Tampa Ag Blog

The freezes we’ve experienced here in Central Florida over the past week sure have done a number on our plants this time. I’m sure most of us have some type of cold injury to the entire plant or just parts of the plants.  In freezing temperatures, ice crystal formation takes place in and between cells. The cell membranes rupture on contact with the sharp edges of the crystals. As a large number of cells die, the damage is visible. The first symptom is dead leaf tissue on leaf tips or margins (necrosis)

Wait to remove a plant until it warms up, many plants come back from the root. Also, the damage isn’t always evident until it gets warmer. So, now what do we do? First you want to make sure your plants have adequate water. The foliage could be losing water vapor (transpiring) when the sun comes back out after a freeze and the soil may also be frozen, so water the soil to provide water for your plants.

Delay heavy pruning for now but damaged or unsightly leaves can be removed at this time.

Here are some products to help speed up recovery or minimize freeze damage. First you need to know that until the plant starts growing again it won’t take up any nutrients, fertilizer isn’t recommended right now. If the ground is still frozen you can use Soil Conditioner Plus, which is a combination of the Soil Conditioner and Humic Acid. The Soil Conditioner aerates the ground making it possible for soil microbes to flourish and in turn allows the humic acid to get to the root system. The Humic Acid stimulates plant growth by accelerating cell division and increasing the rate of development in root systems. It also stimulates growth and proliferation of desirable soil microorganisms.

If the ground is not frozen but the plants are damaged, the best thing to use now is Seaweed. Our Formula Seaweed is 100% organic and contains all natural growth hormones and regulators, vitamins and minerals. Our seaweed is chelated for instant uptake by the plant and has the added humic acid. It is a great stress reliever and will significantly help with freeze and frost damage.

 Give your stressed and frostbitten plants something to help them grow and be healthy again.

For product information and price call 1-800-373-5008 or go to www.tampaag.com

                Arbor Day is coming up for Floridians!

Trees, trees, trees, I love trees!  It just so happens that I was drawing up a tree plan when I realized Arbor Day was coming up soon. I had never really researched this holiday and how it started so I googled it and came up with this wonderful information I want to share.

 It has been over 135 years since Julius Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day in 1872.  

President Cleveland appointed Morton Secretary of Agriculture in 1893. He taught modern farming and forestry techniques and was credited with helping that department’s service to farmers and setting up national forest reservations.

Arbor Day is a special day set aside for planting trees. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization whose mission statement is “Inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees”. The foundation also has an ongoing campaign with the U.S Forest Service where for every dollar donated they will plant a tree to replant our national forests.

The national Arbor Day is observed the last Friday in April but individual states observe their own Arbor Day according to their best planting season. Florida celebrates on January 15^th.  Check to see when your state celebrates this holiday.

With a  $10 membership you receive 10 bare root trees that are specific to your area. That’s a great deal! Their website offers a wealth of information to anyone wanting to learn about adding trees to their gardens and much needed tree plantings elsewhere.

The Arbor Day Foundation site also provides a homeowners “Backyard Woods” link. There you’ll find information that helps you come up with a master plan, planting and pruning guide for a homeowner with 1-10 acres.  It asks such questions as “why am I planting trees and what do I hope to accomplish?” This will keep you from haphazardly sticking trees in the ground. There’s also a guide for tree identification and so much more.

Last years members planted 8 million trees. Can you imagine the impact that has made!

 Go to the website www.arborday.org and get your membership and your trees.  Help be a part of global healing! Help provide a habitat, shelter and food for wildlife whether in your own back yard, the national parks or around the globe. Arbor Day is observed all over the world.

I can’t wait to plant my trees!