The Neighborhood Gardener – September
We hope you're enjoying The Neighborhood Gardener. If you haven't already, please help us out and subscribe to it using the link below so that we can keep you up-to-date on state happenings. Happy gardening! Tom Wichman, State Master Gardener Coordinator and Esen Momol, State FYN Coordinator
State News
Florida School Garden Competition
Florida School Garden Competition information will be mailed to elementary schools around the state this month. Encourage your schools and educators to participate by getting involved with the competition. Grow great kids with school gardens. More...
Florida-Friendly Article of the Month
Capturing Water with Rain Barrels
A great way to save water—and money on your water bill—is to build or purchase a rain barrel. A rain barrel captures rainwater, which can then be used to water plants. More...
Highlighted Resource
Learn more about Florida's wildflowers so you can help protect and conserve them. Contact your county Extension office to view a copy today. The DVD is brought to you by the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Friend or Foe
Lacewings are beneficial insects that should be allowed to live in your garden. There are two kinds of lacewings: green and brown. Lacewings are considered beneficial insects because they eat aphids and other pests, and they don't bite or sting. You can buy lacewing eggs and larvae for release in your garden to help with insect pest problems. More...
Plant of the Month
This fall-blooming bulb gets one of its many common names from its habit of appearing suddenly after heavy rains. Hurricane lilies can be grown successfully in North and Central Florida and make great passalong plants. More...
FAQ
By Andy Wilson, Departmental Training Specialist/Horticulturist, Pinellas County Extension
Q: Why does my tree have dead branch tips?
A: A common and often alarming sight to homeowners is the appearance of dead branch tips. These are usually about one to three feet long and found on trees such as oaks, red maples, magnolias, and others at this time of year. Close inspection of branch at about the point where the dead wood begins sometimes reveals a clue to the problem: a small round hole about the diameter of a pin. This is evidence of twig borers. More...
This Month in Your Garden
September is the time to start planting your fall vegetable crop. Select cool season vegetables. These include celery, broccoli, beets, collards, cabbage, lettuce, or onions. For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida's climate areas: North, Central, and South. More...
County Corner: Marion
Tips for Establishing a Community Garden
By Norma Samuel, Marion County Urban Horticulture Agent
Over the last two months I've received calls from clients wanting information on community and victory gardens. These types of gardens are a great way to bring the community together to develop
friendships, healthy lifestyle habits, save money, and for those intergenerational gardens that involve both youth and adults, build lifeskills in youth. More...
We're looking for inspiring Florida-friendly success stories like this. Submit yours today at gardening@ifas.ufl.edu
