• Getting Your Tools Ready for Spring — The first of the year is a great time to clean up and fix up, before plants really get growing. A quick cleaning will help keep your garden equipment in the best shape possible to take on the battles of spring gardening. Start by taking stock of your equipment. Remove any equipment that is beyond repair or isn’t useful in your garden. Next, check each type of tool and perform maintenance on them.
• Plant of the Month: Chinese Evergreen — Chinese evergreen, also known as aglaonema, is a versatile houseplant that requires minimal care. Some varieties have solid green leaves, but most cultivars have interesting variegation in shades of silver, gray, or light green. Plant Chinese evergreen in a rich potting media and place in areas that receive medium to low light. These plants have low water requirements so it’s important not to overwater, which may trigger other problems.
• January in Your Garden – Prune trees and shrubs, taking care with flowering plants—you don’t want to trim off developing buds. Don’t cut off cold damage until all chances of frost have passed. Deadhead camellias and pick up fallen blossoms to prevent disease. Start seeds indoors for warm-season annuals like tomatoes, marigolds, and others.
• Friend or Foe? Friend: Spined Soldier Bug — Soldier bugs, also known as stink bugs, are known as pests as well as useful predators. While some eat plants, the spined soldier bug preys on many important economic pests, including the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle and the fall armyworm. Learn how to identify this “good-guy” stink bug.
• Extension Specialist Update – Email is a very important communication tool. Education and Media Coordinator Emily Eubanks shares tips about how to use it most effectively in her presentation, “Email Etiquette.”

Read the full January issue.

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• Helping Cavity-Nesting Birds — Gardeners love to have birds and other wildlife in their yards. More than 25 bird species in Florida require cavities in trees as nesting sites, including woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, brown-headed nuthatches, and American kestrels. Read the full December issue for steps you can take to attract birds like these to your yard.
• Planting Blueberries – Blueberries are a wonderful edible addition to your landscape. The best time to plant them is from mid-December to mid-February. You can either plant bare-root or container-grown plants. Usually, blueberry plants benefit from incorporating ¼ to ½ cubic foot of acidic sphagnum peat moss into the planting hole. Pine bark mulch also aids in blueberry plant establishment. Make sure to plant in a sunny area away from tree roots.
• Plant of the Month: Weeping Yaupon Holly — Add color and whimsy to your yard with weeping yaupon holly, an interesting tree that bears clusters of bright berries each winter along its cascading branches. Native to Florida, weeping yaupon hollies should be planted in a spot where they’ll receive full or partial sun. They’ll tolerate a range of soils and conditions.
• December in Your Garden – Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants. Enjoy them indoors and then plant them in the garden for re-blooming next year. While cooler weather generally means fewer pests, some populations increase at this time of year. Continue monitoring and treat as needed.
• Friend or Foe? Neither: Velvet Ant — The velvet ant, also called “cow killer,” is actually neither an ant nor a cow killer. The velvet ant belongs to the wasp family. The name “cow killer” comes from the pain inflicted by the sting of the velvet ant, which has been said to be strong enough to “kill a cow.” Only female velvet ants have the capacity to sting. Unlike their cousins the bees, velvet ants are solitary creatures. These “ants” do not cause plant or property damage and should be left alone.
• Deer Damage in the Garden – If you’ve ever had problems with deer in your garden, it may seem like they’ll eat everything they find. However, they do prefer some plants over others. Read the full December issue ot learn whether the shrubs and trees in your yard are among their favorites.

Read the full December issue.

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Club secretary Gina DeFalco says, “Poinsettias make great decorations for your office, holiday party, or event, not to mention great gifts!”

She also points out that if you can’t wait for the sale or would like to beat the crowds, the club has a pre-sale option.

Over 40 varieties will be offered for sale, including traditional reds and novelties such as Visions of Grandeur, Orange Spice, Winter Rose, and Ice Punch. The most popular sized 6 ½” pots include colorful decorative pot covers. Larger showpieces in 8” and 10” pots will also be available in centerpiece bowls.

For more details on the sale and how to pre-order, see their website: www.gatorpoinsettia.com

National Poinsettia Cultivar Trials

Dr. Jim Barrett and his research team will be holding their annual show at the same time as the sale. This display includes more than 6,000 plants and is the largest show in North America. There will be 150 varieties on display this year. Many of these are the newest and most novel poinsettias. They will be conducting a consumer survey to determine preferences of the public.

