restinpeace,dearfriend.

LifeUndergroundByDianneL.Fecteau

Soilswarmswithlife.AccordingtotheAudubonSociety,atablespoonofsoilcanhavemoreorganismsthantherearepeopleonearth.JasonWeller,chiefofUSDA'sNaturalResourcesConservationService,wrote,"Mostpeopledon'trealizethatjustbeneathourfeetliesadiverse,complex,life-givingecosystemthatsustainsourentireexistence."

It'seasytoseetheorganismsthatliveabovegroundbutnotsoeasytoseetheonesbelow.Bacteria,fungi,protozoa,nematodes,andarthropodscontributetotheweboflifewithinthesoil.

Bacteriaaresingle-celledmicroorganisms.Theyformcomplexcommunitiesthatdecomposeorganicmatter,cyclenitrogen,sulfur,andcarbon,andbiodegradetoxicchemicals(Scalera,2015).

Fungithatliveinsoilaremulti-cellularorganisms,growingaslongstrands.Mycorrhizaeforma

relationshipwithplantroots,helpingthemtoimprovenutrientuptake,stabilizesoil,andincreaseplanttolerancetodrought,salts,heavymetals,andpathogens(Scalera,2015).Moreamazingisthatthosemycorrhizalfilamentsappeartoallowplantstocommunicatewitheachotherandsetupdefensesystems(Amaranthus&Allyn,2013).Inonestudy,abroadbeanplant,underattackbyaphids,sentasignalthroughthesefilamentstootherbroadbeanplantsnearby.Theplantsreceivingthissignalproducedachemicalthatrepelledaphidsandattractedwasps,apredatorofaphids(Babikova,etal,2013).Anotherstudyshowedthatblightinfestedtomatoplantscommunicatingtoothertomatoplants,reducedtheimpactoftheblightontheplantsreceivingthesignal(Stone,2013).

Protozoa,single-celledmicrobesthatprimarilyeatbacteria,releaseexcessnitrogentoplantsinadditiontoassistingwithpreventingpathogenformation.

Continuedonnextpage…

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LifeUndergroundContinued…

Nematodes,small,roundworms,canbeeitherbeneficialordestructive.Whileroot-feedingnematodescausediseaseandareundesirableinthegardensoil,thebeneficialoneseatbacteriaandfungi,distributingitthroughthesoil.Thisplaysaroleinsuppressingdisease.

Arthropods—insects,spiders,andmites—improvesoilqualityinavarietyofways.Theycontroldisease-causingorganismsandstimulatemicrobialactivity.

Goodsoilmeansinsects.AsDougTallumysays,manyinsectsequalahealthygarden.Theinsectsmunchawayandinsectpredators,parasites,anddiseaseskeeptheinsectpopulationincheck.Birds,amphibians,andothersmallmammalstheneatthepredators.

Floridasandhaslowamountsoforganicmaterialandlowmoisture-holdingability.Mostgardenerswillwanttoimproveitinordertoproducehealthyplants.InherpresentationattheFloridaStateMasterGardenersConferenceinOctober2015,SallyScaleraUF/IFASHorticultureAgentBrevard,providedthefollowingtipsforbuildingupthesoil:

• Addorganicmatterasmulcharoundplantsoronturf.• Useorganicfertilizers—researchhasshownthatsyntheticfertilizersdonotbuildsoilorganic

matter.• Usebiostimulantsonplantsandsoil,forexample,liquidseaweed,milk,molasses,andhumicacids.• Re-mineralizethesoil,usingseamineralsandrockpowder.• Minimizesoildisturbance.• Coverthesoilwithcovercropsormulch.• Increasebiodiversityaboveground.• Amendthesoilwithbiochar.• Addsoilorganismssuchaswormsandsoilmicrobes.

Improvingandconservingthelifebelowthegroundcontributestothelifeabovetheground.Healthysoilmeanshealthyplants.Healthysoilalsooftenmeansreducingoreliminatingtheneedforpesticides,herbicides,andothertoxicsubstancesthatmayleachintothesoilanddisruptthevaluablelifethatteemsbelow.

