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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…
TheDirt January2016
TimetoTakeaWalkontheWildSideContinued…
St.Peter’sWortHypericumtetrapetalum(ClusiceaeorSt.John’sWortfamily)ImagecourtesyofSoutheasternFlora.com
Blazing-starLiatristenuifolia(Asteraceaefamily)Image©ShirleyDentoncourtesyofFloridaNativePlantSociety.
VirginiaChainFernWoodwardiavirginica(Blechnaceaefamily)Photoby©BettyWargo
SeasideGoldenrodSolidagosempervirens(AsteraceaeorSunflowerfamily)ImagecourtesyofWikipedi.org.
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
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…
TheDirt January2016
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…
TheDirt January2016
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.
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
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…
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
“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…
TheDirt January2016
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.
TheDirt January2016
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!
TheDirt January2016
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]
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.
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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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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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.
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