{"id":2085,"date":"2024-05-10T14:21:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T18:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/?page_id=2085"},"modified":"2025-09-25T17:05:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T21:05:07","slug":"2023-april","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/resources\/newsletters\/2023-april\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter April 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 April<\/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\">Water Conservation<\/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\/urban_water.jpg\" alt=\"A lake's edge view with grasses and lilypads visible in the foreground, the water surrounded by trees and green plants\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Florida has 20 million residents and population growth that is double the national average. With every person using an average of 71 gallons of water per day, our springs, rivers, lakes, and beaches are being affected by excessive draws from the aquifer. Conserving water use in your landscape not only protects Florida&#8217;s natural resources, but it will also lower your water bill and help ensure everyone will have safe, clean water for generations to come. <a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/care\/florida-friendly-landscapes\/water-conservation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn what steps you can take to save water and money in your landscape.<\/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\">Water Gardens<\/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\/yellow_water_lily.jpg\" alt=\"A yellow water lily floating with lilypads\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Want to incorporate a water feature into your garden? The materials you need are available at most garden centers and there are plenty of aquatic plants to choose from. A water garden provides many enjoyable sights and sounds, and it will be a water source for wildlife such as birds, frogs, and turtles.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/design\/types-of-gardens\/water-gardens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This article explains the difference types of aquatic plants, site considerations, and other features you might want to include in your water garden, like fish.<\/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\">Microirrigation<\/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\/microjet.jpg\" alt=\"A tiny sprinkler head shoots out tiny streams of water in all directions\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Using microirrigation instead of sprinkler systems brings many benefits. It helps deprive weeds of water, reduces the risk of disease, and is far more efficient. Originally designed for commercial agriculture, microirrigation has become very popular in home gardens.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/care\/irrigation\/microirrigation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This new article in Gardening Solutions lists the four types of microirrigation and offers tips on installation and maintenance.<\/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>In North Central Florida the old timers say, &#8220;It isn&#8217;t spring until the pecan tree says so.&#8221; Meaning that although meteorological spring begins on March 20th, it isn&#8217;t truly spring until the foliage of the pecan tree comes out. What does &#8220;spring&#8221; even mean in a state that ranges from sub-tropical USDA hardiness zone 11 (the Keys) to temperate USDA hardiness zone 8 (the Panhandle)?&nbsp;Read more about the plants that say &#8220;spring&#8221; to Wendy.<\/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: Pickerel Weed<\/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\/pickerel_weed2.jpg\" alt=\"A small spike of purple flowers with many green spear-shaped leaves in the background\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Pickerel weed is an aquatic native plant found throughout Florida. It helps to stabilize the banks of both natural water bodies and ponds, and adds texture, height, and long-lasting flowers to the home water garden. Plus, it provides a habitat and food source for wildlife.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/plants\/ornamentals\/pickerel-weed.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about this water garden winner.<\/a><br><br><\/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\">April 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\/coleus.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/images\/mgv\/newsletter\/coleus_red.jpg\" alt=\"Red leaves of a coleus plant\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>By April, Florida is starting to feel less like spring and more like summer. Plant heat-tolerant annuals like coleus, vinca, and portulaca in the flower beds, along with bulbs like canna. Gardeners can continue to plant some warm-season crops. This is a good time to divide up clumps of perennials and add fresh mulch to conserve water.<\/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":27,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"featured_post":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2085","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2085","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=2085"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6955,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu\/mastergardener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2085\/revisions\/6955"}],"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=2085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}