tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20594528188534430502024-03-17T23:04:40.712-04:00Green Gardening MattersGinny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04286863715121139883noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-17173692219048409372024-03-01T06:36:00.000-05:002024-03-01T06:36:42.158-05:00Carrots: a most satisfying cool-weather crop<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW96rrfSMp6Zuq_kwvDFzdeLyZSXMquRN4bAr7Cg9IVebkZILPm_PmV9Dh3qCes4yj2UsxjjlGhRHQ5iscVoZZ4PFq17lNKtfYKS9lMoaMjcyyZUU_I81MOzj1tTMqbSPpemT89p8d71FeZ63nqC8g00JXWe-mqO9ygpIISe8AuBCn-1GMTKE6of0Zsdc/s688/Daucuscarota-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="688" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW96rrfSMp6Zuq_kwvDFzdeLyZSXMquRN4bAr7Cg9IVebkZILPm_PmV9Dh3qCes4yj2UsxjjlGhRHQ5iscVoZZ4PFq17lNKtfYKS9lMoaMjcyyZUU_I81MOzj1tTMqbSPpemT89p8d71FeZ63nqC8g00JXWe-mqO9ygpIISe8AuBCn-1GMTKE6of0Zsdc/w400-h299/Daucuscarota-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Carrots are native to Europe and parts of Asia and<br />Africa, but now have
escaped around the world and <br />those wild carrots are known as Queen Anne's lace.<br /><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Carrots (<i>Daucus carota</i>) are in the carrot family Apiaceae. While this plant family includes quite a few well-known and economically important crop plants as anise, caraway, carrot, celery, chervil, coriander, cumin, <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/06/dill-is-beautiful-easy-to-grow-herb-in.html" target="_blank">dill</a>, fennel, parsley, and <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/03/growing-parsnips-in-north-florida.html" target="_blank">parsnip</a>, there are also a few highly poisonous species, such as poison hemlock, water hemlock, spotted cowbane, and fool's parsley. </p><p>The defining characteristic of this family is the inflorescence, the flowers nearly always aggregated in terminal umbels, that may be simple or more commonly compound. The other name for this family is Umbelliferae. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Carrots are biennials and develop a taproot to store energy for flowering the second year. When grown as a crop, they are harvested at the end of the first growing season when the tap root is fully developed and has stored enough energy to fuel the blooming in the next year. If allowed to bloom, the taproot will wither away as the energy is used. The tiny flowers are arranged in a flat or slightly rounded head. In the very center of the carrot flower head there is one dark purple flower while the rest of the flowers are an off white. When blooming it's known as Queen Anne’s lace, named for Queen Anne of Great Britain in the early 1700s, who was said to have pricked her finger while tatting lace, which is represented by that single purple flower in the center of the flower head.</p><div><b>A personal aside: </b>I was an older grad student (with two little kids) in the 70s when working to get my advanced degree in botany. I was a teaching assistant (TA) so I would not drain the family finances too much and we were required to sit in on the lectures, so that we could better teach the labs. The professor, who was about the same age as me, was explaining to the 300 botany 101 students about biennials using carrots as an example. He claimed that the students had probably never seen a carrot flower. After the lecture I marched into his office and told him that every student in that class had seen carrot flowers, but that it was known as Queen Anne's lace. He may have earned the PhD, but he was obviously not a gardener, nor had he hiked on trails there in Massachusetts where every field included those escaped wild carrots. I think he was embarrassed, but he did not correct himself in class. The students in my two sections were informed, though. <br /><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPx1jXlE9nZIt0lRkIEhwsbDdtfvNDkZLS7z2Eznz5m0IXESsIKmm7rtnFC2KApNWwyAnHOttfHr01BX6Gv5j3ufmnpic6r6bcQVeMI56uF9tvIPo4Wihw3BAvAXUlg9XGbmNlVuMpcnxSMU1VmMDfbrLXGh0p3VXmiiosIAmFdF7TmEucZ7D2YkaRY/s650/uglycarrot-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="650" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPx1jXlE9nZIt0lRkIEhwsbDdtfvNDkZLS7z2Eznz5m0IXESsIKmm7rtnFC2KApNWwyAnHOttfHr01BX6Gv5j3ufmnpic6r6bcQVeMI56uF9tvIPo4Wihw3BAvAXUlg9XGbmNlVuMpcnxSMU1VmMDfbrLXGh0p3VXmiiosIAmFdF7TmEucZ7D2YkaRY/w400-h276/uglycarrot-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This forgotten purple carrot from my garden a few years ago <br />probably resembles the original wild carrots. (Notice the dill <br />flower heads in the background with their complex umbels.)</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">Carrot history</h3><p>The carrot has been under cultivation for 5,000 years. The other crops in this family have mainly been cultivated for their leaves, while carrot breeding has centered on its root characteristics. Its ancestor is native to Afghanistan region and probably had a bitter, woody, and purple root. Through selection for taste and medicinal qualities and with some breeding yielded a white-rooted variant from North Africa. Breeders in the Netherlands eventually adopted our modern sweet orange carrot in the 1700s. It was highly prized during the reign of William of Orange.</p><p>The carrot arrived in the New World before the Mayflower and carrot seeds were required as part of the supplies that settlers had to bring with them for better survival. In many parts of the country it is now an invasive weed.</p>
<h3>This year's final carrot harvest</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtxXK55dTjfO-8hXnIXjjvbDKvmjGS5Wo9pFcz-bElG029fkmNMei3X7v6i_88NayaZYBAngFfGsaOss66Ynle_y_Hgl3Z7Dh_Z7FZivGyHzIyz3BXb9p0hA4PEWF6-qjyhikwCc1DO4Kk9EgTQiWvleCNS91YGAjMRBBo5X_zVM6hgpsoI2UC_RLPkk/s650/carrotharvest2024b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="650" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtxXK55dTjfO-8hXnIXjjvbDKvmjGS5Wo9pFcz-bElG029fkmNMei3X7v6i_88NayaZYBAngFfGsaOss66Ynle_y_Hgl3Z7Dh_Z7FZivGyHzIyz3BXb9p0hA4PEWF6-qjyhikwCc1DO4Kk9EgTQiWvleCNS91YGAjMRBBo5X_zVM6hgpsoI2UC_RLPkk/w400-h283/carrotharvest2024b-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's final harvest of 'Nantes half' and 'Cosmic purple' carrots.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Carrots have tiny seeds and it's usually best to plant them directly in the soil, which should be cleared of rocks or lumps that would cause the tap roots to bend. They do not transplant well and have a long growing time. They take 90 days or more before any of them will be ready to harvest. Since they grow best in cool weather, here in Florida, we grow them right through the winter. Some years, I start a second batch of carrot seeds after December 1st, but that didn't happen this time. <br /><br />I'd planted half a row with 'Nantes half' and the other half with 'Cosmic purple' carrot seeds at the end of September. I'd been harvesting the largest carrots since Christmas, which has probably added up to more than 20 carrots. Now it was time to get this bed ready for some warm weather crops, so I harvested the whole wide row, both large and small. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMi3XJXnOhWVxL36eYiXFAt6Btji9yyhMS_3wLdBRvlR4C8NFTUhXSDSBc3KgBMgJQM5qBG6DocIHAGMYryVCBLy1xr5HmRxrDKA2GU46BiH4J1GB6W9pe7Qf7bZEHDDwrWk_sExov6b2TfpPOaKXpQOJjvXlN_1L8BiZPR0FZMPlOWOKPyNe6vOg_s0/s600/carrotharvest2024c-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMi3XJXnOhWVxL36eYiXFAt6Btji9yyhMS_3wLdBRvlR4C8NFTUhXSDSBc3KgBMgJQM5qBG6DocIHAGMYryVCBLy1xr5HmRxrDKA2GU46BiH4J1GB6W9pe7Qf7bZEHDDwrWk_sExov6b2TfpPOaKXpQOJjvXlN_1L8BiZPR0FZMPlOWOKPyNe6vOg_s0/s320/carrotharvest2024c-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrrK7DlyL1xbTPu-qwSq9e2h_55ueAW2Dq5oIgai6ouVSTqKceIJ1s94tpjn8tXbmz8hEXTaCCDDr5dqKWuyNILzJdtTKCri4QkU5KFzQLqBL8Sq-WvKCXT98rjWC71S-_V3Rt8-dEHhxzzVnG6EOWOfdPbc0sWUece2JF5Si8f8D0qONBs-8uG_WPsU/s650/carrotharvest2024-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="650" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrrK7DlyL1xbTPu-qwSq9e2h_55ueAW2Dq5oIgai6ouVSTqKceIJ1s94tpjn8tXbmz8hEXTaCCDDr5dqKWuyNILzJdtTKCri4QkU5KFzQLqBL8Sq-WvKCXT98rjWC71S-_V3Rt8-dEHhxzzVnG6EOWOfdPbc0sWUece2JF5Si8f8D0qONBs-8uG_WPsU/s320/carrotharvest2024-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing a work table out to the garden makes it easier on my back.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-rinsing a carrot harvest with rain barrel water keeps the kitchen sink clean.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>To simplify the carrot processing, to keep the kitchen sink clean, and to be kind to my back, I brought a table and a compost bin out to the garden where I had access to the hose from the <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/10/an-unexpected-drainage-project.html" target="_blank">three-rain barrel system</a> on the other side of the garage. (The hose had been uncoiled from its usual position next to the garage wall for weeding and remulching.)</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqKze_csmY6fOJIgqt9ouLyijlqJmWP1bhBwSgfg6yY1jo6ttwZcUqldYkzvg02_Or7p-RWVulLQFqy_ix3b6fiTW8g6NtAB-73BKROD48Mke0jT5tpDms5MQxu4YDXMXGVhfywtSIkpOaVd-eqc-5vcdMwWSgeUR7ZpPNmyWpJ-necsAfUOQFVa8jtg/s650/carrotharvest2024d-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="650" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqKze_csmY6fOJIgqt9ouLyijlqJmWP1bhBwSgfg6yY1jo6ttwZcUqldYkzvg02_Or7p-RWVulLQFqy_ix3b6fiTW8g6NtAB-73BKROD48Mke0jT5tpDms5MQxu4YDXMXGVhfywtSIkpOaVd-eqc-5vcdMwWSgeUR7ZpPNmyWpJ-necsAfUOQFVa8jtg/s320/carrotharvest2024d-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_7zsKP79_lcwOz9LZ9SsElDIP4qkGYyplzCOK0D5UCh2OuZd4jfb7WbylM8mmflg0nsOI8ry_qc6vwNfO_WPHnSXEzMbE6KhncwpCO3gJZmdwqKQBZY-3fPtI3Mb5EWc1_SqrSo9fHmuSAO_w-0FhD9d6yTvURn_7y0utvbBxJjM0ssly7Yl-vS98Pk/s500/purplecarrotchips13%20500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="500" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_7zsKP79_lcwOz9LZ9SsElDIP4qkGYyplzCOK0D5UCh2OuZd4jfb7WbylM8mmflg0nsOI8ry_qc6vwNfO_WPHnSXEzMbE6KhncwpCO3gJZmdwqKQBZY-3fPtI3Mb5EWc1_SqrSo9fHmuSAO_w-0FhD9d6yTvURn_7y0utvbBxJjM0ssly7Yl-vS98Pk/s320/purplecarrotchips13%20500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About five pounds of carrots were in this final harvest.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cosmic purple carrots are orange inside.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>After the initial cleaning with the rain barrel water, just a quick rinse with tap water and they were ready for consumption. With fresh carrots, no peeling is needed, just the scrubbing and rinsing. People are surprised that our purple carrots are orange inside. I took the photo of the carrot chips a couple of years ago when I'd prepared them and a pesto dip for a pot luck event.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cooking to the harvest! </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrVgKM4ycOY0N0qNCNLwlbZqZPONc-ulNO7OWGtGhDeArI9xUVz4u-VUgU8BxXC2TVl0Ve2kYMnVgSQAUKN134EQK3_Y85mycHuGkE3KgTE0UhL42jEDx5BpPouOW9Z0-f7PxZTbcwHP0HsSgKTAOBjLQMKCrgO56SvnrP4CUNr1gMamxaBPX5YCtHj8/s650/carrotsalad2024-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="650" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrVgKM4ycOY0N0qNCNLwlbZqZPONc-ulNO7OWGtGhDeArI9xUVz4u-VUgU8BxXC2TVl0Ve2kYMnVgSQAUKN134EQK3_Y85mycHuGkE3KgTE0UhL42jEDx5BpPouOW9Z0-f7PxZTbcwHP0HsSgKTAOBjLQMKCrgO56SvnrP4CUNr1gMamxaBPX5YCtHj8/s320/carrotsalad2024-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Os3GISS0uMaSlw7IMx8bN-6jXYGnpE44lFacjQHNUuPFXC_EO4yQsM7TOJajX853Tzsk_NQno1n8K__V9-2vQDVfE7K_-oj2zRUHL2zh7aRTlDm3aI4-yxxhObtWeDfFb3KopmPU21fi0OAEvFYXlnL01_V9aT7WHUXO_XNaT2XwvEHcmpNU2mpPHqA/s600/carrotsoup2024-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="521" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Os3GISS0uMaSlw7IMx8bN-6jXYGnpE44lFacjQHNUuPFXC_EO4yQsM7TOJajX853Tzsk_NQno1n8K__V9-2vQDVfE7K_-oj2zRUHL2zh7aRTlDm3aI4-yxxhObtWeDfFb3KopmPU21fi0OAEvFYXlnL01_V9aT7WHUXO_XNaT2XwvEHcmpNU2mpPHqA/s320/carrotsoup2024-Stibolt.jpg" width="278" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely and delicious carrot salad.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My famous ugly carrot soup was delish!</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>This year we made good use of our wonderful carrot harvest with a large batch of my ugly carrot soup that provided three dinners. Back in 2013, I included that recipe in "Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida." People liked it so much that one reviewer in an Orlando newspaper got permission to publish as part of the book review. In our <a href="https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813068763" target="_blank">second edition</a>, we removed the recipes to make room for more crops and more updated science, but I posted the original recipe in one of my Transplanted Gardener columns. (Here's a link that column: <a href="http://www.sky-bolt.com/garden/carrots.htm" target="_blank">Sweet treat carrots</a> Note: I no longer use chicken stock in my soups and find that pre-frying the onions and herbs in the olive oil provides plenty of flavor.)</p><p>A few days after the soup was gone, I made this delicious dinner version of a carrot salad which provided 2 dinners for the two of us.<br />Ingredients:<br />- a pound of shredded carrots (both orange and purple)<br />- 1/2 cup chopped flat parsley leaves from the garden<br />- 1/4 cup chopped <a href="https://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/native-herb-has-earned-honored-place.html" target="_blank">meadow garlic</a> from the garden<br />- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts<br />- 1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds<br />- 1 cup raisins<br />- enough mayonnaise to coat everything<br />- enough <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-south-american-engulfed-my-resting.html" target="_blank">oxalis flowers</a> to decorate the top of each salad plate from the unmowed <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawn</a>.</p><p>So that 5 pounds of carrots were the basis of five dinners for the two of us and the previous harvests were also important in our dinners like our Valentine salad. Growing our own food has saved us more than <a href="http://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2016/06/growing-edibles-has-saved-us-15-on-our.html" target="_blank">15% of our food budget</a>, not only because of the food replacement, but also because the harvests have changed how we and what we eat. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFGwbf3LjH98OW9PMZm1jw025LemXbwtY9-zURnZx3UEPsURwlVZ_4q75UUSvQ7tC_U5xmttW9yj1G-hPVQtrSBA5xQZKwpE9LhWE3T-wnozucIow5zY4e2Yv-MGma5keMPmqpHlv38EyLQzdHM-SuEavfcxIxCs42poT1CK7TugnlZhfbTJ_6Ao2npc/s650/valentinesalad-Stibolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="650" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFGwbf3LjH98OW9PMZm1jw025LemXbwtY9-zURnZx3UEPsURwlVZ_4q75UUSvQ7tC_U5xmttW9yj1G-hPVQtrSBA5xQZKwpE9LhWE3T-wnozucIow5zY4e2Yv-MGma5keMPmqpHlv38EyLQzdHM-SuEavfcxIxCs42poT1CK7TugnlZhfbTJ_6Ao2npc/s320/valentinesalad-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Valentine salad included purple carrots, red lettuce, oxalis flowers, garlic chives, meadow garlic, celery stalks from come-again celery, and parsley from the garden. Plus dried cranberries, walnuts, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, olive oil, & balsamic vinegar from the store.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Grow rainbows</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k-pFZ9JlYrG1zmpTuDxsZwMEHJWkPD8WUQaq0WZsH7SR2gMfnMxeLpnccjcKSjqfNaIiuWOSvQCP8zI90swkU8QmW2qplWJ62lP7oAXxbj3Ohr4ha4mBzZoh2ewEQNFFt_L98MCO1O-7agTGoX2aV9F-4iD3oNa0-4oqRau6sNqnO8h-uGzDdMGIqGo/s1320/rainbowcarrots.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k-pFZ9JlYrG1zmpTuDxsZwMEHJWkPD8WUQaq0WZsH7SR2gMfnMxeLpnccjcKSjqfNaIiuWOSvQCP8zI90swkU8QmW2qplWJ62lP7oAXxbj3Ohr4ha4mBzZoh2ewEQNFFt_L98MCO1O-7agTGoX2aV9F-4iD3oNa0-4oqRau6sNqnO8h-uGzDdMGIqGo/s320/rainbowcarrots.jpg" width="240" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T3omzRBMg_PyRhhmWPCg3rvIioiUQkxXWMq6SP_VMSRrTIYNN-pCO-sKOQ0YJ9BCq9WBZyF4Pl4zovil1sA341yX_mWynoxEGqIw6-hq8Il2_0pWbG3MP3SrQQSZhMWRqMlUYrNZ55AEdBQZa9aTsQ2ZcAWbYHyHQk-T8Zji4DB_TMLfM1BmMs9WFqs/s600/carrotlettuceharvest02-10-17Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T3omzRBMg_PyRhhmWPCg3rvIioiUQkxXWMq6SP_VMSRrTIYNN-pCO-sKOQ0YJ9BCq9WBZyF4Pl4zovil1sA341yX_mWynoxEGqIw6-hq8Il2_0pWbG3MP3SrQQSZhMWRqMlUYrNZ55AEdBQZa9aTsQ2ZcAWbYHyHQk-T8Zji4DB_TMLfM1BmMs9WFqs/s320/carrotlettuceharvest02-10-17Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few seed companies now <br />offer Rainbow carrots.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots are only one of our cool-weather crops that we can grow right through the winter here in Florida.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>So I hope that you'll sow an assortment of carrots seeds starting in the fall, so at this time next year, you too will be enjoying wonderful treat of sweet carrots fresh from your garden.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-75057320531183816492024-02-01T06:02:00.000-05:002024-02-01T06:02:38.214-05:00Lyreleaf sage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTkEHNfLtUguB8k5R-zge8sjR68hfNQEFlmMiek6hexkT0Keai9iBJo1G_nVPWkpzqbnCExjAZb5aOYldJnd7SAT8aCnJK5j18DtBtj6TR88Dol1gqbGp2VCbJxjEeVsDxANf7HaBls9qZGklnpFExRe_vtV-jXWhx3n5oy8wKL3HoWYisM1r2tI40e4/s597/lyreleafsageStibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTkEHNfLtUguB8k5R-zge8sjR68hfNQEFlmMiek6hexkT0Keai9iBJo1G_nVPWkpzqbnCExjAZb5aOYldJnd7SAT8aCnJK5j18DtBtj6TR88Dol1gqbGp2VCbJxjEeVsDxANf7HaBls9qZGklnpFExRe_vtV-jXWhx3n5oy8wKL3HoWYisM1r2tI40e4/s320/lyreleafsageStibolt.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyreleaf sage (<i>Salvia lyrata</i>) is in the mint family.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Lyreleaf sage (<i>Salvia lyrata</i>) makes quite a show in several areas of our front yard in the spring. We delay the first mowing of our lawn in the spring for this wildflower show. </p><p>Over the years, we have replaced more than half of the lawn that came with the house and what is left is a <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawn</a> that is:<br />- free from landscape-wide pesticide applications, <br />- free from synthetic fertilizer applications, <br />- free from over irrigation, and <br />- free from over mowing. It's allowed to go dormant during the winter months. </p><p>I have moved some of these lovely wildflower volunteers from the lawn into wildflower gardens. Where this wonderful sage grows quite a bit larger and more robust. </p>
<p>I saw that someone described this plant as weedy, but I don't see it that way at all, even though it is prolific. In the lawn, it's easy to mow, in the wildflower beds, it makes quite a show, and in the vegetable beds, it's easy to pull if necessary and if not, it attracts pollinators.</p><a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN1PmwWE9ACIqDt9X62M9SxczKO_mif1mUjWg9iFCmpCRL7UZeSqtxeN2kcnsgbaGWHfZD1VqS701UC0WhO7ifyh8gi8tgWjhrob2z3tQ1FFEMNzcey91DHcS-Ya6YNFnrJA_tfdx_JJlT_U1cMkxievuerVKk_U-7vIPtJV3QeF0Rb-9gowNECi4iQbs" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN1PmwWE9ACIqDt9X62M9SxczKO_mif1mUjWg9iFCmpCRL7UZeSqtxeN2kcnsgbaGWHfZD1VqS701UC0WhO7ifyh8gi8tgWjhrob2z3tQ1FFEMNzcey91DHcS-Ya6YNFnrJA_tfdx_JJlT_U1cMkxievuerVKk_U-7vIPtJV3QeF0Rb-9gowNECi4iQbs=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In March, the lyreleaf sage makes quite a show <br />in our <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawn</a>. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Lyreleaf sage is native to all but the southernmost counties in Florida and to most of eastern North America. It's perennial, 1-2 ft. tall with a rosette of deeply lobed leaves at the base which are purple-tinged in the winter. It's a member of the mint family and has the typical square stem and 2-lipped blossom of the mints, which are pale-blue to violet.</p>
<p>This plant is edible and its leaves taste a bit minty. Maybe I'll add it to our salads on a more regular basis, especially those plants that volunteer in our vegetable gardens.</p>
<p>The extended lower lip of this and other salvias provides an excellent landing platform for bees and butterflies. When a pollinator lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen. Hummingbirds also use this plant in the spring at the beginning of their occupation of Florida.</p>
<p>Use this hardy drought-tolerant sage in a meadow, naturalized area, pollinator garden, or woodland. Its dense form, short height, and tolerance for mowing make it an excellent lawn alternative. Because it tolerates occasional flooding and wet soil, it also makes a good addition to a rain garden. Small birds such as American Goldfinches will eat the seeds.</p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDmIjOJw7m6EreYg04GjHNYfEQwHwXtKTeBB4RNdjLjvDg_t4LBM6F2W72IYrtVektvuQ4ZTiBjEy3gr6r2qtCm0mtFrbWEJpYHUgOW7qmU_BwhBdIyr7xC_VsBRzreIg5lwjczb9mbBwo4hkJ4HqUFpdzEAvC96tEPJS1oVaVYjyLR0gIc3oPS8rbqk/s650/lyreleafsage-b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="650" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDmIjOJw7m6EreYg04GjHNYfEQwHwXtKTeBB4RNdjLjvDg_t4LBM6F2W72IYrtVektvuQ4ZTiBjEy3gr6r2qtCm0mtFrbWEJpYHUgOW7qmU_BwhBdIyr7xC_VsBRzreIg5lwjczb9mbBwo4hkJ4HqUFpdzEAvC96tEPJS1oVaVYjyLR0gIc3oPS8rbqk/w400-h300/lyreleafsage-b-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an older plant that has survived in the lawn.<br />Just look at all those flowering stalks.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC1fKFaNDu1jCEnqslBCx0wsw6afIfhoL5XtQ9oBM6t24g6VczeBIHQFWv0o-Fla9W4UL5zFiOaX9GsjCdpUfkNcy9If7y1MSr3OtSxpb_D7E3NXm2D9FHboqijyZcKv_vvH-NnrzBCE/s1600/blues-Salvia+lyrata2-Stibolt2019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="500" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC1fKFaNDu1jCEnqslBCx0wsw6afIfhoL5XtQ9oBM6t24g6VczeBIHQFWv0o-Fla9W4UL5zFiOaX9GsjCdpUfkNcy9If7y1MSr3OtSxpb_D7E3NXm2D9FHboqijyZcKv_vvH-NnrzBCE/s320/blues-Salvia+lyrata2-Stibolt2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBZaODUzadgH-xJvSK7qY6XRBYPKK72w8aakfqKVWhA2eB7Ns1FWKKYYHnCnHcVpHMp11ztm52vB2eRDoSnGQo8UpwsgB2z0lUMzwIRz0s4echy1FhjaY5FI5sF8WNOEj6_guptRoyqc/s1600/hermeslyre_up.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="283" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBZaODUzadgH-xJvSK7qY6XRBYPKK72w8aakfqKVWhA2eB7Ns1FWKKYYHnCnHcVpHMp11ztm52vB2eRDoSnGQo8UpwsgB2z0lUMzwIRz0s4echy1FhjaY5FI5sF8WNOEj6_guptRoyqc/s200/hermeslyre_up.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone thought that the Lyreleaf sage's basal leaves <br />looked like a lyre.</span></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lyre for reference...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>So, I hope you allow this prolific wildflower to beautify your yard, but if it has not volunteered, here is a link to its <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/salvia-lyrata" target="_blank">plant profile</a> on the FNPS website, which includes a link to native nurseries that have it in stock. </p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p> </p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-90327369721995218762024-01-01T06:30:00.000-05:002024-01-01T06:30:01.588-05:00Ohio Spiderwort: a pollinator-friendly native wildflower<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUC6Ok2UKRcvCXPWRxbDqykBOHHS9MPLXcd4EO8I67dhxvX5uhvUGsqB69z4CodHZkGO5Lwf1VuKlGPgrBWaOTkwWLA8QvH7exKL5QTMrbsHmBevxmE9qWUrYxVfCLjlmAc_k6DZLxHLhDpgv7lPINbEjPtLXgjmlg9wquvRPEKfJJl8ga76KlRz54lw/s600/Spiderwort-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUC6Ok2UKRcvCXPWRxbDqykBOHHS9MPLXcd4EO8I67dhxvX5uhvUGsqB69z4CodHZkGO5Lwf1VuKlGPgrBWaOTkwWLA8QvH7exKL5QTMrbsHmBevxmE9qWUrYxVfCLjlmAc_k6DZLxHLhDpgv7lPINbEjPtLXgjmlg9wquvRPEKfJJl8ga76KlRz54lw/s320/Spiderwort-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small fly-like bee was pollinating this flower.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Bluejacket or Ohio spiderwort (<i>Tradescantia ohiensis</i>) is native to most of Eastern North America and to most of Florida. It attracts pollinators, especially
bees. Each day, one or two flowers bloom in each flower head. They open early in the morning and then wilt in the afternoon. Each flower head contains twenty or more flowers and new
flower heads are formed throughout the long season from early spring to late
fall. There is a long blooming season.</p>