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Invasives:Nature’sDizzyBalancingActByJudeBagatti,MasterGardener

Iknow,Iknow.Thiswillsoundcontroversial,hereticaleven,butpleasedonotkillthemessenger.

Recently,Iwasstartledtoreadanarticle,whichdismissedwhatmostofusbelieveaboutinvasivespecies.Whetherplantoranimal,invasivesreplacenativesandwedonotabidethem.Welamenttheproliferationofkudzu,zebramussels,giantsnailsandwaterhyacinth.Ourecologicalorganizationsandgovernmentagenciesgotogreatexpenseintime,moneyandlabortryingtoeradicatealienspecies.Weconductlionfishtournaments,holdcontestsforthebiggest,smallestorugliestairpotatouprooted,andpublicizewarningsofwhatshouldnotbesold,planted,propagatedorimported.Anyresponsiblegardenerknowsthecommonhorticulturalvillains:carrotwood,Brazilianpepper,Australianpine,Mexicanpetunia,etc.Theinvasivelistgoesandgrows.Wewant,rightfully,topreservethebeauty,healthandstatusquoofournatural,nativeecology.

YET…thereisacontraryvoice,morethanone,urgingustorelax,backoffandletnaturetakeitsunpredictable,erraticcourse.Natureknows,thesevoicessay,howtomaintainbalancewithoutourmeddling.

FredPearce,aLondonenvironmentaljournalist,hasreleasedhislatestbook:TheNewWild:WhyInvasiveSpeciesWillBeNature'sSalvation.Init,hecompelsustoacceptchangeasanaturalconstant,andhecriticizesoverzealousconservationworkfortryingtoohardtopreservethepastinsteadofcelebratingnature'sdynamismandadaptability.Ifanalienspeciessuddenlyovertakesnatives,hesays,looktotherootcause;itwilllikelybeduetotheweakenedmessoftheecosystemthathumans,nature'sgreatestinvaders,havecreated.Embraceinvasivespeciesaspartofthesolution,nottheproblem,headmonishes.

Thisguyisnokook.Hehasthechopstoknowwhathe'stalkingabout.AwriterforTheGuardiannewspaperandtheprestigiousYaleUniversitye360website,hehasreportedfrom85countriesover25yearsonenvironmental,scienceanddevelopmentissues.HewasnamedUKJournalistoftheYearin2001andwonalifetimeachievementawardfromtheAssn.ofBritishScienceWritersin2011.

Continuedonnextpage…

YET…

DearReaders:Thefollowingarticlepresentsaprovocativeviewpointoninvasiveplants.Weallknowthedestructionthatexoticandinvasiveplantsandanimalsbringtoecosystemsworldwide,andthisisnotmeanttodistractusfromthatfact.Onthecontrary,itiscriticaltoviewimportanttopicsfromeveryangleandappreciatethediscussionsthatresultfromthis.Enjoytheangleonthisbutcontinuetofightagainstthespreadofinvasiveexotics!Furthermore,NationalInvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek(NISAW)iscomingup:Feb.21-27,2016,http://www.nisaw.org/.Lookforaweekofclasses,blogposts,andaphotocontestfromushereatUF/IFASExtension,PinellasCounty.Thankyou!

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Invasives:Nature’sDizzyBalancingActContinued…

Still,it'snoteasytodoanabout-faceandtolerate,ifnotwelcome,invasivespeciestoourfamiliarandbelovedlandscapes.Butthat'swhatweshoulddo,accordingtoPearce."Alwaysquestiontheassumptionthatthereissomethingintrinsicallybadaboutanalienspecies."

Hegivesexamples.InPuertoRico"invasive"Africantuliptreesare"re-wilding"theislandafterfarmersdestroyednativeforestsandabandonedtheirfields.Thetulipsarerevivingsoils,andprovidinghabitatforAnothercaseinvolvingwaterpolitics,suggestsdeliberatemisguidanceregardingaso-calledinvasive.MininginterestsintheAmericanWestdemonizedtamarisks(saltcedars)aswaterguzzling,desertcreatorssotheycouldjustifykillingthemandclaimwater"saved."Buttamarisksconsumenomorewaterthanlocalcottonwoods.Plus,theyoffervaluablewildlifeandbird-nestinghabitat,andactuallyholdbackdesertformation.

