EnvironmentalEnvironmental Summer/Fall 2001 Vol 7 No 2 HorticultureHorticulture NEWSNEWS The Bulletin of the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida Message from Our Chairman Public Gardens Tour of Italy Terril A Nell May 7th through 17th, 2001 Ten days in Italy visiting some of the oldest gardens in Europe may have seemed like a holiday to some$ On the contrary! To the thirty one students and faculty who took part in UF Environmental Horticulture’s Public Gardens Tour of Italy, it was a superlative learning experience$ Though billed as a public gardens tour, it also featured urban landscapes and production nurser- ies as well as Italian culture, history, religious and secular architecture, and cuisine$ The trip complemented the studies of those whose major specializa- tion in horticulture was either Public Gardens Management or Landscape and Nursery Management$ An all-night flight brought the group into Rome$ The Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour was first on the following afternoon$ The gardens at Villa d’Este and Villa Lante were the first horticultural attractions with their hilly terrain and mature plant collections$ Striking differences in plant materials and climate were immediately apparent$ The cool May Mediterranean climate We are entering a new era with our academic pro- caused significant grams – a new interdisciplinary major, Landscape and differences in flowering Nursery Horticulture – that combines knowledge of season from torrid science and horticulture with the strengths of Florida, allowing the Agribusiness Management, Communications, and group to witness azaleas, Landscape Architecture and Public Gardens$ Our ar- roses and geraniums in ticle on page 4 gives an in-depth look at our new full bloom$ These first academic programs$ gardens were excellent Much more is happening in the arena of statewide introductions to the Environmental Horticulture$ Our faculty are striving recurring elements of to make new information readily available to the Italian garden design$ public on our website at hort$ifas$ufl$edu, and The tour had a wide through the Extension digital information source geographic range, (EDIS) at edis$ifas$ufl$edu$ These websites can pro- extending northward vide a wide array of information about all aspects of from Rome through Environmental Horticulture$ Tuscany, along the Riviera, Villa d’Este, a landmark garden in Tivoli outside Rome Finally, new research topics are expanding the im- across the Alps into the Piedmont, and into the Lake Como District$ Students portance of environmental horticulture in the state viewed plant materials unseen in Florida, the grandeur of ancient specimens, and are gaining recognition nationally and interna- and quickly gained a sense of the influence of climate on flora$ The merging tionally$ These programs deal with: the study of the of history, culture, religion, art and horticulture apparent in Italian garden potential invasiveness of new ornamental plants; es- design was also impressive$ tablishment and growth of trees in the urban envi- Beginning in Villa Lante, and over the following three days in Florence, ronment; reestablishment of native landscapes in students were intrigued by formal hedges, topiary, and numerous examples of coastal areas, genetic engineering to extend flower pleaching and pollarding on public street trees$ During the time in and around life; and studies leading to efficient use of water Florence, a gem of medieval art and architecture, the group toured one of and nutrients in production and landscapes$ Clearly, continued on pg 6 the use of plants and turfgrass affects the lives of every person in Florida each day$ We seek to main- In This Issue: tain the Environmental Horticulture and Turfgrass Message from the Chairman  1 Industries as the “Environmental Stewards” of pub- Public Gardens Tour of Italy  1 lic landscapes through our research programs$ International Master Gardener Conference  2 Our successes are due in large part to our alumni Alumni News  3 and friends, the university administration, and the Student News  4 industry partnerships we have established within the New Environmental Horticulture Curriculum  4 state, nationally and internationally$ Thank you for Back to School, Back to Life  5 helping us develop new knowledge to share with our Focus on New Faculty  6 students, the industry and the public$ New Use for Old Tires  7 In Remembrance Dr Bob’s Fall Gardening Tips  8 Environmental Horticulture NEWS NEWS Horticulture Environmental 2001 International Master Gardener Conference Hosted by the University of Florida by Tom Wichman, Florida Master Gardener Coordinator In late May, the University of Florida spective of the excellent work going hosted the 2001 International Master on across the U S Gardener Conference and Trade Show The horticultural trade show was in Orlando The conference was lo- marked by large crowds, generous ven- cated at the Hilton in the Walt Disney dors, and numerous door prize draw- World Resort ings Master Gardeners from Florida The event opened to welcoming re- were recognized for their outstanding marks from Dr Terril Nell, our Depart- projects and many for ten, fifteen, or ment Chair; Dr Mike Martin the Vice twenty years of service to the Univer- President of IFAS; and Greg Ruse, the sity Vice President of Disney Construction The final day of the conference took