<p>There are three other species of spiderworts native to Florida: hairy spiderwort (<i>T. hirsutiflora</i>), longleaf spiderwort (<i>T. roseolens</i>), and zigzag spiderwort (<i>T. subaspera</i>). But the bluejacket has the largest native range and is the one that's most readily available from the native trade.</p><p>Spiderworts are monocots and are in the Commelina family (<a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2992" target="_blank">Commelinaceae</a>), which includes 36 genera world wide, but only five occur in Florida. "Spiderwort" refers to the sap which dries into web-like threads when a stem is cut.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviqTRxySut_CwSBX9MMFQaOM7WqEeBvHjOzhOnlA2OKjyBh2jeoRt_UYs6dmwew6skrpmoPX9OvJ4ggjYeBB_1WA35mFB9J0I4rrhX7o5vX5GN4m4LGXbPWocMBZh279wB-BB6Eot50kLJnwI-UcBQu7nBesdhWlDWnWL9h-5sazyaMT4kX8LAOo5OI4/s480/Tradescantia_ohiensis_large.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="480" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviqTRxySut_CwSBX9MMFQaOM7WqEeBvHjOzhOnlA2OKjyBh2jeoRt_UYs6dmwew6skrpmoPX9OvJ4ggjYeBB_1WA35mFB9J0I4rrhX7o5vX5GN4m4LGXbPWocMBZh279wB-BB6Eot50kLJnwI-UcBQu7nBesdhWlDWnWL9h-5sazyaMT4kX8LAOo5OI4/s320/Tradescantia_ohiensis_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The range includes most of eastern North America.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The scientific name of the genus chosen by Carl Linnaeus honors the English naturalists and explorers John Tradescant the Elder (c. 1570s – 1638) and John Tradescant the Younger (1608–1662), who mounted three expeditions to the new colony of Virginia. From there the type species, Tradescantia virginiana, was brought to England in 1629.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ethnobotany</h3>
<p>Flowers and stems can be eaten raw, while the leaves can be cooked. Leaves of the plant are mucilaginous and can be used to soothe insect bites in a similar way to aloe vera.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLbAidaLYIpd-p2G3w8JoYoOWDn89cqps4xFOlwqUngqeX-4txUocbCoj9KFXbrWUj6Gs_gw90_Tjr-JCwjPfTG_tkRVhLzJnVcSCeMpBloPIVx6rXD-5MzkNa_EJzYB86Iv__VtIVkWkhTwhAfp0uySOEaV3KD5GNR0KfUoVaYn70v8RsMDmnDEH-zk/s650/Spiderwort11-09-17Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="650" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLbAidaLYIpd-p2G3w8JoYoOWDn89cqps4xFOlwqUngqeX-4txUocbCoj9KFXbrWUj6Gs_gw90_Tjr-JCwjPfTG_tkRVhLzJnVcSCeMpBloPIVx6rXD-5MzkNa_EJzYB86Iv__VtIVkWkhTwhAfp0uySOEaV3KD5GNR0KfUoVaYn70v8RsMDmnDEH-zk/w400-h328/Spiderwort11-09-17Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each flower lasts only a few hours, but the flower heads include many flowers, so there is a long <br />blooming cycle with only a few blooming per day.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8omPKVsUr083c6V5S3APOOA4HtPxRUQDe8dSP0kcDKPgWEgLHo6R7UxjofZFXrgm0N2Aq1VQw04Yspq-JbRX8Xv8lMow59mlXhTf1ESBSijf3gOmjWVsfiKoqlR03f_A8MntoT_r1S8R_e37yWtNXnn5opQuzqB60faQwiHqn6_Fzv_XfgisgLhB_Qo/s600/Spiderwort-2019a-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8omPKVsUr083c6V5S3APOOA4HtPxRUQDe8dSP0kcDKPgWEgLHo6R7UxjofZFXrgm0N2Aq1VQw04Yspq-JbRX8Xv8lMow59mlXhTf1ESBSijf3gOmjWVsfiKoqlR03f_A8MntoT_r1S8R_e37yWtNXnn5opQuzqB60faQwiHqn6_Fzv_XfgisgLhB_Qo/s320/Spiderwort-2019a-Stibolt.JPG" width="240" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQKNOtT_IO21FL_P_XwqH4HeswcuuOqhlquWKuVWBwO3qr3HiZIrT0E9a_M5-Js2vcGNbYx6wtmr8RhoR5wTUbFhqTVU5ivf_adTZeczJjXsJSHJBeA6AMczC6iRTRZ2_3ybel10epsXir2REVJt1xDTGXT5yj5Cv4QoQoRQC1V0S7OPQOXqYE3bClWE/s962/Spiderwort-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="962" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQKNOtT_IO21FL_P_XwqH4HeswcuuOqhlquWKuVWBwO3qr3HiZIrT0E9a_M5-Js2vcGNbYx6wtmr8RhoR5wTUbFhqTVU5ivf_adTZeczJjXsJSHJBeA6AMczC6iRTRZ2_3ybel10epsXir2REVJt1xDTGXT5yj5Cv4QoQoRQC1V0S7OPQOXqYE3bClWE/s320/Spiderwort-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long leaves are folded around the flower heads.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The color varies even within one population. The colors are normally light blue to dark violet, but pink and white are also seen.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65Ab-bjk6AvBdJwF1mtZJLoHiIpGBwfDKim9OjlkHaKrRO6hLgtY6cSdp44qelLtwMOm8tIpUM62PvgOgFyNMtNMH4BVCPsRWMPVVg3T6z6Xj8Tpvv0JwBs8Ip7K1wuvzkNjVjmhsF08ndKlrRVjxRfiJNsl8SdQunD5SSVBYokkTwvF_k4vmPdxSW9s/s650/Spiderwort-2019b-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65Ab-bjk6AvBdJwF1mtZJLoHiIpGBwfDKim9OjlkHaKrRO6hLgtY6cSdp44qelLtwMOm8tIpUM62PvgOgFyNMtNMH4BVCPsRWMPVVg3T6z6Xj8Tpvv0JwBs8Ip7K1wuvzkNjVjmhsF08ndKlrRVjxRfiJNsl8SdQunD5SSVBYokkTwvF_k4vmPdxSW9s/s16000/Spiderwort-2019b-Stibolt.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick clumps of spiderworts are common if they are grown in flower beds with little or no competition. <br />If they become too unruly, cut them off a ground level and they'll grow back even thicker. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmCthO4Ua8fRbHzbzOTl4XfbXsxEMSxg_ZluqgLmcFAHpKRp5-DGCViRaFFFWCbjo7lpOJAd7SDwIS5c7JoTH55puMi3LIzyG32SRRIgA3D3AuLOIyGMpwaC0odY-46v18k3mpTc-VDk6vdbSLzhAb_3oWV9zD7-4-qqEehoOhFPUqx97Rfa_FDKsGS4/s3488/spiderwort-lawn-2023Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3488" data-original-width="2594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmCthO4Ua8fRbHzbzOTl4XfbXsxEMSxg_ZluqgLmcFAHpKRp5-DGCViRaFFFWCbjo7lpOJAd7SDwIS5c7JoTH55puMi3LIzyG32SRRIgA3D3AuLOIyGMpwaC0odY-46v18k3mpTc-VDk6vdbSLzhAb_3oWV9zD7-4-qqEehoOhFPUqx97Rfa_FDKsGS4/s320/spiderwort-lawn-2023Stibolt.jpg" width="238" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3gaGkDZyf9IJJBKl2QteW-NSYN_9x0csnaulg4Vb7P64C9tuSSkQcu_q3qtn4CK6L7UzDRfSCrdqst4V3j5-8lelHI5taEkjBXEHHvUa8xLlkAdtcBely-l-Z2tpN155DSzTyudizmHFi6mYVMwmr2iY7NIY8CcDDLWe9oyHZ5-A5BtSdMotrfuU6-A/s629/spiderwort%20weed%202023-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3gaGkDZyf9IJJBKl2QteW-NSYN_9x0csnaulg4Vb7P64C9tuSSkQcu_q3qtn4CK6L7UzDRfSCrdqst4V3j5-8lelHI5taEkjBXEHHvUa8xLlkAdtcBely-l-Z2tpN155DSzTyudizmHFi6mYVMwmr2iY7NIY8CcDDLWe9oyHZ5-A5BtSdMotrfuU6-A/s320/spiderwort%20weed%202023-Stibolt.jpg" width="254" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderwort in a freedom lawn, which<br />is not a problem. Click this link for more <br />information on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawns</a>. </td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderwort seedlings next to a raised <br />vegetable garden bed. I'll remove them<br />so they don't spread into the crops.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Aggressive reseeders</h3>
<p>Spiderworts are aggressive spreaders, so one mistake I made
was planting them near my vegetable gardens to attract pollinators. They do
attract pollinators but they also reseeded themselves into and around my
vegetable beds. They also have deep roots, so if you don't pull them out as
seedlings, the tops break from the roots of mature plants unless you use a weed
digger to pry them out. My plan is to totally remove it from
around the vegetable areas to reduce weeding into the future.</p>
<p>In a pollinator garden, they are also aggressive so you may
need to thin them out to make room for a variety of other pollinator plants. I'm
happy to have them out in the wilder areas and meadows where their long
blooming cycle is a welcome addition. Someone posted a photo of this spiderwort with the question, "Is this a native or a weed?" The answer is, "Yes!"</p>
<p>So I hope you'll add some spiderworts to your landscape, especially in your pollinator gardens and wilder meadows.</p><p>To learn more, here is the link to the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/tradescantia-ohiensis" target="_blank">FNPS profile</a> for this spiderwort (<i>Tradescantia ohiensis</i>), which also includes a link to native plant vendors that have this plant in stock.</p>
<p><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Green Gardening Matters,</span></i></b>
<br /><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ginny Stibolt</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></b></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-63531823288555953392023-11-23T06:02:00.001-05:002023-11-23T06:33:46.465-05:00Pumpkin, carrot, onion soup recipe<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBM-3ocRMjwX0GkcqLnASoee_JQLAHvK28HDZ7-mk9ZLvAv1g9zjs2Vfe3eiy-RpODjuVJhAcfbw2-iVo2ex3nkFNCvj5ZyyyboZLBsjcuroNHiJPt-MrfhCtDh43IYzVKETioPZUS6-srGDatYZMuzqsjB7-2u8VMu7hEuseHBiCr20XdeThQvb88Fw/s781/Piumpkin-carrotsoup-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="781" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBM-3ocRMjwX0GkcqLnASoee_JQLAHvK28HDZ7-mk9ZLvAv1g9zjs2Vfe3eiy-RpODjuVJhAcfbw2-iVo2ex3nkFNCvj5ZyyyboZLBsjcuroNHiJPt-MrfhCtDh43IYzVKETioPZUS6-srGDatYZMuzqsjB7-2u8VMu7hEuseHBiCr20XdeThQvb88Fw/w400-h359/Piumpkin-carrotsoup-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delicious, rich, thick pumpkin carrot soup</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>This is a delicious, hardy soup using one of our many Seminole pumpkins. My husband and I worked together on this soup, which was three dinners for the two of us and two lunch servings. (See my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/09/end-of-seminole-pumpkin-season.html" target="_blank">Seminole pumpkin</a> article, which has more recipes for this versatile squash.)</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ingredients:</h3>
<p>1 small pumpkin, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes*<br />6 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes <br />2 large sweet onions, coarsely chopped<br />1/3 cup grated radishes*<br />1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary leaves, chopped*<br />1 teaspoon of fresh oregano leaves*<br />1/3 cup of <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/08/garlic-chives-bountiful-evergreen-crop.html" target="_blank">garlic chives</a>, chopped*<br />1/2 teaspoon of dill seed*<br />1 cup plain Greek yogurt added to the soup and more as garnish<br />8 cups of water<br />2 eggs, beaten<br />enough olive oil to sauté the herbs and the onions<br />Freshly ground black pepper<br />2 tablespoons of <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/06/dill-is-beautiful-easy-to-grow-herb-in.html" target="_blank">dill</a>, chopped for garnish*</p><p>*Fresh from the garden (except for the dill seed, which collected last spring)<br /><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Directions:</h3>
<p>Cover bottom of soup pot with a thin layer of olive oil and soak the rosemary, oregano, dill seed, and garlic chives in the oil for 15 minutes. Then heat the pan with medium to low heat for 5 minutes to infuse the oil with the herbs. Then add the onions and raise the heat to medium to caramelize the onions. Stir often during this stage.</p><p>Add 4 cups of water, turn up the heat. and add the carrots, pumpkin, and radish. Cook until the carrots are soft. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. At this point, slowly add the beaten eggs and stir as the eggs cook in the hot water. Cool some more before running the soup through the food processor. </p>
<p>Stir in the yogurt and 2 cups of water into the soup. We have a large covered bowl that we use to store soups and other dishes. So we poured the creamed soup into this bowl and stirred in the yogurt and water. We dished the soup up for our first dinner. with an extra dollop of yogurt and the dill. We had some crackers with it. Yummy and quite rich. But after the rest of the soup cooled in the refrigerator, it was too thick the next day, so we added more water before serving it up for the second and third days. We tried it as a cold soup, but it was better served hot.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cooking to the harvest</h3>
<p>I hope you are growing some of your own food so that your meals will be forever changed by what's available from the garden. If you need help growing more food in Florida, we cover the whole process from building soil to sustainable harvests in "<a href="https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813068763" target="_blank">Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida</a>."</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p> </p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-71559880925204619492023-11-02T05:54:00.000-04:002023-11-02T05:54:00.824-04:00Florida's goldenrods<h3 style="text-align: left;">Goldenrods do Not cause allergies</h3><p>The insect-pollinated goldenrods (<i>Solidago</i> spp.) with their beautiful flowers have erroneously been blamed for fall allergy season when it's the wind-pollinated ragweed (<i>Ambrosia</i> spp.) with the unnoticeable green flowers that are filling the air with pollen when the goldenrods are blooming. The ragweeds do not need to put any energy into creating beautiful flowers or sweet nectar because the wind will blow anyway. As I understand it, some allergy doctors test people to see if they are <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">allergic</span> to goldenrod pollen even though that pollen is too heavy and sticky to float in the air and there is zero chance of its getting into anyone's nose. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkTW-BqBg1MhYsmlt64KF9jyJ7EyKByicRfNAf17jM7vwdcfHHfsAwMv81QhvBIVnEjHYSR_2MU2ejm640jSQT75JVWxzAMsobvbKm4xCGh0FUVCkhczry4XhITUF1EPkTNc-1t6vs83iVQ3RS1os-4Z5YrJ7ZTpzYtfqba_VDdSyD2zftpWTRtYhS-k/s650/goldenrod-05b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="650" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkTW-BqBg1MhYsmlt64KF9jyJ7EyKByicRfNAf17jM7vwdcfHHfsAwMv81QhvBIVnEjHYSR_2MU2ejm640jSQT75JVWxzAMsobvbKm4xCGh0FUVCkhczry4XhITUF1EPkTNc-1t6vs83iVQ3RS1os-4Z5YrJ7ZTpzYtfqba_VDdSyD2zftpWTRtYhS-k/w320-h242/goldenrod-05b-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uU05FgPhqK6V6rfFrUganiJuty7UhxTgKBjdBSEu6xtVojUa2KvhzwrnQhorxvdlrSHBE28LLxjO-9AHS6Fvz4iSmaFoJhMLnOMKJIlK78uDTglBNO3Aq-tjFxH_AEatqwqjBKtk3zlIYUfh3jO7UrSIjPGuOgWZdevWjHQdWyZue1DxeVk0a2uDHcw/s650/ragweed-06-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uU05FgPhqK6V6rfFrUganiJuty7UhxTgKBjdBSEu6xtVojUa2KvhzwrnQhorxvdlrSHBE28LLxjO-9AHS6Fvz4iSmaFoJhMLnOMKJIlK78uDTglBNO3Aq-tjFxH_AEatqwqjBKtk3zlIYUfh3jO7UrSIjPGuOgWZdevWjHQdWyZue1DxeVk0a2uDHcw/s320/ragweed-06-Stibolt.jpg" width="241" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swallowtail butterfly is pale in comparison to <br />the very yellow goldenrod.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragweed, the source of the air-borne pollen that gives people hay fever.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Goldenrods in Florida</h3><p>We love that the scented goldenrod (<i>Solidago odora</i>) has volunteered in our yard in many areas over the years. It's native to all of North Florida and indeed is native to all of eastern North America from Texas to Canada. </p><p>There are 22 species of goldenrod that are native to Florida, but only about half of them are readily available for sale in the native plant industry. Solidago is in the daisy or aster family (Asteraceae) but it lacks the showy ray florets that are so common in this family, but there are so many disk florets that the whole flower heads are quite showy anyway. (Go to <a href=" https://www.plantrealflorida.org/" target="_blank">www.plantrealflorida.org</a> to find native plant vendors with goldenrods (or other Florida native plants) in stock.)</p><p>Also, to learn much more about Florida's goldenrods, Craig Huegel posted a series of detailed articles with great photos on the various species. Click on this link to the first article <a href="http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2011/09/goldenrods-solidago-spp.html" target="_blank">Goldenrods - Solidago spp.</a> and then at the bottom, click "newer post" to read the next in the series and continue to do this until you reach the end of the goldenrod stories. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4zMmqF-nktuTBFZgnl-hEZ5sKq6yblwvv0tlp7J4bHAEpm0AYpjeTPXYtguB1mFuS7WVkmSgcwrGPyrXymqGpYA8HFVvSerfKjGeRcMZkCUgiA4Y8-Yfe9OqYiV1qh07isrimROSoGDFii2aa7sjb7T99lNnWfzzOlXaq5Y428ofRjozEQQZOj1FSHs/s650/goldenrod-22a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4zMmqF-nktuTBFZgnl-hEZ5sKq6yblwvv0tlp7J4bHAEpm0AYpjeTPXYtguB1mFuS7WVkmSgcwrGPyrXymqGpYA8HFVvSerfKjGeRcMZkCUgiA4Y8-Yfe9OqYiV1qh07isrimROSoGDFii2aa7sjb7T99lNnWfzzOlXaq5Y428ofRjozEQQZOj1FSHs/s320/goldenrod-22a-Stibolt.jpg" width="267" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzwhE_xUHXDpSbbbf5lSAKinDEVfJq9nHYxZvojI7citlu-CzycMwmL-MXu5rPFHLZad7FpwYUDe7q7nvRpMOTUEVlM3nyag0asEH2uq4wIbZPjKgKdWfUjIxemWhiCHO6b2HoqFTPQDKoLv6KfDstUVIAma9N3j3QvpiBTTg-DfuLyGxs6GmEyWkD6w/s650/goldenrod-05a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzwhE_xUHXDpSbbbf5lSAKinDEVfJq9nHYxZvojI7citlu-CzycMwmL-MXu5rPFHLZad7FpwYUDe7q7nvRpMOTUEVlM3nyag0asEH2uq4wIbZPjKgKdWfUjIxemWhiCHO6b2HoqFTPQDKoLv6KfDstUVIAma9N3j3QvpiBTTg-DfuLyGxs6GmEyWkD6w/s320/goldenrod-05a-Stibolt.jpg" width="282" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee close-up: note the pack of pollen on its leg.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpenter bee and a <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/an-exception-to-rules.html" target="_blank">polka-dotted wasp moth</a>.<br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<p><b>Goldenrods in the landscape</b></p><p>The scented goldenrod is an aggressive spreader via its roots, but it's easy to remove if needed. It grows to five or six feet tall and will lean if it's at the edge of the meadow without other meadow plants to lean on. If it plants itself in inconvenient areas, I have transplanted quite a few plants to places where there is room for it to grow in some of our wilder meadow areas. Sometimes the top dies back, but then it usually regrows from the roots the next spring. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AnUKiLgP2BDa_mdZD4kM4eXedUttMB9Tvf6rSLUttetTV3FLHNmnzQlxT_fWK25QpL1izdPwfjJmQlOe0bs9l3Ksf_YYnq-McjqsHe3kG_9Aa22hv3YXUXdwBIKOk-2m4rt7S2SdE95ofNaNxPuCVsJsYJtYr-YBSNWQoWTMnBOGvZiuxHQL8LqmyuA/s650/Goldenrod-23a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AnUKiLgP2BDa_mdZD4kM4eXedUttMB9Tvf6rSLUttetTV3FLHNmnzQlxT_fWK25QpL1izdPwfjJmQlOe0bs9l3Ksf_YYnq-McjqsHe3kG_9Aa22hv3YXUXdwBIKOk-2m4rt7S2SdE95ofNaNxPuCVsJsYJtYr-YBSNWQoWTMnBOGvZiuxHQL8LqmyuA/s320/Goldenrod-23a-Stibolt.jpg" width="283" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W_OZcq3X6NlCRCPlufSAfaMHSTeDIyaM9pJClc0j93UKH8u_ev5BDlo-Qu58TJ6QnUpnlpzl3Apqsn4DNnguf6RkbPUa7ObqBMDRxDN9Z6ADw_TkMZqZKjhCUFtZ5rA51SPR5dw2KtDVKJc9nChoXFjC1jApubX6hHRS5-hqzm6p-DVbZZN_WBmPU7Q/s650/Goldenrod-23b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="587" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W_OZcq3X6NlCRCPlufSAfaMHSTeDIyaM9pJClc0j93UKH8u_ev5BDlo-Qu58TJ6QnUpnlpzl3Apqsn4DNnguf6RkbPUa7ObqBMDRxDN9Z6ADw_TkMZqZKjhCUFtZ5rA51SPR5dw2KtDVKJc9nChoXFjC1jApubX6hHRS5-hqzm6p-DVbZZN_WBmPU7Q/s320/Goldenrod-23b-Stibolt.jpg" width="289" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldenrod in the fall landscape</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wasp pollinating the goldenrod<br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<p>I've written a few articles on the above space in our landscape, now populated by goldenrods, where I've been replacing lawn with meadow habitat over the years:<br />- <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-lawn-to-woods-retrospective.html" target="_blank">From lawn to woods: a retrospective</a><br />- <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-never-ending-story-of-native.html" target="_blank">The never-ending story of a native landscape</a><br />- <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/06/adventures-in-creating-native-garden.html" target="_blank">Adventures in Creating a Native Garden</a><br />- <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/06/beauty-is-in-eye-of-beholder.html" target="_blank">Beauty is in the eye of the beholder</a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Seaside goldenrod</h3><p>About ten years ago, I bought a seaside goldenrod plant (<i>Solidago sempervirens</i>) and in comparison, the florets are thicker and showier than our naturally occurring scented goldenrods. The pollinators seemed to prefer them. But it never spread and this year, that plant did not come back. I'm not sure whether I'll replace it, but then, we're not in a coastal area where its salt tolerance would be more important. Here is a link to its <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/solidago-sempervirens" target="_blank">FNPS plant profile</a>, with more details on the plant and a link to native plant vendors that have it in stock. You'll notice that some of my photos on that page. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisM0-ubt5G5v2xJLMZ7uquhVeGQqICwGlVn6LUCtYssqUyZl8bWEjI8vp5j1A5pgxEikMsxabeLboNxJegOteZHRxPmeEfR6x81iO21yC3smt3-uUPNl5zqS8G8_OQTfztA1VgUr2XNP2VuvxpDAPs0IDazvBnCEUyyjoc7zfdVxsA1fNnALj11elQRYI/s619/seasidegoldenrod4-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisM0-ubt5G5v2xJLMZ7uquhVeGQqICwGlVn6LUCtYssqUyZl8bWEjI8vp5j1A5pgxEikMsxabeLboNxJegOteZHRxPmeEfR6x81iO21yC3smt3-uUPNl5zqS8G8_OQTfztA1VgUr2XNP2VuvxpDAPs0IDazvBnCEUyyjoc7zfdVxsA1fNnALj11elQRYI/s320/seasidegoldenrod4-Stibolt.jpg" width="263" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgGjT-RzdQTxOgz3HO0Q7f5iAN9MNmTnVqm0FgJr73LBd_QqN1AIISXmaz9txnyHUdkT0gOTgWca090uB-sSPy1cV7m6hkokBhzoR0n0sQNzHnhBuF0kIFmjYN7iPzCDMltOen0BcVkMB9m_Qy7Dnsssxf3DV2iulnJmalNcdAq4NLQTidAfT-DMMtGY/s650/Seasidegoldenrod-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="650" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgGjT-RzdQTxOgz3HO0Q7f5iAN9MNmTnVqm0FgJr73LBd_QqN1AIISXmaz9txnyHUdkT0gOTgWca090uB-sSPy1cV7m6hkokBhzoR0n0sQNzHnhBuF0kIFmjYN7iPzCDMltOen0BcVkMB9m_Qy7Dnsssxf3DV2iulnJmalNcdAq4NLQTidAfT-DMMtGY/s320/Seasidegoldenrod-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bee on seaside goldenrod.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many bees on seaside goldenrod.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<p>So I hope you'll embrace the goldenrods in your yard, because the pollinators will appreciate it and it won't make you sneeze.</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-71920008993690305242023-10-01T21:18:00.003-04:002023-10-02T09:13:55.831-04:00Why talking about native plant landscapes is so important<table align="right" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy_Ty0FP56mwXa0smFJQsvmMWE8kAk_R7AmIhkvwUrnaFTRpo18s5SYHuCQSQr7guE3hN3X9YFj4qv6TTuIYw26HomR9WeEW1viUkD-vx32_II9sD0KROB7Rw95gntKGKPWI0AE9jjpKixeCIATfAxhM6_iozf8-M254Ql2rrWy02nDNgRwnwnanGAyE/s800/HomeDepotflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="800" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy_Ty0FP56mwXa0smFJQsvmMWE8kAk_R7AmIhkvwUrnaFTRpo18s5SYHuCQSQr7guE3hN3X9YFj4qv6TTuIYw26HomR9WeEW1viUkD-vx32_II9sD0KROB7Rw95gntKGKPWI0AE9jjpKixeCIATfAxhM6_iozf8-M254Ql2rrWy02nDNgRwnwnanGAyE/w400-h258/HomeDepotflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consumers are presented with this array of mostly <br />nonnative plants in full bloom to plant so their yards can <br />decorated with plants at peak bloom all the time.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Where are the native plants?</h3>
<p>New homeowners and beginning gardeners find displays similar to this photo that I took at a big box store a few years ago. It's filled with mostly nonnative annuals in full bloom. Each tray is not too expensive, but after they fade in a couple of months, people are expected to come back to replace them with the next set. </p><p>Examples in garden magazines and gardening TV shows with their instant landscapes imply that garden installations are events, and not ongoing projects that develop over the years.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<table align="left" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DPmo2w2VMPsJ765_1gIxTsaIlheBm6cFP5j66dzmQ3agJ3QPHQTXDQwfZ34awu6OPCgUo_HTL4a1s4NXGRuFKSDxecrSeNU6QuGBqKhsfZXXPEGfOn2cmd-ylvfD9SYcjLGKGKjJR1SDN-3bJmN8YBJtDg0Dstu29txy2NkX-OqCTIq-MwQWfpPH6VU/s1363/neoniconoids.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1027" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DPmo2w2VMPsJ765_1gIxTsaIlheBm6cFP5j66dzmQ3agJ3QPHQTXDQwfZ34awu6OPCgUo_HTL4a1s4NXGRuFKSDxecrSeNU6QuGBqKhsfZXXPEGfOn2cmd-ylvfD9SYcjLGKGKjJR1SDN-3bJmN8YBJtDg0Dstu29txy2NkX-OqCTIq-MwQWfpPH6VU/s320/neoniconoids.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those perfect-on-the-shelf plants have <br />often been treated with systemic<br />insecticides so they won't be eaten.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>There is a whole plant-growing industry in place to ensure a steady supply of these pretty-on-the-shelf plants. One ugly aspect of this business is its use of systemic insecticides so the plants are protected from various bugs that might eat them. As you might expect, plants with holes in their leaves and swarming insects don't sell as well as those with no holes. </p>
