Backyard Gardener

M A R C H 2 0 1 5 U F / I F A S E X T E N S I O N , V O L U S I A C O U N T Y

IN THIS

ISSUE

Spring Vegetable

Garden and the

Edible Land-

scape ...Pg 1

A Cannibal Among

Us … Page 2

Children’s Senory

Garden Takes

Shape… Page 3

Plaint Faire …Page 5

Flatwood Plum Vs.

Chickasaw

Plum...Pg 6

Firebush Scrub...Pg 7

Everyone Can and

Should be an Agri-

culturist..Pg 8

Calendar...Page 9

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educa-tional information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to

race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Coopera-tive Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

(IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to

individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative

Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County

We’ve been busy in our new landscape here! Spring is upon us and we are in a rush to get plants in the ground throughout the project. Vegetable gardening is on many folk’s mind and the time is now to get things started. We’ve been busy starting seeds, planting potatoes, building new beds, picking straw-berries, fertilizing, spreading organic matter, tilling and watering.

As part of the overall landscape renovation here, the “edible landscape,” as we call it, has transformed from the fall/winter crops we were growing and is now headed into spring. We planted 4 varieties of potatoes in different media, to begin with. We have them growing (yes, they’re up) in a traditional row crop demonstration as well as in containers, perlite, raised beds and in straw bales! We want to show how to grow a variety of vegetables in a variety of ways. The goal is to show every-one that they can grow at least a portion of their own food no matter what their growing situation is. We have various forms of hydroponics on display as well as container garden-ing, a product called “Garden SoxxTM” and a fantastic com-post bin too.

The purpose of the edible landscape is to show visitors unique and innovative ways to grow plants; particularly

Spring Vegetable Gardening and the Edible Landscape at the UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County

Edible Landscape Demonstration Joe Sewards

UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator

Continued on Page 2

Hydroponic tower

16 peppers

Compost bins using recycled pallets

2

edible crops. By incorporating edibles into the landscape, everyone can add an element of sustainability to their property. Also, for folks that live in condominiums, apartments and other places where growing edible plants was otherwise challenging or even unthinkable, there are examples of how it can be done!

Other crops we will be growing in “non-traditional ways” will include carrots in containers, hydroponic peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and squash; beans in hay bales, cucumbers on trellises, pumpkins, melons, corn, and many other crops. Some corn will be in raised beds and some will be in the row crop plot. The garden also includes two cistern systems that have a combined capacity of almost 1500 gallons. When complete, the cisterns will totally supply the edible landscape with irrigation. One of the cistern pumps will be powered by solar power! Our garden will be self-sufficient! The cisterns should be operational within another month.

There is a lot to see in the edible landscape as well as in our entire project so, feel free to come and have a look. It is a work in progress, for sure but, there is a lot to see and a lot for you to learn about how you can become more ‘Florida Friendly and sustainable in your own gardening and landscaping practices.

We are open from 8:00a.m till 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Spring Vegetable Garden and the Edible Landscape - Continued from Page 1

Hydroponic pepper in 5 gal. bucket

One of two, cistern systems

Hydroponic pepper in a 5 gallon bucket

Continued on Page 4

A Cannibal Among Us Dodie Ulery – Volusia County Master Gardener

Lurking in the shadows of Florida’s lawns and gar-dens is a monster that must be stopped. Because of his cannibalistic nature, he’s consuming the na-tive anole and green tree frog popula-tion in our state. This cannibal, Os-teopilus Septentrionalis, is more com-monly known as a Cuban Tree frog. A native of Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, this deadly predator was introduced to South Florida in the early 20th century via shipments from its’ native habitat in the islands. This frog can grow to more than six inches long. Unlike the much smaller native green species, the Cuban tree frogs are usually creamy white to light brown. Their eyes are large and their skin is rough to the touch and coated with a secretion that irri-

tates mucus membranes. They easily adapt to resi-dential areas. These visitors can be found in most areas in Florida. There have even been reports of

sightings in Southern Georgia as well. They can be found inside pipes, behind objects hung on walls or wooden fences, inside birdhouses and even bur-rowed down into the soil on top of pot-ted plants. Research suggests they eliminate native species of tree frogs and anoles by de-vouring them and they are rapidly be-coming established in natural areas. There have even been reports of black-outs and damaged utilities equipment caused by these f r o g s w h e n they

create short-circuits.

Continued on Page 9

3

A crew of seasoned and newbie Florida Master Gar-

deners alike applied and expanded their knowledge

by planting crepe myrtle, rose bushes, shrimp plants

and more than 30 other species of plants in the new

Children’s Sensory Garden Tuesday morning Feb.