Summer/Fall Manufacturing and Horticulture place at Epcot The 2001 International The four-day event was highlighted Flower & Garden Festival was in full by three general sessions Rebecca swing and the Master Gardeners were Kolls of Rebecca’s Garden, who often treated to a private viewing of the appears on Good Morning America, dis- Gardens of the World Showcase with

2001 Vol 2001 No 27 cussed her experiences as the host of the opportunity to meet the garden- a gardening show Ruth Kobayashi of ers who make the magic A dessert Paul Ecke Ranch, and Dr Dave Clark reception was sponsored by the Epcot of our Department, discussed the his- International Flower & Garden Festi- tory and future of plant breeding in- val cluding genetically modified plants This event was supported by at least The presentation by Rene Van Rems of 30 generous sponsors, who donated the California Cut Flower Commission over $150,000 The conference was gave a history of flowers Rene’s per- attended by 749 Master Gardener Vol- formance was in character as a sev- unteers from 32 states and three coun- enteenth century Flemish artist and tries It was an incredible opportu- was sponsored by a host of companies nity to showcase the University of from the floral industry Florida, IFAS, the statewide Environ- The conference involved as many as mental Horticulture Program and the twelve concurrent hands-on workshops Florida Master Gardener Program and educational lectures covering a International Master Gardener Con- http://hortifasufledu http://hortifasufledu wide range of horticultural topics ferences occur every two years There There were nationally known speak- is a rotation designed to take the event ers significant representation from the to different regions of the U S and UF Environmental Horticulture Depart- Canada The 2003 conference is ment A poster display of selected scheduled for June 19 – 22 and will be Master Gardener projects from around held at the Northern Kentucky Conven- the country, and educational presen- tion Center in Covington, Kentucky tations by the volunteers, gave a per- and http://hortufledu

2 Environmental Horticulture NEWS Lisa O’Bea Hall (BS ‘78) is the new Academic Coordinator for UF’s Environmental Horticulture Department in Alumni Gainesville$ Previously, she was the owner/manager of News Tropical Plant Designs by Lisa, Inc$ in Ft$ Lauderdale$ ‘88 Joe Durando (MS) is co-president at the conference of Association of Carol Cloud Bailey (BS ’76) Shirley of the Florida Native Plant Society–Paynes Natural Resource Extension Professionals, Anderson (BS ’82) Bob Stamps (PHD ’84), Prairie Chapter along with Claudia June 2-5 in Naples$ Laurie Krumfolz (BS ’99) and Susan Larsen, Biological Scientist with Dr% Tom Peters (BS ’01) presented papers at the Yeager% Svoboda Vladimirova Pennisi (PHD) has Florida State Horticultural Society Meeting published three papers – one in Green- in Stuart, FL, June 2001$ ‘90 Heidi Wernett (PHD) was asked to house Grower Magazine and two in New grow bedding plants and poinsettias for Physiologist Pennisi also co-authored an Rick Schoellhorn (PHD ’96) and Svoboda the Green Sea Flower Project by the article for Ornamental Outlook, Recom- Vladimirova Pennisi (PHD ’99) spoke at Yunnan government for the Kunming mendations for Subirrigation of Bedding the Ohio Florists’ Association Short Course International Flower Festival Trade Fair in Plants$ Pennisi is an extension floriculture in Columbus, Ohio, July, 2001$ China, September – October 2000$ The specialist in the Dep’t$ of Horticulture at Yunnan government was so impressed with the Univ$ of Georgia, Tifton, GA$ ‘76 Robert (Weyman) Bussey (BS) Wernett’s poinsettias, it used more than operates an orchid nursery in Mexico with 1,000 plants for the festival$ Because ‘00 Karen Bishop (BS) and Carol