<p>BUT... those insecticides are in all parts of the plants, even the flowers, and they poison the would-be pollinators in the homeowners' yards. So these plants are the last thing you want in a pollinator garden. </p><p>So for pollinator gardens, people need to find sources for unpoisoned plants. Growing plants from seed is one way to go, but garden centers that offer unpoisoned and mostly native plants is another good and much quicker method. And attracting the adult pollinating insects is only part of the process. A complete pollinator garden includes the larval food for those pollinators and often, the larvae are caterpillars. </p><p>The relationship between insects and other organisms that eat them is long and complex within the local ecosystem, so native plants are the best choice. A plant that has been imported from another part of the world may offer good nectar for the adult pollinators, but they may not support the larvae. </p><p>New research now shows that interactive (functioning, native) ecosystem is far more productive of all the benefits we look for from our environment. Also, more is being discovered now about interactions - things we couldn't know before -between plants and plants, plants and wildlife, the importance of local mycorrhizal fungal interactions. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="8" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXilX-2vrlk-mH8yEAtUIJwCPJf0v_Fg4n6bh5mWGoEQxyqNt4E4DghgrI8xcakVGygAcREm50hB4u_VBoP1e-V1TXa4-Hb24UrkW5lJc8gSAbypwY2q-1LAjcka-LrMTUQ8Ri40qIydt6reREAFA0oKwtUVgo4HxKXtCSfAxuNuFx04z5SJiqn_7Syrc/s972/44273015275_d1b73bdcc7_o.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="972" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXilX-2vrlk-mH8yEAtUIJwCPJf0v_Fg4n6bh5mWGoEQxyqNt4E4DghgrI8xcakVGygAcREm50hB4u_VBoP1e-V1TXa4-Hb24UrkW5lJc8gSAbypwY2q-1LAjcka-LrMTUQ8Ri40qIydt6reREAFA0oKwtUVgo4HxKXtCSfAxuNuFx04z5SJiqn_7Syrc/s320/44273015275_d1b73bdcc7_o.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caterpillars are baby bird food</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>If you want birds in your yard,<br /> you must first invite the insects.</h3><p>A single pair of breeding chickadees must find 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one clutch of young, according to Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware. Even though seeds are a nutritious winter staple, insects are best for feeding growing fledglings. </p><p>So a bird-friendly yard must also have a good proportion of native plants, especially native trees such as oaks, which host a great variety of caterpillars.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmz8R_AMjm9iL3BcAcQnuGca4XK2ZVdqYnAcLq6o910dTryNwxLYJsh0iJsSdREPpQLG1VZMjRv_CUEMMtsMSx0dGlT8-Atze8JmcvXWey59nF68niQyGwA-ZYE2MK538_T5WDlGT1a8z_HtTIkocWabwP72ioiiZNMnknDrgScW35ff-uq-HCsZ1tDw/s865/ifsomethingisnoteatingyourplants.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmz8R_AMjm9iL3BcAcQnuGca4XK2ZVdqYnAcLq6o910dTryNwxLYJsh0iJsSdREPpQLG1VZMjRv_CUEMMtsMSx0dGlT8-Atze8JmcvXWey59nF68niQyGwA-ZYE2MK538_T5WDlGT1a8z_HtTIkocWabwP72ioiiZNMnknDrgScW35ff-uq-HCsZ1tDw/s320/ifsomethingisnoteatingyourplants.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native plants play an important role in<br />your yard. <br />This photo is by Jenny Welsh of the<br />Florida Native Plant Society.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Native Plant Resources</h3><div style="text-align: left;">Dr. Doug Tallamy changed the narrative about why natives are so important even in a small yard. As a professor of Entomology, his view is what the plants offer in the local ecosystem. He has provided native plant enthusiasts with well-researched and easy-to-understand arguments for using more native plants in your yard, no matter how small. See my post, "<a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/doug-tallamy.html" target="_blank">Doug Tallamy!</a>"<br /><br />Read his books: "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881929921/%20wwwskyboltcom-20" target="_blank">Bringing Nature Home</a>" and "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1604699000/%20wwwskyboltcom-20" target="_blank">Nature's Best Hope</a>" for more background. And after you have added native plants to your yard, get on the map and register to become part of Tallamy's <a href="https://homegrownnationalpark.org/" target="_blank">Homegrown National Park</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty. Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water."</i></span> --Doug Tallamy<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Florida's native plant resources</h3></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are fortunate here in Florida, because we have a number of excellent native plant organizations. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Join and support your local Florida Native Plant Sciety chapter, because they have great outreach, hold meetings, run field trips, and organize native plant sales. <a href="http://www.FNPS.org" target="_blank">www.FNPS.org</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- To find native plants or native plant vendors, visit <a href="https://www.plantrealflorida.org/" target="_blank">https://www.plantrealflorida.org/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- To purchase real Florida wildflower seeds, go to <a href="http://www.floridawildflowers.com" target="_blank">www.floridawildflowers.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- The <a href="https://www.flawildflowers.org/" target="_blank">Florida Wildflower Foundation</a> sponsors events and wildflower grants, and more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Plus you can find dozens of articles I've written on Florida's native plants on the <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/p/green-resources.html" target="_blank">Green Resources Page</a> of this blog. <br /><br />- If you would like to talk to HOAs, gardenclubs, community groups or others about why natives are important, here is a link to a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation with a script that Marjorie Shropshire and I created that you are free to use as often as you like. It downloads as a pdf file, but there is a link to the actual preentation in that file. It is also downloadable from the FNPS website. <a href="https://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/pubs/WhyNativeLandscapes2018_2018-11-11.pdf" target="_blank">Why Natives are Important.</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What prompted this blog post?</h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz2moTw4vq6UfDzNQgp9cJV3s3f8uEH2F3GCEXBdKBkUlCPkIijKksp4LrxxJ4lJKmdHlhNoj-C8BXZoyXediZ7yT307uvPz3RZodtDev0vpj9qk67cAkiaaFCU0_eKYHhF6eJ9BWMFNkXnbOcXBHFguc3n3IYbq04FMXeEe6caQFQ1Q0EJmY8UFSz6DU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="300" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz2moTw4vq6UfDzNQgp9cJV3s3f8uEH2F3GCEXBdKBkUlCPkIijKksp4LrxxJ4lJKmdHlhNoj-C8BXZoyXediZ7yT307uvPz3RZodtDev0vpj9qk67cAkiaaFCU0_eKYHhF6eJ9BWMFNkXnbOcXBHFguc3n3IYbq04FMXeEe6caQFQ1Q0EJmY8UFSz6DU" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FYI, I have been a "guest ranter" on several <br />occasions over the years. www.gardenrant.com</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Back in 2007, Elizabeth Licata posted this excerpt from Allan Armitage’s 2006 book, "Native Plants for North American Gardens" in the Garden Rant blog: "<i>Like many gardeners, I enjoy mixing natives with exotics; I am simply not capable of limiting myself to one or the other exclusively. Most gardeners are country blind, and that is a good thing. Our gardens and landscapes are richer for the diversity and assimilation. Some people prefer to celebrate only those plants which “belong” here, and they will talk you to death about why this is right. I like to celebrate plants that work in my garden, and I let the plants do the talking.</i>" <a href="https://gardenrant.com/2007/12/and-heres-what.html" target="_blank">https://gardenrant.com/2007/12/and-heres-what.html</a></p><br />
<p>And then in August 2023, Licata wrote again about Armitage and his recent article on how natives are not always the answer and people who insist on natives miss the mark.<a href=" https://gardenrant.com/2023/08/a-familiar-voice-speaks-out-on-natives-and-pollinators.html" target="_blank"> https://gardenrant.com/2023/08/a-familiar-voice-speaks-out-on-natives-and-pollinators.html</a> </p>
<p>I made a comment that I disagreed with his position and that we should use natives when possible. The reaction to my comment was swift and harsh. Several people commenting there, started criticizing my stance on natives on my personal feed and one person was so harsh, rude, and insistent that I finally blocked her. What follows are some of the comments people made about native plant enthusiasts.</p><p></p><p><i>" I call them the 'native plant militants,' which seems a bit silly to me. Instead of imposing judgmental perspectives from a self-proclaimed moral high ground, why not promote a culture of encouragement?</i></p>
<p><i>"The problem with the all native agenda is it fails to include humans as part of the ecosystem, rather than being separate from it. So in fact plant and animal nativism commits the exact same sin that got us into the global warming dilemma, the relentless positioning of humans as separate from nature."</i></p>
<p><i>"...there is no research thats supports your claim. The latest studies are showing that a healthy diversity in plants - native or non - is what makes pollinators happy. Also, your human habitat isn’t nature.</i></p>
<p><i>"There’s no need to bully people for their garden choices, yet that’s what many Facebook native plant warriors do. Very easy to do behind a screen.</i></p>
<p><i>"I’m so completely tired of this conversation and it’s fake morality. The native plant pushers have forgotten one crucial point - gardens are not nature. We live in a human habitat and our gardens are built in cities and suburbs in places where the “native” biome was eliminated many generations ago.</i></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAqXDz3BU6WE3P0-6CmPp1LZkwcbeCaEdfbUTq98tQVLMy61fJ1Pli2KnKDXLvcnfBVCD-XUy9ZBqBpJyxlDfto2R9wmgJdlx_aP3w0UKBBFFt_B6p8_ZVquzrnNlmnMapD1HRZiCx2mgi19c_xczS44qUe6-nVwtam7g_q6SMGGF2L6h8aFHGroMESY/s499/TheArtofMaitainingaFloridaNativelandscape.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAqXDz3BU6WE3P0-6CmPp1LZkwcbeCaEdfbUTq98tQVLMy61fJ1Pli2KnKDXLvcnfBVCD-XUy9ZBqBpJyxlDfto2R9wmgJdlx_aP3w0UKBBFFt_B6p8_ZVquzrnNlmnMapD1HRZiCx2mgi19c_xczS44qUe6-nVwtam7g_q6SMGGF2L6h8aFHGroMESY/s320/TheArtofMaitainingaFloridaNativelandscape.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, our yards are not wild areas.<br />I wrote a whole peer-reviewed<br />book on the topic. <a href="http://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813061313" target="_blank">Order here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I'm not sure what their agendas are or whether they are working in the plant growing industry that supplies gardeners with all those nonnatives in full bloom that they need to replace several times a year to keep their gardens looking like the highly manicured gardens of Europe and Britain. But their human-centric gardening is worrisome in many ways. Somehow we need to overcome their hostility to people who promote native plant landscapes and I hope that we can find a way to talk about the importance of native plants without making them so angry.</p>
<p>I believe that together we can make native landscapes the new normal in Florida and elsewhere.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-50600461244208547662023-09-01T06:39:00.003-04:002023-09-01T10:45:34.583-04:00Hurricane-scaping in Florida<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP5AEDKaILEWdN4DcA2ope2rSIT49xmBUILPT0C04OXfNBNAMGbChQonaMLhLM_PbuNhQeqU8y765oCLuzL4ZozG86WpBYy46QZdroMSFPPlSYRDokY3-iK8LhXao_zyVKIdKTd5-1NzYzw87o6_MIrxqMfm8bcwv-08kyficQ7U1ofQgmuxHHtsjnaV8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP5AEDKaILEWdN4DcA2ope2rSIT49xmBUILPT0C04OXfNBNAMGbChQonaMLhLM_PbuNhQeqU8y765oCLuzL4ZozG86WpBYy46QZdroMSFPPlSYRDokY3-iK8LhXao_zyVKIdKTd5-1NzYzw87o6_MIrxqMfm8bcwv-08kyficQ7U1ofQgmuxHHtsjnaV8" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurricane Idalia 2023</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Florida's hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. These five months are also the wet season here when we receive up to 70% of our annual rainfall. Our hot wet summers make it difficult to grow some vegetables like <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/05/lime-basil-pesto.html" target="_blank">sweet basil</a>, <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-history-of-tomatoes-as-crop-and.html" target="_blank">tomatoes</a> and most members of the <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/09/end-of-seminole-pumpkin-season.html" target="_blank">squash family</a>, but growing crops is not the topic for this post.</p><p>As I'm writing this, Hurricane Idalia is pummeling the west coast of Florida. Florida is subjected to more hurricane activity than other states because the 1,350 mile-long coastline, which is surrounded by warm waters. When sea surface temperatures are above 82˚F, this warm water sustains and intensifies tropical storms that may strengthen into hurricanes. This year the Atlantic Ocean temperatures reached as high as 101˚F just off the east coast of Florida. So it's not surprising that we have been struck by a Category 4 hurricane.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<p>While there are several actions you can take in the landscape to make it more wind-tolerant, if your property suffers a direct hit of a strong hurricane, there will be significant damage wind and storm surges no matter what precautions you might have taken. This is especially true for more coastal properties. Even then, storms can do serious damage. In 2017 during Hurricane Irma, we lost 8 large trees out back in a relatively wide stretch of woods. Three were broken off at 25 feet above the ground. We suspect that there was some type of tornadic activity that took them down. Fortunately for our neighbor, they did not fall on his house. We are in North Florida 45 miles from the east coast and 130 miles from the west coast--we are definitely not coastal.</p>
<p>With this in mind, we'll cover four hurricane-scaping ideas to help you make your property and your community more resilient to tropical storms.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Control and sequester stormwater</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKQSjmW_Zl1m2bxYekCvzLEjS0EacLlbHcUwmbUdP2wE0dbTfiy20KFbzFmRiZDLim7da1wdv7jiscN64gc7rnEjiF6NFStniq7brvTLCby8E42EZlFFUBA3dRDzFAGjKbc8Veo8ezpOihLZV7eiz7SMuA4YsexpXWQvF5TrmvaKuz8b_7NxKSjgz79M/s675/2setsofrainbarrels-2020-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="675" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKQSjmW_Zl1m2bxYekCvzLEjS0EacLlbHcUwmbUdP2wE0dbTfiy20KFbzFmRiZDLim7da1wdv7jiscN64gc7rnEjiF6NFStniq7brvTLCby8E42EZlFFUBA3dRDzFAGjKbc8Veo8ezpOihLZV7eiz7SMuA4YsexpXWQvF5TrmvaKuz8b_7NxKSjgz79M/s320/2setsofrainbarrels-2020-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdxBFxHyzVN-QBakVgamqIxBd0N0uzUOXTKdgF43WO4VkiqvuzsSu1pXrGp42lxFFMbQrtm3ShX6lzL3zIWWqAUuDx_EZ2g5uZF2ZP4jes89aPhcbc4eZL1FytNsZlaH94mNQPGvALf-Yow54gjqLh-hVK6DyVeFYitbg3PDxqt-Q9YekJ6xfVwjkbBM/s689/Rainflowchain2018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdxBFxHyzVN-QBakVgamqIxBd0N0uzUOXTKdgF43WO4VkiqvuzsSu1pXrGp42lxFFMbQrtm3ShX6lzL3zIWWqAUuDx_EZ2g5uZF2ZP4jes89aPhcbc4eZL1FytNsZlaH94mNQPGvALf-Yow54gjqLh-hVK6DyVeFYitbg3PDxqt-Q9YekJ6xfVwjkbBM/s320/Rainflowchain2018.jpg" width="218" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capture some of the rain with multiple rain barrels for more capacity, this increased volume will be useful during the dry season for irrigating crops and wetting compost piles.<br /><br /></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Create a flow chain for the stormwater including rain barrels, rain gardens, ponds, and overflows to wooded areas or large bioswales.<br /><br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>As sustainable gardeners, we want to sequester as much rainwater on our properties as possible to improve the quality of nearby waterways and to recharge the underlying aquifers. We all live in a watershed. I've written several articles on rain barrels, rain gardens, and drywells listed under "rain" on the <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/p/green-resources.html" target="_blank">Green Resources webpage</a>. If there are roadside swales at the edge of your property, these help as well.</p>
<p>Storing stormwater may seem like the opposite of what you'd want to do when there's an approaching tropical storm, but controlling where it goes will help protect vulnerable areas. And you'd certainly want to direct the water away from your house, other buildings, infrastructure such as patios, driveways and walkways, and other vulnerable areas. This should all be in your hurricane-scaping plan.</p>
<p>Since we normally have several days warning that a storm is coming this gives us a chance to plan ahead. In addition to securing your lightweight garden items such as container gardens, in the days before a tropical storm is predicted to hit, also empty your rain barrels to add more capacity during the storm. Many of Florida's tropical storms will drop several inches of rain in only a few hours.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Build groves around lone trees </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ao2lPSt_QwULzlTjtoRE69V6yAXnEY_3uu1I1S_xUGIQaPyqlOfVLYlIq-N2hrtyN6eqfw9OiWkW8TZfM8FZ8AMRvBbbrVy7BmIRWO66ic5mqvKMQHvZd5r27LfBis90Od4l21g2ane4G1bZrCkYRLHRxq1oauRo9tXfqVG5U9gGrUWnA_0fi6x26v0/s650/lawntree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="650" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ao2lPSt_QwULzlTjtoRE69V6yAXnEY_3uu1I1S_xUGIQaPyqlOfVLYlIq-N2hrtyN6eqfw9OiWkW8TZfM8FZ8AMRvBbbrVy7BmIRWO66ic5mqvKMQHvZd5r27LfBis90Od4l21g2ane4G1bZrCkYRLHRxq1oauRo9tXfqVG5U9gGrUWnA_0fi6x26v0/s320/lawntree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTV7wDVDCf1kM2q3etEcSdyrLnT3dz7ErFoPGeqLqRbfhHjW5X79Xps7MZOxeGkI-pI4Ga1vKEFSqL0Mab4v4SjkucvcJCV78atGnIp8Po-Tj3tGmdHLgYYIf8GYI_fB2X_qDMx8MRMvRWKwr4WlXGvK9Jq4kx2RJbvLPIfEwMq0iT5lyUyXkVu84uyY/s600/hurricanetree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTV7wDVDCf1kM2q3etEcSdyrLnT3dz7ErFoPGeqLqRbfhHjW5X79Xps7MZOxeGkI-pI4Ga1vKEFSqL0Mab4v4SjkucvcJCV78atGnIp8Po-Tj3tGmdHLgYYIf8GYI_fB2X_qDMx8MRMvRWKwr4WlXGvK9Jq4kx2RJbvLPIfEwMq0iT5lyUyXkVu84uyY/s320/hurricanetree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone magnolia tree (<i>Magnolia grandiflora</i>) in a lawn.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone tree near a lake fell during a hurricane.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="8" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2w3hq8krDTKNpeK9LsprG7joFCnlN2IPm-XHdyac4cUItnEftW292jqfFhz0CpMMq4UveWtOFCF5W3WYmWKnVL-x0YTGngiQoilUOmBLCP38PUaBJ_1ixlLWa3LfOdS16c0G6jhIp9FufVO3lb373m2vtBCT8dcFr7rieX-U5h2mhqaLAfkUC_MJ9No/s636/magnoliagrove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="636" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2w3hq8krDTKNpeK9LsprG7joFCnlN2IPm-XHdyac4cUItnEftW292jqfFhz0CpMMq4UveWtOFCF5W3WYmWKnVL-x0YTGngiQoilUOmBLCP38PUaBJ_1ixlLWa3LfOdS16c0G6jhIp9FufVO3lb373m2vtBCT8dcFr7rieX-U5h2mhqaLAfkUC_MJ9No/s320/magnoliagrove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating a grove around a lone tree <br />will help it become more wind tolerant.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>It seems to be the default landscaping style in Florida, but lone trees planted in the middle of the lawn are much less wind tolerant than a grouping of trees and shrubs for two main reasons. The first is that the grouping presents a more rounded profile rather than a top-heavy set of leaves on the single trunk. The second reason is that a group of established woody and herbaceous plants will have interwoven surface roots which make the whole group more wind tolerant. I describe the process of building a grove around a tree in my article, <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/10/habitat-gardening.html" target="_blank">Habitat gardening</a>.</p><p>In addition, the woody plants and larger understory plants such as bunching grasses will soak up much more water than a lawn due to their larger leaf surface areas and their resulting higher transpiration rates. Transpiration is the process of the water being absorbed by the roots and then transported through the plant to the leaves where 90% or more of the water evaporates into the air. A mature oak tree can transpire more than 400 liters of water on a hot summer's day. For more details on transpiration and other life cycles in forests read my article: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank">Transpiration: Forests' most important service.</a></p><p>When planting container-grown trees, rinse the roots to reveal any coiling roots and to make sure that the roots are spread out as far as possible so they will be more wind tolerant. I explain reasoning and the process in <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/01/smart-gardening.html" target="_blank">this article</a>. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Healthy soils absorb more water</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx4ufonMvHdckqG-ABBCn0YEXKRkX9efP0SVBkYlevrZP028c9OSqxlwf79lwY2GwIe0j6sa1zcPiJPjx9Xu7tfNReVknzv3buze21FJDv3y1aCj6urW3z54qdrzJfNq30_HKWDmysK7K_cHyX-f8uOGSG-cE_tnc4sB7K_YQAMTzPnduMQiYTzLNrkw/s882/pesticidefree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="882" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx4ufonMvHdckqG-ABBCn0YEXKRkX9efP0SVBkYlevrZP028c9OSqxlwf79lwY2GwIe0j6sa1zcPiJPjx9Xu7tfNReVknzv3buze21FJDv3y1aCj6urW3z54qdrzJfNq30_HKWDmysK7K_cHyX-f8uOGSG-cE_tnc4sB7K_YQAMTzPnduMQiYTzLNrkw/s320/pesticidefree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcAoESrxLz3wn7sheLkGtDj_NXLcPwc5Pjx6oRuizoxjx9eDfNOC1Jpfh8XfYHHgiE9rmmB2KYPeNGlYViHVIepkqG28Er7xyxclbAlIKZZfjNViZCPda4hEZcdPfkIwCbu9sHtRhnSAd6c_YZD6OQ6lxejeZlZ_KXqVkyiIgaABXzzgUy_qKvVsTrlA/s650/fogfruitStibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="650" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcAoESrxLz3wn7sheLkGtDj_NXLcPwc5Pjx6oRuizoxjx9eDfNOC1Jpfh8XfYHHgiE9rmmB2KYPeNGlYViHVIepkqG28Er7xyxclbAlIKZZfjNViZCPda4hEZcdPfkIwCbu9sHtRhnSAd6c_YZD6OQ6lxejeZlZ_KXqVkyiIgaABXzzgUy_qKvVsTrlA/s320/fogfruitStibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy soil with an assortment of non-poisoned plants absorbs more rainfall per hour than high-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">maintenance</span>, frequently mowed monoculture lawns.<br /> </td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fogfruit (<i>Phyla nodiflora</i>) in a lawn needs less mowing and has extensive roots, which helps that lawn soak up more rainfall.<br /><br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>High maintenance lawns that are routinely treated with fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides will have thin poor soils since those treatments kill off the majority of the soil's microbes, which are an important part of a healthy soil ecosystem. All those pesticides are not particularly good for the turfgrass either, so the lawn-care companies apply synthetic fertilizers to keep the grass alive and to push it to grow faster so that it needs mowing more often. And here in Florida, where most turfgrass goes into dormancy for the winter, the lawn care people over-seed it with winter rye grass, so that they have something to mow year round. This may be a profitable business practice for the lawn care companies, but it's terrible for the soil and it pollutes nearby waterways with both pesticides and nutrients that have been causing algae blooms and fish kills. </p><p>In addition, when it rains on a lawn like this, it does not absorb nearly as much water as less-frequently mowed area with a wide variety of plants growing in a non-poisoned soil filled with humus and microbes. These plants will have more extensive root systems compared to the high-maintenance lawns on life support. One term for such a mowed area is a "freedom lawn" since it's free from all those pesticides and free from the synthetic fertilizers. I explain much more about this in my article: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">Our freedom lawn</a>. </p><p><br /></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt8xF4o3xAqpCnSjtlDc-4MP2I3SErbRYIVhs_aj_OSIwWH6aFlBGA6_3w40gfWBzCSzU_YYuFcY9qW2McWPhhS4eTzDzhIKKZntOC7QJg-8_AXjeDmtnws-WUZHhWiJaohz35L3tcdavqvhqoQCbnXZv4o9zw7F1EM-Gs98K8-q6J_FnO-TmedwKsw8/s700/mangrovesareimportant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="700" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt8xF4o3xAqpCnSjtlDc-4MP2I3SErbRYIVhs_aj_OSIwWH6aFlBGA6_3w40gfWBzCSzU_YYuFcY9qW2McWPhhS4eTzDzhIKKZntOC7QJg-8_AXjeDmtnws-WUZHhWiJaohz35L3tcdavqvhqoQCbnXZv4o9zw7F1EM-Gs98K8-q6J_FnO-TmedwKsw8/s320/mangrovesareimportant.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preserve mangrove forests and other shoreline <br />ecosystems because they provide protection <br />from storm surges and onshore winds.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Preserve coastal ecosystems</h3>
<p>Florida's coastal ecosystems including mangrove forests, saltmarshes, barrier islands. and others provide significant protection from storm surges and onshore winds. Keeping them in place or restoring them will make the whole coastal region more resilient when hurricanes strike.</p>
<p>This is usually more of a community-wide action, where you and your neighbors can work to support efforts to preserve and restore coastal ecosystems. It's been shown that both mangroves and saltmarshes will keep up with rising seas so they will continue their protections for generations to come. Here's a good example: <a href="https://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/shoreline-restoration-and-habitat.html" target="_blank">The Snook Islands project</a> in Palm Beach County. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Stay safe!</h3>