17 at the UF IFAS Extension Office Volusia County.

The Children’s Sensory Garden is an extension of

the Extension Office’s overall landscape design cre-

ated by UF Professor and Landscape Architect Gail

Hanson and two students, said Joe Sewards. urban

horticultural agent and master gardener coordinator.

The planting was the first phase of the overall plan

for the Children’s Sensory Garden, which includes

five circles representing each of the five senses and

also the nine principles of Florida Friendly Land-

scaping. The entire garden is funded by the Envi-

ronmental Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Grant,

funded by Volusia County tax dollars that the Ex-

tension was awarded.

“This is a one of a kind garden” Sewards said. “The

garden is primarily directed at a kid, but anybody

can go through it and experience the various aspects

of sensory gardening, overall the whole garden is

designed as a demonstration and teaching garden

where people can come and get ideas of their own

yard, according to Florida-Friendly Landscaping

principals, such as examples of how to conserve wa-

ter and use mulches, fertilizer. The nine principles

will be on display throughout the garden and espe-

cially in the kids’.”

A color wheel of raised beds with various colored

annuals will run along a circle’s perimeter, featuring

different plants throughout the year and the colors

of the rainbow to awaken kids’ eyes’ sense of sight,

Sewards said. For the nose’s sense of smell, garden-

ers planted and pruned 20 rose bushes, and other

odors, such as society garlic’s pungent scent, will

ultimately be featured too. Sound for the ears, in

addition to the new pond, will be feature plants,

such as ornamental grasses for kids to hear foliage

that blow in the wind and rustle.

Taste for the tongue will feature edibles, such as,

nasturtiums, kids can pick and eat, Sewards said. In

the taste garden, kids and families will learn how to

make from bamboo and other materials, such as re-

purposed PVC, teepees and other interesting garden

art and structures that will serve to grow vining

plants, like green beans.

Primary schools for many years have been coming

to the Extension Office gardens for tours and out-

door classroom experiences, said Master Gardener

The Children’s Sensory Garden Takes Shape at the UF IFIS Extension Volusia County By Sidney Solis

Master Gardener

Continued on Page 4

4

Volunteer and Former School Teacher Evelyn

Shapiro, who works in the Children’s Program. “We

get a lot of repeat classes coming every year. The

new sensory garden will really change the whole

approach and curriculum, and we will get more

school tours, especially also with the wonderful

vegetable garden.” She sees how the gardens affect

kids’ awareness of the food they eat and where it

comes from. “It’s hard to believe that some kids

think strawberries actually come from Publix and

don’t realize they actually grow on a plant, so it’s

kind of fun for that. Kids also get to connect with

insects, learn about bees and pollination things like

that in the new vegetable and sensory garden.”

Indian River Elementary First Grade Teacher

Heather Ranieri will be bringing her class to make

its annual tour this March before the garden is com-

plete, but she says the kids look forward to it every

year. “The kids just really enjoy it every year,”

Ranieri said. “They get to see the plants that are na-

tive to our area, and the tour makes it relevant to

first graders for them rather than reading in a book,

or video to talk about the food chain, the animals

and the plants. In the butterfly garden, kids get to

see the caterpillars. A lot of kids we have come

from pretty low socio-economic backgrounds and

don’t get to do a lot of things in the community.

The Children’s Sensory Garden Takes Shape … Continued from Page 4

"To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." ---Mohandas K. Gandhi

5

MASTER GARDENER

PLANT AND VENDOR FAIRE

Saturday ~ April 11, 2015

8:30 am to Noon Ag Center—Volusia County Fairgrounds

3100 E. New York Avenue, DeLand

FREE PARKING!! FREE ADMISSION!!

Cash, checks and credit cards

accepted by Master Gardeners

Bring your own wagon

Butterfly and Hummingbird Plants Herbs and Edibles × Native Plants × Perennials ×Trees

Variety of Plant and Gardening Vendors

Plant Faire Preview Friday - April 10th 9:00 am to Noon

For details, call the Volusia County Extension Service:

Deland (386) 822—5778

Like us on Facebook! Volusia County Horticulture

17th Annual

Don’t Forget:

6

Blossoms Flatwoods Plum This is the time of year when many trees and shrubs put on a beautiful show with their delicate flowers. They key is to know, which plant is right for my land-scape.

The Chickasaw Plum ( Prunus angustifolia ) and the Flatwoods Plum ( Prunus umbellata ) look similar in their bark, flowers and overall appearance. There is one factor that really separates them into friendly shrub or pain in the neck tree. Seeds.

