MARION COUNTY GOVERNMNT

October 2014 Table of Contents: Preparing Your Garden Preparing Your Garden for Winter for Winter by Linda Porter, Master Gardener

Chrysanthemums Milder weather is here at last! We know that cool days A Visit to Butchart will soon be followed by cold nights, so it is time to Gardens prepare your garden for winter. Here in North Central Florida our average first frost is in late December and Falling Leaves our last frost is usually in late February. Gardeners who like to ‘push the season’ know that surprises can await Upcoming Events the unwary, so keep in mind that these dates are based Published by Norma Samuel on averages and any season may vary a little. Also, UF/IFAS Extension Marion every property will have microclimates—areas that are County Horticulture Agent a bit more or less protected. For example, cold air tends to settle in lower spots. North-facing areas, especially windy places, are also likely to be colder. Timely Gardening Tips for According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, MARION COUNTY Marion County is in zone 9a. The zones are based on the Photo Source: marion.ifas.uf.edu by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Master average minimum winter temperatures. You can use this information by checking Gardener plant labels or seed packets for the recommended zones for that plant.

This is the ideal month in As every Master Gardener will tell you, the #1 principle of Florida-Friendly which to plant trees and Landscaping is “Right Plant, Right Place.” Using plants that will survive our occasional shrubs. The trees will have cold snaps will save you time, effort, and money. If you’ve purchased a house with enough time to grow a good existing landscaping and you’re not sure what you’ve got, the Master Gardeners can root system before the help you identify your plants. Visit the Plant Clinic with pictures of the entire plant Spring flush of growth and close-ups of the leaves, flowers, and fruit, if possible. If you can, bring in samples begins. of plant material and we’ll do our best to figure out what you’ve got and determine

whether it will thrive in local conditions. Strawberries like to be planted in October along Planning ahead is the key to protecting vulnerable plants from winter weather. with cool weather annuals Water the day before a predicted freeze, but keep in mind that cold roots will not such as petunia, aster, foxglove, spider lily, and absorb a lot of water. Have a place with a light source ready for container plants. A snapdragon. garage or screen room will do. The roots of container plants are particularly susceptible to cold damage, so wrap old quilts around the pots. Vulnerable outdoor Remember that October plants should never be covered with plastic as the plastic will conduct cold right begins Florida’s dry months. through to the foliage it touches. You may use frost cloth, sheets, or blankets, but The sod web worm takes try to keep the fabric away from the plant by using a framework of fencing or even a advantage of lower ladder. The fabric should be anchored to the ground with bricks or stones. This temperatures and drier helps trap the heat still in the ground and protects the plant from wind damage. If it weather to damage your Page 2

Preparing Your Garden for Winter Timely Gardening Tips for MARION COUNTY by Linda Porter, Master Gardener by Josephine Leyte-Vidal, UF/IFAS (continued from Page 1)

Extension Marion County Master Gardener is particularly cold, tuck an exterior-grade light source under the cover, making (continued from page 1) sure it does not touch the fabric or the plant. Exterior-grade Christmas lights work well. lawn. Look for webs on the surface of your grass in Be sure to remove the Photo Source: okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu the early evening. If you covers the next day when need to spray you can use temperatures begin to Bacillus thuringensis (an warm. Plants need organic pesticide) or Sevin. exposure to the sun to live and grow. Heavy covers We still have about 90 days wet with dew or rain may before freezes may set in break twigs and damage so you can still plant some leaves. Ideally, the most vegetables such broccoli, vulnerable plants would cabbage, carrots, and not be exposed to spinach. morning sun as rapid temperature changes, cooling or warming, can cause damage. Gradual temperature changes are best, though Mother Nature often doesn’t Now is also the time to cooperate. plant spring blooming bulbs. A favorite is the daffodil Once the freeze is over, resist the temptation to prune away damaged foliage. It is which will show its face best to wait until the end of winter. The browned-off plant parts will provide some when nothing else is insulation to protect against the next cold spell. Also, pruning often encourages blooming in February. The Florida Daffodil Society new, tender growth that will be particularly susceptible to damage. has developed bulbs that will succeed in our climate. Cooler weather is also a good time to check your irrigation system for leaks or Plant them among other damaged lines. Make sure the sprinkler heads are functioning properly and are not perennials and don’t disturb watering hard surfaces. Dormant plants, including the lawn, need much less water them once they are than actively growing plants. Plants do not need more than one inch of water per planted. week, including rainfall. When Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November, reset the timer to one watering per week, per restrictions from the St. Johns River Water Management District. For lots of very useful information, visit

their website at http://www.floridaswater.com/.

Winter can be a time of planning. Make use of this quieter time in the garden to sit back and enjoy your hard work. Assess what went well and what can be improved.

