Fairy Gardens - Manatee County Extension Office

The Manatee County Master Gardener Newsletter
November 2014 - Volume 13 – Issue 11
Mini Magic: Fairy Gardens
Gardens and Photos by Mairyann Wrentmore, Master Gardener 2014
Text by Amy Stripe, Master Gardener 2008
Attracting wildlife to the home garden
is one way in which homeowners can
create a Florida-friendly landscape.
Thus far, I don't believe fairies have
been classified as wildlife, perhaps
owing to their elusiveness, but that
doesn't make fairy gardening any
less entertaining.
is inexpensive, can be suited to
indoors or outdoors, and makes a fun
family project.
Often a fairy garden consists of
multiple tiers of broken pot shards,
which are layered with potting soil
and then decorated/landscaped with
what you may have on hand.
Fairy gardens are miniature container
gardens ranging in size from a teacup
to a five-gallon pot. Key elements are
slow-growing plants with small leaves
and decorative elements that might
appeal to fairies. The idea is to get
fairies to move in.
Because of their small size, fairy
gardens may require more frequent
watering than your average landscape
bed or pot. These miniature gardens
can go a long way to engage your
imagination and creativity.
Needless to say, this is the type of
garden project that appeals to
children. It is also suitable for
gardening adults with limited space,
On January 7, 2015 we will be hosting
a workshop, “Faerie Gardening with
Friends.” Look for details in our
winter quarterly newsletter.
Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service
1303 17th Street West - Palmetto, FL 34221
Telephone: (941) 722-4524
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu
Master Gardeners Amy Stripe & Joy Derksen, Co-editors
Contents reviewed & edited by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent
Send a photo or gardening problem via e-mail to the Master Gardeners
at ManateeMG@gmail.com or visit them at the County Extension Office
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed on Wednesday
HU
HU
UH
UH
What’s Eating My Pentas?
Photos and article by Norma Kisida, Master Gardener 2012
While touring my garden, I spotted this large green caterpillar on one of my tall red pentas (Pentas
lanceolata). While researching the caterpillar, I learned that it was a green Tersa Sphinx moth (Xylophanes
tersa), a member of the Sphingidae family, commonly called “hummingbird,” “sphinx,” or “hawk” moths.
One notorious member of this family is the five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) because the
caterpillar stage, known as the tomato hornworm, is devastating to tomato plants.
Although my caterpillar was green, they can also be brown or both colors, have one pair of large eyespots,
and six smaller pairs along the body followed by a black horn on the rear. The cocoon is formed under loose
soil or leaves and can be quite active if disturbed. A day or two later I found another caterpillar and was able
to successfully rear it in my butterfly cage and release the adult moth when it emerged about two weeks later
(see above photos). Adults have a wingspan of five to six inches and can fly up to 25 miles per hour.
The adult moth is a year-round resident of Florida and can have several broods from February through
November. It has a very streamlined body, hovering over deep throated flowers, and is sometimes mistaken
for a hummingbird. It is nocturnal and begins feeding around sunset. While pentas are one of this
caterpillar’s favorite foods, other host plants include smooth buttonwood (Spermacoce glabra), Borreria,
Catalpa, and Manettia species. While some report the damage by these caterpillars to their pentas to be
significant, I found it minimal and have plenty of pentas to spare.
For more information see http://bugguide.net/node/view/419.
2
Important Gardening Differences
By Amy L. Stripe, Master Gardener 2008
Welcome visitors from the frigid north! We
are delighted when you return for a season in
the fabulous Florida sun.
of too much rain, many of your
favorite northern bulbs will not grow
without elaborate care.
No doubt changes have taken place in your
Florida garden, during your absence, but it is
also good to know a few fundamentals of the
differences between "northern" vs. "southern"
gardening. Keep in mind that Florida is not
"the South" in its traditional definition. Many
parts of Florida are tropical and sub-tropical,
which is not the case of the other southern
states. Here are a few eye-openers:
We have sandy, well-draining soil in
general. Don't expect soil amendments
to permanently establish acidic
conditions in which to grow azaleas,
for example.
We do have seasons in Florida. They
are not what you might traditionally
experience north of the panhandle, but
there are definite spring and fall
blooming periods, dormancy periods,
and plants that will not sustain frigid
conditions. High pollen counts of
different varieties can contribute to
allergic reactions in spring, summer
and fall.