<p>After Idalia passed through, we were lucky that it passed to our north and west. We received only .7" of rain and only small branches and leaves blown down. I added some of those raked leaves to the top of my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/11/sequester-this-carbon-dont-throw-it-away.html" target="_blank">compost pile</a> for a nice green layer and to sequester some of that carbon. </p><p>So please stay safe during our hurricane season, and I hope that this post will help you create a safer, more wind-tolerant landscape. </p>
<p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</b></span></i></p>
<p>I also covered hurricane-scaping in "<a href="http://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813033921" target="_blank">Sustainable Gardening for Florida</a>."</p>
<p> </p><p></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-48110105136494323032023-08-01T05:47:00.000-04:002023-08-01T05:47:28.280-04:00Starry rosinweed is a star in Florida yards<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPixv2yYhsiFGK3KTasUKoz-YgDDI5Bs_SyMByFznQP-oJXtbX3EzrVO_P3olAqXFoFSy6Oa2Z1SsT_6NchdVCd1q37s5fOZjvcDYk21wfI3IKKRG7XQ7IhZRCtHAh6zQ_naAblvHSm0um2ghW1eo9OJbR1TgCB8B-Cie1jHK8LlelWSQh39R4O44j3o/s650/StarryRosinweed-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="548" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPixv2yYhsiFGK3KTasUKoz-YgDDI5Bs_SyMByFznQP-oJXtbX3EzrVO_P3olAqXFoFSy6Oa2Z1SsT_6NchdVCd1q37s5fOZjvcDYk21wfI3IKKRG7XQ7IhZRCtHAh6zQ_naAblvHSm0um2ghW1eo9OJbR1TgCB8B-Cie1jHK8LlelWSQh39R4O44j3o/w338-h400/StarryRosinweed-Stibolt.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry rosinweed is a star in your garden not only<br />for its beauty and long blooming cycle, but also because<br />of the wide variety of pollinators that it attracts.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><b>Starry Rosinweed</b> (<i>Silphium asteriscus</i>) is a member of the aster or daisy family, Asteraceae and is a wonderful choice for Florida's wildflower meadows and for pollinator gardens. It's a beautiful, tall, long-lived, drought tolerant, easy-to-care-for wildflower. (See below for more information on how it behaves in gardens and meadows.)</p>
<p>Botanically, the starry rosinweed is an outlier in the aster family. Yes, its flower head has the typical arrangement of disk florets in the center surrounded by showy ray florets that each have one outsized petal. </p><p>In most aster family plants with this typical flower head arrangement such as sunflowers, only the tiny, cylindrical disk florets in the center produce fruits or seeds, while the petal-like ray florets around the outside of the center are sterile and produce no fruits. The starry rosinweed is exactly the opposite with its ray florets producing fruits and the disk florets being sterile.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRm7OtiSh14tufuG8HFI1_AosaqpccZVAIwCP4e_3iARezPSuXDbqbIRpjYOEf2c1OfnxKD1oGkmE5H_agAFfqVC7s1Qjru76iYpjOpqsmGki5OUafwuyOYBBEJFFAiZTqYCjAtK2hqdcEJnUX1Zw1c5ZDNfeF90ekK35TiVjSREzO9xXw0A2Sq8shyY/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-16-2023a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRm7OtiSh14tufuG8HFI1_AosaqpccZVAIwCP4e_3iARezPSuXDbqbIRpjYOEf2c1OfnxKD1oGkmE5H_agAFfqVC7s1Qjru76iYpjOpqsmGki5OUafwuyOYBBEJFFAiZTqYCjAtK2hqdcEJnUX1Zw1c5ZDNfeF90ekK35TiVjSREzO9xXw0A2Sq8shyY/s16000/StarryRosinweed-06-16-2023a-Stibolt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arrow points to a forked style of a fertile ray floret. The tubular<br />disk florets in the center of the flower head are sterile and produce no fruit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNqikeFAxXvg40G2cdSjLoR5sqoVZJNLz-6l03Q0qMVImXGmZ2mD954I_7bbRnb5uzVjKOAh-Ul0v8DpDJPqrE8r5hgaduvBXdQmWxSDu4i3bg98BhtoU-u6aT96Lj9xPrhW46s8AVSd5BTKlvl6UOCcVfej847Ny-Msb9d3zgnOjGWKvwW5_rOWjjQI/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023e-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="650" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNqikeFAxXvg40G2cdSjLoR5sqoVZJNLz-6l03Q0qMVImXGmZ2mD954I_7bbRnb5uzVjKOAh-Ul0v8DpDJPqrE8r5hgaduvBXdQmWxSDu4i3bg98BhtoU-u6aT96Lj9xPrhW46s8AVSd5BTKlvl6UOCcVfej847Ny-Msb9d3zgnOjGWKvwW5_rOWjjQI/w400-h398/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023e-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This split spent flower head reveals that there are no seeds or<br />fruits under or associated with the central disk florets.<br />Instead, the fruits, or cypselas, are thin and flat and are lined<br />up around the outside of the flower head. Two fruits<br />separated out here have greenish "wings" and deep notches <br />where the ray floret petals were attached.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The fruit, or cypsela, is thin and flat with thin, greenish "wings" on both sides of the dark center, which holds the actual seed. The notch at one end is where the base of the ray floret's corolla was attached before it fell off after the flower was pollinated. The fruits are only at the flower heads' margins beneath corollas of ray flowers. At the bottom of the cluster of disc flowers in the center, you can see that there are no fruits.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kJ-b6jT4m4j6o1-k-u8zzIEftn-vZLV6RAiqUl3T2s869j9k1DFzirl9d7gG34xvnjVrTpKnzGcZeMGReMge99Uc9jwyWp9sun5xcV5TyFHcYixGwkJpBeQqFjicCYUx2J0oehgVVKu2LyytWypkgoygGEVv__3vkeRp8BevlMxrtLqlle4imEnMEMQ/s350/MapPic_Species3273.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kJ-b6jT4m4j6o1-k-u8zzIEftn-vZLV6RAiqUl3T2s869j9k1DFzirl9d7gG34xvnjVrTpKnzGcZeMGReMge99Uc9jwyWp9sun5xcV5TyFHcYixGwkJpBeQqFjicCYUx2J0oehgVVKu2LyytWypkgoygGEVv__3vkeRp8BevlMxrtLqlle4imEnMEMQ/w320-h320/MapPic_Species3273.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry rosinweed's range, via The Florida Plant <br />Atlas, shows that it's native to western Florida.<br /><br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Starry rosinweed is a Florida native wildflower</h3><p>The native range includes most of eastern North America from Texas to Pennsylvania and most of the western counties of Florida. In northeast Florida, where we are located, it does well even several counties east of its native range. <a href="https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-silphium-asteriscus/" target="_blank">The Florida Wildflower Foundation</a> and others recommend this plant for all but southernmost Florida.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are five varieties for this plant, but most of the Florida rosinweeds and those in the native plant trade are the standard, <i>Silphium asteriscus</i> var. <i>asteriscus</i>. In other regions of its native range, the other four varieties are: <i>S. asteriscus</i> var. <i>dentatum;</i> <i>S. asteriscus</i> var. <i>latifolium;</i> <i>S. asteriscus</i> var.<i> simpsonii;</i> and <i>S. asteriscus</i> var. <i>trifoliatum</i>.</p><p>There is also another native rosinweed, kidneyleaf rosinweed (<span style="white-space: normal;"><i>S. compositum</i>), which has lobed leaves. Its range includes North Florida and up into Alabama and the Carolinas. </span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Starry rosinweed in the landscape</h3><p>I bought one plant more than ten years ago and it's still growing strong. It's grown larger and has more five-foot-tall shoots. While it didn't reseed much for the first few years, now there are many seedlings, which transplant easily to other places, but they do need several days of irrigation to become established. I've found that it does best in full sun and only slight shade. I have some growing near a western-facing porch at the back of the house and these tend to lean away from the house even though they receive full sun in the afternoons. I think they are anxious to be in the sun as it comes over the house. The leaning detracts from their beauty in the landscape. Those that are growing near the front corner of the house and others that have better morning light are mostly vertical. </p><p>They look best when grown in groups of three or more and with tall bunching grasses, goldenrods, and other tall herbaceous plants. As I have been transplanting seedlings, I've located them to our mailbox garden, a meadow out back, and a few other places. It takes a couple of years for those young plants to establish themselves to these new locations and to begin flowering, but I'm happy to have these beautiful, drought-tolerant wildflowers with a long blooming cycle in several different areas. I think this works to attract more pollinators as well.</p><p>Some sources say that deer eat the rosinweeds, but so far that hasn't happened in our yard and we do have deer here. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMid1oeWS25yiwKQk2aCyqMiDZYJvnPM4QCdEF0TmQQIkEMjMEEx2WBeCjMw0wld2XhjYwiemRTYirFd56pg5ro7Bwh7l_QH4NC3EDskmT3QG1oUJ9DVqC2GWeUvX4UniZq6q9sbtsNYxQOp_mMb95nZdnx7dGMlmCHvRyiEP4UWVID5SYmIKf1Oe1RNc/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMid1oeWS25yiwKQk2aCyqMiDZYJvnPM4QCdEF0TmQQIkEMjMEEx2WBeCjMw0wld2XhjYwiemRTYirFd56pg5ro7Bwh7l_QH4NC3EDskmT3QG1oUJ9DVqC2GWeUvX4UniZq6q9sbtsNYxQOp_mMb95nZdnx7dGMlmCHvRyiEP4UWVID5SYmIKf1Oe1RNc/s320/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023a-Stibolt.jpg" width="291" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ4NZao4GfgzdfxGQe4ytt47pHBkcZY5Nd1_vEL2Eb8RdYlasXiQHGfjynlIC19Al91a2SjlJW0W6wkw19YtP9Qa7leNW43kCWEB-gaSrOQFvVnVY-GQnbq6tzqS4XYIKWeErjh5RCUd9W6FIJ0Lvv0DVW2o4AwRz9LiuIJouDw4wthslArnt9ASpQfw/s600/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023c-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ4NZao4GfgzdfxGQe4ytt47pHBkcZY5Nd1_vEL2Eb8RdYlasXiQHGfjynlIC19Al91a2SjlJW0W6wkw19YtP9Qa7leNW43kCWEB-gaSrOQFvVnVY-GQnbq6tzqS4XYIKWeErjh5RCUd9W6FIJ0Lvv0DVW2o4AwRz9LiuIJouDw4wthslArnt9ASpQfw/s320/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023c-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry rosinweed self seeds. These young plants<br />have their basal leaves by the end of their first year.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leaves on the stems are clasping.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUydc0SMCzNIXIS5FWLYnOwnnXRE9EvHBtcfN2esWn2aM_ytVQvydGIucLHWMb9z5fEuqJOmauFxpIK6Scw-Ai84KcHh7nXG5R6xAtyMizsTisWWQh6ks9l-ExcaxmOtkRyeZnl6A7PrkgC8_LAXS1cMx-SQuo6EhoiHWWdjyO5NuadqJ1klWeSLbLz4/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023d-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="650" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUydc0SMCzNIXIS5FWLYnOwnnXRE9EvHBtcfN2esWn2aM_ytVQvydGIucLHWMb9z5fEuqJOmauFxpIK6Scw-Ai84KcHh7nXG5R6xAtyMizsTisWWQh6ks9l-ExcaxmOtkRyeZnl6A7PrkgC8_LAXS1cMx-SQuo6EhoiHWWdjyO5NuadqJ1klWeSLbLz4/w320-h304/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023d-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPTvEmquAlqjtMaCwbZJ55ETSOYVk01OovXiESs4h9aIznf83PREIvkmHLkh84FY6trZayvkCpcXhqDdO1HSzP3Fn3vlqkDKH0WPIFbuIs2RzDDFr_9t6HXnzjXzjLnXGwODfRno9oKaJDCAWYpcqxbcPvGU_7xGaHbiUhqLtJWisMQvNTIpEYJYn0Xs/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="650" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPTvEmquAlqjtMaCwbZJ55ETSOYVk01OovXiESs4h9aIznf83PREIvkmHLkh84FY6trZayvkCpcXhqDdO1HSzP3Fn3vlqkDKH0WPIFbuIs2RzDDFr_9t6HXnzjXzjLnXGwODfRno9oKaJDCAWYpcqxbcPvGU_7xGaHbiUhqLtJWisMQvNTIpEYJYn0Xs/s320/StarryRosinweed-06-15-2023b-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flower heads are subtended by three or four layers of involucral bracts (phyllaries).</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The disk florets of the starry rosinweed are<br />more tubular than most other Asteraceae flowers.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp2BCLlEoIP9Wl5alJWWFyl6riY2bv5P-Q4bKHWOP-rT8pN5eV5zqdO3FwlMhjYXviAPxyx6-NjpuaNecLFPsZk8jhdfTMg-c-rg0_Sh3G1I7de3YOGdbuczRbMqdJcWeuJTMRZa-F9zhh6n7nccfSmSKfqQK8DAFLzQq3wBq4UvEJ6I9LLNh3RBb4gU/s538/StarryRosinweed-09-5-2020a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="460" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp2BCLlEoIP9Wl5alJWWFyl6riY2bv5P-Q4bKHWOP-rT8pN5eV5zqdO3FwlMhjYXviAPxyx6-NjpuaNecLFPsZk8jhdfTMg-c-rg0_Sh3G1I7de3YOGdbuczRbMqdJcWeuJTMRZa-F9zhh6n7nccfSmSKfqQK8DAFLzQq3wBq4UvEJ6I9LLNh3RBb4gU/w343-h400/StarryRosinweed-09-5-2020a-Stibolt.jpg" width="343" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoS5UHeLuWWexXtAhlfPpj3WQMnNQqZun9gSmWaClBNWPThQi34w7WzC8sa4QrvtD_LsD2-2j7o7ckjTVRHd54YXGOZA0nxaHbKt8aqn8gKCKQwAYZoJC2M-u4JocjBg1lmV7uHFSLp6Rlm5saL-iWcgqZD-p5Kj_GkysBfSoHNYIa8Qt1Wnqtro5XJQ/s650/StarryRosinweed-06-16-2023b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="629" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoS5UHeLuWWexXtAhlfPpj3WQMnNQqZun9gSmWaClBNWPThQi34w7WzC8sa4QrvtD_LsD2-2j7o7ckjTVRHd54YXGOZA0nxaHbKt8aqn8gKCKQwAYZoJC2M-u4JocjBg1lmV7uHFSLp6Rlm5saL-iWcgqZD-p5Kj_GkysBfSoHNYIa8Qt1Wnqtro5XJQ/s320/StarryRosinweed-06-16-2023b-Stibolt.jpg" width="310" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young starry rosinweed has only a few flower heads on its stem. Here you can see its basal leaves and its stem leaves, which are smaller near the top.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the spent flower heads are attractive as<br />the starry rosinweed goes through its cycles.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uZfzdLSqCNSr0oURPiKUsFWMlxuqqglh0f1q4VWuKpEssIKJAvdhkb9wrVtylQHUWgYNWDZ0JVKeB_e3Foh5IDk6DC70lAHwmzOP7wVUaUwm9ZVW2ighT8DFsV-YyY-KtcmW1odWwEmU4Kn2ZDC0dBMLSrjFdQAR188fxjHHZL3LNOrTIR9NMLvPq3w/s562/StarryRosinweed-09-5-2020b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uZfzdLSqCNSr0oURPiKUsFWMlxuqqglh0f1q4VWuKpEssIKJAvdhkb9wrVtylQHUWgYNWDZ0JVKeB_e3Foh5IDk6DC70lAHwmzOP7wVUaUwm9ZVW2ighT8DFsV-YyY-KtcmW1odWwEmU4Kn2ZDC0dBMLSrjFdQAR188fxjHHZL3LNOrTIR9NMLvPq3w/s320/StarryRosinweed-09-5-2020b-Stibolt.jpg" width="313" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhguALCT0dTHaWaosDhakhTrP7iOfeCo_bvJPjSBWNFncMTYXpiX86aDwF0XUy2pSPwE18b1nwYwzr4Fi3j_PDxDxX3QMzSL7vb7k8V9IAeacIXLap_7mY6G9Szly93p_m4SxdH8Woe3XB2QV15x6uTNpBIqIPAlQI_FfG_t69pLWFcH_xrbuDT5ep0Q/s675/StarryRosinweed-12-24-19Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="675" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhguALCT0dTHaWaosDhakhTrP7iOfeCo_bvJPjSBWNFncMTYXpiX86aDwF0XUy2pSPwE18b1nwYwzr4Fi3j_PDxDxX3QMzSL7vb7k8V9IAeacIXLap_7mY6G9Szly93p_m4SxdH8Woe3XB2QV15x6uTNpBIqIPAlQI_FfG_t69pLWFcH_xrbuDT5ep0Q/s320/StarryRosinweed-12-24-19Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinators of all sizes, even hummingbirds,<br />come to our starry rosinweed flowers. The caption for this one should be, "She loves me..."</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normally there are five or more flowers on a<br />stalk and they tend to bloom two or three at a time.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<br />
Here is the link to the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/silphium-asteriscus" target="_blank">FNPS plant profile</a>, which includes a link to native nurseries that have this plant in stock and here is the link to the <a href="https://www.floridawildflowers.com/" target="_blank">Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative</a> where you can buy Florida-based seeds.<br />
<p>So, I hope you plant some these beautiful wildflowers, because they will become stars in your yard, too.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-48776035751104371942023-07-01T13:45:00.003-04:002023-07-01T13:49:13.975-04:00Why do plants produce caffeine?<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ1VHI_Lk_S1kllThdnjQrx6Kh67IitJnfwvmY17F8a1zTUlFdVLqRy_2Pc3_FOyEp6yJJBavzM0ck89sNThlbtIuF5TB50jyFWhU7lfeKVMJqMeZF1OEw-g2_WrTGyH4W4netTYzbR1SBTVbT71-SOO-siIMYXxDj5N6nSgms6oCrOnjtOmJ9YN_hDnk" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="633" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ1VHI_Lk_S1kllThdnjQrx6Kh67IitJnfwvmY17F8a1zTUlFdVLqRy_2Pc3_FOyEp6yJJBavzM0ck89sNThlbtIuF5TB50jyFWhU7lfeKVMJqMeZF1OEw-g2_WrTGyH4W4netTYzbR1SBTVbT71-SOO-siIMYXxDj5N6nSgms6oCrOnjtOmJ9YN_hDnk=w400-h310" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've covered this topic on my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/03/reaching-new-audiences.html" target="_blank">cruise ship presentations</a> on coffee.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">A bit of plant science for this post...</div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Caffeine is the most widely consumed psycho-active substance in the world!</h3>
<p>Caffeine is not the work of Satan, nor the product of some mad scientists working in a chemistry lab; rather, it’s the result of millions of years of plant evolution. </p>
<p>All plants build a variety of compounds including enzymes. Many of these molecules serve as a defense against enemies of the plants—large and small. </p>
<p>Building caffeine is an expensive process (energy-wise) for the plant, so why do they do it? <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>For coffee, the most widely consumed and widely studied caffeinated plant, there are 3 reasons that we know about. </p>
<p>1) The caffeine in fallen leaves acts as a mild herbicide, which discourages weeds around the plant.<br />2) The bitterness of caffeine discourages bugs and other herbivores from eating the leaves.<br />3) There is caffeine in all parts of the plant, including the pollen & nectar so the pollinators, mostly bees, receive a little bit of a buzz, so to speak, and this makes them better remember the source. (This
always gets a laugh in my presentations.) </p><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">There are other plants around the world that produce caffeine, as well</h3>
<p>Only a few plants in different plant families in various parts of the world produce caffeine. Isn't interesting that somehow even the earliest humans figured out which ones they were? </p>
<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMsoJo29bY_Mn-bGxLemG0hObc0tc9WrYX7D3XwRLl8YyO5Q3vDQOyWT4eXQe2-vAWWgEgWGhoRyzIaoNta2NkuBrSWuIj9gu4JLDyaFJwsy3K11pd_AOju2aRpzkuRFKPHGfAGDnWNRn6-sNL8UkdIU_gP2z-hnVi7JagAK5iGZibtLsKvRlPRMSlZaA" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="767" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMsoJo29bY_Mn-bGxLemG0hObc0tc9WrYX7D3XwRLl8YyO5Q3vDQOyWT4eXQe2-vAWWgEgWGhoRyzIaoNta2NkuBrSWuIj9gu4JLDyaFJwsy3K11pd_AOju2aRpzkuRFKPHGfAGDnWNRn6-sNL8UkdIU_gP2z-hnVi7JagAK5iGZibtLsKvRlPRMSlZaA" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cup of coffee</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3><b>Coffee</b></h3>
<p>Coffee is in the gardenia family (Rubiaceae). There are two species of coffee that are widely consumed: Arabica coffee (<i>Coffea arabica</i>) and Robusta coffee (<i>C. canephora</i> var. <i>robusta</i>). They are both native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The robusta coffee has about twice as much caffeine as arabica and makes up about 40% of the market share and nearly all of the instant coffee. Partly because of its higher caffeine content, it's easier to grow requiring fewer pesticides than arabica amd it can be grown in more places. Arabica coffee does best at higher altitudes, while robusta can grow at sea level. It is, in fact, more robust.<br /><br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOPcfNSfjfmDzOsNu_04qtGMG3uA4tQnND275ixdoV8_lp9AFNudrcCMjs3-5pI0sU2aXMyzQPgIqoaMz9zy4dw9GTqa8mpj28VuNlC08Jr1jOFZNq6F_QliuKbs1HGDJ3PINJUQMpyknS87aizFGfFxZt-jEFOR5PfrBXmqUgNpM7GZreGfY8BzrWyjg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="800" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOPcfNSfjfmDzOsNu_04qtGMG3uA4tQnND275ixdoV8_lp9AFNudrcCMjs3-5pI0sU2aXMyzQPgIqoaMz9zy4dw9GTqa8mpj28VuNlC08Jr1jOFZNq6F_QliuKbs1HGDJ3PINJUQMpyknS87aizFGfFxZt-jEFOR5PfrBXmqUgNpM7GZreGfY8BzrWyjg=w640-h252" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida native, yaupon holly, produces caffeine.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3><b>Yaupon holly</b></h3>
<p>Yaupon holly (<i>Ilex vomitoria</i>) is native from Virginia to Texas, Cuba, and the Yucatán Peninsula. It's in the holly family, Aquifoliaceae. Several cultivars are widely planted as foundation plants in Florida and it's commonly found in the native plant trade. Here's its profile on the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/ilex-vomitoria" target="_blank">Florida Native Plant Society website</a>, which includes a link of vendors that have it for sale. As the only caffeinated plant in the country, it has an interesting history. "The indigenous Timucua people of Florida called Yaupon Cassina, and believed that it purified the mind and body of those who drank it." <a href="https://yauponbrothers.com/pages/about-yaupon-turbo" target="_blank">Yaupon Brothers</a> have built a business producing this American tea. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQs_TAnmoDXQhlGlyrGCRxlO1Bw9ucYLk1ZG8cpFZH4sI4eauAb5zcJ8e2m_RpAFGHnT51hbOLqnyULY-NP1NLeqR4iLwTk1LgvEflEGSZw_SHd3GT204ulpCFHM6us8hxRu8EsTFVZpVWgTul7wp6RR6zWqKNd_FQrCFU5y8z0PRYrtNi9w6CO3JrJ3U" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="700" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQs_TAnmoDXQhlGlyrGCRxlO1Bw9ucYLk1ZG8cpFZH4sI4eauAb5zcJ8e2m_RpAFGHnT51hbOLqnyULY-NP1NLeqR4iLwTk1LgvEflEGSZw_SHd3GT204ulpCFHM6us8hxRu8EsTFVZpVWgTul7wp6RR6zWqKNd_FQrCFU5y8z0PRYrtNi9w6CO3JrJ3U=w400-h264" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In some parts of South America, it's common to see people carrying thermoses of hot water and their metal cups filled with an infusion of mate that they drink through metal straws. <br />This guy was in Montevideo, Uruguay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3><b>Yerba mate: another holly with caffeine</b></h3>
<p>Yerba mate (<i>Ilex paraguariensis</i>) is native to eastern South America south of the Amazon River. Indigenous peoples in the region were already drinking it by the time the Europeans arrived. Plantations were established to grow it commercially and since the male* holly plants produce more caffeine, most of the planted trees were male to produce a stronger drink. The volume of mate for the infusion is much greater than other teas. *Hollies are dioecious plants, meaning male and female flowers are located on separate plants. Female plants produce the fruit. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqeCoLv5xZtApUaDA5t8w4m5lkXuJIpP6yFE81SCOuDsEvJsYzsxCQquMDNA7sMgJtIPTK5SrGx7Uq8BjgGhjnYb10zXLSCNncULoWz3rKXKOJMFyyIT78vyyrzREnVg6l0QP6_SIqHqzNAg97QT_ZvLqsqZySs0pRP6YpC4616ktYBlGNAoKqfNgNlLU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="890" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqeCoLv5xZtApUaDA5t8w4m5lkXuJIpP6yFE81SCOuDsEvJsYzsxCQquMDNA7sMgJtIPTK5SrGx7Uq8BjgGhjnYb10zXLSCNncULoWz3rKXKOJMFyyIT78vyyrzREnVg6l0QP6_SIqHqzNAg97QT_ZvLqsqZySs0pRP6YpC4616ktYBlGNAoKqfNgNlLU=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The source of chocolate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3><b>Cacao or cocoa tree</b> </h3>
<p>Cacao
or cocoa tree (<i>Theobroma cacao</i>) is in the mallow family, Malvaceae, so it's related to hibiscus and the various mallows. It's native to northern South America including the Amazon Basin. Its large fruits grow directly on the
trunk of the tree and the seeds, which are not beans, contain caffeine. Note since the caffeine is water soluble and is contained in the dark cocoa once the seeds have been processed, so white chocolate made from the cocoa fat has no caffeine. Again, indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica and South America were drinking caffeinated cocoa drinks well before the Europeans arrived. </p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMKh-St93L6gwyxagl0sIdG-MgMiLdYe9Oy7Wy15iKZtKiHExg1dukFKGk6OLNzyaK_iSxtGSYsNdXcRVS310Oh3F0RxAAC5wls5ncVR_ICbMF-G5t91VQLtEBf1rcW3vJaSIAR0XTNCPE_nEBWbg9Ob2KlvzVE7jzuqMvbz1AiDqot7Mj_bPesR5nbI" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="939" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMKh-St93L6gwyxagl0sIdG-MgMiLdYe9Oy7Wy15iKZtKiHExg1dukFKGk6OLNzyaK_iSxtGSYsNdXcRVS310Oh3F0RxAAC5wls5ncVR_ICbMF-G5t91VQLtEBf1rcW3vJaSIAR0XTNCPE_nEBWbg9Ob2KlvzVE7jzuqMvbz1AiDqot7Mj_bPesR5nbI=w400-h250" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chinese have been drinking tea for millennia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3><b>Chinese tea</b></h3>
<p>Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) is a species of evergreen shrub or small tree in the flowering plant family Theaceae.</p><p>The longest “recorded history” of caffeinated drink comes from China where they made tea using tea leaves from this camellia shrub more than 4,000 years ago, but they were probably drinking it long before then.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIf2kvs4ND9zKJbHYc2zMnFY19JybchNFO02FdbnwbNyJS99zsUwOMQ_ywsuQ7FYdFP9I6kwofQLQe7HJncxZawLizWQlcTlCDNlNJKq8WJq609kNdzl5WMs0xHNIQDYtwQp6vIlZWRpWGHy7unyviatbn-rfjDJfNu2d_Hg_nhn_6dOY8RdWxdauFKVE" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="254" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIf2kvs4ND9zKJbHYc2zMnFY19JybchNFO02FdbnwbNyJS99zsUwOMQ_ywsuQ7FYdFP9I6kwofQLQe7HJncxZawLizWQlcTlCDNlNJKq8WJq609kNdzl5WMs0xHNIQDYtwQp6vIlZWRpWGHy7unyviatbn-rfjDJfNu2d_Hg_nhn_6dOY8RdWxdauFKVE" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caffeine is a complex molecule.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3><b>Caffeine</b></h3>
<p>Plant physiologists studied how coffee and tea—unrelated plants—produce caffeine and discovered that it’s produced with a different set of enzymes and goes through an entirely different chemical pathway to produce the very same caffeine molecule. </p><p>Caffeine is so beneficial that both plants evolved different ways to produce the very same molecule.
