Tampa Ag Blog

It’s one of those perfect days, the sun is warm on my skin but a cool gentle breeze is blowing to keep me comfortable. What a joy it is to be outside again after all these freezes and rain. So yeah, naturally, I want to be out here gardening, that’s what a lovely day like this is for, right?

 Okay, so here it goes, I mow down the weeds on my riding lawn mower, not too strenuous, except the sand blowing around is making my sinuses act up. I’m bending down picking up loads of branches from the previous storms; my back is definitely starting to feel it. I’m on my knees; I’m pulling out countless weeds (why don’t they ever freeze?). By the way, I’m very surprised at this point that I can barely get up. I’m a bit more realistic about understanding the sore back! I look around and there seems to be no end in sight, I’ve got a huge yard! 

 So, here I am on my knees and I start to seriously ask myself why exactly did I say I love  gardening?   I mean between the fire ants, some stinging burning nettle from hell, which by the way is still stinging six hours later. A toad I unearthed that scared me about as much as the snake I apparently mowed over and killed and the spiders that made me want to immediately google to make sure they weren’t gonna kill me, I mean, really!! I gotta ask, did I really say I love to garden? What was I thinking!! Oh about that dead snake, my dog proceeded to rub her face all over that thing and that is the face I kiss!!! 

Wouldn’t it be lovely to just lounge around right now with a cocktail? Perfect balmy days like this don’t seem to come along too often lately, wouldn’t it be nice to just lie around and relax!  Must get this done though! Yeah, I must, can I figure out how to lie down and weed at the same time? A new meaning to lying down on the job!

But at the end of this long arduous, strenuous, exhausting, grueling (okay, I’m done) day, I feel a satisfaction that is hard to obtain in other ways. At least for a gardener that is. The results are so pleasing to my eyes, the restored beauty, the groomed beds and the much-deserved cocktail makes it all worth it, I think! 

So, I’m gonna do it again tomorrow! Yeah, it’s Sunday and I could relax but hey, isn’t this a labor of love?  I’ll be back out there to do it all again, if I can move, that is!

Arugula seedlings

Well, when I started growing vegetable and flower seeds recently, I never expected to be confronted with emotional issues.

Starting out, I lovingly put the seed in the best germinating soil; I misted them carefully, and checked on them several times a day. I waited expectantly, practically like waiting for a newborn infant. Lo and behold the miracle happens and they pop their little green heads out, sometimes crowned by the seeds they are trying push their way out of.

Ahhhhh, They are so tiny and lovely, feathery little things, all with bright futures and I took an active part in their creation. I’m so proud!!

But…there’s so many of them! Literally hundreds! Isn’t that great! No! Okay so I was a little overzealous and thought I had to use the entire packet – why after all put them in there like that if you don’t need that many? Didn’t make sense to me.

So I diligently pored over all the gardening books I can find, twitter some of my favorite gardening buddies like BG_garden (the seed queen) and getinthegarden and several others to help me figure this thing out. So I’m supposed to do WHAT?  Thin them out?

No!! I’m devastated to find out that I now have to destroy the very little lives I so nurtured and adoringly looked after. I’m not sure if I have the courage for this!

 I’m traumatized with each snip of the scissors, snuffing out yet another little budding life, even though I know it’s good for the remaining plants.

 Okay, I’m learning to deal with it, as we must with all difficult issues in our lives.

So back to the remaining plants that are thriving now (at the expense of the others) and I dotingly baby them along, water and fertilize them with my fantastic Fish Emulsion until they are ready to go out on their own.

What!!!! I have to put them in the garden, away from their protected environment? I have to leave them to fend for themselves (they aren’t very good at this) from visiting wildlife. To be gnawed at, dug up, hauled of and destroyed! I’m having a hard time letting go.  

Look, if someone had told me about the emotional side of growing from seed I might now have had the courage. Growing seeds is not for the weak of heart!

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!

  The Cypress tree is an essential tree in our wetlands. Cypress trees are clear-cut just for mulch. In Florida this type of clear cutting presents a special problem. It creates room for the Brazilian Pepper-tree (Schinus terbinthifolius). Brazilian Pepper is a highly invasive tree that costs the state (you and me) an enormous amount of money to eradicate and keep under control.