a laboratory and also owns a nursery in China’s national colors are red and yellow, Keiper-Bennett (BS ’00) are graduate Summer/Fall Mission, TX$ His son Robert attends this was a fantastic use of the red students in Landscape Architecture$ Southwest Texas University in San Marcos, poinsettia varieties$ TX and son Dustin is 16$ Bussey travels Federico Fiallos (BS) is employed by around the United States giving talks on ‘95 Marc Smith (BS) has been area Keebler, Inc$ in quality control and Mexican orchids$ manager for TruGreen Landcare in Reston, assurance in Howell, MI$ Previously, he 2001 Vol2No 7 VA since December 2000$ He and his wife was with Del Monte in Miami$ have a daughter Morgan, born January, ‘79 Carolyn Bartuska (BS) is Sr$ 2000$ Wesley Higgins (PHD) was recently named Biological Scientist with Dr% Jim Barrett in to fill the Jessie B$ Cox Chair of Tropical the Environmental Horticulture Depart- Dennis Seffens (BS) accepted employ- Botany by the Jessie B$ Cox Charitable ment at UF$ She has held this position ment with the Dep’t$ of Ag$ and Consumer Trust, based in Boston, MA% Higgins is since she graduated from UF$ Services in Orange Park, FL in March 2000$ Director of Systematics at the Marie Selby Previously a turfgrass biologist for UF at Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL$ ‘82 Shirley Anderson (BS) received the West FL REC at Jay, FL, he is now an the Presidential Gold Medal Award for Environmental Specialist I$ ‘01 Kelly Barnes (BS) and Hector 2001 at the Florida State Hort$ Society Perez (MS) were married in Jacksonville, meetings, June 2001; her papers, submit- ‘97 Allen Boatman (BS) teaches FL August 11, 2001$ They have moved to ted over the past 6 years, have been vocational horticulture at the Orient Road Hawaii, where Perez will study for his MS selected as most meritorious in the Jail in Tampa, FL$ degree at the University of Hawaii$

Garden & Landscape Section$ The Award consisted of a gold medal, a printed ‘98 Greg Alan Freas (BS) married Jennifer Roll (BS) has begun graduate certificate, an honorarium of $500 and her Michelle N$ Moffett April 7, 2001 student in the Plant Molecular and http://hortifasufledu hotel expenses$ Anderson is a biological Cellular Biology (PMCB) under the guid- scientist with Dr% Al Dudeck in the Jennifer Magavero (BS) is currently a ance of Dr% David Clark% Roll received a Environmental Horticulture Department$ Landscape Suervisor for North Florida Graduate Alumni Fellowship to aid in her Landscapes$ studies$ ‘82 Dr% Robert Stamps (PHD), Profes- sor at the Mid-Florida Research and ‘99 Carmine Oliverio (BS), an inspec- John Steele (BS) was pictured in the Education Center in Apopka, received a tor with the State Department of Environ- Gainesville Sun May 6, 2001 at the Superior Accomplishment Award Spring mental Protection, was quoted in the graduation ceremony at the Stephen C$ 2001$ Gainesville Sun July 16, 2001, speaking O’Connell Center at UF Spring 2001$ about the accumulation of animal waste and Meg Niederhofer (MS) has been in Gilchrist County dairies resulting in a Brad Yoder (MS-NT) is co-authoring a

‘86 http://hortufledu interviewed numerous times over the large fly population around area homes series of five trade articles with Dr% Terril summer by the Gainesville Sun Because and recreation areas$ Oliverio is pursuing Nell for Grower Talks Magazine$ Yoder of her position as Arborist for the City of an MS in Environmental Engineering$ accepted a product manager position at Gainesville, she has been activity involved Yoder Brothers$ in the program to cut down pine trees Elan Miavitz (BS) Collier County urban infested with the pine beetle outbreak horticulture agent, received the Gold that has taken a toll on many of the pine Award (First Place) in the newspaper trees in the Gainesville area$ series category for Sheltering Butterflies

