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The Neighborhood Gardener – February

Master Gardener State News
Happy Valentine's Day! Very soon we'll have details for you on the Annual Master Gardener Continued Training Conference, scheduled for Nov. 2-4, 2009, at the Hilton in Ocala. Keep checking the Web site for more information.

--Tom Wichman, State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator

FYN State News
And happy National Grapefruit Month as well! We here at FYN are working hard to put the finishing touches on the 4th edition of A Guide to Florida-Friendly Landscaping. The new version of the handbook will be available mid-year and will contain all the latest information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping.

--Esen Momol, Statewide FFL Coordinator

Subscribe to the e-Newsletter using the link below so that we can keep you up to date on state happenings. Happy gardening!

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Florida-Friendly Article of the Month

Avoid These Five Common Mistakes

In the landscape, more is not always better. The following five mistakes (overwatering, overplanting, over-pruning, over-fertilizing, and overuse of pesticides) are common and easy to avoid. More...

Friend or Foe?

Foe: Camphor Tree

camphor tree leaves and berriesCamphor tree is NOT recommended in Florida because it is able to rapidly displace native trees and infest forests and other natural areas. This invasive species displaces native plants due to its fast growth habit and the ability to produce large amounts of seed. More...

New Disease Alert

Laurel Wilt

Florida's avocado industry, the nation's second largest, could lose millions of dollars if a new disease reaches the state's southern tip, according to University of Florida experts. Laurel wilt disease, caused by a fungus transmitted by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, kills avocado and several native trees. More...

Plant of the Month

Golden Trumpet Tree

Golden trumpet tree flowerGolden trumpet tree (Tabebuia chrysotricha) is a wintertime showstopper, erupting with an amazing display of yellow trumpet-shaped blooms before the tree's leaves appear in the spring. It is a beautiful, medium-sized tree that works well in Central and South Florida landscapes. More...

February in Your Garden

With azaleas in full bloom this month, now is a great time to select varieties to add to the landscape. If cold weather has damaged palms, proper care may prevent loss of the palm and encourage recovery. Roses should be pruned this month to remove damaged canes and improve overall form.  

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...

FYN Success Story

Osceola County Irrigation Class

For first-time water-use offenders in Osceola County, there's now an alternative to a warning citation: attend an FYN-led irrigation class. More...

Master Gardener Success Story

Charlotte Master Gardener volunteers' Newsletter Awarded

Charlotte's Garden, the Charlotte County's Master Gardener program newsletter, was recognized with an Award of Excellence at the 2008 Florida Master Gardener Conference. More...

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