 If that isn’t enough to convince you cypress mulch is not a good choice for your garden, listen to this. Cypress mulch doesn’t decompose and it prevents water, nutrients and air from reaching your plant’s roots.

Pine bark or straw and some of the others are a much better and more conscientious choice.

Camellias are native to China and Japan. They were first imported to western gardens in the 18^thcentury.  Luckily they survived the long journey on the East India Company voyage to the U.S. The leaf bud of Camellia sinensis was used for tea.

Camellias grow well in moist, mild winter areas like the South, California and the Pacific Northwest. The autumn blooming C.sasanqua grows in areas of zone 6 if protected. Camellias like some shade in summer and well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil. The Sasanqua is best for full sun. They can grow to 12 feet unless you buy a dwarf variety.

I have 13 of them (just walked out to count them), and they are full of buds. I also have a baby Camellia that I won, oddly enough at a rose society meeting. Haven’t quite figured out where to put him yet.

 Camellias produce many flowers with striking colors, from deep reds to soft pinks and whites. The shrubs serve as hedges or stand alone as trees with big evergreen glossy leaves.  

I heard a long time ago that you need to remove the old blossoms from underneath the shrub or you will get fungus.

Scale is the most serious pest. Heavy infestations can cause extensive leaf yellowing, leaf drop (defoliation) dieback, and plant death.

Wipeout - an organic fish oil that works well as a contact kill and Merit  is a good systemic product.

Mine should start blooming any day now and I will enjoy them for months to come. What more can you ask from a shrub?

 Anyone that plants the Mexican petunia (Ruellia Tweediana) soon discovers that this pretty bluish-purple flowering plant can become quite a nuisance.

Also known as the Mexican bluebell, this plant is a non-native perennial. It will take over a flowerbed with a vengeance. I too was an innocent Mexican petunia lover since they are quite lovely and can take just about any kind of weather; full sun and shade, drought and rain.  

Mexican petunia is listed as a Category 1 invasive pest plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (www.fleppc.org).  It has invaded natural areas throughout the state, especially in wet areas displacing native flora. It spreads from seed, rhizomes and cuttings. Even dwarf forms are considered invasive. 

I’m not the only one that was fooled by this plant; I see them everywhere I look. I am currently STILL digging them up and will have to resort to spraying them with Brush Killer an 8.8 % Triclopyr to get rid of them once and for all. Clear Pasture is a 61.6% Triclopyr and is labeled for many types of invasive shrubs and trees. 

Try to be conscious of planting non-native invasive plants; you’ll be a much happier gardener and do the entire state of Florida a big favor!

I took after my mother. The need for gardening is in my blood. Well, my mother and I. My sisters don’t understand that we possess this intuitive built-in need to go outside and create beauty in the form of a flower garden, a manicured lawn or a privacy fence constructed of trees or shrubs. 

It starts with imagination; in our minds we create or recreate what we’ve seen in other gardens, magazines or books we’ve read. Or we create something that is our very own idea of what is beautiful, a private place yet for all to see. A private place that always exists in our hearts and minds. It’s hard to describe it to someone who doesn’t possess that need. Then we plan. I personally love the planning part, the actual work, not so much! I recognize that I am not as capable of day long digging and planting without a price. Gardeners do it anyway, it’s hard labor but it’s a labor of love, a necessity! 

 Recently I spent a Sunday with my mother. She is no longer capable of gardening at all but she can look outside and enjoy the garden she created so long ago and she is happy!  As long as she sees flowers and a manicured lawn that is.

My mother loves a very neat and tidy yard and so do I. Clipped hedges, perfectly edged borders and a manicured lawn and  of course NO weeds! Yes, did I mention she is a perfectionist?  Even now at 89!Unfortunately I can’t always achieve this look with lack of time and energy but the promise is always there. I learned a long time ago that perfectionism is highly overrated (sorry mom.) But I still dream!       

So on that Sunday as I was showing her some pictures of beautiful gardens from one of my books, she had this wonderfully enchanted and delighted look on her face and I realized fully for the first time that she and I are truly connected in this way. Her response is identical to mine.  We may differ in other matters, but this connection is from the heart; our hearts to the earth that we need to manipulate, beautify and dirty our hands with. 

Thanks Mamma!

Many folks are experiencing Late Blight on their Tomatoes or Potatoes in their gardens this time of year.  The plant disease can occur on other vegetables as well.