3 Environmental Horticulture NEWS NEWS Horticulture Environmental INTERNSHIPS Student Jenny Hayes completed her summer internship with Congressman Adam Putnam in Washington, D$C$ Jenny is a News member of Florida Blue Key, has been elected to the Golden Key National Honor Environmental Society, and has received numerous scholarships and awards since entering Horticulture’s Environmental Horticulture’s undergradu- ate program$ After graduation, she plans st to study business and agriculture law$ New 21 Century Congressman Adam Putnam Congressman Putnam said of Hayes, and Jenny Hayes Curriculum “Jenny really jumped into her responsi- bilities here$ I was an intern for Congressman Charles Canady so I’ve seen what an The Environmental Horticulture internship is like from the other side,” reported Putnam$ “Not only is Jenny sharp, Department at the University of Florida but her knowledge and appreciation of the challenges facing Florida’s Agriculture announced major changes to its Land- industry allowed her to contribute to the development of the Farm Bill in a way few scape and Nursery Management program$ summer interns could$” In an effort to better connect with the demands of the growing environmental Other Internships this Summer horticulture industry and academic

Summer/Fall discipline, faculty has recently developed Erin Alvarez Shemin Nurseries division of Weyerhauser (Alpharetta, GA) a new undergraduate interdisciplinary Kelly Barnes Jon George/Cottage Gardens, Inc$ (Gainesville, FL) major$ Sherie Burch City of Gainesville/Parks Division (Gainesville, FL) Drawing upon expertise in landscape Christian Galindo Chicago Botanic Gardens (Glencoe, IL) architecture, agricultural business, Shelly Langshaw The Gourd Garden (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) Heather M$ Martin City of Gainesville/Parks Division (Gainesville, FL) 2001 Vol 2001 No 27 agricultural communications and horticul- tural sciences, the new program offers Jennifer Parrish Stewart’s Greenhouses, Inc$ (Mount Dora, FL) three specializations for students: William Pescara Post Properties (Atlanta, GA) landscape and nursery management, Shelley A$ Ringold Greenbriar Nurseries, Inc$ (Ocala, FL) public gardens management, and environ- James R$ Spratt Oxbow Golf & Cuntry Club (La Belle, FL) mental horticulture operations$ Addi- Stephen C$ Toomoth Gardens of Merit (Seminole, FL) tional supporting course work in technical Clint M$ White University of Florida-Jay Experiment Station (Jay, FL) agriculture is provided by soil and water Richard A$ White Environmental Care (Tampa, FL) science, entomology and nematology, Justin Winn Kerry’s Bromeliad Nursery, Inc$ (Homestead, FL) forestry and plant sciences$ Jeannette Wooding Ft$ Lauderdale REC (Ft$ Lauderdale, FL) A minor in Agricultural Business will be awarded to all students in the land- All students, upon completion of their internship, will receive a Gene and Barbara scape & nursery management specializa- Batson Scholarship$ tion$ They will be exposed to courses in

business and human resource manage- ment, finance, strategic selling, and marketing$ http://hortifasufledu http://hortifasufledu “This new curriculum will prepare our students to meet the challenges of business today$ That means a well- rounded individual who understands all aspects of the horticulture industry$ Graduates will be capable of working with people, while understanding the concepts of good design, maintenance and success- ful growing practices,” states Dr$ Terril Nell, department chair$ and Understanding the importance of

http://hortufledu work experience, students are required to complete an internship for a minimum of two months at a landscape management firm, nursery or plant production facility$ With the program offered in five locations throughout the state, the Department of Environmental Horticulture is actively seeking new students to fill this current demand for knowledgeable, experienced individuals$ Steve Toomoth, an ENH senior, at his internship with Gardens of Merit in Seminole, FL' 4 Environmental Horticulture NEWS Statewide Program Highlight Environmental Horticulture Scholarships continue Jeanette Wooding: to top the mark Back to School, Back to Life by Kimberly K$ Moore, Asst$ Prof$, Ft$ Laud$ REC Environmental Horticulture Students There are many gathered over $56,000 in scholarships unique students during the first half of 2001 enrolled in our statewide pro- Name Scholarship