When this happens we call it <b>Convergent Evolution</b>. </p>
<p>As far as its effect on humans, it's a stimulant and even the earliest peoples were aware of this. Now caffeine is the basis for many industries, including growing caffeine-producing crops, and then both processing it for consumption and removing it from products so people can cosume those products without all that stimulation.</p>
<p>As gardeners and biologists, plants form the basis for our very existence. Through photosynthesis they remove carbon dioxide from the air, produce sugars which is in all of our food, and produce oxygen, which we breathe. For more details on this, I discussed the three cycles in plants (water, carbon, & oxygen) in <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank">this article</a>. </p><p><b>Plants also produce caffeine</b>, which keeps people alert so we can accomplish more in our day-to-day lives. So, have you thanked a plant today?</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
<p></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-14412727393787146382023-06-01T06:56:00.000-04:002023-06-01T06:56:00.882-04:00Dill is a beautiful, easy-to-grow herb in Florida<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFkWtDx-E8KGqihsABRbqtneb6JtAhdo96s2zHi0O-UmRaHf7nR3WVIUhxDVJMynDNJg6P-LPW3HbHvoC_ngKjzVudOSW_FItxhh0QefNCnGn4Tul517pyVGET65PmFBB4lQJugtwnqqCGQupXFsQeCk-s65SF17sYQQTZukUimuP1WPKmTqEMvVms" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFkWtDx-E8KGqihsABRbqtneb6JtAhdo96s2zHi0O-UmRaHf7nR3WVIUhxDVJMynDNJg6P-LPW3HbHvoC_ngKjzVudOSW_FItxhh0QefNCnGn4Tul517pyVGET65PmFBB4lQJugtwnqqCGQupXFsQeCk-s65SF17sYQQTZukUimuP1WPKmTqEMvVms=w349-h400" width="349" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinators love dill flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Dill </b>(<i>Anethum graveolens</i>) is a fast-growing, cool-weather annual with a long taproot. It provides both a classic herb and a spice--the leaves are called dill weed, and used fresh or dried as a herb in salads or as a garnish, while the seeds are used as a spice for pickling or in potato and pasta salads. Dill is native to the Mediterranean region, but it's grown world wide.</p><p>The majestic dill flower heads can reach fourteen inches across. They attract a wide variety of pollinators, and importantly for organic gardeners, dill attracts the small parasitoid wasps that prey on tomato worms and other garden pests. </p>
<p>All the above-ground parts of the dill plant are edible. The leaves and the seeds are most often harvested, but you can also eat the flowers and the stems. </p><p><b>Taxonomic note: </b>The Kew Garden's Plants of the World Online database considers dill (<i>Anethum graveolens</i>) and several other related species to be synonyms of false fennel (<i><a href="https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:847774-1#synonyms" target="_blank">Ridolfia segetum</a></i>). I have not found other organizations joining in on this lumping of species as yet, but there may be a dill name change in the future.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The carrot family (Apiaceae)</h3>
<p>This family includes 446 genera and in addition to dill, there are many are economically important plants as angelica, anise, caraway, <a href="http://www.sky-bolt.com/garden/carrots.htm" target="_blank">carrot</a>, celery, chervil, coriander, cumin, fennel, lovage, parsley, and <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/03/growing-parsnips-in-north-florida.html" target="_blank">parsnip</a>. The family also includes some poisonous species, including poison hemlock, water hemlock, spotted cowbane, fool's parsley, and various species of water dropwort.</p><p>The defining characteristic of this family is the inflorescence, where the flowers are aggregated in terminal umbels, which may be simple or more commonly compound such as dill. The other name for this botanic family is Umbelliferae.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPNzv6w-ySFJ1D3ukY9yhKdX8pt94aqCVQY730QxnK3tqlKXp5sp7jpeeAq6QXld2A39ZqIFR2S6MQtmPoVkw0luLDJkq2_AHLyL-zJzkunhoZpKWgrwsvQjOmevUgtHkagpVE5dUnEa30VtQVvtnT9TV6g8wGEI9qRXxuFBgHiZYGoz_8xfdKTLbr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="600" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPNzv6w-ySFJ1D3ukY9yhKdX8pt94aqCVQY730QxnK3tqlKXp5sp7jpeeAq6QXld2A39ZqIFR2S6MQtmPoVkw0luLDJkq2_AHLyL-zJzkunhoZpKWgrwsvQjOmevUgtHkagpVE5dUnEa30VtQVvtnT9TV6g8wGEI9qRXxuFBgHiZYGoz_8xfdKTLbr=w400-h387" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-sown dill in our garden is an impressive six-feet tall<br />by the end of May. I haven't bought dill seed for more than<br />ten years, and yet we have had a good supply of this <br />wonderful herb every year anyway. <b>How sustainable!</b><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Managing dill in Florida gardens</h3>
<p>The planting and growing advice that we provided in "<a href="https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813068763" target="_blank">Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida</a>" is:</p>
<p>"<b>Planting</b>:
Plant the seeds directly in the garden every few weeks starting in the fall.
Gardeners in colder areas in the northernmost part of the state may lose some
of their dill to the cold, but dill will last through most Florida winters.
Dill has a long taproot, so it doesn't transplant well after the seedling
stage." Note: I ignore this advice, because my dill self seeds in our vegetable beds. It's been years since I've purchased dill seeds. Some years I have transplanted the seedlings into rows away from the other cool-weather crops, but mostly I let them grow where they want. </p>
<p>"<b>Growing</b>:
Full sun or slight shade; more shade in South Florida. Once the hot weather
hits, dill bolts quickly. Some growers blanch the lower stems by mounding soil
around them. The white stems are said to be milder, and are sometimes used in
Asian cooking."</p>
<p>"<b>Maintaining</b>:
The long taproot makes dill somewhat drought tolerant after the seedling stage.
Cutting back the stems will postpone the flowering, but do allow some to flower
in order to attract the beneficial insects. Once you have allowed the dill to
go to seed, it's likely to show up randomly in next year's garden. Learn to
recognize its seedling stage so you can quickly move volunteers to appropriate
beds."</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjED-NJUaObOJSjfhJ07jIEKT7-BZHR-iN0W_XKS3xoTSuo3zXPwOLqIWL4mZh3LYwTDEPm27KI6Csp_sWQTsv_sr0kXKlDsHCCYckq8jL8Xp0RGOfeuQz8IiPzxEJGQiiB7x6NxxVc88_usFdQj6nTxLfstowB6Aslq_X27-7byEv0UWuzBNXKaa8s" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="650" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjED-NJUaObOJSjfhJ07jIEKT7-BZHR-iN0W_XKS3xoTSuo3zXPwOLqIWL4mZh3LYwTDEPm27KI6Csp_sWQTsv_sr0kXKlDsHCCYckq8jL8Xp0RGOfeuQz8IiPzxEJGQiiB7x6NxxVc88_usFdQj6nTxLfstowB6Aslq_X27-7byEv0UWuzBNXKaa8s=w400-h317" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting dill seed in a bag.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>"<b>Harvesting</b>:
Cut leaves as needed. They can be dried, but they are definitely better fresh.
To harvest the seeds, wait until they turn brown, place the whole flower head
in a bag, and then shake the seeds loose."</p>
<p>"<b>Using</b>: Use
the leaves uncooked as a garnish or in salads and dressings. If you cook dill,
add it late in the cooking process, as it will lose flavor; it is good in soups
and stir-fries. The seeds can be used not only in pickling, but also in potato
or pasta salads. The dill stems can be sliced thinly and used in stir-fries or
soups."</p><p><br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx-mMpRziZVn52IGnmC75tu6JWGRoeEnRYr8E2zDTIyXY6Hz1Gpiaiy8wXi6duHOFCae7Fco-F20ZU-3xf5BwPBjtkcN5YsPF06w4GuU39oTcFV2tvlwiYiuZRZYozNg5fjOsDiFx-D3qkGxrSqY2m7QZqars_Q6YqHkfKsAMFEolZAZym1dUdCfyQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx-mMpRziZVn52IGnmC75tu6JWGRoeEnRYr8E2zDTIyXY6Hz1Gpiaiy8wXi6duHOFCae7Fco-F20ZU-3xf5BwPBjtkcN5YsPF06w4GuU39oTcFV2tvlwiYiuZRZYozNg5fjOsDiFx-D3qkGxrSqY2m7QZqars_Q6YqHkfKsAMFEolZAZym1dUdCfyQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black swallowtail cats in the dill.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Why do the native black swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on my exotic dill and parsley?</h3>
<p>This butterfly species (<i>Papilio polyxenes asterius</i>) always lays its eggs on members of the carrot family (Apiaceae) and there are any number of natives that they could use to feed their cats, such as water hemlock, cowbane, or blacksnakeroot. But maybe my dill just tastes better than those mostly poisonous relatives. Perhaps our native plants are smarter than dill and produce chemicals that moderate herbivore activity. After all, dill has been bred to taste good to the human palate.</p>
<p>For more information and photos of all stages of this butterfly, read this UF profile of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly (<i><a href="https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/bfly2/eastern_black_swallowtail.htm" target="_blank">Papilio polyxenes asterius</a></i>). (Note: some people mistake this caterpillar for the monarch butterfly, but if it's on a carrot family plant, it's not a monarch.)</p><p>So, I hope that if you haven't grown dill before that you add some of this easy-to-grow crop to your home-grown vegetable and herb collection. It will make your food dill-icious!</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-12281973414192432522023-05-01T05:46:00.071-04:002023-05-01T05:46:00.136-04:00Hibiscus: Plants with the most beautiful flowers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM-Ql0TGWuIkoASDFDmUGPrnEsVNod0zQlW28C1vLAvyo3TUPNpiJj1PSl2N8VHLj5VDA9TWTeAXvpjmiFvnqKtw7LSJnpL54KMGLrDr3EnB0o0ECMmkHrtL_hnqBZi6Mq-WVoEP0m0wUhdg7AkN2r5nopMCfu4SV_c_7mXw_yearWSaWXyyVVCkI/s800/scarletrosemallow07-28-22Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="800" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM-Ql0TGWuIkoASDFDmUGPrnEsVNod0zQlW28C1vLAvyo3TUPNpiJj1PSl2N8VHLj5VDA9TWTeAXvpjmiFvnqKtw7LSJnpL54KMGLrDr3EnB0o0ECMmkHrtL_hnqBZi6Mq-WVoEP0m0wUhdg7AkN2r5nopMCfu4SV_c_7mXw_yearWSaWXyyVVCkI/w400-h345/scarletrosemallow07-28-22Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scarlet rosemallow (<i>Hibiscus coccineus</i>):<br /> a Florida native<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>There are 432 Hibiscus species that are found worldwide, and with their beautiful flowers, many are grown in gardens and some are even used as crops. In general, the flowers are large and showy.</p><p>For example, see the scarlet rosemallow in the lead photo. Here there are five green sepals subtending five large red petals. The pistil, the female reproductive part of a plant, is attached to the center of the flower. The pistil is made up of a five-chambered ovary where seeds develop, the style that is a long tube between the ovary and five round stigmas where the pollen is absorbed. A stamen, the male reproductive structure, consists of the anther that holds the pollen, and a stalk called the filament. In hibiscus flowers, the filaments fuse into a tube that surrounds the style. Numerous anthers stick out from the filaments below the five stigmas at the top of the style. The prominent pistil with all those anthers is one reason the hibiscus flowers are so showy.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Nine hibiscus species are Florida natives, but there are also six nonnative species that have escaped cultivation. (See the <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Results.aspx" target="_blank">Atlas of Florida Plants for the list</a>.) There are also many more nonnative species being grown that have not escaped cultivation and have not been vouchered in the wild. The <a href="The male reproductive structure in a plant is called the stamen. It is made up of the anther that holds the pollen and a stalk called the filament on which the anther sits. In a hibiscus flower, the filaments fuse into a tube that surrounds the style. Numerous anthers stick out from the filaments " target="_blank">FNPS plants database</a> includes seven of the native hibiscus species, which generally means that they are at least somewhat available in the native plant trade. <span></span></p><!--more--><p></p><p>Hibiscus is in the mallow family (Malvaceae). For more on the family and some of its useful members including cacao (chocolate) and the history of marshmallows, read my post on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/roselle-floridas-cranberry.html" target="_blank">roselle</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiW_uw0o86inUoTE-h8sE1pQFb6_hNw98VR-5dBRyxWtaUN7gWJylW5deLi1VJBHTnkU7wi_xNIHlUwiRmiwDFHrgyxhDYsk569mDjaimMva06WKXs3y0O7CUOeMduM19rgCVwTfj6KJZZaPpZkqHWDllpRCBiEUuJnFHYx4uRcAqj9p2pKgBDQt3/s831/hibicusrangemap.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="831" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiW_uw0o86inUoTE-h8sE1pQFb6_hNw98VR-5dBRyxWtaUN7gWJylW5deLi1VJBHTnkU7wi_xNIHlUwiRmiwDFHrgyxhDYsk569mDjaimMva06WKXs3y0O7CUOeMduM19rgCVwTfj6KJZZaPpZkqHWDllpRCBiEUuJnFHYx4uRcAqj9p2pKgBDQt3/w640-h298/hibicusrangemap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kew's worldwide range map for the 432 hibiscus species.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">A favorite Florida native hibiscus</span></h3><p><span style="text-align: center;">Scarlet rosemallow (</span><i style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus coccineus</i><span style="text-align: center;">), with its huge blooms (about nine inches across), is my favorite hibiscus and I'm not alone. It's marked as a favorite on the FNPS plant database. Years ago, when I regularly participated as a vendor at local garden-day plant sales events, I would always buy this plant to put next to my table for a couple of reasons: First, I knew I had a good place to plant it on the shoreline of the pond in our front yard. Secondly, it was a marketing decision because I knew people would stop and make some comment about the shape of the leaves. Third, it was one way to support the vendors who were selling native plants. One year, I bought a white one, which was striking, but it did not persist like the red ones, which are still going strong a decade later. </span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhhMBAitTJWE49nXn6seT1dXfWtNPSivFnGcZMZ7RtOoBotrziu3vwPeoVmopkM9b04jKHE4cq8oo_PfVGUgJ4BMIIer7n1Dp83vrq3-q0bTZUBd4ZuWX3oF6LJdSclPmfyYjQg_Snd5D-HadRw5PDklL5p3KAXD5KOElX6iSSRyD-sBSeRBvBgpw/s618/scarletrosemallow07-20-19Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhhMBAitTJWE49nXn6seT1dXfWtNPSivFnGcZMZ7RtOoBotrziu3vwPeoVmopkM9b04jKHE4cq8oo_PfVGUgJ4BMIIer7n1Dp83vrq3-q0bTZUBd4ZuWX3oF6LJdSclPmfyYjQg_Snd5D-HadRw5PDklL5p3KAXD5KOElX6iSSRyD-sBSeRBvBgpw/s320/scarletrosemallow07-20-19Stibolt.jpg" width="272" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyPLonRZidiZ6X4EdsTZL3C46HUcXcmZDzX4AHDUNazMdAuhaNG-Mw7Y1oK2KNYwYrQS7YSMGS-o7XJNCtMFUIU4nMhaXn6_mdlw_4OuBUiTRPa-ZZYY6Z98N9ta_Us_Jy7nyGJdwzhx_UJ7TjzBOf9gV2iNDzvMPCee1Wc8JEzOr_oJ0h8CSbrX-/s600/summer10%20693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyPLonRZidiZ6X4EdsTZL3C46HUcXcmZDzX4AHDUNazMdAuhaNG-Mw7Y1oK2KNYwYrQS7YSMGS-o7XJNCtMFUIU4nMhaXn6_mdlw_4OuBUiTRPa-ZZYY6Z98N9ta_Us_Jy7nyGJdwzhx_UJ7TjzBOf9gV2iNDzvMPCee1Wc8JEzOr_oJ0h8CSbrX-/s320/summer10%20693.jpg" width="281" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet rosemallows need wet feet.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A white Hibiscus coccineus</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>One year, when I was driving the back roads of Florida on a book tour, I stopped to take photos of this stand of scarlet rosemallows growing at the edge of a wetland next to the road. They were 15 feet tall and there were so many of them.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6Lx8y0_UA1ca5N-T0OipZKv5KYMxPGpVNtdnqZbeB0Ognga7aplRYe7F6hJJHLQAOq6RHqnjQNUzUICjaQTwDCwmG2hsrW1UYwIbHiWvVdsXODVKqHkJBULve6BvanCt3bH7vTYufRfrTzO5l7tkQItYFEGzHGhe1kbZULJK0rU-Ias33DqWvMXd/s750/IMG_1817.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6Lx8y0_UA1ca5N-T0OipZKv5KYMxPGpVNtdnqZbeB0Ognga7aplRYe7F6hJJHLQAOq6RHqnjQNUzUICjaQTwDCwmG2hsrW1UYwIbHiWvVdsXODVKqHkJBULve6BvanCt3bH7vTYufRfrTzO5l7tkQItYFEGzHGhe1kbZULJK0rU-Ias33DqWvMXd/w640-h320/IMG_1817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet rosemallows along a roadside in Central Florida were 15 feet tall!</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Garden rosemallows</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Garden rosemallows (<i style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus rosa-sinensis var. rosa-sinensis</i><span style="text-align: center;">) is native to </span>Vanuatu, an island chain in the South Pacific west of Fiji and east-northeast of Australia, but is widely used as a tropical garden plant or a house plant around the world. Some botanists place the fringed rosemallow (<i>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis var. schizopetalus</i>), a scrambling shrub/vine, as a separate species, but the Atlas for Florida Plants considers it as a variety of the garden rosemallow. It's native to Kenya and Tanzania in eastern Africa. They are both widely planted in Florida.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There were several garden rosemallows in the landscape and planted in containers when we bought our house in 2004. Like most hibiscus, the petals are edible and I used them often in salads--I could select yellow, orange, or pink petals. The ones in the ground would die back after frosts in the winter, but they grew back in the spring for a few years, but eventually they all died. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT2lzalc6ksFrD_8nP79SfuCvqqMz6cf7ioLYfA_XU0-7Frpr62O8Y-bV_NzySd7iR2UyKBLZG6hGkN8Nped-RJSn1rqq93NQYJtfp_GAjcfv0GZ263d-HR5ZSFTB5_notEvzxgHKfXLMvtV7Su6nHb8g_BEJNNlo06jet5yjRhig6Xg2bPKGzjgF/s600/fla%20357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT2lzalc6ksFrD_8nP79SfuCvqqMz6cf7ioLYfA_XU0-7Frpr62O8Y-bV_NzySd7iR2UyKBLZG6hGkN8Nped-RJSn1rqq93NQYJtfp_GAjcfv0GZ263d-HR5ZSFTB5_notEvzxgHKfXLMvtV7Su6nHb8g_BEJNNlo06jet5yjRhig6Xg2bPKGzjgF/s320/fla%20357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8dGLkyIGqzfai-8v141PsKExqM7ZolTBN3HYwAH7cKN4Jp-y69T41K9ure1g_GeviRFI4swrffRzcZkI9H-G8KhLL8bxHXCdNLv_dzz0qHqEtvfaKLrkbAPFjg9tKoyoLVXA01FEBcL1mMdq8UyWJAJ99hDqg4ZGgTH7f4ecVmok4nJgh-sg1LxE/s650/Summer08%20264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="650" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8dGLkyIGqzfai-8v141PsKExqM7ZolTBN3HYwAH7cKN4Jp-y69T41K9ure1g_GeviRFI4swrffRzcZkI9H-G8KhLL8bxHXCdNLv_dzz0qHqEtvfaKLrkbAPFjg9tKoyoLVXA01FEBcL1mMdq8UyWJAJ99hDqg4ZGgTH7f4ecVmok4nJgh-sg1LxE/s320/Summer08%20264.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden rosemallow in a container on the back porch.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A garden favorite: <i>Hibiscus rosa-sinensis var. rosa-sinensis</i></td>
</tr></tbody></table>I took these two photos (below) of the beautiful pink garden mallow flower and of the native scarlet rosemallow leaves on the same day in December. The native species had stopped blooming and was planning ahead for the winter by absorbing the chlorophyl and by losing its leaves in its preparation to die back, while the nonnative was partying like there's no tomorrow. It reminds me of the old Æsop fable of "<a href="https://read.gov/aesop/052.html" target="_blank">The Ant & the Grasshopper</a>."<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FRXAdCLjcPKyGl2tCVx369JWlR-dOPycuoBgtlaWWp6wYWhcaQZptyNI1V6zi9mg_hKclSqf0LhrIlxqKfQe1eLOt2fN-Ile473OKBuqVZJn0jHv00sN3-yOTax1ceOzQT8TpQ1kA31NpUhqQpPLeePZhUDCvzQ-S4KPo_7E5wdL4ek2eCXD5E3Y/s596/IMG_1090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FRXAdCLjcPKyGl2tCVx369JWlR-dOPycuoBgtlaWWp6wYWhcaQZptyNI1V6zi9mg_hKclSqf0LhrIlxqKfQe1eLOt2fN-Ile473OKBuqVZJn0jHv00sN3-yOTax1ceOzQT8TpQ1kA31NpUhqQpPLeePZhUDCvzQ-S4KPo_7E5wdL4ek2eCXD5E3Y/s320/IMG_1090.JPG" width="295" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j9omu-QwzWVBETz-TgwU3NGokEuKvtgFHSFahExMstVgIFQMcbIx9TJfr1ES1YDHt7gJfHuQ36JGgjcGmd9zmhGerq_2ZNtnvtcbnbx9HvKzWzp11-f9rEdhteNFGwP4I1CZRYnNeDGXpPXUHD-UH9YI_n-GScr41zJRX1NRVaoEfXtJmW1-s25d/s527/fallhiviscus-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j9omu-QwzWVBETz-TgwU3NGokEuKvtgFHSFahExMstVgIFQMcbIx9TJfr1ES1YDHt7gJfHuQ36JGgjcGmd9zmhGerq_2ZNtnvtcbnbx9HvKzWzp11-f9rEdhteNFGwP4I1CZRYnNeDGXpPXUHD-UH9YI_n-GScr41zJRX1NRVaoEfXtJmW1-s25d/s320/fallhiviscus-Stibolt.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden rosemallow in December in North Florida</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet rosemallow in December.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Hibiscus crops</h3>