Theideaofnotburning,poisoningorotherwisetrashinginvasivespeciesisforeigntous.Passivelyacceptingthemgoesagainstourgrain.Butwithopenminds,weshouldtakealong,seriouslooktoseewhat,ifany,benefitstotheenvironmentatleastsomeofourlocalinvasivesaregranting.No,Iamnotabouttoallowanyofournotoriouslyaggressivealienstooverwhelmthenativesinmyyard.However,justashumanmigrantsinjectvitalityintoastaticpopulace,enrichingitwithculturaldiversity,itisreasonabletohopethatplantandanimalmigrantsmaysomehowlikewiserebootastagnanteco-populationwithahardier,moresustainablebiodiversity.

Worldwidemovementoflifeformswillinevitablycontinue,nomatterwhatwedo.

ContactJudeat:[email protected]

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TheDirt January2016

InvasiveSpeciesAreEverywhereByJaneMorse,CommercialHorticulture,UF/IFASExtensionPinellasCounty

IsthereaseriousthreattoFlorida’slandscapelivinginyouryard?WouldyouknowaBrazilianpeppertree,acarrotwoodoraCubantreefrogifyousawone?Ifnot,readon.

AccordingtotheFloridaFishandWildlifeCommission,1180nonnativeplantspeciesandmorethan500nonnativefishandwildlifespecieshavebeendocumentedinthestate.Whilenotallofthempresentathreattonativespecies,somehavebecomeinvasivebycausingharmtonativespecies,posingathreattohumans,orcausingeconomicdamage.

Invasivespeciesaredefinedasnon-nativeorexoticorganisms,whichcauseenvironmentaloreconomicharm,ornegativelyaffecthumanhealthinanenvironmentwheretheywerenothistoricallyfound.Aninvasivespeciescanbeaplant,animal,orothertypeoforganism.Becauseinvasivespecies’naturalpredatorsandparasitesusuallyarenotpresentinthenewenvironment,theirpopulationscangrowunchecked,causingmajorimpacts.

Damagecausedbyinvasivespeciescantakedifferentformsandinextremecasescanleadtotheextinctionofnativespecies,harmtheenvironment,destroycrops,orruinrecreationalsites.Otherimpactscanincludedecreasedlandvalueanddecreasedtourism.Invasiveweedscanproduceskinirritation,triggerallergiesandpoisonpetsandlivestock.Theycanclogwaterways,killnativetrees,andshadeoutcrops,ornamentalsandprizednativeflora.Invasivespeciesarefoundineveryimaginablehabitat,includingoceans,lakes,streams,wetlands,croplands,rangelands,naturalareas,parks,forests,urbanenvironments,yardsandgardens(fromNationalInvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeekwebsite).

Feb.20-28isNationalInvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek(NISAW).TheUniversityofFloridainPinellasCountyis

joininginthisnationwide–andyearround–efforttopromoteknowledgeandunderstandingofinvasivespeciestohelpstop

theirspread.

Carrotwoodfruits.Imagecourtesyofedis.ifas.ufl.edu.Lantanacamara.Imagecourtesyofedis.ifas.ufl.eduCredit:J.Ferrell

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InvasiveSpeciesAreEverywhereContinued…

Someofthemostabundant,widespread,andharmfulinvasivespeciesinFloridaincludecitruscanker,citrusgreening,Brazilianpepper,melaleuca,hydrilla,Chinesetallowtree,canetoad,Cogongrass,Japaneseclimbingfern,chinaberryandwaterhyacinth.EveryoneknowsabouttheBurmesepythonsthathavebeenspreadingacrosstheEvergladessince1996.

FinancialImpact

Afewinvasivespeciescanhaveenormouseconomicandenvironmentalimpact.Forexample,thestatespentmorethan$300milliontocontrolcitruscanker.Agriculturallossesduetoinvasiveplants,animals,anddiseases,areestimatedat$179millionannuallyinFlorida.

What’sinYourBackyard?