gram I had the pleasure to work Carmen Aracama CALS – Alumni Fellowship Kristen Barry Jasper Joiner Sch with one of them Pamela Brown Orlando Garden Club – Mary S! Compton this summer in my Henry Bryant National Foliage Fdn - James H Davis laboratory Sheri Burch FNGA – Dade Co – Stan Weyrick Mem Sch Jeanette Wooding Orlando Garden Club – Ann Guthrie Sch received one of Michael Darcangelo Florida Rural Rehab Corp UF’s College of Erin Eckhardt FNGA – Tampa Bay Agricultural and Nathan Eisner Env Hort Grad Student Assn Michael Harrell National Foliage Fdn - James H Davis Summer/Fall Life Sciences Jenny Hayes J! Wayne Reitz Scholar FNGA (Homestead) research intern- Stan Weyrick Mem Sch ships She be- Garden Club of the Halifax Country Club came a part of the Environmental Horticulture Department Orlando Garden Club – Mary S! Compton in an interesting way FNGA – Royal Palm Chapter 2001 Vol2No 7 Jeanette, originally from Jamaica, has lived in South William F! Ward Memorial Sch Florida since 1978 She was a legal secretary for 14 years, Jason Jandrew Jasper Joiner Sch Fatma Kaplan IFAS Travel Grant put her two children through medical school, and enjoyed Graduate Student Council Travel Award gardening and floral arranging in her free time After her IFAS Travel Grant children finished medical school, she decided to return to Cerina Lamar National Foliage Fdn - James H! Davis school herself Lisa Burton Sch Jeanette was working toward an AA degree in health Shelly Langshaw Florida Rural Rehab Corp service administration when her husband passed away She Jennifer Parrish National Foliage Fdn - James H! Davis sought comfort in her garden, and one day, while working Christina Perez National Foliage Fdn - James H! Davis Hector Perez Env Hort Grad Student Assn Jasper Joiner Sch there with her son, she confided her uncertainty about what Nickalus Pressler Bloom ‘N Grow Garden Soc to do after graduation He suggested a career in something Frank Ward Memorial Sch she loved - gardening With this thought, Jeanette visited Meghan Pressley FNGA – Dade County the Fort Lauderdale REC and decided to pursue an Environ- Josiah Raymer Farm Credit Banks Sch mental Horticulture degree After putting two children Jim Spratt FTGA General Sch Beverly Struzick Florida Rural Rehab Corp through medical school, her children are now paying for http://hortifasufledu their mother to get her own degree Dong Sung Grad Student Council Travel Award IFAS Travel Grant Looking around at Jeanette’s garden, it is obvious that IFAS Travel Grant she loves what she does Jeanette said she “found” herself Andrew Sutherland Farm Credit Banks Sch in her garden, which brings her joy Stephen Toomoth Men’s Garden Club of Jacksonville during difficult times When National Foliage Fdn - James H! Davis she graduates, Jeanette Lisa Burton Sch wants to teach others about Italy Public Gardens National Foliage Fdn - James H! Davis the pleasures gardening

can bring them She is and considering a Graduating Students Summer 2001 master’s degree in http://hortufledu Undergraduate Graduate Landscape Architecture or Kelly Barnes James Aldrich becoming Christian Galindo Gale Allbritton involved in William Pescara Nathan Eisner cooperative Meghan Presley Adam Thomas extension

