{"id":2081,"date":"2024-05-10T14:20:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T18:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/?page_id=2081"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:37:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:37:13","slug":"2023-may","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/resources\/newsletters\/2023-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter May 2023"},"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 May<\/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\/trees-and-shrubs\/trees\/jacaranda.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/plants\/jacaranda.jpg\" alt=\"Light purple flowers, tubular and hanging down like light pendants\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\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\">Landscape Ecology<\/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\/woodpecker100.jpg\" alt=\"A woodpecker clinging to the side of a pine tree\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Your landscape isn&#8217;t just home to you; wildlife are also depending on you to provide them with shelter as their natural habitats continue to shrink. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to support your yard&#8217;s ecology. Limiting lawn space, providing habitats, removing invasive plants, planting natives, limiting pesticide use, and promoting change in your community are all simple ways to increase yard biodiversity.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/care\/florida-friendly-landscapes\/how-your-yard-contributes-to-community-ecology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">We hope this new article inspires you.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Native Bees<\/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\/american_bumble100.jpg\" alt=\"A yellow water lily floating with lilypads\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Bees are a sign of a healthy garden, but finding native bees is even better. Native bees are crucial pollinators of not only wildflowers, but many of our favorite vegetables as well. The southeastern blueberry bee, sweat bee, and American bumble bee are all common native bees that may visit your yard.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/design\/gardening-with-wildlife\/three-native-bees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about these natives bees and what you can do to attract them to your landscape.<\/a><br><em>(Photo of American bumble bee courtesy of Dr. Rachel Mallinger)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Natural Pest and Disease Management<\/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\/essential_citrus_oil100.jpg\" alt=\"A small glass vial of oil in front of a cut open yellow citrus fruit\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>For homeowners who need to deal with a plant pest or disease but don&#8217;t want to harm beneficial insects or the environment, natural pesticides may be the answer. Many break down quicker than synthetic pesticides, act fast, and have low toxicity to mammals. As with any pesticides, natural pesticides still need to be applied with caution while following label directions.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/care\/pests-and-diseases\/pests\/management\/natural-pest-and-disease-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This article explores different types of natural pest and disease solutions, their effectiveness, and potential drawbacks.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\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>&#8220;Plant a vegetable garden,&#8221; they said. &#8220;It will be fun,&#8221; they said. It\u00a0<em>is<\/em>\u00a0fun to grow your own vegetables when everything goes right, but we are getting to the point in the growing season when challenges arise. Even if you planned perfectly with the UF\/IFAS vegetable gardening guide in hand and have a bright green thumb, you may be experiencing a few problems in the garden. Most of them can be overcome with gardening know-how and a little experience under the belt.\u00a0Wendy has advice on handling summer garden challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant of the Month: Blueberries<\/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\/blueberries100.jpg\" alt=\"Blueberries on the plant\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>May is when Florida blueberries quickly fill the shelves of local markets, but did you know you could be harvesting them from your own garden? While Florida doesn&#8217;t get cold enough for traditional northern blueberries, the University of Florida and others have developed low-chill cultivars that can grow here.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/edibles\/fruits\/blueberries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gardening Solutions has all the information a home gardener needs to start growing blueberries.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lime Swallowtail<\/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\/lime_swallowtail_caterpillar100.jpg\" alt=\"A close look at a lime swallowtail caterpillar rearing up and showing off its fake red horns\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hurricanes don&#8217;t just bring rain; sometimes they deliver new pests too. Lime swallowtail butterflies likely landed in Key West during a storm, and their larvae are now decimating young citrus trees in home landscapes. They could potentially spread further into the state, so carefully monitor your citrus trees for lime swallowtail caterpillars.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/care\/pests-and-diseases\/pests\/lime-swallowtail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This article includes photos to help you identify this pest.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"month\">May in Your Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/ornamentals\/angelonia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/angelonia_scottzona.jpg\" alt=\"Red leaves of a coleus plant\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>With May comes high temperatures, so choose plants that can take the heat: vegetables like sweet potato and tropical &#8220;spinaches,&#8221; herbs like Mexican tarragon and rosemary, and flowering plants like daylilies, salvias, and angelonia. Insect pests become more active in this weather, so scout your plants often for damage. Now is the time to prep for hurricane season which starts June 1st.&nbsp;<em>(Photo of angelonia by Scott Zona)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/entity\/topic\/lawn_and_garden\" 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<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s Going On?<\/h4>\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":24,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"featured_post":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2081","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2081","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=2081"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6111,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2081\/revisions\/6111"}],"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=2081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}