<p>There are two African hibiscus species that are grown as crops in Florida: <br />- <b>Roselle</b> (<i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>) has edible leaves, but the main crop is the calyx and epicalyx (the sepals) and not the fruit. They have an acidic taste and a burgundy color, which is surprisingly similar to cranberries and can be used instead of cranberries to make tea, sauce, and pies. <br />- <b>Cranberry hibiscus</b> or false roselle (<i>Hibiscus acetosella</i>), which is grown for its sour leaves to use in salads and also to make tea. The epithet "acetosella" refers to sorrel and the sour taste. For more details read my article: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/roselle-floridas-cranberry.html" target="_blank">Roselle: Florida's cranberry</a>. </p><p>As mentioned above, you can eat any of the hibiscus flowers, but some such as the roselle and the okra are too slimy to be appetizing raw, but they could be used in soups that may need some thickening.</p><p>While okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>) is not a hibiscus, it is in the same family and the same subfamily: Malvoideae. It's a fast growing, heat-loving annual crop also native to Africa. When I grew burgundy okra, I was struck by how much it looked like the roselle--both the flower and the burgundy color of the stems and fruit. Read my post: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/08/okra-fast-growing-heat-loving-crop.html" target="_blank">Okra: a fast-growing, heat-loving crop</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQWpKUUYnLxz-oMaMZ19HmOJZsQdipHJMms9iBYXAEEfUlo5DAz3uAzfQE5rXCX0rAus6vDx4Q8-YmUmDwbLn32md4flJtjjwrmaiojZ_0up8xSyzJNa2f2VQI1Q8dvIGFywsbp1YOs0qy03qKHxEmyXw0JBCOnMeW_-9isl3Trr5R749D8-y0EKt/s610/Roselleharvestb%2010-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQWpKUUYnLxz-oMaMZ19HmOJZsQdipHJMms9iBYXAEEfUlo5DAz3uAzfQE5rXCX0rAus6vDx4Q8-YmUmDwbLn32md4flJtjjwrmaiojZ_0up8xSyzJNa2f2VQI1Q8dvIGFywsbp1YOs0qy03qKHxEmyXw0JBCOnMeW_-9isl3Trr5R749D8-y0EKt/s320/Roselleharvestb%2010-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="236" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNATh7Ce-o3wPegtwZC8P8H0ij8EgxuIjt4HB0-ubftgRweuRsUcNFqXcsE-kfjjPPQMcJXJ1aAXeIsT3C3hFFK7vYxC0YZRL5c2sYN2eeRqJx5X_xDXmjMZ_mpUiEuC6Qh4kWCHjUi4KaXEADeCoUqxStx_xdpAYR-ibegB5xNvJEfw2n8VuyivGp/s641/BurgundyOkra-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="641" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNATh7Ce-o3wPegtwZC8P8H0ij8EgxuIjt4HB0-ubftgRweuRsUcNFqXcsE-kfjjPPQMcJXJ1aAXeIsT3C3hFFK7vYxC0YZRL5c2sYN2eeRqJx5X_xDXmjMZ_mpUiEuC6Qh4kWCHjUi4KaXEADeCoUqxStx_xdpAYR-ibegB5xNvJEfw2n8VuyivGp/s320/BurgundyOkra-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvesting roselle where I'm holding three of the fruits. It's the outer layer, the calyx, that will become a pie or a sauce. I compost the fruit.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This burgundy okra looks surprisingly similar to roselle--both the color and the flower.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Also in the mallow family...</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wPhJNKqG0QjW4gcsu8wSC0kmNmqnENw0G9bt4jPFZ_Ss_jUgwEi9m2B-xRAMUhTqdRq3hZ7MfXdw5aoAZXjGJXEC3ccemXAMrmq91RJAZmo2J9szMYEHnthCKks3k-FqmugClRuRP593weAwNcauHkhVxaP10UCnwrWsGBLDZG1w5phJGYlrnoxr/s750/IMG_2554.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="750" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wPhJNKqG0QjW4gcsu8wSC0kmNmqnENw0G9bt4jPFZ_Ss_jUgwEi9m2B-xRAMUhTqdRq3hZ7MfXdw5aoAZXjGJXEC3ccemXAMrmq91RJAZmo2J9szMYEHnthCKks3k-FqmugClRuRP593weAwNcauHkhVxaP10UCnwrWsGBLDZG1w5phJGYlrnoxr/w640-h450/IMG_2554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia saltmarsh mallow (<i>Kosteletzkya pentacarpos</i>) could be mistaken for a hibiscus because of its beautiful pink flowers. It occurs naturally on brackish or freshwater marshes through most of Florida and coastal areas as far north as New York and to the southern tip of Texas. The population in the photo is growing on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville where the river is an estuary and subjected to brackish tidal flows. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p>So, add some native hibiscus to your landscape and try some roselle for an easy-to-grow crop. </p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-16263473180356406102023-04-01T02:36:00.002-04:002023-06-02T06:53:53.510-04:00Netted chain ferns<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL7r4d-dYh8CNjfz4LYk1nB9mDYfr8pf5Q64jztQGGsuP9MLL8D09VPmhRallkUwMYWCfgyXm1RS1aotdr-LQ1ngzsboVzCQ4u_3nkJp94Lz4E_7Pnwy7yiC3mwHbeA9WSbDkCXydU9aLkwtU9AgafTItzyWzUH-fUT69-aHYevTrMN_ZT7tIq-h4/s600/Nettedchain%20fern-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="600" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL7r4d-dYh8CNjfz4LYk1nB9mDYfr8pf5Q64jztQGGsuP9MLL8D09VPmhRallkUwMYWCfgyXm1RS1aotdr-LQ1ngzsboVzCQ4u_3nkJp94Lz4E_7Pnwy7yiC3mwHbeA9WSbDkCXydU9aLkwtU9AgafTItzyWzUH-fUT69-aHYevTrMN_ZT7tIq-h4/w400-h379/Nettedchain%20fern-Stibolt.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netted chain fern: sterile fronds.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><b>The netted chain fern</b> (<i>Woodwardia areolata</i>) is native to eastern North America including <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3686" target="_blank">most of Florida</a>. It spreads via rhizomes and acts as a ground cover in partially shaded areas with some moisture. </p><p>Leaves or fronds are dimorphic with the sterile leaves being flat and relatively broad for a fern, while the fertile fronds (those bearing the spores in structures called sori. (Sorus is the singular.)) are taller and have very little green leafy area. For this fern, sori are oblong and are arranged in neat lines, this is the characteristic that gives the chain ferns their name. In North Florida and in more northerly areas in its range, the green sterile fronds die back in the winter, while the fertile fronds persist through the winter.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Because the fertile and sterile fronds are so different (frond dimorphism), some botanists have separated this species into its own genus: the monotypic genus <i>Lorinseria</i> where it would be known as (<i>Lorinseria areolata</i>). The Atlas of Florida Plants, my go-to naming authority, uses the original name given to it by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus" target="_blank">Carl Linnaeus</a> so long ago: <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3686" target="_blank">Here's the link to that profile</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPOT8eO2MudN68d6xd8SyPhqSuOR6T15l7Z56evfPrBt38Af33hvONhuBIbbmoqpc9B87HdxOSQjmkW3sq9tvqUkQTMhSj7UlbfpdHBjN6SgUcZf-tIaWYkvU4sZ8b3Hlu3j5eRHa88wvrvUWdA3-p5nHXGMDEQHA6_c1Vke4HFTd8Z0VFUD1GeSV/s666/Fall08%20146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPOT8eO2MudN68d6xd8SyPhqSuOR6T15l7Z56evfPrBt38Af33hvONhuBIbbmoqpc9B87HdxOSQjmkW3sq9tvqUkQTMhSj7UlbfpdHBjN6SgUcZf-tIaWYkvU4sZ8b3Hlu3j5eRHa88wvrvUWdA3-p5nHXGMDEQHA6_c1Vke4HFTd8Z0VFUD1GeSV/w300-h400/Fall08%20146.jpg" width="300" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCKvpQk_79oLt5iFlCuCKp_AKkqCym_ud-pbjOHD5gwT_WxY7EFPvVEBFmmroEbVHcNMop024oGDgNHYoSOOaa_IL_rX0248PWdO-QytBDRIdpwzDokqB7pJeJm1a8oCEGw_s2HHhVijs5tKcIg17sMC_cZfV_XzqXXvQ2fkh6tXwmSUa7U5I6OWH/s553/nettedchainfern1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCKvpQk_79oLt5iFlCuCKp_AKkqCym_ud-pbjOHD5gwT_WxY7EFPvVEBFmmroEbVHcNMop024oGDgNHYoSOOaa_IL_rX0248PWdO-QytBDRIdpwzDokqB7pJeJm1a8oCEGw_s2HHhVijs5tKcIg17sMC_cZfV_XzqXXvQ2fkh6tXwmSUa7U5I6OWH/w289-h400/nettedchainfern1.jpg" width="289" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fertile fronds begin forming in the fall. They will persist through the winter, while the sterile fronds will die back.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sori are lined up in a chain-like formation on the back side of the fertile fronds, which is why these are called chain ferns.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp-hB4T9WeXu7Zs9w9s1GeAwcJmDRXU39SxLMzPKBj3IcLDrUFLhPpOXKtkT9Z00rUeUgAj3lfpTCWE2GGduXe0pKYUM7ktd8Szllg6cGtJMlAkua-PrWsOmmOXXSx0NlblOnXkFL1v-bpLxmNw6D1gpTz2X_qTx68cZYssgrOEhGTQ0XsffXb3NN/s750/IMG_3400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="750" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp-hB4T9WeXu7Zs9w9s1GeAwcJmDRXU39SxLMzPKBj3IcLDrUFLhPpOXKtkT9Z00rUeUgAj3lfpTCWE2GGduXe0pKYUM7ktd8Szllg6cGtJMlAkua-PrWsOmmOXXSx0NlblOnXkFL1v-bpLxmNw6D1gpTz2X_qTx68cZYssgrOEhGTQ0XsffXb3NN/w640-h461/IMG_3400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These ferns make a great ground cover in transition areas next to wooded spaces. The sterile fronds are usually less than a foot tall unless they are in a constantly moist location, like the edge of a pond. They grow very well in the partial shade at the bases of the trees. In this photo, the 20 feet of ferns from sprinkler head mounted on the white pole to the edge of the mowed area used to be lawn and the sprinkler head at this location was a flush-to-the-ground, pop-up head so that it could be mowed over. <br />(See my "<a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-hand-of-gardener-in-native.html" target="_blank">Hand of the Gardener</a>" post for more details.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3>Netted chain ferns as edging for lawns</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk18H7zArkNWLY5FNR477-lN9MMZnZqMGHFQPaRB7wtFCGi_KVkVKB4Z_3Qr9mR4TREW3aY6rPGw12N7N4ll_T-dXniFb3fv5bVr549pUE4iSqFV4QVE3nG7_JyQcUd1XI_ZpQRfOX_r4ZEazk1DQXtoFopj7kmbmP1FqJ-MMoWxtxa_fRhKtK-WMx/s600/edges3Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk18H7zArkNWLY5FNR477-lN9MMZnZqMGHFQPaRB7wtFCGi_KVkVKB4Z_3Qr9mR4TREW3aY6rPGw12N7N4ll_T-dXniFb3fv5bVr549pUE4iSqFV4QVE3nG7_JyQcUd1XI_ZpQRfOX_r4ZEazk1DQXtoFopj7kmbmP1FqJ-MMoWxtxa_fRhKtK-WMx/s16000/edges3Stibolt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netted chain ferns and other ferns create a good border for the edge of a lawn.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ0Tsx3pFs0AYTf7GeVxDBW_ieRb-IRrBrUk-GQa3_JdqQQTqhgOMUPQOlvoaZ4m8lWL6Q_ASx5OYl0wgqmEhEGVg3Rewlorlw0Xh5wyzwgEUKhPCCnbVdPpX62RVU-OkrroYqUo9Ep1denRlhaDJl10S8-izk7RVnbju92yinpnyc6gjOHxbkzqi/s600/IMG_7381.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ0Tsx3pFs0AYTf7GeVxDBW_ieRb-IRrBrUk-GQa3_JdqQQTqhgOMUPQOlvoaZ4m8lWL6Q_ASx5OYl0wgqmEhEGVg3Rewlorlw0Xh5wyzwgEUKhPCCnbVdPpX62RVU-OkrroYqUo9Ep1denRlhaDJl10S8-izk7RVnbju92yinpnyc6gjOHxbkzqi/s320/IMG_7381.jpg" width="283" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJajMiIZIfNyWL_dmYwayRISmhd5GQsRP0ZLIik1snXs4bNAVIliPfzomzkxC6Bump2we2Gxa3ptoHht8ViGEZHwqYNwfDQAmFrAmWo1fMsATXt8fwBwwR3ljOrxNYUPQJ-d5kYnLnQxNcteFiiQkJRfrqdwYGiXKZ_8Jlyt-ssZgYneDveB8w_gj/s600/IMG_3348.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJajMiIZIfNyWL_dmYwayRISmhd5GQsRP0ZLIik1snXs4bNAVIliPfzomzkxC6Bump2we2Gxa3ptoHht8ViGEZHwqYNwfDQAmFrAmWo1fMsATXt8fwBwwR3ljOrxNYUPQJ-d5kYnLnQxNcteFiiQkJRfrqdwYGiXKZ_8Jlyt-ssZgYneDveB8w_gj/s320/IMG_3348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The netted chain ferns spread into the lawn area.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fern being relocated from the lawn.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>The fronds of these ferns arch over the edges of the mowed area, so my husband runs the mower along that edge under the arching fronds. And because the fronds shade the area, the grass and other plants don't grow as well as in uncovered edges where there is more light. Also, since these ferns spread via rhizomes, they sneak out into the mowed area, so on my once every three years trip around the edges of the lawn, I'll either extend the ferns further out to reduce the mowed area or I'll transplant the wayward ferns to areas that need more coverage. They transplant well. </p>
<h3>Netted chain ferns in rain gardens</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DJwW2eavBIwAsl1ahSrJp4htHM3Xl7mWHEKkSJP9oV51CnhYOkQgKlc4UiHSx0HCDdSQxe20ISoSjzSSM2qyPga8jWLoPJsHdBPuVBURb-8fvsDgzA8I7xYGu_ykkSxts6PETVRbfPrL_Ov9u0RgsqWSlQ6C0GklQYrr6MaZCYUg0jopUC7FV_VQ/s750/IMG_2040.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="750" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DJwW2eavBIwAsl1ahSrJp4htHM3Xl7mWHEKkSJP9oV51CnhYOkQgKlc4UiHSx0HCDdSQxe20ISoSjzSSM2qyPga8jWLoPJsHdBPuVBURb-8fvsDgzA8I7xYGu_ykkSxts6PETVRbfPrL_Ov9u0RgsqWSlQ6C0GklQYrr6MaZCYUg0jopUC7FV_VQ/w640-h324/IMG_2040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Netted chain fern makes a good rain garden plant because of its coverage and sturdy root system.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>These ferns are a good addition to rain gardens because they can tolerate flooding as well as some dryness. The fact that they go dormant in the winter helps them survive Florida's seven-month dry season. They will fill in between larger plants so there is more water absorption.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwnn5v5TztJRycbstYrwCTMuw72lte9yXQbIHYnG-AjvXe3kA_oOZ1ECdoQ6ntvuaMVQWDMw24PJCCBP918I9pYv2RsHRV26ThjwRMxX1eKtlVyoGW1ajQCmtR1P2w10P-p0yxP-1-2g2v4Otp12tmN_l9wjd9AuXeZDM-bh24759xgGxtMLhRz1Y/s650/woodwardiaareolata-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="650" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwnn5v5TztJRycbstYrwCTMuw72lte9yXQbIHYnG-AjvXe3kA_oOZ1ECdoQ6ntvuaMVQWDMw24PJCCBP918I9pYv2RsHRV26ThjwRMxX1eKtlVyoGW1ajQCmtR1P2w10P-p0yxP-1-2g2v4Otp12tmN_l9wjd9AuXeZDM-bh24759xgGxtMLhRz1Y/s320/woodwardiaareolata-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These netted chain ferns mixed with some <br />goldenrods next to a wooded area.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One note about our netted chain ferns is that they have planted themselves. Yes, I've transplanted some when they've volunteered in unwanted places or when I want to start a new population somewhere, but I've not had to purchase any of them. And in fact, I've potted some up to be sold or raffled off at our native plant society chapter events. I think every gardener in Central or North Florida will find plenty of places to plant these easy-to-grow ferns.</p>
<p>To find native plant vendors with this plant in stock, <a href="https://www.fann.org/plants/detail/woodwardia-areolata" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-6555566542212735352023-02-28T19:41:00.001-05:002023-11-14T07:19:36.216-05:00Green-eyes: beautiful and resilient Florida wildflowers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bXxISDYarUF495Bg6s2_QG07IsM_2iFfieV2D34epWYtad0jZRPqQ7TD79XZz01_AEKNqxsiQPwiS7Gng9TcmRLF9sD9U2WZkuIQ0kQ2r0Ufy-1XN50O90vZQYjfsm-wNGg4lXlZ8RNlujI64iJU8sjySQdiPb2lO5yPEwrfYfMUaBy97zobEu_u/s650/Greeneyesa-07-08-19-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="650" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bXxISDYarUF495Bg6s2_QG07IsM_2iFfieV2D34epWYtad0jZRPqQ7TD79XZz01_AEKNqxsiQPwiS7Gng9TcmRLF9sD9U2WZkuIQ0kQ2r0Ufy-1XN50O90vZQYjfsm-wNGg4lXlZ8RNlujI64iJU8sjySQdiPb2lO5yPEwrfYfMUaBy97zobEu_u/w400-h371/Greeneyesa-07-08-19-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida greeneyes bloom nearly year-round and attract <br />many types of pollinators. Notice how showy the <br />disk florets are with their extra-long stamens <br />and their folded-down top edges. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><b>The greeneyes </b>(<i>Berlandiera</i> spp.) are in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and have the typical flower head arrangement of this family with fertile central disk florets that produce the seeds surrounded by sterile showy ray florets that look and act like petals. They are perennials with a long tap root.</p><p>In the case of greeneyes, the flower heads consist of about eight bright yellow ray florets, each with a notched tip, surrounding a head of greenish-yellow tubular disk florets, which is, of course, why they are called greeneyes. When disk florets open, they reveal maroon anthers and a long yellow stigma, and they smell like chocolate. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Two greeneyes species are native to Florida</h3><p><b>Florida greeneyes </b>(<i>Berlandiera subacaulis</i>) is endemic to Florida with its range going from a few counties in northeastern Florida down through all of Central Florida with a disjunct population in Dade County in South Florida. See its range map on the <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=17" target="_blank">Atlas of Florida Plants</a>. The leaves are more or less lobed and are mostly basal and the flower heads are solitary and borne at top of a mostly leafless scape. This species is the one mostly commonly sold by native nurseries and you can also buy its seeds.</p><p><b>Soft green eyes</b> (<i>B. pumila</i>) is native to North Florida and also to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina according to <a href="http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/berlandiera%20pumila.png" target="_blank">Biota of North America</a>. The leaves are serrated (not lobed) and occur mostly along a main stem, which also supports three or more flower heads borne on separate scapes at the top of the main stem.</p><p>Then in St. Johns County in northeast Florida, there is also a hybrid of these two species (<a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=4183" target="_blank"><i>B. x humilis</i></a>) that was named and collected by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kunkel_Small" target="_blank">John Kunkel Small</a>, a botanist who explored Florida in the early 1900s. Whether it still exists there is certainly a question. The only image I could find of this plant is the type specimen in a herbarium--no photos. St. Johns County is not listed as part of the range of Florida greeneyes, so exploring that county for greeneyes would be an interesting project.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjXORNgirN1y35v2hJP5CL-OxKXFhS_xHfnm0sohXwTxaSqEZzB8UmuGVHlFFDqQZ6zw17iU3Wt-ripkOLWB_1X2OXiO0iOo0T_P59-_8NQjGu75dRcApMqNfhVPGNjDtWR2Bb3MFdNfhazUR-22mHx43C0EhLmn73I0GUQzFUKUKkpsW0KTbCgM1/s621/Greeneyes2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="475" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjXORNgirN1y35v2hJP5CL-OxKXFhS_xHfnm0sohXwTxaSqEZzB8UmuGVHlFFDqQZ6zw17iU3Wt-ripkOLWB_1X2OXiO0iOo0T_P59-_8NQjGu75dRcApMqNfhVPGNjDtWR2Bb3MFdNfhazUR-22mHx43C0EhLmn73I0GUQzFUKUKkpsW0KTbCgM1/w306-h400/Greeneyes2014.jpg" width="306" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdbY4dylTNtT0lFVgKX9QQUsnyCbAuD9Qt3-rdRIsUaCBBMnymb4YuXb4oPd_ghl3ArE2w5sXgJcoUS-D_kDyu64D-JYBmNSj05tbXmwk7YUkG8BXsesYDOqjcffxvRwQsg8cj2PGKH3aXHahpOfNffjoFZh5CDCvzWOLkAbyAgduStB6DLKwFsXn/s600/Greeneyes-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdbY4dylTNtT0lFVgKX9QQUsnyCbAuD9Qt3-rdRIsUaCBBMnymb4YuXb4oPd_ghl3ArE2w5sXgJcoUS-D_kDyu64D-JYBmNSj05tbXmwk7YUkG8BXsesYDOqjcffxvRwQsg8cj2PGKH3aXHahpOfNffjoFZh5CDCvzWOLkAbyAgduStB6DLKwFsXn/s320/Greeneyes-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft greeneyes (<i>B. pumila</i>) has leaves on the stems.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida green eyes (<i>B. subacaulis</i>) has basal leaves.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8Pqmu_f8mXeXxycQEt8SD5tWGEM_-xV6CvRl8KmFU1n65eIWKfO54CSw-I28UpdjZRZGD0_RKYsfzophcpcmmGaUrR5JCjbXwEYJUSjJAcJOIqjYAuL1mdQdMvLB2Y7b3Cjq_qrXzx5B02oL41ZMLG07Yi5FO7sUBVPI33KsoVgp37kORXkfeiQ/s600/Greeneyes-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8Pqmu_f8mXeXxycQEt8SD5tWGEM_-xV6CvRl8KmFU1n65eIWKfO54CSw-I28UpdjZRZGD0_RKYsfzophcpcmmGaUrR5JCjbXwEYJUSjJAcJOIqjYAuL1mdQdMvLB2Y7b3Cjq_qrXzx5B02oL41ZMLG07Yi5FO7sUBVPI33KsoVgp37kORXkfeiQ/w325-h400/Greeneyes-Stibolt.jpg" width="325" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BuYi7YieWtvsWpIBARgiW6g_tCYe-QyhJJCzRXZB6HUmKYJXTPl4_oVIzqfShIQiy4BLxhDqhCGxBwgtSKmv1DysDxo44E90W8K8vjHdw3yeghFW7rTjCn06Thou_hMohFyGQHqhyjCtglCdnOLjQA4t-AfZfa_eBNcAWdNhFnh-b4laoG7DPtVf/s600/spring09%20172.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BuYi7YieWtvsWpIBARgiW6g_tCYe-QyhJJCzRXZB6HUmKYJXTPl4_oVIzqfShIQiy4BLxhDqhCGxBwgtSKmv1DysDxo44E90W8K8vjHdw3yeghFW7rTjCn06Thou_hMohFyGQHqhyjCtglCdnOLjQA4t-AfZfa_eBNcAWdNhFnh-b4laoG7DPtVf/s320/spring09%20172.jpg" width="290" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida greeneyes put on a show as their florets open and they smell like chocolate.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft greeneyes in the wild at the base of an oak tree.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><h3>Greeneyes in the landscape</h3><div>Greeneyes have a long blooming cycle from early spring to early winter, which is why these plants are a wonderful choice for front edges of pollinator gardens. They do reseed to some extent and they can be transplanted if growing in an inconvenient place, but keep in mind the long taproot and dig out as much of it as possible. Irrigate well after planting until established, but after that, no irrigation is necessary. Also, because of that taproot, they can compete well with even aggressive wildflowers. <div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sGQlveHXZYt79SB6toSBV6rZ9WRZ7eE80iOyNsm_EbBxKABsEaJKDjdaYtTrU_g5Yukoo23anPjcIY8QQlnRdevsNlN7owUg0p8K3dnBa8091GkR-SkdvrWM5sy4_NAJCOeSx_5fDqpKRo7XAMBKhR7v1yuK56k7HGZQvSRC86GO5gE5kLm-EENX/s600/IMG_3382.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sGQlveHXZYt79SB6toSBV6rZ9WRZ7eE80iOyNsm_EbBxKABsEaJKDjdaYtTrU_g5Yukoo23anPjcIY8QQlnRdevsNlN7owUg0p8K3dnBa8091GkR-SkdvrWM5sy4_NAJCOeSx_5fDqpKRo7XAMBKhR7v1yuK56k7HGZQvSRC86GO5gE5kLm-EENX/s16000/IMG_3382.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida greeneyes make a good showing in sunny wildflower meadows.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQcbcRhOiThvDy6s1phzFWbtRw1y2V6tgL-2CuMw6DzViACb0nEd1knTMtGF0R0wdBxIf8-2_F4tVjFGArv-JEDLFX42pIzRhT2hF39KsJy_smc8kIk7i2ogMABqU4xubJK4urajyRvapa7b660vSoBeSO52kQd4cavkvbtd_S12BfIK8keWnoBhw/s610/IMG_5127.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQcbcRhOiThvDy6s1phzFWbtRw1y2V6tgL-2CuMw6DzViACb0nEd1knTMtGF0R0wdBxIf8-2_F4tVjFGArv-JEDLFX42pIzRhT2hF39KsJy_smc8kIk7i2ogMABqU4xubJK4urajyRvapa7b660vSoBeSO52kQd4cavkvbtd_S12BfIK8keWnoBhw/s16000/IMG_5127.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida greeneyes attracts a wide variety of pollinators. In this bed it competes well with dollarweed, coreopsis, and native primroses. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzinKWanrOxzDK8EdZ7Bp-THgvqUwgsWlGazJUW0CprJN5Sc08hD-mciUPXPtY5PE_ecAUGYBvO_ZvYOiLn99KxJdyFhj6OPVd8TzQ8LoTN7bUeuYvp25YcZJZzb8-NnKCrnGLubW9Xa1fuOJJ7h-lUtpUku3t_kCMPI5HjjI-p1bqN4sFBq0E38U/s650/spring09%20179.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzinKWanrOxzDK8EdZ7Bp-THgvqUwgsWlGazJUW0CprJN5Sc08hD-mciUPXPtY5PE_ecAUGYBvO_ZvYOiLn99KxJdyFhj6OPVd8TzQ8LoTN7bUeuYvp25YcZJZzb8-NnKCrnGLubW9Xa1fuOJJ7h-lUtpUku3t_kCMPI5HjjI-p1bqN4sFBq0E38U/s16000/spring09%20179.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft greeneyes in the wild next to a road in my neighborhood. This population has been in place for at least a decade.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Add these resilient and beautiful wildflowers to your landscape:</p><p>Purchase plants from these <a href="https://www.plantrealflorida.org/plants/detail/berlandiera-subacaulis" target="_blank">FANN members</a> or<br />Purchase seeds from the <a href="https://www.floridawildflowers.com/" target="_blank">Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative</a>. </p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</b></span></i></p></div></div>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-25579642951843087172023-02-01T00:37:00.000-05:002023-02-01T00:37:38.818-05:00The hand of the gardener in native landscapes<h3 style="text-align: left;">Plant more natives!</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_XAp5IonbbAVLF448TtxPOoBEwoBXli8ts0hmyYV5wemCPsaAiDbH0npS3E1XDWgVwEIGRiyj0J4OmxGHniRFMe1R7p5ljFeexhk9RTPqGepqGr-jQWDXgAB6D8681EEi-CtSy_WLUhBHTJjehb8xjTuRyH-9d6HzVBCRUZ5EytfJaAsNe4uZ41u/s450/edging2013-5%20450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="450" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_XAp5IonbbAVLF448TtxPOoBEwoBXli8ts0hmyYV5wemCPsaAiDbH0npS3E1XDWgVwEIGRiyj0J4OmxGHniRFMe1R7p5ljFeexhk9RTPqGepqGr-jQWDXgAB6D8681EEi-CtSy_WLUhBHTJjehb8xjTuRyH-9d6HzVBCRUZ5EytfJaAsNe4uZ41u/w400-h300/edging2013-5%20450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2013, a volunteer beautyberry shrub near the edge of the<br />lawn is surrounded by several water oaks.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Ecologists and environmental organizations have been urging people to plant more native plants, to build bird-friendly and pollinator-friendly habitat, and to do this by removing at least some of their lawn.</p><p>One prime example is Doug Tallamy's <a href="https://homegrownnationalpark.org/" target="_blank">HomeGrown National Park</a> where you can register your yard to be part of of this park by replacing at least half of the lawn with native plants.</p>