5 Environmental Horticulture NEWS NEWS Horticulture Environmental Italy trip (continued from pg 1) sixteenth century planting of Himalayan Cypress and a bamboo collection were FOCUS Italy’s largest container nurseries$ Dr$ examples of the outstanding variety of Francesco Ferrini of the University of plant materials used in each island’s FOCUS Florence organized the nursery visit and botanic collection$ Our students were then provided a tour of an Italian Experi- able to broaden their horticultural FOCUS ment Station$ Tours of Boboli Gardens knowledge outside the typical classroom and Villa Chigi Cetinali Gardens provided setting significantly by touring nurseries, FOCUS excellent examples of landscape design horticulture research facilities, and public FOCUS and maintenance$ The complexities of gardens in a foreign land$ Planning is now preserving aged landscapes were appar- ON NEW FACULTY under way for next year’s trip to the Everett Emino ent$ In Pisa, beside the Leaning Tower, Netherlands$ A major highlight will be the the group visited the Orto Botanico, Floriade flower show, held only once Professor of Floriculture deemed the oldest existing botanic garden every ten years$ established expressly for the purpose of study$ This garden had several ancient specimens, including a centuries-old wisteria vine and massive Ginkgo trees$ The Italian Riviera offered more than the Summer/Fall picturesque Mediterra- nean Sea$ A stop at a cactus production greenhouse facility built into the terraced Another new member to the Environ- 2001 Vol 2001 No 27 geography was very mental Horticulture team is Everett informative, followed Emino, originally from Upton, Massachu- by a visit to Villa setts$ Dr$ Emino has been a member of Durazzo Pallavicini our department since July, 1987, but Gardens$ The last day in Villa Chigi Cetinale Gardens, outside Rome during the last fourteen years, he served the Riviera region as IFAS Assistant Dean for Research and featured a family-run Assistant Director of the Florida Agricul- cut foliage operation, tural Experiment Station$ Effective and the NIRP interna- February 1st, 2001, Everett has given up tional rose breeding his administrative responsibilities and facility$ assumed responsibilities in the Depart- After traveling ment as Professor of Floriculture$ through the Alps and Everett started his academic career into the Piedmont at Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the region, the University University of Massachusetts with an A$S$ of Turin Horticulture degree, then a B$S$ degree at the Univer- http://hortifasufledu http://hortifasufledu Department was next sity of Massachusetts$ Both his M$S$ and on the agenda$ Ph$D$ degrees are from Michigan State Professora Elena Accati, University$ After the MS degree he joined the head of the Turin the faculty of Michigan State University as landscape horticulture an instructor and was coordinator of the program and her commercial floriculture program at MSU’s Valentino Park in Turin, along the River Po students provided a Institute of Agricultural Technology$ After nighttime walking tour of Turin and a completing his Ph$D$, he returned to the morning stroll through, Turin’s large public University of Massachusetts for a short park, the Parco del Valentino$ The walk time before moving to Texas A&M Univer- and ended at the University Botanic Gardens, sity, where he developed a research where several unusual specimens, such as program in greenhouse crop cultural http://hortufledu yellow rhododendron, and botanic systems and taught greenhouse manage- research collections are maintained$ The ment to Texas Aggies$ Dr$ Emino than Director spoke about planning, funding moved to the University of Connecticut and maintenance of the facility$ where he became Head of the Department The last stops of the trip were in the of Plant Science before coming to the Lake Como area$ The gardens on the University of Florida$ Borromean Isles, Isola dei Pescatori and As Everett transitions from 20 years in Isle Madre, could only be reached by boat, administration to full-time faculty status making for an enchanting experience$ A continued on pg' 8 6 Environmental Horticulture NEWS

NEW USE FOR OLD TIRES: GRIND THEM UP AND TOSS THEM ON ATHLETIC FIELDS

Published in the UF News, June 18, fields could be made healthier “Turf 2001 managers would benefit because it Ed Hunter might be easier to manage grass If anyone is wondering what to do which may require less fertilizer or with millions of recalled Firestone water,” Miller said “End users would tires, a University of Florida re- benefit as well in that they may be searcher has a suggestion: Grind able to play on better-quality turf” them up and spread them on athletic During the course of the study, fields and golf courses UF turfgrass Miller said, researchers noticed an specialist Grady Miller said ground- unexpected outcome from using the up tires, also known as crumb product “The black rubber absorbs Summer/Fall rubber, could help increase the a lot of heat,” Miller said, “and last durability of turf used in high-traffic year we noticed a strong greening applications “We want to prevent effect with this particular treatment the kind of damage people can cause This may have been caused by heat