Think through your goals for your property and how you can best achieve them by

following the Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles. For more information, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Office at 671-8400 or visit the Plant Clinic and talk to a Master Gardener. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Happy gardening! Page 3

Chrysanthemums UPCOMING by Audrey Edwards, Master Gardener LECTURES/EVENTS: Educational seminars and events

are presented by UF/IFAS Chrysanthemums mean many things to many Extension Agents and/or people. For me, chrysanthemums bring the Master Gardeners. warm feeling I had when my neighbor brought Unless otherwise indicated, to pre-register, please call a pot of mums over to say “Welcome to the 352-671-8400 or e-mail community”. For others, it is their November [email protected]. birth flower, the official flower of Chicago, IL or the flower given to you for your thirteenth wedding anniversary. The flower also symbolizes happiness, optimism, fidelity, joy, October and for some of us, it symbolizes the start of fall. At your next fall party or get together, Marion Oaks Library place a single petal from the flower in the Master Gardener Series bottom of your guests’ wine glass and you will Winter Gardening Photo Source: wallpaperstock.com be wishing them a long and healthy long life. October 22 6:30-7:30 p.m. Other amazing facts about the chrysanthemum include its ability to repel bugs as it Marion Oaks Public Library contains the chemical pyrethrum. In a NASA Clean Air Study, the chrysanthemum, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala along with 16 other plants was found to reduce air pollution.

Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are one of the most popular flowers next to the rose. Where did this magical flower come from? They originated and were cultivated in China for more than 2500 years. In 400 AD, the plant was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks where it soon became national flower of November Japan. In 1789, the chrysanthemum was introduced to England where it quickly spread to all of the British colonies. It was in the 19th century when it made its way Dunnellon Public Library across the pond to the United States. Ask the Experts: November 4 Growing chrysanthemums is easy. In your landscape, plant chrysanthemums in full 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. sun to partial shade where they will be protected from the winter winds. They Dunnellon Public Library 20351 Robinson Rd, Dunnellon prefer well drained soils amended with organic matter. Fertilization should occur in the spring with a slow release fertilizer. If grown indoors, be sure to provide the plant with a sunny location and water only as needed. Master the Possibilities- The most important technique in caring for your chrysanthemum is “pinching”. Master Gardener Series This will ensure an abundance of flowers as they bloom in late summer and Natives November 21 autumn. Beginning in the spring when it has reached a height of 4 to 6 inches, 10:00-11:30 a.m. pinch the plant, removing the stem above the second set of leaves. Continue to Master the Possibilities Learning pinch your chrysanthemum through July. Once your plant has flowered, pinch off Center, On Top of the World the spent flowers to encourage more blooming. 8415 SW 80th Street, Ocala

To maintain your chrysanthemum through the winter, cut back the plant to the first set of leaves and place pine straw or mulch over the plant to protect the leaves from freezing. In the spring, remove the mulch or straw to see the start of new growth.

This is my second year here in Marion County enjoying the blooms of my chrysanthemums. But just as one remembers a special event when they hear a certain song, I remember the kindness of my neighbor when I was a stranger in the state of NC. Page 4

A Visit to Butchart Gardens by Linda Porter, Master Gardener

Visiting botanical gardens is a great way of expanding your plant vocabulary and seeing For those of you born in October—your birthday distinctive landscape designs while enjoying the outdoors. Recently I was fortunate to visit flower is the Marigold, also The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British called calendula. The Columbia, with my family. Considered one of Marigold's flower meaning the top ten international garden destinations, is "winning grace." Once Butchart welcomes close to a million visitors considered the most sacred a year. Now celebrating their 110th of flowers, in India it was anniversary, these family-owned gardens have Photo courtesy of ext.colostate.edu placed around the necks of been designated a National Historic Site of holy statues. Canada.

It’s hard to believe, but these lovely grounds were once home to a limestone quarry and cement factory. The owners, Robert and Jennie Butchart, wanted to beautify the worked-over area. They started small, with just a few roses and sweet pea seeds. Jennie opened their backyard to neighbors and served tea every afternoon. Now covering 55 acres and managed by Butchart descendants, the gardens are glorious during every season of the year.

As the garden grew, Jennie Butchart developed a system of themed garden areas. Visitors wander from the Sunken Garden (the original quarry) into the Rose Garden, loop through the Japanese Garden, emerge into the Italian Garden, and will want to start all over again. Side trips to the hand-carved wooden Rose Carousel, the cove with its boat trips, the totem poles, the various fountains, and, yes, the gift shop, will certainly be in order.