<p>This is great and I hope that millions of homeowners and other property managers take this step to build native habitat, but there are some important steps to take, especially in urban and suburban areas, to increase the acceptability of these native landscapes. Our yards and our community landscapes, even if they have a good portion of native plants are not wild spaces and will need some regular care. (Actually, I wrote a book on this topic. See below.)</p><a name='more'></a>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBYDXRX2hDEBjDuN5NTzYRZsic69EfbD-JOaUUWWFjRK30XWK3YHdT7YXoPj0eYnFHTRhKxJp16IYl1ciZIIfXxi3eAFEhyFWGrjWDVFx364sCPfu1coljY7G453pzxdfAb3P9E2JaPPBeVaGELMFSyEVs41KmBZsltgtZYZSEiHTVwY-0jmAi5HI/s550/edging2013-7%20550.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="550" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBYDXRX2hDEBjDuN5NTzYRZsic69EfbD-JOaUUWWFjRK30XWK3YHdT7YXoPj0eYnFHTRhKxJp16IYl1ciZIIfXxi3eAFEhyFWGrjWDVFx364sCPfu1coljY7G453pzxdfAb3P9E2JaPPBeVaGELMFSyEVs41KmBZsltgtZYZSEiHTVwY-0jmAi5HI/w400-h301/edging2013-7%20550.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2013, that same beautyberry shrub after <br />the removal of the oaks around it.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Choosing plants to favor</h3>
<p>One of the things we do as caretakers of mostly native garden spaces is to choose the plants that we want to succeed for the look and/or for their habitat values. Here's the story of an <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/03/for-more-beautiful-yard-plant-more.html" target="_blank">American beautyberry</a> (<i>Callicarpa americana</i>) that volunteered near the edge of the lawn. In 2013 in one of my every third year trips around the edges of the lawn, I spotted the shrub, which was, at that point, probably one or two years old and about ten inches tall. As you can see in the top photo, it was surrounded by water oaks. As the gardener, I decided that this was a perfect place for the beautyberry and I dug out the oaks, which was a bit of a task since they had previously been cut off at ground level. The shrub was then surrounded by ferns, which would be fine.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtM6cdFyLcULUtw8ASeWQmH1yh6o1Wc0-eG5zXmogguKCqlE72sr2nytjIP6wrfGRKUoB6dHHdu7u_Kv_y6g6oK53UzMt-g681Q7wpazQVn_yxnpRTxstgB9RV7uAMTsI34k7uHYUWWcKb4Ns3LbQ6xH1OFgoPAQec7vbL8vhA8z8aMDTLpY3bIm/s600/IMG_0501.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtM6cdFyLcULUtw8ASeWQmH1yh6o1Wc0-eG5zXmogguKCqlE72sr2nytjIP6wrfGRKUoB6dHHdu7u_Kv_y6g6oK53UzMt-g681Q7wpazQVn_yxnpRTxstgB9RV7uAMTsI34k7uHYUWWcKb4Ns3LbQ6xH1OFgoPAQec7vbL8vhA8z8aMDTLpY3bIm/w300-h400/IMG_0501.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That same beautyberry shrub in late summer<br />2020 was covered with vines.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p>Every few years, I've cleared away vines and other competition from this shrub. In late summer in 2020 the shrub was covered with catbriar (<i>Smilax</i> sp.) and Carolina jessamine (<i>Gelsemium sempervirens</i>) as seen in this photo to the right. Both vines are Florida natives, but I chose to remove them to encourage the beautyberry.</p><p>The photo below shows what I had envisioned for that little shrub eight years previously. Also, the thing to notice about these four photos is that there is about three or four feet less lawn and a lot more ferns.</p>
<p>The ferns seen here are Florida natives that planted themselves here: In the foreground are two large ferns; a <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/osmundastrum-cinnamomeum" target="_blank">cinnamon fern</a> (<i>Osmundastrum cinnamomeum</i>), which is native to all but the southernmost counties in Florida. Closer to the beautyberry is a <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/osmunda-regalis-var-spectabilis" target="_blank">royal fern</a> (<i>Osmunda regalis</i> var. <i>spectabilis</i>), which is native to all of Florida except for The Keys. The shorter fern that is more of a ground cover is the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/woodwardia-areolata" target="_blank">netted chain fern</a> (<i>Woodwardia areolata</i>), which is native to all but the southernmost counties in Florida.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1jTMe_vWf0TQQhIAJh0gPwaFcuzqmaixneVo-x2nwm-EFmNaLtG-L8S8fb-5dI1_H7jmh6EVaNW4UftitvNlR-beBV3-dtyY2rlba1q5mpffFGBSLKVBlLjbVZRBCyFLmmFJYQfCwiDmddKyh8fu9QfI380m70Aflxy9F86_1hBr6Qws1WKW2fnc/s650/IMG_1359.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="650" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1jTMe_vWf0TQQhIAJh0gPwaFcuzqmaixneVo-x2nwm-EFmNaLtG-L8S8fb-5dI1_H7jmh6EVaNW4UftitvNlR-beBV3-dtyY2rlba1q5mpffFGBSLKVBlLjbVZRBCyFLmmFJYQfCwiDmddKyh8fu9QfI380m70Aflxy9F86_1hBr6Qws1WKW2fnc/w640-h482/IMG_1359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In spring of 2021, here's that same beautyberry shrub during a lawn edging trip around the yard.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Irrigation infrastructure</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENAwm3By3uhzmWLCS--X0IeKZO0Fqoa8AopD01SJOuIVtGWjbomXOwKHlCX2yKAZooMhaD8cB-JPSpmmkIuJr5lt1Vj8vRt4q392vl7b38BxNRCry3j2Ksi_8h2_0OaEce4U1a0WfMCnR6md_gw-CBg3vdPixdQ-7jE3tyLxRKeihpd4PK9t_R1MD/s528/edging2013-4%20400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENAwm3By3uhzmWLCS--X0IeKZO0Fqoa8AopD01SJOuIVtGWjbomXOwKHlCX2yKAZooMhaD8cB-JPSpmmkIuJr5lt1Vj8vRt4q392vl7b38BxNRCry3j2Ksi_8h2_0OaEce4U1a0WfMCnR6md_gw-CBg3vdPixdQ-7jE3tyLxRKeihpd4PK9t_R1MD/w303-h400/edging2013-4%20400.jpg" width="303" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv2DnYoe-7okWuid4obQfT9UHNsX5UA6viok-iXQtBLHoKQTfAj72SKL6sY9aDR188OcJ4lHNlb3kvDNG71Ay_jBpO3AWSLhtQ_n5KhooZRC-8zskHjKTewc2TSgxV0JW-4bEjExtD7wD28TIBnAHEJTFXqZlmbRpg42vW_RhKUJmefxCFiKi6v13/s600/IMG_3401.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="504" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv2DnYoe-7okWuid4obQfT9UHNsX5UA6viok-iXQtBLHoKQTfAj72SKL6sY9aDR188OcJ4lHNlb3kvDNG71Ay_jBpO3AWSLhtQ_n5KhooZRC-8zskHjKTewc2TSgxV0JW-4bEjExtD7wD28TIBnAHEJTFXqZlmbRpg42vW_RhKUJmefxCFiKi6v13/w336-h400/IMG_3401.JPG" width="336" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This volunteer magnolia was too close to the sprinkler head, so I transplanted it to somewhere else.<br /><br /></td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This irrigation sprinkler head used to be at the edge of the lawn. I keep the area in front of it clear so it can still spray effectively.<br /> <br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE47n4h5JmGgKgour_IS1TAS1tqq9K2Q9AmLOHC77ZVu3MCHadm8Sh64qyLDTPtpP0LyDDH5BVAWcIhYCH9VQk5JY5dcj3yaxQf0kmVGgehfHljwlRpbtsU2HsKhVg3VEKZT6DB6nEah_xTjaTNg-CvhmJsgFyatFzYf9WddVhgOj6IrC1amoDEa1k/s392/edging2013-8%20500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="392" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE47n4h5JmGgKgour_IS1TAS1tqq9K2Q9AmLOHC77ZVu3MCHadm8Sh64qyLDTPtpP0LyDDH5BVAWcIhYCH9VQk5JY5dcj3yaxQf0kmVGgehfHljwlRpbtsU2HsKhVg3VEKZT6DB6nEah_xTjaTNg-CvhmJsgFyatFzYf9WddVhgOj6IrC1amoDEa1k/s320/edging2013-8%20500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On each trip around the lawn edges, I keep this<br /> in-ground sprayer head at the edge of the lawn <br />cleared of plants. The cement collar keeps it<br /> safe from damage by the lawn mower tires.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Like so many suburban properties in Florida, we have a computerized irrigation system. It pumps water from the dammed lake out back. Over the years it has worked well, although we've had to replace the pump once. My husband has also replaced the sprinkler heads as they've broken, and more importantly for our discussion here, he's changed out quite a few pop-up heads that are for lawn areas and put new heads mounted on poles as the lawn has been replaced. See the two photos above for two examples. The photo on the right shows that the edge of the lawn was twenty feet further into what is now a wooded area.</p>
<p>When these sprinkler heads are in wilder areas of the landscape, it is the gardener who comes in to keep the spray area cleared of tall vegetation and of trees or shrubs that sprout too close and their eventual size would damage the pipes or connections. If they are desirable trees or shrubs, such as the magnolia (<i>Magnolia grandiflora</i>) as pictured above. then they are transplanted to other places in the yard or potted up for the annual native plant sale run by the local <a href="http://www.fnps.org" target="_blank">Florida Native Plant Society</a> chapter.</p>
<p>All that being said, the system is used regularly only in the dry season (in the winter and early spring) and then the most time is allotted to the two spray zones where the vegetable gardens are located. The rest of our mostly native yard with a <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawn</a> that's allowed to go dormant in the winter, receives only about ten minutes of spray for each session--usually once a week, if there is no rain.</p>
<h3>Removal of unwanted plants</h3>
<p>Just because a potion of your yard is wilder and is planted with mostly native plants, there are occasions when removal of plants is called for. The most important case is the removal of known invasive plants. These plants have been shown to take over native habitats and have been responsible for reducing populations of birds and other wildlife. Read my article for more details:
<a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/10/removing-invasive-plants-in-florida.html" target="_blank">Removing invasive plants costs Florida $54 million per year</a>.</p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMXn5ESdTOyHmHJauV3qFZuRsAJOSEGo0rVeouP11c2uG7XNUr-9iZko3CxRmb7quEU_8geD66WeVt2tvgKxV0jMhayCRmI5o8aWNfP_PSA-S2QvGYfqQyzNkdvZ8eDZixir03HVLMwnuVB1iazhdzSjQZUlAG3Mcl9Fxz6T_1M3ykn3MWS57kZxi/s600/IMG_9245.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMXn5ESdTOyHmHJauV3qFZuRsAJOSEGo0rVeouP11c2uG7XNUr-9iZko3CxRmb7quEU_8geD66WeVt2tvgKxV0jMhayCRmI5o8aWNfP_PSA-S2QvGYfqQyzNkdvZ8eDZixir03HVLMwnuVB1iazhdzSjQZUlAG3Mcl9Fxz6T_1M3ykn3MWS57kZxi/w400-h294/IMG_9245.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing invasives is an important task in a mostly native yard. Coral ardisia (<i>Ardisia crenata</i>) is a tough one because neighbors have it in their yards and birds eat those berries and poop them out in our mostly native, habitat-rich yard.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>While native habitats is a major goal, sometimes I remove aggressive natives that have taken over areas or like the catbriar shown below. It has huge tubers so just cutting it back does little to discourage it from climbing over trees and shrubs and reducing their desired growth. People say you can make root beer from those tubers, but I've not been inspired to do so.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBJb8XkBMsb73tYxR4vQy9PxX8zOUMKQV8CoJtBFLu0XDpZu2QdJ5H9igMalp8ysGBoUczFEZ7sXYpS09GVCtaXwFsPEoq1BIK9hcQHLu7eqj3kgqU7Xp3GPgGnFC5Db_X8ckZo8IljKCBJClxndOt9bihj4YAo9LtG4-UdWLk7IqiNyltMQ1Ohsq/s600/IMG_4316.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBJb8XkBMsb73tYxR4vQy9PxX8zOUMKQV8CoJtBFLu0XDpZu2QdJ5H9igMalp8ysGBoUczFEZ7sXYpS09GVCtaXwFsPEoq1BIK9hcQHLu7eqj3kgqU7Xp3GPgGnFC5Db_X8ckZo8IljKCBJClxndOt9bihj4YAo9LtG4-UdWLk7IqiNyltMQ1Ohsq/w400-h328/IMG_4316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are at least two species of catbriar (<i>Smilax</i> spp.) in our yard. While they are native, I remove it from around trees and shrubs I wish to encourage and from some of the more visible edges of wooded areas so they don't look so wild. There is still plenty that grows in the back portions of the wooded areas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JCZozU4RYUctri4kfe3v_pHgy2wClcrOzyaU210NQGMTpfYq8BZOrOim5IEOD2_4gd2chzXcnd6vElRcBcFC07Fc7Ng9imJksqlVAOy9BcJ5pR8MC8sWJrBv9SPCICyeaAsAa-ncHApxMll86H_9wn_Ty6Cd9xtTRLNeCC7l-Apb1E3LY5Lq6Z74/s805/TheArtofMainatingaFloridaNativeLandscape.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JCZozU4RYUctri4kfe3v_pHgy2wClcrOzyaU210NQGMTpfYq8BZOrOim5IEOD2_4gd2chzXcnd6vElRcBcFC07Fc7Ng9imJksqlVAOy9BcJ5pR8MC8sWJrBv9SPCICyeaAsAa-ncHApxMll86H_9wn_Ty6Cd9xtTRLNeCC7l-Apb1E3LY5Lq6Z74/w271-h400/TheArtofMainatingaFloridaNativeLandscape.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purchase "<a href="http://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813061313" target="_blank">The Art of Maintaining a Florida<br /> Native Landscape</a>" from University Press of <br />Florida:<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>I wrote "The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape" with several thoughts in mind, but the most important point is that while our yards, school yards, church yards, community properties, and municipal properties should all have less lawn and more native habitat areas, they are not wild areas and they will need the hand of the gardener to control aggressive plants and to encourage other, more desirable plants.</p>
<p>Note about the cover: That's a photo I took of our front yard. This part of the yard was a lawn when we bought the house in 2004. I wrote, <a href="http://beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-lawn-to-woods-retrospective.html" target="_blank">From lawn to woods: a retrospective</a> to explain the process.</p>
<p>I hope you are developing more native areas in your yard and in your community. It may take some encouragement to convince others to also plant more natives, but in the end, it's worth the effort because the birds are counting on us.</p>
<p>As Doug Tallamy says, "<i><b>Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation's wildlife.</b></i>"</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Mattters<br />
Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p><br /></p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-73474231129403051282023-01-15T00:08:00.002-05:002023-04-27T13:46:16.208-04:00Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida: 2nd Edition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6KIE1YH-sqWvdtfo3TKQF_WnfQUNLEzir8SbXzcf2pbUAhICOs8yNuTDNES5htJgw8sbmStOALzsjXRzkELnhxAxvTOxTWHJxe1-VZy1WrCaTLKlURONlyP1-1rJZcnnxbbIQHyFK_FdXeMMLkxt_kjNVhTVfxO--5itfHsrN7YBbv9yOddR-Wua/s500/OrganicMethods2ndEdition.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6KIE1YH-sqWvdtfo3TKQF_WnfQUNLEzir8SbXzcf2pbUAhICOs8yNuTDNES5htJgw8sbmStOALzsjXRzkELnhxAxvTOxTWHJxe1-VZy1WrCaTLKlURONlyP1-1rJZcnnxbbIQHyFK_FdXeMMLkxt_kjNVhTVfxO--5itfHsrN7YBbv9yOddR-Wua/s16000/OrganicMethods2ndEdition.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Order directly from our publisher:<br /><a href="https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813068763" target="_blank">University Press of Florida</a> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Melissa and I worked with University Press of Florida to improve, update, and reorganize our book. The photos, including many new ones, are now located throughout the book, not just in the center, which will make it much easier to read. We've explained our process in the new preface included here for your information.<h3 style="text-align: left;">Preface to the Second Edition </h3><p>Much has happened in plant science and organic gardening techniques
in the almost 10 years since we began researching and writing the first
edition of this book, so we agreed to spend some time to revisit and update the content for this edition. We were eager to work on this project
so that Florida’s vegetable gardeners would have easy access to this new
information. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span></span><p></p><p><br />We added some crops to our list, such as culantro (<i>Eryngium foetidum</i>), a biennial herb commonly grown in the Caribbean, which offers a warm-weather, savory alternative to the cool-weather cilantro. And we also added wild sweet basil (<i>Ocimum campechianum</i>), which is native to South Florida and has some surprising minty and anise overtones to its fragrance and flavor. We eliminated some crops as well. For instance, we had listed Florida betony (<i>Stachys floridana</i>) as a crop, but it’s unlikely that anyone would grow this aggressive Florida native as a crop. In addition, we removed most of the recipes, since there are so many readily available online, but we still have the “uses” section for each of the crops. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBXLiEaRCvxg9NjZycRp1UgOYlhlHpoabkWQbeUjvRk7tpI46JFlSKDCrcd-l2oko-9FKon64XFpEjNlUBnwqoV2fd7pcntwqCDYusoOGE7KRn-MB4d1Iv98tMwVBAcRWXRjl380OKOImi9LZLOUFakd8IyTstKoUWwXiSKGJaiidGbtsDjo9ohLA/s652/Floridabetony%20-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="521" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBXLiEaRCvxg9NjZycRp1UgOYlhlHpoabkWQbeUjvRk7tpI46JFlSKDCrcd-l2oko-9FKon64XFpEjNlUBnwqoV2fd7pcntwqCDYusoOGE7KRn-MB4d1Iv98tMwVBAcRWXRjl380OKOImi9LZLOUFakd8IyTstKoUWwXiSKGJaiidGbtsDjo9ohLA/s320/Floridabetony%20-Stibolt.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida betony is a
beautiful native mint that
attracts pollinators, but
it has aggressive roots
with these weird tubers
that give them their other
common name, rattlesnake root. The roots are
edible—they add a radishy crunch to your salads
or stir-fries. That being
said, it’s unlikely that
anyone would grow this
weedy plant as a crop.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We also updated the three growing calendars (for North, Central, and South Florida), which provide general guidelines for scheduling
your gardening activities, to further emphasize your need to pay closer
attention to local conditions to become more successful. This way you
can build your own farming calendar specific to your conditions in a
changing world. We want you to use this book not only as a resource, but
also a springboard so that you can grow as a gardener. </p><p>Another reason to update the book is that the economics of the printing process has changed so that color photos can be positioned in with
the text instead of being grouped in the center of the book. We think this
makes the book much easier and more logical to read. Also, Marjorie
Shropshire has colorized her wonderful illustrations so that they work
even better to help make the text easier to understand.