Youmayevenhavesomeoftheseinvasiveplantsoranimalsinyourownyard.Lantanacamara,Mexicanpetunia,tuberousswordfern,wedelia,schefflera,asparagusfern,waxbegonia,andcalicovineareallinvasive,yetmanyarestillsoldbynurseries.Mostinvasivespeciesareintroducedandspreadbyhumanactivities.Ships,woodproducts,ornamentalplants,andpettradeoftencarryuninvitedandpotentialinvasivesintotheU.S.Itisourresponsibilitytoknowinvasivespeciesandnotgivethemahome.ForalistofinvasiveplantsyoucanGoogletheFloridaExoticPestPlantCouncil,orvisitwww.fleppc.org.Itwillbeaneye-openingexperience.

SpreadtheWord

Wecanhelpstopthespreadofinvasivesbybecomingawareoftheproblem,learninghowtoidentifythem,notinadvertentlyplantingthemandquicklyremovingthemiftheydoshowup.Betteryet,ifyoustickwithnativeplantsyouwon’thavetoworryaboutthembecominginvasive.Also,alwaysbesuretocleanhikingboots,waders,boatsandtrailers,off-roadvehiclesandothergeartostopinvasivespeciesfromhitchingaridetoanewlocation.Nevertransportfirewood,orreleaseexoticanimalsorplantsintotheenvironment.Youcanalsohelpbysharingthisinformationwithyourfamily,friendsandneighbors.Volunteertohelpremoveinvasivesfromnaturalareas,publiclandsorevenyourneighbors’property(withpermission).ThismightbeanexcellentprojectforGirlScoutorBoyScouttroops.Rememberthateachoneofuscanmakeadifferenceinourcommunityandenvironmentbyknowinginvasivespeciesandactingproperlytopreventtheirspread.Tolearnmore,visithttp://www.nisaw.org/orGoogle:NationalInvasiveSpeciesAwarenessWeek.

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ImagebyAgnesTouris

TheDirt January2016

FabulousFadingFloridaByJaneMorse,UniversityofFlorida/IFASExtensionAgent,PinellasCounty

Doyoulongtoseemorebirdsandbutterfliesflyingaboutyourgarden?DoyouwanttohelpFlorida’swildcritterssurvive?Areyoutiredofspendingmoneyandtimewatering,fertilizing,pruningandmowingyourlandscape?Byknowingandunderstandingyouryard’snativeecosystemyoucanchooseplantsthatarealmostmaintenance-freewhilealsoattractingbirds,butterfliesandotherpollinators.

FloridaisthethirdmostdiversestateintheU.S.,with69distinctecosystemsincludingforests,prairies,swamps,marshes,bogs,streams,ponds,estuaries,sandhills,flatwoodsandsandscrubs.Ourecosystems—distinctcollectionsofpopulationsoflivingthingsthatarenaturallylinkedwitheachotherandoccuronthelandscapewherevercertainphysicalconditionsexist-aresurprisinglycomplex,intricate,ancientandconnected.Themorewelearnaboutthem,themorewevaluetheiruniqueness,whichcanbringgreatpleasureandwonderintoourlives.

Unfortunately,manyoftheseecosystemshavebeendrasticallyreducedinsizeorareindireneedofrenewal.

Todaymorethan130animalsarelistedasendangered,threatenedorofspecialconcerninthestate.ThegoodnewsisthatconcernedandcaringFloridaresidentshavethepowertohelpbringbackmanyoftheplantcommunitiesnecessarytosupportourendangeredspecies.

Justbyknowingwhattypeofhabitatouryardswouldnormallysupport,wecanstarttogetFloridabacktobeingFlorida,andhopefullybringbackmanyofthespeciesthatarenowendangeredorthreatened.InPinellasCountywehave,orhad,fourmajorecosystems:coastalupland,sandhill,flatwoodsandsaltmarsh.