• Arranging Plants in the Landscape — This newly published EDIS document by sustainable landscape design specialist Gail Hansen is a valuable introduction to organizing plants in your landscape. Hansen walks the reader through the process of creating an attractive landscape with vertical and horizontal layers and a repeating pattern of plants, all inspired by nature.
• How to be an Effective Lazy Gardener – You can have a beautiful garden while maintaining a "lazy gardener" lifestyle, if you follow these tips outlined by Lynn Barber, a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ agent from Hillsborough County Extension.
• Plant of the Month: Sasanqua Camellia — Sasanqua camellias are lovely flowering shrubs that have been heralding the change of seasons for countless generations of Southerners. They bloom in the fall or early winter with a profusion of flowers that are typically white, pink, rose, red, or even variegated. There are compact forms, like ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ or ‘Shishi Gashira’, as well as taller forms like ‘Kanjiro’.
• November in Your Garden – November is a great month to begin planting roses, and many tropical plants are beginning to bloom. Choose healthy vegetable and herb plants now for a quick-start garden. Be on the lookout for insect infestation and rust or other fungal infections for quick control.
• Friend or Foe? Friend: Cicada Killer Wasp — Cicada killers, or giant ground hornets, are among the largest wasps in Florida. They are generally considered beneficial since they hunt cicadas, paralyzing the plant-feeding pests and burying them as food for wasp larvae. Only female cicada killers sting, but they rarely do, except when handled.

Read the full November issue.

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• Christmas Cactus Prep — The holidays are coming up on us and it’s time to start getting your Christmas cactus ready to bloom. Many people have these plants for years, but it can be tricky getting them to bloom when you want.
• Plant of the Month: Muhly Grass — In fall, muhly grass produces fluffy pink to purple flower stalks that can reach up to 5 feet tall and give the plant a distinctive and attractive appearance. This native ornamental grass can be grown throughout Florida and will perform best if it’s planted in a sunny area.
• October in Your Garden – Plant evergreen hollies now. Their bright berries add color to the landscape when other plants are dormant or have died back for the winter. Water well when planting and mulch to minimize weeds.
• Pest Alert: Giant African Land Snails — The giant African land snail is considered one of the most damaging snails in the world. It’s known to consume at least 500 different types of plants, and can pose a serious health risk to humans. These invasive pests have recently been found in Miami-Dade County. These snails could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas.
• It’s Time for ButterflyFest – Celebrate wings and backyard things at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s sixth annual ButterflyFest, Oct. 22 and 23, 2011. ButterflyFest is dedicated to increasing awareness of Florida’s butterflies as fun, fascinating ambassadors to the natural world. There will be speakers, fun activites, a plant sale, and musical performances.
• Master Gardener Conference – There’s still time to register for the 2011 Florida Master Gardener Continued Training Conference. The conference will be held October 24-26 at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Lake Buena Vista. Don’t miss out on tours, enlightening seminars, the plant ID competition, and so much more.

Read the full October issue.

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• Time for Figs — Of all the kinds of figs, the “common” fig is the best for Florida. Look for varieties adapted to the state, such as ‘Celeste’ or ‘Brown Turkey’. Florida-Friendly varieties ripens between July and October, and their size and taste vary.
• Plant of the Month: Cigar Flower — This shrub has narrow, tubular flowers that range from deep orange to red, making them a favorite with hummingbirds. Because of their shape and color, the flowers are said to resemble lit cigars. Cigar flower grows as a perennial in South Florida, but gardeners in colder areas of Florida may wish to protect it from freezing temperatures in winter. Plant your cigar flower in full sun or even in part shade, preferably in a well-drained, enriched soil.
• September in Your Garden – Start the fall planting season now. Plant cool-season vegetable crops such as celery, cabbage, lettuce, and collards. Plant herbs that tolerate the warm temperatures of early fall, such as Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil.
• Friend or Foe? Friend: Paper Wasps — These wasps wasps are considered beneficial by some gardeners because they feed on insects, including caterpillars. However, they will attack if their nest is disturbed and each can sting repeatedly, so take care when working around nests.
• Master Gardener Conference: Registration Now Open – Registration for the 2011 Florida Master Gardener Continued Training Conference is now open. The conference will be held October 24-26 at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Lake Buena Vista. This year’s conference will feature Dr. Bob Stamps from the Mid-Florida Research & Extension Center and noted horticultural author Tom MacCubbin.

Read the full September issue.