We have two growing seasons for
many vegetables. For example,
tomatoes perish in our summer heat,
but are a favorite homegrown
vegetable when planted in late
summer and early winter.
We cannot expect tulips to flourish
here. Or, for that matter, many of
your traditional bulbs, including
garlic! In the absence of chilling
winter temperatures and the presence
Having spelled out some fairly daunting
gardening challenges, the good news is that
there are many, if not more, rewarding
gardening alternatives here in Florida.
I grow rain, crinum, and walking lilies in
place of tulips. My herb garden flourishes
with (seasonal) parsleys, basil, thyme,
oregano, mint, and savory.
Many native plants flourish and bloom yearround along with ornamentals suited to my
yard's conditions. I am rewarded with many
species of butterflies and moths.
Why try to transplant your Northern garden
here? Take advantage of the opportunity to
learn something new and enhance your
Florida yard.
We invite you to visit or call the Master
Gardeners at the Manatee County
Agriculture and Extension Service. Call
(941) 722-4524 or stop by 1303 17th Street
West in Palmetto. You can walk through our
demonstration gardens to learn and see
examples of landscape plants that would work
in your yard.
3
Taken from : http://www.freshfromfloridablog.com/
How to Buy Plants
by John Dawson, Master Gardener 2007
As with any purchase, prior research and planning
will maximize success. There are a few things you
need to know before you buy a plant and how to pick
the right plant to buy.
If you are replacing a plant that died, do you know
why it died? If you are not sure, contact your local
extension office. If it was the wrong plant for the
location or diseased, you do not want to buy another
of the same kind, just to have it die as well. If you
are looking to fill in a new space or replace a plant
that just doesn’t fit your landscape, take the time to
research what plant(s) you should buy. The plant(s)
should be suitable for your planting zone, light
availability and space: the mature plant size should
fit in the space it will be planted. With a plan in
place and a list in hand, it’s time to shop. Stick to
your list and avoid impulse buying “that pretty little
plant in bloom.”
The best place to buy plants is at a local nursery. It's
ideal if they grow their own plants on site; you will
be buying plants that are acclimated to growing in
your area and that should do better than plants grown
elsewhere. Stores with garden centers are not solely
in the business of selling plants and it’s hard to
locate someone with plant knowledge. This doesn’t
mean you can’t find good plants at these stores; you
just need to be more cautious in your selection.
Regardless of where you shop, plants should be
properly labeled (scientific name included), come
with care/planting instructions, and indicate growth
habits and light/water requirements.
Always inspect the leaves (top and bottom), stems
and roots of plants before you buy them. If you see
any of the following conditions, put the plant back
and select another or shop elsewhere.
Yellowing /Blotchy Leaves: An indicator of
possible pest or disease problems, or a nutrient
deficiency.
Wilted Leaves: This may be a sign the plant is
stressed by too little water. It may never grow as
well as it should.
Insects: If you shake the plant upside down and
insects fly or fall off, put it away. Chewed leaves,
sticky residues, webs, leaf or crown distortion, spots,
and mushy foliage are signals to shop elsewhere.
You don't want to bring any of these problems home.
Scars: Indicate the branches or stems have been
damaged at some point. Scars and nicks can become
future sites of disease or plant weakness.
Spindly Growth: Indicates poor light conditions
during early growth, the plant has outgrown its
pot, or it hasn't been pinched or pruned properly.
You want stocky, full growth when purchasing
new plants.
continued on page 5
4
continued from page 4
Poor Color: If the color of a plant's foliage seems
off at all, err on the side of caution and select
another. The presence of blooms is unimportant.
Annuals that are not flowering in the pack tend to
establish root systems quicker after planting than
those that are in bloom, resulting in side branching
and abundant flowering.
Call and ask Ross Peterson, our Florida-Friendly
Landscaping™ Program Coordinator, about our
Landscape Assistance Program
When checking the roots of a plant it is best to
ask permission before inspection. If the store says
no, shop elsewhere. Root inspection involves
upending the pot and removing the plant.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection
& Landscape Design:
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/files/fynplant
guide-web.pdf
Few Roots, Lots of Soil: This indicates that the
plant hasn't grown as strongly as it should, or it was
recently repotted. In either case, it is not the best
choice; it is either in poor health or may suffer
transplant shock.
Roots Growing Out of the Bottom of the Pot: This
is not a good sign. This means that the roots have
filled every available space in the pot, grew around
in circles, and escaped the pot to find water and
nutrients. This plant, if planted as is, may suffer
from transplant shock, and may never thrive in your
garden if it survives.