CoastalUplandEcosystem

Thefarwestsideofthecountyisacoastalstrand,whichoccursparallelandnexttocoastalbeaches.Thesearethedunes,anextremelyharshenvironmentforplants.InFlorida,onlyafewpatchybitsandpiecesremain.Continuedonnextpage…

Imagecourtesyofpinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu

Imagecourtesyoffcit.usf.edu

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FabulousFadingFloridaContinued…

Plantsinthecoastalstrandmustbetolerantofsalt,windandblowingsandandmostplantsandshrubsarestuntedand“pruned’bytheseactions.Plantsthatcharacterizethiscommunityincludebeachpanicgrass,seaoats,blanketflower,beachsunflower,seapurslane,beachmorningglory,seagrape,cocoplum,inkberry,saw-palmetto,baycedar,liveoakandcabbagepalm.Theseplantssupportmanythreatenedshorebirds(includingplovers),terns(includingleastandroseatespecies),gulls,endangeredbeachmice,endangeredseaturtles,lizards,snakes,gophertortoise,thethreatenedscrubjayandthethreatenedkestrel.

Thecoastalstrandalsoreducestheimpactofstormsurgefromhurricanesbyreducingwaveaction,andthushelpstoprotectFlorida’smoreinteriorareas.

SandhillEcosystem

Thesandhillecosystemisinlandofthecoastalstrand.Thisareaishigh,verydry,andlowinnutrientsandhasloose,well-drainedsoilsthatallowforrapidaquiferrecharge.Longleafpineandturkeyoakarethemostcommontreesinthisecosystem.Otherplantsincludewiregrass,butterflypea,gopherapple,brackenfern,Americanbeautyberry,Yauponhollyandcoontie.Inanaturalsettingthistypeofecosystemwouldburneverythreetofiveyearstomaintainthelongleafpineandkeepturkeyoaksfromshadingoutshrubsandotherspecies.Wecanmimictheseburnsmechanicallyandwithherbicides.Mostsandhillhabitatshavebeenclearedanddeveloped,leavingonlythreepercentofthisecosystemintactnationwide.ThesoutheasternAmericankestrel,red-cockadedwoodpecker,blue-tailedmoleskink,easternindigosnake,Floridamouseandshort-tailedsnakeareallinjeopardyofextinctionbecauseofthislossofhabitat.

FlatwoodsEcosystem

Florida’smostwidespreadecosystem,andalargepartofPinellasCounty,istheflatwoods.Theyoccuronlevellandwithverygradualmovementofwatertoswamps,pondsandmarshes.Duringtherainyseasonconditionsareverywet,withthewatertableonornearthesurface.Themostcommonplantsofthiscommunityareslashpine,liveoak,saw-palmetto,wiregrass,lopsidedindiangrass,waxmyrtle,blackberry,gallberryandmanyothers.Wildlifelinkedwiththiscommunity,includinggraysquirrels,grayfox,white-taileddeer,Bachman’ssparrowsandsandhillcranes,areallindangerofextinctionduetochangeofflatwoods.

SaltMarshEcosystem

AsmallportionofPinellaswasoncesaltmarsh.Thisisanotherharshenvironmentforplants,withconditionsvaryingbetweenextremesofsaltandfreshwater,wetanddry,hotandcold.Onlyafewplantscanstandtheseextremes,includingsandcordgrass,needlerush,saltwort,bushyseasideoxeye,saltgrass

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FabulousFadingFloridaContinued…

andsaltwort.Animalsfoundinthiscommunityincludethefiddlercrab,periwinklesnail,killifishesandotherminnows,saltmarshsnake,greentreefrog,southernleopardfrogandthreebirdspecies–theclapperrail,marshwrenandseasidesparrow(whichcanonlyliveinthishabitat).

Wemaynotbeabletofullybringbacktheseplantandanimalcommunitiesinoursmallyards,butwecancertainlyhelp,especiallyifwegetourneighborstodothesame.Lookaroundyouryard.I’msureyouwillfindmostlyexotic(non-native)plantsfromotherpartsoftheworldthatarenotpartofthisecosystemanddolittletonothingtosupportitsuniquecommunityofplantsandanimals.Startreplacingtheseexoticsorbeginaddingtoyouryardnativespeciesthatwillhelptorestorelosthabitat.Nativeplantsintherightplacearelowmaintenance,usuallydon’trequirelotsofresourcestogrowandaregoodfortheenvironment.

TherearemanyresourcestohelpyoufindplantsforeachoftheseecosystemsandtolearnmoreaboutourincrediblydiverseandbeautifulFlorida.