Interestingly, The Butchart Gardens are in almost the same USDA Plant Hardiness Zone as Marion County. Most of our county is in Zone 9A. The city of Victoria is in 8A and the Gardens are in 8B. The difference, of course, is that their summer highs rarely reach 80 degrees and the area doesn’t get the high humidity that sends us

running for air conditioning. Still, many of the plants found in the gardens are Photo courtesy of ext.umn.edu familiar, such as petunias and geraniums.

There are plenty of exotic flowers to admire, as well as the towering Sitka pines and spruce trees never seen in Central Florida. For loads of information and outstanding plant photography, visit their website at www.butchartgardens.com. You may find yourself planning a trip!

If traveling across the continent isn’t for you, consider visiting Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Alachua County. Conveniently located on Archer Road, just west of the I-75 intersection, Kanapaha is full of beautiful, intriguing plants that will do well in our area. Check out their website at www.kanapaha.org for location information and upcoming events to help you plan your next visit.

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A Visit to Butchart Gardens by Linda Porter, Master Gardener (continued from Page 4)

"Gardening requires lots Smaller in scale, but closer to home, are the demonstration gardens at the of water—mostly in the Extension Office right here in Marion County. View the vegetable, butterfly, and form of perspiration." herb gardens as well as the Taylor Shade Garden. If you visit during Plant Clinic hours, Master Gardeners will be available in the Extension Office to answer your ~ Lou Erickson questions and talk to you about your gardening needs. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and again from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Stop in and see a Master Gardener or call the Extension Office at 352-671-8400.

Falling Leaves by Kathleen Patterson, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Coordinator

I know that the calendar says that fall has arrived - but I beg to differ! We are still seeing temperatures in the high eighties during the day and seventies at night. Sorry, but that is not my idea of fall weather. Instead, I would like to see low seventies in the day and mid-sixties at night. In order for this to happen I need to change my location. And change is in the works for me. I’ve been with Extension since late 2000 and I’ve seen really hot, humid weather, and cold weather in the twenties since moving to Marion County in 1987. It’s time to make a change and it’s time for me to retire. Beginning November 1, 2014 I will call my home the mountains of Georgia where I recently built a home. Not as cold as where I was born (Michigan) but much cooler than Photo by Kathleen Patterson central Florida!

Where are you with your fall gardening? Have you put your plants to bed for the winter? You should have already fertilized your lawn and landscape plants. If you have not, it would be better to wait until spring. New tender growth does not handle cold temperatures so skip it this year. Mid-March applications will help plants green up. What is your irrigation timer scheduled for? With time change in a few weeks it will be time to reset it to once a week only. During the cooler months our plants need far less water than when actively growing during the hot summer months. In fact, Southwest Florida Water Management District encourages customers to skip a week during January. Many of our landscape Page 6

Items below are Falling Leaves available for purchase at by Kathleen Patterson, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Coordinator (continued from Page 5) the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. We also have many other items plants require little water during the winter and it will help you save money and available in our Shop conserve water too! Extension store. The store is open Mon-Fri This is my favorite time of the year to begin making a list of plants for the spring… from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. new arrivals or my tried and true zinnias and cosmos. These two annuals I plant Please come to see these by seed simply because to always germinate and have prolific flowers for the environmentally-friendly butterflies, birds and bees to pollinate. The zinnias come in many colors and range products, as well as many from dwarf to over two feet tall. When the flowers of either plant dry on the other agricultural-related stalk I simply snap it off and sprinkle those seeds back into the bed which gives me items. endless fresh cut flowers for much of the year!

And then come the catalogs…..I love to look and take notes but I usually don’t purchase from them. Often the plants are bare-root or very small in size and large in price. You must also be very careful and check the cold/heat zones. Rather, I look in the catalogs then visit my favorite local nurseries to find availability of specific plants. Many times you can ask them to order special plants for you. Even the stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s will check availability and try to order if appropriate for the area. Ask to speak to the person in charge of the Garden Center.

So with the leaves changing color and then falling off the tree I bid you farewell. It has been an awesome 14 years during which time I have made some wonderful friends in the gardening world. I’m looking forward to learning a new climate where I know I can grow lilacs, pussy willow, peony Photo by Kathleen Patterson and tulips but I can’t wait to see what other delights are in store for me. At almost 2,000 feet altitude I might even be able to grow the deodor cedar that just didn’t like my Florida yard. If ever in the mountains of Georgia in a small town called Blairsville….look for the light at the top of the hill or as I have named my new property “Weim Mountain” where I plan to play with my three Weimaraners and take lovely walks, kayak and bike ride instead of sitting behind a desk or spending time in someone else’s yard! Now I have time to play in my own yard!

Foundation for the Gator Nation Oh, and by the way….you probably have not heard the last from me. I may share An Equal Opportunity Institution my adventures of gardening in the mountains with you in the future! See y’all real soon!