to turfgrass,” said Miller, an assis- transfer from the rubber to the grass 2001 Vol2No 7 tant professor Environmental early in the spring during the period Horticulture “Turf can be stripped when grasses are just starting to out by cleats in the goal and corner- actively grow” In addition to the kick areas of soccer fields and crumb-rubber product, researchers between the hash marks on football are evaluating ordinary sand and a fields “For golf courses, it’s Grady Miller, a turfgrass specialist with heat-treated clay compound Miller primarily where carts enter and exit the Environmental Horticulture Depart- said could prove particularly useful near greens and tees,” he said ment at Gainesville, spreads crumb rub- in water-starved areas “The porous Miller is testing the rubber product ber on a test plot of grass on the UF cam- ceramic compound holds water, so pus' Miller says crumb rubber, made from on test plots of grass on the UF ground-up automobile tires, could help there’s been a lot of interest from campus, on a Gainesville-area golf protect grass used in high-traffic areas environmental groups and turf course and several area athletic such as golf courses and athletic fields' managers,” Miller said “The goal is He said the process also is a safe way to fields In one method, the crumb to find ways to reduce water use by rubber — and two other compounds recycle old tires and keep them out of holding more moisture in the soil” landfills' (AP photo by Eric Zamora, UF/ being evaluated — are spread evenly Miller said the bottom line is to IFAS) http://hortifasufledu over the top of grass, a process determine if any of the materials known as top-dressing In another benefit, he said “The fact that we actually help the grass “We are still process called aerification, research- can recycle a waste product like old trying to work out the differences ers literally punch small holes in the tires and improve turf condition at between the three treatments and ground and fill them with test the same time is a great thing,” see if one of them has any specific material Eventually, the products Miller said “When tires are pro- advantage,” Miller said “One may work their way down into the soil cessed into crumb rubber, the steel protect against physical damage layers, where they may deliver the belts and all potentially hazardous better, while another may have strongest protective benefit, he metals are removed This leaves an better water retention or just may said essentially inert compound that will improve grass density “When you and Miller said after more than a year cover grass with sand, it often stay in the soil and protect the turf http://hortufledu of study, the crumb rubber does for several years,” he said “We may promotes denser growth,” he said seem to protect grass to some actually have a different use for “This may be a benefit of the sand degree While more research is rubber that can potentially improve that we don’t see with these other needed to assess the amount of that how we manage turf” According to coarser materials” protection, the use of the crumb Miller, managers and athletes alike rubber could provide another would benefit if grass in athletic