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• Master Gardener Heat Safety Messages — It’s super hot out there now! Be careful when working in the yard and spending time outside. Last summer, the Extension Master Gardener blog compiled some outdoor summer safety tips from Extension programs across the country—including our own Florida Master Gardener blog.
• Plant of the Month: Mandevilla — Perfect for trellises and mailbox plantings, mandevilla is a well-behaved tropical vine with pink, red, or even white flowers. It needs to be planted in full sun in order to flower well, and should be watered and fertilized regularly. Gardeners in colder parts of Florida might want to grow mandevilla in containers that can be brought inside during winter.
• August in Your Garden – The hottest days of summer limit annual and perennial planting to heat-tolerant coleus, impatiens, kalanchoe, and vinca. Get ready for your fall vegetable garden by solarizing the beds and starting seeds of cool-season crops. You can also plant warm-season crops like tomatoes.
• Pest Update: Caribbean Crazy Ant — This ant can invade buildings and produce overwhelming infestations that make the ground appear to move. The "crazy" moniker comes from their erratic movement and large numbers. Luckily,
  the Caribbean crazy ant does not sting, bite, or transmit disease. While total eradication isn’t probable, there are steps you can take to control this ant.
• Friend or Foe? Foe: Fleas and Ticks — Fleas and ticks can be irritating pests for both pets and people, causing discomfort and sometimes spreading disease. Ticks can be removed individually, while fleas require a broader management plan. New and safe products are available that can be used as part of a reduced chemical control program.
• Master Gardener Conference: Registration Now Open – Registration for the 2011 Florida Master Gardener Continued Training Conference is now open. The conference will be held October 24-26 at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, near Downtown Disney. This year’s conference features a poolside reception, Robert Bowden from Harry P. Leu Gardens, and pre-conference tours.

Read the full August issue.

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• Ten Beautiful (and Resilient) Plants for Hot Southern Gardens — Looking for some showstoppers for your summer garden? We’ve got recommendations for attractive plants that can withstand the Florida heat.
• FruitScapes — Many Floridians are lucky enough to have fruit trees in their gardens, but practical information on how to plant and care for these trees is necessary in order to enjoy this edible landscape. The UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center hosts FruitScapes, a helpful website featuring fact sheets and videos to help home gardeners understand how to successfully plant and grow fruit trees.
• Plant of the Month: Powderpuff Mimosa — Few groundcovers offer a more cheerful appearance than powderpuff mimosa. From spring through fall, this versatile native plant blooms nonstop with pink, ball-shaped flowers.
• July in Your Garden — Plant heat-tolerant annuals like celosia, coleus, and ornamental peppers. Use the summer heat as a tool in preparing the vegetable garden for fall planting. Soil solarization takes four to six weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now.
• Friend or Foe? Foe: Silverfish — These pests are very common in homes, often coming in with storage boxes, and may cause damage by feeding on paper, wallpaper paste, fabrics, and book bindings. Reducing humidity in the home helps control silverfish.

Read the full July issue.

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• Circling Roots on Trees — This problem can prevent a tree from developing a strong and balanced root system, affecting its ability to withstand high winds during storms. Help prevent circling by carefully inspecting the roots of new trees at planting time.
• Plant of the Month: Hybrid Philodendron — A group of easy-to-grow houseplants with lush green, burgundy, or copper-colored leaves, hybrid philodendrons differ from the more widely know heartleaf philodendron in that they have large spade-shaped leaves and a more upright growth habit.
• Pollinator Week: June 20-26 — Pollinators, including bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles, are vital to our ecosystem. Pollinator Week celebrates their valuable service. Learn how you can take part.
• Winners of the 13th Annual Florida School Garden Competition Have Been Announced — First, second, and third place winners receive cash prizes. All entries receive a mini greenhouse set from one of the competition sponsors, Scotts Miracle-Gro.
• June in Your Garden — Now is a good time to produce more plants by air layering, grafting, division, or cuttings. Many summer flowering shrubs, like hibiscus, oleander, and crepemyrtle, benefit from frequent light pruning during the warmer months.
• Friend or Foe? Friend: Assassin Bug — These bugs feed on a wide range of prey, but they’re especially benefical as a predator of economic pests, such as the fall armyworm and the Asian citrus psyllid.

Read the full June issue.

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The Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives and the Florida Master Gardeners are hosting a truckload sale of the Earth Machine home composter on Saturday, May 28, on a limited, first come, first served basis. The sale will take place at the Home Depot at 5150 NW 13th St. from 8 am until 2 pm, or until supplies run out.

The Earth Machine home compost bin, which normally retails for $100, is on sale for $47 with tax included. Home composting is a great way to keep organic waste out of the landfill and make your own organic soil amendment for your garden.

Remember, Alachua County residents can get free mulch at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station. This mulch is great as a starter for your compost or cover for your garden.

This is a one-day sale on a first come, first served basis. For more information about the sale please call (352) 374-5213. For more information about the compost bin,  visit www.earthmachine.com.