{"id":2049,"date":"2024-05-10T13:33:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T17:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/?page_id=2049"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:21:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:21:48","slug":"2024-january","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/resources\/newsletters\/2024-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter January 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"fullwidth-text-block\"><div class=\"container px-0\"><div class=\"row align-items-start\"><div class=\"col-12\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Neighborhood Gardener \u2013 January<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"intro\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/ornamentals\/camellias.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/plants\/camellia_ocala_nancy_lynn680.jpg\" alt=\"A light pink camellia flower\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Happy New Year, gardeners!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/visitor.constantcontact.com\/d.jsp?m=1102118090358&amp;p=oi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sign up for our e-newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.constantcontact.com\/safesubscribe.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/safe_subscribe_logo.jpg\" alt=\"safesubscribe logo\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gardening for Wellness<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/father_son_gardening100.jpg\" alt=\"A man and boy working in a raised bed full of plants\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are a variety of reasons why one may decide to start a garden or build a beautiful landscape, but one of the often-overlooked benefits of gardening is wellness. Working in your garden or landscape yields a plethora of health benefits and can be a major factor in boosting your quality of life.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/design\/outdoor-living\/gardening-for-wellness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This new article on Gardening Solutions lists the benefits of getting outside.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Miracle Fruit<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/miracle_fruits_starr100.jpg\" alt=\"Small, red, shiny, oval berries of miracle fruit plant\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Alternative, natural sweeteners are all the rage as we search for sweet flavors without the calories. Miracle fruit is one such option that isn\u2019t particularly flavorful on its own, but turns sour flavors sweet! Although it\u2019s native to West Africa, miracle fruit can grow in Florida gardens too.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/edibles\/fruits\/miracle-fruit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about miraculous tropical plant.<\/a><br><small>(Photo miracle fruit berries courtesy of&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.starrenvironmental.com\/images\/search\/?q=Synsepalum+dulcificum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Forest and Kim Starr<\/a>)<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wendy&#8217;s Wanderings<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/wendy100.jpg\" alt=\"Wendy Wilber\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The seed catalogs and garden websites are asking, \u201cAre you ready for Spring?\u201d when here in Florida we know it is just a few moments away. Now as Florida gardeners, I know you are ready, but are the tools in the shed good to go for a busy gardening season? It is time to go through the shed or garage and take stock of your tools and equipment.\u00a0Read Wendy&#8217;s advice for starting the gardening year right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant of the Month: Arugula<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/arugula_usda100.jpg\" alt=\"Arugula plants growing in a raised bed\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Arugula is a leafy green vegetable native to the Mediterranean that\u2019s known for its sharp, spicy flavor. Seeds can be sown every two to three weeks from the fall through the spring to provide a continual supply of young greens. As a bonus, arugula is relatively pest and disease free! Arugula is typically planted in the fall in full sun with well-drained and rich soil.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/edibles\/vegetables\/arugula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about&nbsp;<em>Eruca sativa<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potatoes<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/potatoes_usda100.jpg\" alt=\"Round, thin-skinned white potatoes, photo by Lance Cheung USDA\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Did you know that each American eats an average of 125 pounds of potatoes per year? Fortunately, there are many varieties that thrive in the Florida garden so you can grow them yourself. Most southern gardeners choose to grow white- or red-skinned potatoes since they grow better in our climate than russets.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/edibles\/vegetables\/potatoes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn how to grow potatoes in your garden.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"month\">January in Your Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/edibles\/vegetables\/carrots.html\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/carrots_usda100.jpg\" alt=\"A pile of orange carrots at a farmers market\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Florida Arbor Day is the third Friday of January. Contact&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu\/find-your-local-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">your county Extension office<\/a>&nbsp;to see if there are Arbor Day tree sales or giveaways in your area. Many vegetables can be planted this time of year, including carrots. Maintain crapemyrtles by removing seed pods, small twiggy growth, and crossing branches to improve appearance and form; hard pruning is&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/topics\/calendars?audience=homeowner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida Gardening Calendar<\/a>. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida&#8217;s gardening regions\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/EP451\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North,<\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/EP450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Central,<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/EP452\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s Going On?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your Master Gardener Volunteer program or Extension office is having an event, be sure to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:jsykes@ufl.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">share it with us.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/events\/\">Events Calendar<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":1989,"menu_order":27,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"featured_post":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2049","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6089,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2049\/revisions\/6089"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}