7 Environmental Horticulture NEWS NEWS Horticulture Environmental Hardy annuals you can plant in late Sep- Everett R Emino (continued from pg 6) Dr Bob’s Fall tember include alyssum, calendula, can- dytuft, dianthus, baby’s-breath, nasturtium, he will develop a research program Gardening Tips pansy, petunia, phlox, snapdragons, statice, focusing on cultural systems for green- sweet peas, and viola$ These are just a few house and outdoor production of cut of the plants which can be started now$ flowers, cultural physiology of greenhouse Don’t forget that September is the month crops and the horticultural and agronomic to apply a fall application of fertilizer to utilization of compost for sustainable St$ Augustine and bahiagrass lawns$ Centi- agricultural systems$ He will join faculty pede lawns should have been fertilized last from our teaching programs around the month$ A complete fertilizer such a 16-4-8 state in developing the plant propagation should be applied at the rate of one pound course for interactive distance education$ of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of He will be responsible for teaching the lawn$ Shrubs and trees which do not receive plant propagation laboratory in fertilizer when the lawn is fertilized should receive an application at this time$ Gainesville and other courses that will September and October are the months enhance the Landscape and Nursery when gibberellic acid is used on camellias$ Management Specialization$ Everett is by Dr Robert J Black On many varieties, the flower size may be also looking forward to mentoring gradu- As the temperature begins to moderate, increased significantly, producing a bloom ate students and having graduate students the desire to work in the yard returns to much earlier than would be the case with- join his research program$ As part of the most Floridians$ For most of us, it’s just been out treatment$ transition, Dr$ Emino will be spending next too hot to do anything but try to keep the Select a well developed flower bud$ Re- summer on a six month faculty develop- lawn from becoming a hay field$ As a re- move the pointed growth bud adjacent to ment leave$ Summer/Fall sult, many hours of the flower bud$ A Dr$ Emino has two grown children and hard work will be re- small cup will be left two grandchildren$ He and Jeanette quired to restore our where the growth bud MacBean of Truro, Nova Scotia were landscapes to what has been removed$ Fill recently married and returned to Gaines- they looked like in the the cup with one drop ville after a honeymoon in Cape Breton 2001 Vol 2001 No 27 spring$ This is not all of the acid solution$ Island, Nova Scotia$ In addition to his new bad since most of us Usually a difference in responsibilities in the department he is enjoy working out- bud size between looking forward to spending time with his doors and we all can treated and untreated wife and grandchildren and using his use the exercise$ camellia buds is ap- vacation time at his farm$ A job of this magni- parent in a week$ By tude can be over- encouraging earlier whelming unless you flowering in camellias, approach it in steps$ freeze damage is re- Upcoming Events The logical first step is duced and flowers be- a general clean-up of come available for Great Southern Tree Conference the home grounds$ Re- holiday decorations$ move those summer Watch your lawn Gainesville - November 30 - December 1 annuals which are be- and ornamental plants at the UF Hotel and Conference Center and the GSTC Demonstration Site

ginning to look shabby$ for pests$ It’s still (contact: JGrabosky@mail'ifas'ufl'edu or Weed and remove tree warm enough for in- visit http://www'fnga'org)' branches and other sects like scales, white http://hortifasufledu http://hortifasufledu trash from flower and flies, mites, aphids, Poinsettia Field Day shrub beds$ Edge side- and caterpillars to be walks, driveways and damaging shrubs$ Sod Gainesville at the UF Plant Sci! Facility beds if you have ne- webworms and army- Commercial - Dec! 4th, 8:30am - 3:30pm glected this task dur- worms can ravage General Public - Dec! 5th, 9:00am - 3:00pm ing the summer lawns and brown (contact: MNelson@mail'ifas'ufl'edu) months$ patch disease can be a problem$ Watch out After the clean-up is accomplished, you for these problems and start control mea- Georgia-Florida are ready to move to more enjoyable tasks$ sures as soon as you notice damage$ 2001 Green Industry Updates for If you want a fall flower garden, start pre- This should keep you busy until it’s time Nursery, Greenhouse, and and paring a good planting bed$ Locate the bed to start raking leaves$ Remember to take Landscape Organizations in an area which receives full sun at least your time and don’t try to do everything in http://hortufledu half a day and stay away from large trees$ one day$ Fall gardening can be a very relax- Cairo, GA - Oct! 30th Tree roots are strong competitors for fertil- ing and enjoyable experience$ Tallahassee, FL - Oct! 31st izer and water so plant your flowers in a For more Dr$ Bob Gardening Tips, visit Jacksonville, FL - Nov! 1st spot where trees will not compete$ Spade http://hort$ifas$ufl$edu/gt$ (web site www'ugatiftonconference'org/ or till the planting site six inches deep sev- registration/2001%20Green%20Industry'htm) eral weeks before planting$ Incorporate two to three inches of organic matter and a com- The Environmental Horticulture News is published twice yearly and is coedited by Mary plete fertilizer such as 6-6-6 at the rate of Ann Andrews, Bart Schutzman, and Judy Wilson! Graphic layout/design by Bart Schutzman! Contact us at (352) 392-1831, fax (352) 392-3870, or visit our web site at two pounds per 100 square feet of bed area$ http://hort!ifas!ufl!edu! Printed on recycled paper!

8