Weeds: Don’t bring weeds home. In addition to
robbing the plant of water and nutrients, it indicates
lack of care for the plant.
Dry Soil and Roots: If a plant's roots have
thoroughly dried out, there's a good chance it's
dying. Unless you're buying a succulent or very
drought resistant plant, bypass any that have dry
roots.
Resources for Gardeners:
Florida-Friendly Plant Database:
http://floridayards.org/fyplants/
Florida Gardening Calendar (Central Florida):
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/calen
dar/
Choosing Plants for Your Yard:
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/getti
ng_started/choosing_plants.html
Gardening in a Minute Radio Program:
http://gardeninginaminute.com
Florida Association of Native Nurseries:
http://plantrealflorida.org/
Invasive Species:
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/environment/invasive_s
pecies.html
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Lists:
http://www.fleppc.org/list/list.htm
Buying sight-unseen via mail order is very risky.
Make sure you thoroughly know your source, the
date plants are due to arrive at your doorstep, and the
return policy if the shipment arrives with dead or
dying plants.
When purchasing packets of seeds, be sure the seeds
are fresh. The label should read "Packed for sale in
20--." Make sure it's the current year.
Do not buy invasive plants!
5
Pet…or Pest?
Cats and dogs are our most popular animal
companions. According to the American
Veterinary Medical Association, in 2012, 36% of
U.S. households had dogs and 30% had cats. But
even animal lovers will admit that there are certain
unpleasant aspects to pet ownership.
Take Canis lupus familiaris, the dog. The advent of
the windy-up, retractable leash (or as I call it, the
"infinity lead") has largely put the dog in the
driver's seat when it comes to doing its business on
a walk.
While most dog owners are conscientious poop
scoopers, when it comes to urination, dogs pretty
much go where they want. Males like to leave
markers, and will spray a little here, a little there,
usually on posts, but sometimes on plants and trees.
One homeowner I know became so fed up with the
neighborhood males marking her mailbox that she
actually purchased a fire hydrant and signposted it
as the acceptable doggy latrine.
Dog urine, which contains nitrogen and salts, can
kill or damage landscape plants and turfgrass if the
concentration is too high. Puppies and female dogs
are the biggest contributors to burnt patches in the
lawn, squatting and leaving a large amount of urine
in one spot (sometimes called female dog spot
disease). Some females will also mark, meaning
they will regularly go in the same spot.
Taken from: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems
by Amy Stripe, Master Gardener 2008
For those of us who toil in our yards and gardens,
dog urine is a real nuisance. Repellents, including
things like hot pepper flakes, are of dubious benefit
in keeping dogs off the lawn. The best solution for
keeping your dog from urinating on your grass or
the neighbor’s mailbox is to set aside an area in
your yard for your pet's use, and then train it. This
should be a turfgrass-free area, perhaps graveled or
mulched. For males, a marking post of some kind
should be added. For information on training your
dog to use a designated area, visit http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/Dog_la
wn_problems.html.
Information on solving urine damage to turfgrass
may be found at:
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_
and_garden/dogs_and_lawns.shtml.
As a dog owner, please keep in mind that our
county does have a leash law requiring your pet be
kept under your control (including dogs on infinity
leads) at all times when outside the confines of
your home.
There is no mistaking why Felis catus - the cat - is
in the scientific order Carnivora. No matter how
well fed or far removed from his wild ancestors,
the domestic cat remains an avid predator. Each pet
cat allowed to range freely was responsible for
continued on page 7
6
continued from page 6
killing over 100 small mammals, birds and reptiles
a month in one Michigan study. A similar English
study found that over a million birds a year perish
in Puss' paws in England alone.
Abandoned, feral cats (and dogs) contribute
further devastation to wildlife. Last year,
Manatee County's Animal Services impounded
over 5,000 animals, of which only 670 were
returned to owners.
Long-term, the best solution to reduce predatory
cat and dog populations is neutering. Manatee
County offers a free spay and neuter program; in
addition, a trap-neuter-return program is run by the
Gulf Shore Animal League. For more information
about both of these programs, visit
www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departme
nts/public-safety/animal-services/free-spayneuter.html.