The Flatwoods Plum is a Florida native. It does not sprout seeds readily. If you plant Chickasaw Plums, you will enjoy thousands of little Chickasaws sprout-ing everywhere, every year. The Chickasaw is con-sidered a “weedy native”. The Chickasaw sprouts from the base of the trunk while the Flatwoods does not. Both trees are cold hardy, drought tolerant, bird and bee attracters. Both will reach heights of 20 to 25 feet. Correct pruning techniques will lead to a stronger structure and prettier tree as it ages. The Chickasaw will require more pruning than the Flat-

woods. Both trees will grow in a wide range of light and soil conditions. Chickasaw plum – caution. This tree may sucker and create dense thickets. It may be more difficult to find Flatwoods Plums to buy, but it is well worth the extra effort.

Flatwood Plum Vs. Chickasaw Plum Mary Wright, Master Gardener

UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County

Which is right for your yard?

Like us on Facebook… www.facebook.com/UniversityOfFloridaIfasVolusiaCounty Extension

7

Firebush Scrub

Myrna Moore—Volusia County Master Gardener

The Genus: Hamelia is named for the French botanist Honri Louis Du Hamel du Monceau. Of interest if you pronounce the name of the spe-cies: patens as “pay-tenz” it changes the meaning to spreading. Firebush is a joy in any landscape. Once estab-lished it requires little care, becomes drought tol-erant and even survives salt. This evergreen is fast growing and will reach 10 to 12 feet in height within the plants first two years of life. After its first pruning it will grow to that height within six months. Full sun is best for blooming, but the plant also does well in partial shade. It tolerates any type of soil, even our sandy beachside The inflo-rescence is tubular with a reddish yellow orange flower which blooms most of the year in our Central Florida climate, zone 9b. The fruit is a berry that goes from green to yellow, then red and fi-nally black. In March when the first hummingbirds arrive they come in droves to the Firebush’s colorful long lasting blooms and then stay till late fall. Butterflies love this plant for both nectar and lar-val food. A large variety of birds also feed on its fruit. The Firebush fruit is edible and the plant has a long history of medicinal and industrial uses. In Mexico where the Firebush has fruit most of the year, the fruit is eaten from the bush or made into a wine or syrup. The berry has an unusual taste, sweet, and then bitter.

Early people in tropical Americas used the stems and leaves to treat many skin diseases as well as insect stings, rashes, skin fungus, and sores. Ix-canan, as the Mayans called the Firebush means ”guardian of the forest”. The natives in Belize used the plant to treat skin problems, wounds, burns, insect bites and much more. They boiled two handfuls of leaves, stems and flowers in a couple of gallons of water. The liquid was used

for menstrual cramps in the form of tea. After cooling it was applied to the skin for multiple topical uses. In Pa-nama the Choco Indians used the infusion to treat fever and diarrheas, and intestinal parasites. Vene-zuelan tribes used the leaves to bring down body temperature. Brazilians used the root as a diuretic, and to treat headaches and skin parasites. In Cuba it is used for headaches and rheumatism. Mexican peo-ple used it to heal wounds

and slow blood flow. Modern researchers have found that many of the above treatments are ef-fective. The Firebush I have had for many years thrives on severe pruning to the height of 3 feet twice a year. My bush grows to heights of 12 feet and the humming birds flock here annually. I never water nor feed this bush and the flowers and ber-ries are always wonderful. At 5pm the humming-birds are buzzing around with the butterflies throughout the day. The work of pruning is noth-ing to the wonder I experience each year as I watch the life that goes on and around this bush.

Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Hamelia (ham-EE-lee-uh) Species: patens (pat-ens)

8

What does it mean to shop locally for food? Some people think it means to shop for goods grown within the United States, some think within their state, while others think it means to shop for items produced only within their own county.

Wendell Berry, American novelist, poet, environ-mental activist, cultural critic and farmer, explains "shopping locally" as "(buying) food that is pro-duced closest to your home," because "the locally produced food supply is the easiest for local con-sumers to know about and to influence." This 1990 quote is a powerful statement. It means that when we buy local, we're commanding a great force and we're becoming active consumers in the process. An active consumer influences not only agriculture but also the economy.

By shopping locally, we can talk to our local farm-ers and gardeners about where our food comes from and how it is produced, and we can take an active role in the agriculture around us. In essence, we become agriculturists without ever turning the soil or tending to the animals. To make it fresher, safer and more secure, it's got to become our agri-culture, and it's time we were all active in it.

National Geographic this year defined agriculture as "the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. It includes the preparation of plant and animal products for peo-ple to use and their distribution to markets." Based on this definition, we all play a significant role in agriculture, whether we choose to or not, because we're consumers. Consumers are the whole purpose for this art and science. As active consumers, it is our responsibil-ity to eat responsibly by learning about where our food comes from, how it's produced and how it gets to us before we eat it because we influence the food and it influences us.