• Oneexcellentwayistojoinlike-mindedfolksinyourlocalNativePlantSociety.• Inaddition,therearesomeverygood,Florida-specificbookssuchas:PricelessFlorida–Natural

EcosystemsandNativeSpeciesbyEllieWhitney,D.BruceMeans,andAnneRudloe;LandscapingforFlorida’sWildlife–Re-creatingNativeEcosystemsinYourYardbyJoeSchaeferandGeorgeTanner;andFlorida’sBestNativeLandscapePlants–200ReadilyAvailableSpeciesforHomeownersandProfessionalsbyGilNelson.

Formoreinformationorhelpwithselectingplants,visityourlocalUniversityofFlorida/IFASExtensionat12520UlmertonRoad,Largo.TheLawnandGardenHelpDeskisopenfrom8a.m.to5p.m.MondaythroughFriday.Tospeakwithahorticulturist,call727-582-2110onMonday,TuesdayorThursdayfrom9a.m.tonoonor1to4p.m.Youcanalsovisitourwebsiteatwww.pinellascountyextension.org.

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ControllingWeedsinLawnsByJaneMorse,ExtensionAgent,UniversityofFlorida/InstituteofFoodandAgriculturalSciences,PinellasCounty

Itmaybesurprisingtolearnthatalawn,whichisproperlywatered,fertilizedandmowedusuallydoesn’thavemany,ifany,weeds.Factorssuchasshade,insects,diseasesandimproperwatering,mowing,andfertilizingcanallleadtoaweak,sparse,weed-filledlawn.Anybarespotisaninvitationforweedstotakeover.Relyingonherbicidestocontrolweedsisjustatemporaryfixifthetruecausesofaweakenedlawnarenotcorrected.

Followthesestepstohaveahealthy,thicklawnthatwillout-competemostweeds:

Startoffwiththerightgrass.Bahiagrassisbestsuitedforsandy,acidicsoilsthataresubjectedtodrought.St.Augustinegrassisbettersuitedformildlyacidictoalkalinesoilsthataresubjectedtosaltyconditions.Alsochoosegrassesbasedontheamountofcareyouarewillingtoprovide.Bahiagrasshasalowmaintenancelevel;St.Augustinegrassamoderatelevel,whileZoysiagrassandBermudagrasshaveahighmaintenancelevel.Chooseshade-tolerantgroundcovers,shrubsormulchforareasthatreceivelessthan5hoursofsun.

Mowattherightheight.Setmowerheightadjustmentshigh(31/2to4inches)forstandardSt.Augustinegrassvarieties(Floratam,Bitterblue,Classic,Palmetto).Bahiagrassshouldbemowedataheightof3to4inches.DwarfSt.Augustinegrassvarieties(Captiva,Delmar,Sapphire,Seville)aremowedat2to21/2inches.Bermudagrassismowedat1/2to11/2inchesandZoysiagrass1to2inches.Propermowingheightandfrequencywillgetridofmanyannualweeds,andtallergrassbladesalsohelptoshadeoutweeds.

Mowoften.Only1/3oftheleafbladeshouldberemovedeachtimethelawnismowed.Theshorteritismowed,themoreoftenitneedstobemowed.Repeatedlyremovingtoomuchofthegrassblade(morethan1/3)willgreatlyweakenandcaneventuallykillthegrass.Weakenedgrassallowsweedstotakeroot.Keepthemowerbladessharpforthebestcutandmowwhenthegrassisdry.

Continuedonnextpage…

ImagebySupertrooper.CourtesyofFreedigitalphotos.net.

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ControllingWeedsinLawnsContinued…

Wateronlywhenitneedsit.Inthemorningorlateeveningcheckthelawnforwilt.When30%ofthelawnstartstoshowsymptomsofwilt(i.e.leafbladesareclosed,bluish-graycolor,foot-printsthatlastformorethan10-15minutesanddrysoil),waterthegrass(unlessrainisexpectedinthenextday).Apply½to¾inchofwaterandthenwaitforsymptomsofwiltbeforewateringagain.Overlywetlawnspromotesedges,spurgesanddollarweed,aswellasrootrot.Whenwateredandmowedcorrectlythegrasswilldevelopadeeprootsystemandwillnotrequirewaterasoften.Itisbesttowaterlawnsintheearlymorningwhendewisstillpresent.Wateringlateintheeveningpromotesdiseasedevelopment.