To protect your yard’s wildlife, keep bird feeders
and birdbaths away from vegetation where cats can
hide; bells on its collar (this may help but cats
learn to move silently to avoid the jingle of the
bell); don’t let your pet range freely, or at the very
least, keep him indoors at night when many of his
favorite prey are sleeping.
A very effective way to keep a cat out of your yard
altogether is to turn a garden hose on him or even
install a motion-activated sprinkler. Cats hate
getting wet!
Cats also enjoy using your garden beds as litter
boxes. To stop this behavior, you can spread
chicken wire just under the surface soil in your
beds or containers, cutting out holes around the
plants. Similarly, using shell, lava rock or other
sharply textured mulch will discourage a cat's
sensitive paws from digging.
For information on cat control, visit
www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-petbehaviorist/cat-behavior/keeping-cats-out-youryard.
What is this and who is being invited into the garden?
Photos by Lisa A. Hickey
Here’s a clue, it loves this flower.
Read the December issue of The Master Gardening Bench to find out.
7
November
CALENDAR
OF
EVENTS
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org
Date
Time
2nd & 4th
Saturday
Event
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
nd
2 Saturday
10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
November 3
9:00-10:00 a.m.
November 3
5:00-6:00 p.m.
November 5
10:30 a.m.-Noon
November 8
9:00-11:00 a.m.
November 15
9:00-11:00 a.m.
November 15
9:30-11:30 a.m.
November 16
9:00-11:00 a.m.
November 18
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Ask a Master Gardener – Rocky Bluff Library – 6750 US Highway 301 N., Ellenton. Visit the Extension
Master Gardener information table and get answers to your gardening questions.
Ask a Master Gardener – South Manatee Library – 6081 26th Street West, Bradenton. Visit the Extension
Master Gardener information table and get answers to your gardening questions.
Backflow Prevention Workshop - This workshop presented by the Cross-Connection Control Program will
provide a brief overview of the following: why Manatee County requires a backflow program, what is a cross
connection and a backflow, who is required to have a backflow device, and what does the program consist of
today. Location: Manatee County Utility Department, 4520 66th Street West, Bradenton. Register online at
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Joann at (941) 722-4524.
Conserving H2O and Soil Moisture Sensors - Learn how the installation of a soil moisture sensor can
conserve water in your landscape. Tips will be provided to adjust your irrigation system and make it more
efficient in water conservation. This class satisfies the irrigation educational requirement for the Lakewood
Ranch/Braden River Utilities Soil Moisture Sensor Rebate Program. Location: Lakewood Ranch Townhall,
8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Call Joann at (941) 722-4524 to register.
Shade Gardening - Come learn the benefits of shade gardening in Central Florida. The presentation will
include information on how gardening in the shade is different in Florida, detailed descriptions on a wide
array of shade plants, and examples of beautiful shade garden designs. Presentation will include a tour of the
educational gardens. Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners at
(941) 722-4524.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour - Riverview Pointe Preserve - Stroll through De Soto
National Memorial and Riverview Pointe Preserve to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants
of a coastal habitat. Suitable for all ages. The hike begins in the parking area of the De Soto National
Memorial Park and enters into the Riverview Preserve at 8250 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton. Call
the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524 to register.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour – Emerson Point Preserve - Stroll through Emerson Point
Preserve to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. Suitable for all ages.
Tour begins in tower parking area at 5801 17th Street West, Palmetto. Call the Master Gardeners to register
at (941) 722-4524.
Horticultural Therapy – Connecting People and Plants for Healing - Patti Grant, a consultant in
Horticultural Therapy, will introduce current research on the dynamic processes of human physiological
change when people interact with horticulture. For example, some of these changes improve concentration,
enhance the immune system, and elevate your mood. Gardening makes us smart, healthy, and happy – learn
how during this hands-on presentation which will reveal some of the ways that horticulture IS therapy.
Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524.
Extension Master Gardener Plant ID Tour – Robinson Preserve - Stroll through the Robinson
Preserve’s salt marshes to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat.
Suitable for all ages. Tour begins in parking area by main entrance at 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton.
Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524 to register.
Worm Composting – Vermicomposting - Find out how to use worms to turn food scraps and other waste
into compost. Now you can compost in an apartment, condo, or mobile home. Worms can be maintained
indoors or out! Register online at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524.
University of Florida IFAS Extension - Manatee County
1303 17th St. W., Palmetto, FL 34221 Telephone: (941) 722-4524
Web site: http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu E-mail: ManateeMG@gmail.com
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only
to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status,
national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.