Late Blight is caused by a fungus called  Phytophtora infestans, a water mold that grows on wet leaves. Millions of spores spread the disease in wet weather conditions.  Spores can travel long distances by air and can be washed through the soil and infect potato tubers.

For a little history, Late Blight was the cause of the 1850’s Irish potato famine during which million of people starved and were forced to emigrate.  Not something you want in your garden.

The fungus can survive from season to season. Infected plants from last year, seed potatoes and tomato transplants can all spread the disease. 

If you have Late Blight you either destroy the plant or control the disease with a fungicide. 

There are only a few homeowner or residential labels for fungicides that control Late Blight.  Commercial grower products are higher active ingredients of the named products  below.

Chlorothalonil and Mancozeb are the common fungicides used as a protectant and they are not systemic.  Copper is labeled for the disease but it’s not very effective. 

Liquid Ornamental & Vegetable Fungicide is a 12.5% Clorothalonil and is labeled for home gardeners.

The recommended rate is 2-4 Tablespoons per gallon.  

Dithane M-45 is an 80% mancozeb product and the rate is 1.5 Tablespoon per gallon. 

For commercial use there are various formulations of Chlorothalonil such as Bravo and a product called Chlorosel Pro 720, a 50% Chlorothalonil.   

Organic gardeners can only use copper and it isn’t very effective.  There may be some natural fungicides but they would not be labeled for specific use on blights.

Fungicides can be obtained through website or call 1-800-373-5008

Well, figuratively speaking only. I finally took a step in the right direction. Why is it so difficult to start exercising again?

I had decided that I would start walking again once I was working from home. Two weeks later I finally held to that commitment. I knew that I HAD to start walking in order to reorganize my life. Sounds so dramatic I know, but walking for me is like the ultimate discipline that affects every other thing in my life that needs constant discipline.

The first walk is always the most difficult. After finally convincing myself it really was time to get back out there, I knew it might be somewhat uncomfortable. Not being in shape shows up very quickly when you to start your exercise program. I planned to only walk about 15 minutes. I’m smart that way. There’s a wonderful back road with very little traffic and lots of nature. I started out with the best of intentions of course, it’s early, it’s not sweltering yet and I’m in the right frame of mind. First thing I notice is how my back hurts, it’s been hurting ever since my dedicated yard weekend. Then I become aware of how much my belly sticks out and how I wouldn’t want anyone to see this. Then I get this pain in my chest and wonder if it’s my heart or just muscle. Then I’m wondering about the benefits of walking, I mean really!

In spite of my discomfort, I feel a sensation that only occurs when I am moving! It’s alertness; a deep awakening that stirs up the familiar.  I immediately think back to all the hiking I used to do and how much pleasure I received from that. I’ve always needed movement, a lot of it, as I suppose most of us do, in order to feel really alive! So how come I don’t stick to it? I have never figured out the answer to that and I get tired just trying to figure it out. Life happens and you get out of your routine. It’s so easy to stop and so damn difficult to start again. 

So back to the discomfort, this is my first walk after all. I’m walking along and all of sudden there’s an uncomfortable stirring in the belly region. Oh oh, I soon realize that between all that coffee I drank this morning and all this movement something is stirring and making its presence known and I better deal with it. Immediately! But I can’t because I am too far from home!  This is ridiculous!  Without going into specifics, I hightail it back to the house.

Anyway, I get home, and much to my relief, no pun intended of course, I feel really good. I know I have started something good and I am proud of myself, I also notice that my back pain has diminished quite a bit.

If a little is good, a lot is better is my motto, so I took another walk! I felt cheated because my earlier walk had been cut short by, well, you know… so I decided to take my dog, Dobie this time. (Her name has been changed to protect her anonymity)

This walk was so much nicer; I only walked about 20 more minutes and was able to really enjoy it this time. Paying attention to the wonderful noises and silence of nature, I knew I had taken the right steps toward a better frame of mind and body.

So what ever your reasons are, a need to move, a need to gain control over your life, a way to get healthy, get out there and take that first walk. Then tomorrow do it again! I promise it will get easier and more fun. Hey, it’s not something you don’t already know!

Just make sure you take care of business before you go!

P.S. If you are on the fence about getting back to exercising listen to this little fact.  A half hour of moderate exercise a day reduces the chance of all cancers by 50%????  How’s that for incentive!