It's time to take individual responsibility for our agriculture by learning more about it, protecting it

and supporting it. There are so many ways we can guide this critical process that we collectively call agriculture. It's simple to help yourself and sup-port agriculture: Start a garden and growing and preparing your own food. You can learn about commercial food production and about best farm-ing and gardening practices, attending the various seminars held at extension offices, visit farmer's markets. You can join or start a food policy council to guide land-use ordinances in your area. Volun-teer at food pantries. Take a culinary class. Encour-age your children to join 4-H. Shop at local mar-kets, and choose "Fresh from Florida" brands.

No matter how you do it, the most important step to becoming a responsible consumer is to have a relationship with your food. Let's respect the plants and the animals. Let's respect the men and women growing, processing and delivering our food for us to enjoy and live long, healthy lives. Let's respect the sounds, smells and sights of the agriculture that surround us and take responsibil-ity for the role we play within it because of the choices we make when shopping.

When we smell the cows, let it empower instead of repel. When we hear the cannons in the blue-berry fields, let us be reminded that those farmers are protecting our food with that noise by shooing away the birds. When we get stuck behind a slow tractor or semi full of produce, let us be proud of that crop and not annoyed by the delay.

We don't have to be rich, and we don't need to be the most popular or the loudest to have influence — we just need to think and buy food locally. Agri-culture is the fabric of our bodies, our homes, our schools, our economy, our nation and our world. Let's all be agriculturalists.

Whitney Elmore is the University of Florida/

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Pasco

County extension director and urban horticulture

agent. Contact her at welmore@pascocountyfl.net.

Everyone Can and Should Be, An Agriculturist By Whitney Elmore, Guest Columnist

Tampa Bay Times

9

Calendar of Public Events March & April Topic Date/Time Location

Ormond Beach Plant Clinic 3/2/15—10 am to 12 n Ormond Beach Library

Water Wise Garden Fair 3/7/15—10 to 4 pm 200 Canal Street, New Smyrna

Port Orange Library Plant Clinic 3/10/15—2 to 4 pm Port Orange Library

Basic Rose Care 3/12/15—1 to 2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Operating /Maintaining Your Irrigation

System (`1.5 CEUs) 3/14/15—10 to 11:30 am DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Plant Clinic 3/17/15—1 to 3 pm New Smyrna Beach LIbrary

Sugar Mill Garden Workday /Q&A 3/18/15—9 to 11 am Sugar Mill Garden ,Port Orange

Citrus Care (1.5 CEUs) 3/26/15—21 to 2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Wildflower Festival 3/28/15—8 am to 3 pm Downtown DeLand

Ormond Beach Plant Clinic 4/6/15—10 am to 12 n Ormond Beach Library

Gardem Tools. Selection, Care, Use (1.5 CEU) 4/9/15—1 to 2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Master Gardener Plant Faire 4/11/15—8:30 to 12 n Ag Center

Port Orange MG Q&A Clinic 3/14/15—10 to 12 pm Port Orange Library

Port Orange Library Plant Clinic 3/14/15—2 to 4 pm Port Orange Library

Sugar Mill Garden Workday /Q&A 4/15/15—9 to 11 am Sugar Mill Garden ,Port Orange

Basic Lawn Care (1.5 CEU) 4/18/15—10 to 11:30 am DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

MG Plant Clinic 4/21/15—1 to 3 pm New Smyrna Beach Library

Native Plants 4/25/15—1 to 2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

For more details Master Gardeners should check the VMS calendar. The general public may contact the Volusia County Agricultural Center.

Volusia County Agricultural Center 3100 E. New York Ave. (S.R. 44),

Deland, FL 32724 At the Volusia County Fair Grounds

West Volusia… 386-822-5778 Daytona Beach… 386-257-6012 New Smyrna Beach… 386-423-3368

There are, at present, no repellents avail-able to stop the mayhem. We, as garden-ers and caretakers of the wild places in Florida, must take the initiative. When you find one of these innocent looking creatures, protect your hands with gloves or a plastic bag. They can leap up to six feet. After you finally catch it, deposit the frog into a plastic bag, like a food storage

bag and place the bag inside the freezer. After twenty–four hours you can toss the carcass into the garbage. This is a very humane way of dealing with these predators. If there is any green in their color, it may be a native species. Check for the color – creamy white to light brown.

Happy Hunting!

A Cannibal Among Us Continued from Page 2

A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books. Walt Whitman