Fertilizecorrectly.Lawnsthathavebeenover-fertilizedaremorepronetohavingchinchbugs,brownpatch,greyleafspot,pythiumblight,powderymildewandthatch.Under-fertilizedlawnsarepronetotake-allrootrot,dollarspotandrust.Ifthelawngetsattackedbytheseinsectsanddiseaseslargeareascandieleavingaperfectplaceforweedstosprout.

Fertilizelawnsinthespringassoonasitbeginstogrowusingacompletefertilizercontainingslow-releasenitrogen.Apply1poundofnitrogento1000squarefeetoflawn(divide100bythefirstnumberonthefertilizerbagtogetthepoundsoffertilizertoapplyover1000sq.ft.).YoumaywanttoapplyfertilizeragainjustbeforeJune1st;betweenJune1standSeptember31stnitrogenandphosphorusfertilizationisbanned.ApplyferroussulfateorachelatedironsourceinJuly.

Scout.Watchthelawncloselyforsymptomsofdiseaseorinsectdamage.Keeptrackofanyproblemsonacalendarandnotethelocationwheresymptomsfirstappeared.Knowingwhentoexpectacertaindiseaseorinsect(i.e.,chinchbugs,brownpatch,etc.)willhelptocatchproblemsearlybeforemuchdamageisdone.Pestproblems(insects,weeds,diseases)shouldbegreatlylessenedornon-existentwhenpropergrassselectionandmaintenancepractices(mowing,watering,fertilizing)areused.Usingthesepracticeswilllessentheneedforinsecticides,fungicidesandherbicidesandhelptokeepourwaterandenvironmentfreeofchemicals.

Protectourwaterandenvironment.Floridahasveryporoussandysoil.Chemicalsandfertilizerseasilypassbeyondplantrootsandgodirectlyintoourgroundwater,especiallyinover-wateredlawns.Applyingmorewaterthanisneeded(1/2to3/4inch)iswastefulandpromoteswaterpollution.Alwayscorrectlyidentifyapestbeforetreatingthelawn(noguessing)andkeepallpesticidesandfertilizersatleast10feetawayfromanywaterbody.Allgrassclippings,chemicalsorfertilizersthatenduponahardsurface(driveway,sidewalk,orroad)shouldbesweptbackontothelawn;otherwisetheyarecarriedtostormdrainsandthendirectlytoawaterbody.

Resources:http://hort.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/

Forfreeinformationorhelpidentifyingpestsandproblemswithyourlawn,visityourlocalUniversityofFloridaExtensionat12520UlmertonRoad,Largo.TheLawnandGardenHelpDeskisopenfrom8a.m.to5p.m.MondaythroughFriday.Tospeakwithahorticulturist,call727-582-2110onMonday,TuesdayorThursdayfrom9a.m.tonoonor1to4p.m.Youcanalsovisitourwebsiteatwww.pinellascountyextension.org.

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An equal opportunity institution.

NextIssueofTheDirtisApril2016DeadlineforArticlesisMarch10

WearepleasedtoannouncethatDianneFecteauisthenewEditorofTheDirt,andShannonPalmeristhenewco-Editor.Congratstothemboth!AllarticlesarestillreviewedandapprovedbeforepublishedbyTheresaBadurek,UrbanHorticultureExtensionAgentandMasterGardenerCoordinator.Tosubmitanarticleortwo,[email protected].

Image courtesy of amenic181 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Dirt Published quarterly for Master Gardeners by Master Gardeners: April, July, October & January UF/IFAS Advisor: Theresa Badurek, Urban Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator Current Editor: Mary Laurinaitis / New Editor: Dianne Fecteau / Co-Editor Shannon Palmer Staff & Contributing Writers: Jane Morse, Dianne Fecteau, Jude Bagatti, Ellen Mahanny, Melinda Moreschi, Jane Furman, Shannon Palmer, and Linda Smock

TheDirt January2016