The Neighborhood Gardener – September
Happy gardening!
Christmas Cactus Prep
By Dan Culbert, Okeechobee County Horticulture Agent
The holidays are coming up on us and it's time to start getting your Christmas cactus ready to bloom. Many people have these plants for years, but it can be tricky getting them to bloom when you want.
Learn more.
Plant of the Month: Muhly Grass
In fall, muhly grass produces fluffy pink to purple flower stalks that can reach up to
5 feet tall and give the plant a distinctive and attractive appearance. This native ornamental grass can
be grown throughout Florida and will perform best if it's planted in a sunny area. More
October in Your Garden
Plant evergreen hollies now. Their bright berries add color to the landscape when other plants are dormant or have died back for the winter. Water well when planting and mulch to minimize weeds.
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 gardening regions—North, Central, and South. More
Pest Alert: Giant African Land Snails
The giant African land snail is considered one of the most damaging
snails in the world. It's known to consume at least 500 different types of plants, and can pose a serious
health risk to humans. These invasive pests have recently been found in Miami-Dade County. These snails
could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas. Learn more in this presentation (PDF) and
from the Florida Division
of Plant Industry website.
It's Time for ButterflyFest
Celebrate wings and backyard things at the Florida Museum of
Natural History's sixth annual ButterflyFest, Oct. 22 and 23, 2011. ButterflyFest is dedicated to
increasing awareness of Florida's butterflies as fun, fascinating ambassadors to the natural world. There
will be speakers, fun activites, a plant sale, and musical performances. More
Master Gardener Conference
There's still time to register for the 2011 Florida Master Gardener
Continued Training Conference. The conference will be held October 24-26 at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Lake
Buena Vista. Don't miss out on tours, enlightening seminars, the plant ID competition, and so much more.
Register today!
Featured Shows on Gardening in a Minute
Success Stories
- We're looking for inspiring, Florida-Friendly success stories from your county. Submit yours today to Emily Eubanks.