We would like to thank all the readers of the first edition, especially
those who gave us feedback. </p>
<p>We would also like to thank the organic agriculture professors at the University of Florida for their continued support
and insight. Thanks to Margie Pikarsky, of Bee Haven Farm in Homestead, Florida, for her insight and practical suggestions. And thanks to
the editors and staff at University Press of Florida for working with us to
put this together the second time around. </p><p>Welcome to Florida vegetable gardening, again!</p>
<p><i>Ginny Stibolt </i>and <i>Melissa Markham<br />Summer of 2022</i></p><p>Also, <a href="https://floridapress.blog/2023/04/27/florida-vegetable-gardening-second-edition/" target="_blank">here is a post</a> I wrote for University Press of Florida's blog on what's new and different in this beautiful 2nd edition.</p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-19431172945149015572023-01-01T06:05:00.000-05:002023-01-01T06:05:58.055-05:00Red cedar: an important habitat tree<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQ_ZUfY4n--UFuON1GmV4FiJiDOtFMGKjZ1jRiG-HhwzWG_fYtiQiGvgRrsEE-TZwk6nYKh-dgXk0stZ0nVQuUMdAOYUFo4n0oC_R6yDhjY5QmqD4G8yNlWrBH6bB8nLf-3Kd-ILa-AC6iMW04RpkkheDaruie7T1RZ82bIy1_1FRu5cHMBDk8lT/s600/Redcedarberries-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQ_ZUfY4n--UFuON1GmV4FiJiDOtFMGKjZ1jRiG-HhwzWG_fYtiQiGvgRrsEE-TZwk6nYKh-dgXk0stZ0nVQuUMdAOYUFo4n0oC_R6yDhjY5QmqD4G8yNlWrBH6bB8nLf-3Kd-ILa-AC6iMW04RpkkheDaruie7T1RZ82bIy1_1FRu5cHMBDk8lT/w400-h286/Redcedarberries-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female red cedar with fruit.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><b>Red cedar </b>(<i>Juniperus virginiana</i>) is medium-sized, dioecious evergreen conifer with female trees that bear waxy, berry-like cones, which many types of birds will eat as the weather grows colder.</p>
<p>While most botanists agree that there is one species of red cedar that's native to most of eastern North America, the old precedent recognized coastal red cedar (<i>J. silicicola</i>) and eastern red cedar (<i>J. virginiana</i>) a bit inland, with a big range from Texas to southern Ontario. This old protocol meant that except for the northern border of Florida's Panhandle, the red cedars native to Florida were the coastal species.</p>
<p>Red cedar is in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), which has world-wide distribution--except for Antarctica. Other members of this family found in Florida are two cypresses: pond cypress (<i>Taxodium ascendens</i>) and bald cypress (<i>T. distichum</i>); Atlantic white cedar (<i>Chamaecyparis thyoides</i>); plus the non-natives: oriental arborvitae (<i>Platycladus orientalis</i>) and white cypress-pine (<i>Callitris glaucophylla</i>).<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Using red cedar in the landscape</h3>
<p>Red cedar is a pioneer species that volunteers, sometimes abundantly (thanks to birds), on upland disturbed sites. It grows quickly if grown in full sun, where it grows into a perfect elongated cone shape, however, as it matures, the tree loses its lower branches and the crown becomes rounded or irregular. If it grows in wooded areas, the growth pattern of the tree is more open and irregular, but if it grows at the edge of a wooded area, it's likely to be lopsided with much more growth toward the open side. It’s a good choice for upland buffer areas in coastal areas because it's wind tolerant and also tolerant of salt spray and occasional inundation with brackish or salt water.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncN5dtHTZZzU6x8Nn4qRELaSuHFCy0114AT6sngAUI_TSYG2Ko4V9rc5SFEYzfF1xlEDRnJKExnu9OqaobjRa5Twr6OS7YJLnBRG9mUsBeNnkGUHHUWDo_4IGgCBdlIv9TMBurrHCAHeYE1Id2n-hN-5_e7yijvGeny5rmX4VgHsZEYjCsIpiNcOW/s662/Redcedarsmall-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncN5dtHTZZzU6x8Nn4qRELaSuHFCy0114AT6sngAUI_TSYG2Ko4V9rc5SFEYzfF1xlEDRnJKExnu9OqaobjRa5Twr6OS7YJLnBRG9mUsBeNnkGUHHUWDo_4IGgCBdlIv9TMBurrHCAHeYE1Id2n-hN-5_e7yijvGeny5rmX4VgHsZEYjCsIpiNcOW/w303-h400/Redcedarsmall-Stibolt.jpg" width="303" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXISDFYVc4Uk5MIP05IKbl9B7v4gtHvgWAlcX3WlBIaHLdhBLb3l77J8JSe5sHnUhzDU9pQJ_wBbYjZYASmnpd0rnQfNEP5D7cbpJEaLNCLpH7yZSVtpGXCG4SmjL3pRQ42oN7HPkDcrBMk7Sdykb1hvgQjiwWegLXY9RWyFBdVqzoiPwvtbjjAVG/s644/Redcedaratedge%20of%20woods-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXISDFYVc4Uk5MIP05IKbl9B7v4gtHvgWAlcX3WlBIaHLdhBLb3l77J8JSe5sHnUhzDU9pQJ_wBbYjZYASmnpd0rnQfNEP5D7cbpJEaLNCLpH7yZSVtpGXCG4SmjL3pRQ42oN7HPkDcrBMk7Sdykb1hvgQjiwWegLXY9RWyFBdVqzoiPwvtbjjAVG/w310-h400/Redcedaratedge%20of%20woods-Stibolt.jpg" width="310" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A volunteer in a wooded ravine has a more open and irregular shape. It's about three feet tall.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When grown at the edge of a wooded area, red cedars produce many more branches on the side where there is more light. This lopsided red cedar is about ten feet tall.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>Because of its dense growth and branches to the ground, red cedars offer excellent habitat, especially for birds. And also because of this growth pattern, they are often used in the landscape as a screen, either by itself or as part of a hedgerow, but either way, plan ahead and give it room to spread for the best results. It's best to plant a group of them in a slightly zigzag pattern to form a dense screen. In general, it's more sustainable to include several species of shrubs or trees in a hedgerow so that if one species is attacked by a pest or a disease, that the other species may continue to flourish and do well. Also, in planning the various species to include in a screen, plan for various seasonal interests such as times of flowering and fruiting. </p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSUxwricaQ3vJqHPftYAja7FHmvbFBm0idKH2KN8R1CYXNTxcL800WXqXbBJM6bRNu0XSceGa6WBkN3bY5Afqz_TqaBGC5GBam8lweC92HKcHZEmu7rc9GBF4RFYJZMOViZzBwItiVb9Cg6qDEicYnzmPoKhIXKdExQBMMbVOlfzmPUacdZrIrbwR/s763/redcedarshedge-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="763" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSUxwricaQ3vJqHPftYAja7FHmvbFBm0idKH2KN8R1CYXNTxcL800WXqXbBJM6bRNu0XSceGa6WBkN3bY5Afqz_TqaBGC5GBam8lweC92HKcHZEmu7rc9GBF4RFYJZMOViZzBwItiVb9Cg6qDEicYnzmPoKhIXKdExQBMMbVOlfzmPUacdZrIrbwR/w640-h478/redcedarshedge-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red cedars are evergreen and make a good screen in the landscape, but give them room to grow.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There are many good reasons to use plants as a screen in your yard or other landscapes. An effective vegetative screen blocks not only a view so there is more privacy, it also reduces dust and other wind-borne debris and it reduces sounds from traffic on roads or other noise pollution. A dense stand of trees will cool the air through process of transpiration when water evaporates from the leaves. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDvRFOLNYspsDby5QYJD0oTGt1Lx27gFSttQAI3y4Lm-_ACu1a91X2G2RQeUEQjpZWyP4s5RJMMD12QLEDHen32REIsJomBauHwNYJ2jot7Z77Upbf5MlXbjnSC1ZU2sMV3gxmJ8SPEfYemKCq2QblHwAs2Xw6KD0yPnwKuuMffuymEyTTXyRppCJ/s850/Redcedarstrimmed-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="850" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDvRFOLNYspsDby5QYJD0oTGt1Lx27gFSttQAI3y4Lm-_ACu1a91X2G2RQeUEQjpZWyP4s5RJMMD12QLEDHen32REIsJomBauHwNYJ2jot7Z77Upbf5MlXbjnSC1ZU2sMV3gxmJ8SPEfYemKCq2QblHwAs2Xw6KD0yPnwKuuMffuymEyTTXyRppCJ/w640-h356/Redcedarstrimmed-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming the bottom branches reduces the habitat value and privacy. This also creates <b>more</b> maintenance and more noise pollution in your yard.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />Unfortunately, many people trim away the lower branches of red cedars and other plants like magnolias that also naturally have branches close to the ground. Some so-called gardening experts say that this "opens up your landscape." This causes more need for maintenance because after the low branches are gone, there is more light reaching the ground so there will be weeds and it's likely that turfgrass will not grow well under the trees, so some type of ground cover and mulch combination will be needed to keep it neat. So leave the low branches until they are naturally shed and you can plan for this by adding a variety of shrubs, bunching grasses, and wildflowers in the area to create an ongoing habitat thicket into the future.<br />
<p> </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUgFUN-seXI63znT2_wI8SaaSKuK4GxakqxWnoy9E1objgWqUOPk0L6kMu3Ywq4OcmYaLrnkgimzNUBUaP7kGojnENKMjG3H8Gx6ndRjFvpS8fGKeq-Q3O91wuykjLsNAWkK3e0wUnat4L4lI97zhmnYS-eJjs2vKTi0jkkgb2ARFvwI20SffkU-_/s2048/Redcedar-nativeplantnursery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUgFUN-seXI63znT2_wI8SaaSKuK4GxakqxWnoy9E1objgWqUOPk0L6kMu3Ywq4OcmYaLrnkgimzNUBUaP7kGojnENKMjG3H8Gx6ndRjFvpS8fGKeq-Q3O91wuykjLsNAWkK3e0wUnat4L4lI97zhmnYS-eJjs2vKTi0jkkgb2ARFvwI20SffkU-_/w300-h400/Redcedar-nativeplantnursery.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Florida Native Plants Nursery <br />Sarasota, FL</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Oh Christmas Tree</h3>
<p><br />Just think, if you buy live Florida native trees for Christmas for the next few years, you'll have a good start on a landscape that welcomes birds and cools the air around your house. You could celebrate a greener holidays with a bonus addition to the Real Florida in your yard. Also, you'll have a living reminder of each Christmas as you build your Christmas grove.</p><p>If you don't have room for more trees in your yard, start a community-wide project to create a wooded areas for the birds on schoolyards, churchyards, municipal properties. and other landscaped areas where there is too much unused lawn. <b><i>We can do this.</i></b></p>
<p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</b></span></i></p><br />
<p>- This living holiday tree article is from a few years back: <a href="https://returntonow.net/2017/12/14/living-plantable-christmas-trees-reforest-rather-deforest" target="_blank">https://returntonow.net/2017/12/14/living-plantable-christmas-trees-reforest-rather-deforest</a></p><p>- For more information on how trees do the most to cool the air through transpiration in my article: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank">Transpiration: Forests' most important service</a></p>
<p> </p><br />Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-21277650420802968402022-12-01T06:10:00.001-05:002022-12-01T06:18:21.838-05:00Fall cucumbers<p><b>Cucumber</b> (<i>Cucumis sativus</i>) is in the squash family (Cucurbitaceae) and is more closely related to melons than the squashes, which are in the <i>Cucurbita </i>genus. It's native to India but has been under cultivation as a crop for about 3,000 years. Now, it is widely cultivated around the world.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdayK98ZK969BsIISmcIf9SBM_0vbBhSbdeu1U6G5HuXL7xgKxwDUxdqXvq6WWrA7CB_Hn17NWkpkEH4HgK-XC3pUQUSpHfNyEINz_9RiOv3LrxdXzEhYAiuiQmA3acXp_SZg7dLS2CumP9_n0rw8XDzUGtLwhPd1YK9fYGZGnpMnxkFjmJQYssBe/s622/Cucumbers05-27-17Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdayK98ZK969BsIISmcIf9SBM_0vbBhSbdeu1U6G5HuXL7xgKxwDUxdqXvq6WWrA7CB_Hn17NWkpkEH4HgK-XC3pUQUSpHfNyEINz_9RiOv3LrxdXzEhYAiuiQmA3acXp_SZg7dLS2CumP9_n0rw8XDzUGtLwhPd1YK9fYGZGnpMnxkFjmJQYssBe/s16000/Cucumbers05-27-17Stibolt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and female cucumber flowers. The female flower sits atop a small, preformed fruit. If the flower is not adequately pollinated, then the fruit will not expand, turn yellow, and fall off the vine.</td></tr></tbody></table><a name='more'></a>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B4HIdoR-w1DJQBbKnS6V2C9L1DkVDVgOq8JM4aV1MHBVX7z3CWzskNa1D32xWKSF_gOhwAX7X2YKOIaUUGEGQptyvQQP2mO6YMaaKHDcE_zKUkKag8LFfo79XaZHvVgyRHdZNWk3SUTvRlnu3OPAaXZNbrKX2UAPJg9PFOoHalgNvXCLPYjq-m9c/s605/Cucumbers05-27-17aStibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B4HIdoR-w1DJQBbKnS6V2C9L1DkVDVgOq8JM4aV1MHBVX7z3CWzskNa1D32xWKSF_gOhwAX7X2YKOIaUUGEGQptyvQQP2mO6YMaaKHDcE_zKUkKag8LFfo79XaZHvVgyRHdZNWk3SUTvRlnu3OPAaXZNbrKX2UAPJg9PFOoHalgNvXCLPYjq-m9c/s320/Cucumbers05-27-17aStibolt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A productive cucumber vine.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The cucumber is a vine that can crawl on the ground but is usually trellised when grown as a crop. to save space and keep the fruit clean and away from soil-borne pests. Cucumber is monoecious with separate female and male flowers on each vine. Most vines produce many male flowers before any female flowers are produced. Most people think that this strategy is to bring pollinators into the area, so that when they produce the female flowers that they will be more likely to be pollinated so that a fruit will develop. If a female flower is not pollinated, the little fruit at the base of the flower will not increase in size, and then turn yellow and fall off the plant. The cucumber fruit is a pepo, a type of berry with a hard outer rind and no internal divisions.</p>
<h3>Growing cucumbers in Florida</h3>
<p>Cucumbers are susceptible to fungal diseases, so they do not do well in Florida's hot wet summers. In Florida we sow seeds in early spring so there is time to get a good crop before summer sets in and then again in early fall so there is time for harvesting before the first frost. Cucumber fruits are 95% water and require extra irrigation to produce a good crop. I create swales between the planting sites, so the water has a place to sink into the soil. I also use this method of planting for okra and tomatoes. Read my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2012/07/okra-swales.html" target="_blank">Okra swales article</a> for the details on how I set this up.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqRZTNeIw9QrXGh_5DikpnbcKWzHJ4JQETmeIayLpJtg0MIPJMh2oBJNhx2jJzu65r59Dl4rFvPKEwtz6QdiH-GJIUcLCn5wTok24G21B_qtQOFPI7AGGoy8rW0aIgiEWRz0hGKyBd0IBt_r1OZVW9sNWH8TiofLfUwj04syiCyWFM3tx71qoY-0n/s791/Cucumbers11-17-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqRZTNeIw9QrXGh_5DikpnbcKWzHJ4JQETmeIayLpJtg0MIPJMh2oBJNhx2jJzu65r59Dl4rFvPKEwtz6QdiH-GJIUcLCn5wTok24G21B_qtQOFPI7AGGoy8rW0aIgiEWRz0hGKyBd0IBt_r1OZVW9sNWH8TiofLfUwj04syiCyWFM3tx71qoY-0n/s320/Cucumbers11-17-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUxLQoyan00jiJh64bTuTZxtH5LvN-k1oM7RFX_jZ1YmB0YbhlODNexnIzdTPLAL3d79PrIsulclhstzt_DsJ1XFa3K4m0xV7IsADyxIgT8W7ny79uRC0Ls_1fUs6nyO66MGc50s3uPWGyRp0WgPkFWg3ou2aieYVpnpRStBuYeby616FSGXyrKsL/s688/Cucumbers11-17-22b-Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUxLQoyan00jiJh64bTuTZxtH5LvN-k1oM7RFX_jZ1YmB0YbhlODNexnIzdTPLAL3d79PrIsulclhstzt_DsJ1XFa3K4m0xV7IsADyxIgT8W7ny79uRC0Ls_1fUs6nyO66MGc50s3uPWGyRp0WgPkFWg3ou2aieYVpnpRStBuYeby616FSGXyrKsL/s320/Cucumbers11-17-22b-Stibolt.jpg" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fall cucumbers seemed to take longer than usual to finally begin producing female flowers.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall cucumber crop inside some wire fencing to keep it protected from the deer.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>I was slow in installing the wire cages for trellising the cucumbers this year and the deer chewed off their tops, so I installed a large group of cages around the three swales. As they grew larger, I added wire fencing around the cages up off the ground and have been festooning trimmings from my garlic chives on the fencing and cages, so the cucumbers smell more like garlic chives, which the deer never eat. So far, this strategy of both a physical barrier and odor distraction has worked to keep the deer away. </p>
<p>The other possible problem with growing a fall crop is melon worms and squash borers, because the weather is warm when you start them, so if you end up with an infestation, spray once a week or so with Bt (<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>), which is a commonly occurring soil bacterium, but make sure that you get the variety that kills caterpillars. This is allowed in organic gardens. Use only on days with no chance of rain and will little or no wind. It works best if sprayed in late afternoon, because it breaks down in the hot sun. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>We had cucumbers for Thanksgiving and expect to also have a nice harvest for Christmas unless we receive a frost between now and then.</b> </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrgoLl_th88jk-DnRXA8CkMO5HodK0J7UMxc6NQdkMQ97hAxmINWNULRJA-bieG2F9eJXMLEBiDfnWmycBPDgkaYxScfj0stZiRX9O1gEr_uNJ0KOCV14RNqdmFTbUm4ky6a9datgDqCklLI-7S4BhHSK6FfvluTXkiZgtsRkAONEOXF1FK424XuG/s650/cucumbersfall2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrgoLl_th88jk-DnRXA8CkMO5HodK0J7UMxc6NQdkMQ97hAxmINWNULRJA-bieG2F9eJXMLEBiDfnWmycBPDgkaYxScfj0stZiRX9O1gEr_uNJ0KOCV14RNqdmFTbUm4ky6a9datgDqCklLI-7S4BhHSK6FfvluTXkiZgtsRkAONEOXF1FK424XuG/s320/cucumbersfall2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-59GqhHY86OySQERnH84SwKyshHtMPzAx8r96jVYwoqibAGOAidRI1tWFJ-s_i3Z_hCf_s0DmX-9aWmObyqBn_k1xhY100vsD-_uzukCBz5RnTFSrgvbdLPHMrr8oAkYT11hi950fY_fnFukqlELOw-8yv4bpX440Ky3dYnN2sLHt3oYm0fADcB7r/s600/cucumbersfall2021b-Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-59GqhHY86OySQERnH84SwKyshHtMPzAx8r96jVYwoqibAGOAidRI1tWFJ-s_i3Z_hCf_s0DmX-9aWmObyqBn_k1xhY100vsD-_uzukCBz5RnTFSrgvbdLPHMrr8oAkYT11hi950fY_fnFukqlELOw-8yv4bpX440Ky3dYnN2sLHt3oYm0fADcB7r/s320/cucumbersfall2021b-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber swales after mulching with pine needles to keep in the moisture and reduces weed growth.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant two or three seeds in each planting site around the rim of the swales to ensure that at least one vine in each site.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2tUFs_c1qOWttCOXJzgoxZVESX7w1igkkoxzQltsma5VN9HKFBpxpNvWcSoA2UbdAQooqDc6Ho590KJ1eqnGqGPMdwQVnN0EbVCI9FIsLAfFc69Qx5cc756oOnOT_P0HVU-jUZ669WFH6AXy5XTkOgRq9hifFBeZ0rWG0jF-vAraw3-1lsZXsoXt/s650/Thanksgiving%20harvest11-22-22Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="650" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2tUFs_c1qOWttCOXJzgoxZVESX7w1igkkoxzQltsma5VN9HKFBpxpNvWcSoA2UbdAQooqDc6Ho590KJ1eqnGqGPMdwQVnN0EbVCI9FIsLAfFc69Qx5cc756oOnOT_P0HVU-jUZ669WFH6AXy5XTkOgRq9hifFBeZ0rWG0jF-vAraw3-1lsZXsoXt/w400-h290/Thanksgiving%20harvest11-22-22Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-53FpMlyjM66vzynOMg86gMgQaYI1r-RAlfLIv6cDUtVYRG6BKOdXHhcB6_TsJCAti6lcU_rFS1F3wEjCdtFCf-NrKsWjAaSkL7-KALMFSDRYB2MzyEuECZbtZxoxoYYSBEtvygpq_wOJrDCByFY3N7E0TpG9uekvhFM9f7_REnoyvL3rNEdmjrct/s550/cucumbertomatosalad06-12-19Stibolt.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-53FpMlyjM66vzynOMg86gMgQaYI1r-RAlfLIv6cDUtVYRG6BKOdXHhcB6_TsJCAti6lcU_rFS1F3wEjCdtFCf-NrKsWjAaSkL7-KALMFSDRYB2MzyEuECZbtZxoxoYYSBEtvygpq_wOJrDCByFY3N7E0TpG9uekvhFM9f7_REnoyvL3rNEdmjrct/s320/cucumbertomatosalad06-12-19Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a bountiful Thanksgiving harvest: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/roselle-floridas-cranberry.html" target="_blank">Roselle</a>, <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/05/lime-basil-pesto.html" target="_blank">lime basil</a>, and fall cucumbers.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are so many good ways to use cucumbers, including this dill-infused cucumber salad.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<p>So, I hope you are enjoying your cool-weather vegetable harvesting. It's our best season for veggies here in Florida. If you need help growing crops in Florida, I've written more than 50 articles on this topic, which are linked on my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/p/green-resources.html" target="_blank">Green Resources Page</a>. Growing more food is good for your family and it's good for our only planet, because every pound of food you grow (or buy from local sources) offsets up to two pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Green Gardening Matters,<br />
Ginny Stibolt</b></span></i><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>
Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-41405574155912333022022-11-01T05:34:00.001-04:002022-11-01T05:34:50.819-04:00Marigolds<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL95Rhi2YNomM_7QU_mgzwDopewZrZYBswczecF5t0cBOZycUL5jPD_FOG44mwnzfGRTKUl9JnoOJbyN4thnFd0OYCLGo4QOrZ2wkd4_QSScYiLB2dItdWBPuuTdXT_2Vrq3vBbPfs8SEdJu-VsXXIsFP9LdB8CJcuwUqWqqFRpvtSLLx7j9gNw_k/s650/Marigoldsd-2022a-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="650" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL95Rhi2YNomM_7QU_mgzwDopewZrZYBswczecF5t0cBOZycUL5jPD_FOG44mwnzfGRTKUl9JnoOJbyN4thnFd0OYCLGo4QOrZ2wkd4_QSScYiLB2dItdWBPuuTdXT_2Vrq3vBbPfs8SEdJu-VsXXIsFP9LdB8CJcuwUqWqqFRpvtSLLx7j9gNw_k/w320-h245/Marigoldsd-2022a-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful marigolds!</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><span style="font-family: times;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Inchworm </b>by Danny Kaye</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: small;"><i>Inchworm, inchworm (two and two are four)<br />Measuring the marigolds (four and four are eight)<br />You and your arithmetic (eight and eight are sixteen)<br />You'll probably go far (sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: small;"><i>Inchworm, inchworm (two and two are four)<br />Measuring the marigolds (four and four are eight)<br />Seems to me, you'd stop and see (eight and eight are sixteen)<br />How beautiful they are (sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two)</i></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Marigolds have been under cultivation for centuries</h3>
<p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Marigolds (<i>Tagetes</i> spp.) are members of the daisy family, Asteraceae. They are all native to the Americas: Mexico, Central America, and South America, but some of the common names imply otherwise. Some are called French marigolds or African marigolds. In their <a href="https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325872-2" target="_blank">Plants of the World Online</a>, Kew Gardens states that there are 49 species. But only a few species have been widely cultivated including the so called French Marigold (<i>T. patula</i>), the so-called African marigold (<i>T. erecta</i>), the signet marigold (<i>T. tenuifolia</i>), and Mexican tarragon or sweet mace (<i>T. lucida</i>). Recently most botanists including Kew Gardens and the <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1576&syn_name=Tagetes+patula" target="_blank">Atlas of Florida Plants</a> have decided that the French marigold (<i>T. patula</i>) is the same species as the African marigold (<i>T. erecta</i>), with a better common name: <b>Aztec marigold. </b><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF4QbC9Y62hPR93uP6NcPlt-C_DTNZFPgu-U1P8ZX3tLMjr6SX5L2wNx1nM1D1ERiaP8kiFe9dJcFlF3l2Eyidr5FdjiifDcDLDqnwyhshnSSl6CxOazH1E837Jti3w4mG39oc1zIqLeliVFhqLjYcbYDBqorWrBLPoI8Tz-bhLzYyWfKC0Lhc3th/s533/Imarigoldtransaction.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF4QbC9Y62hPR93uP6NcPlt-C_DTNZFPgu-U1P8ZX3tLMjr6SX5L2wNx1nM1D1ERiaP8kiFe9dJcFlF3l2Eyidr5FdjiifDcDLDqnwyhshnSSl6CxOazH1E837Jti3w4mG39oc1zIqLeliVFhqLjYcbYDBqorWrBLPoI8Tz-bhLzYyWfKC0Lhc3th/w300-h400/Imarigoldtransaction.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A woman buys a huge bunch of marigolds <br />to decorate relatives' graves on Nov. 1<br />Day of the Dead.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">Marigolds and festivals</h3><p>Marigold flowers don't wilt after they are picked and they hold their color for many days and this asset means that marigolds became important for various festivals in their native regions, Mexico and Central America, especially the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead on Nov. 1 & 2). This celebration was begun during the time of the Aztecs, but was synched up with the Christian All Saints Day. Both days 1 and 2 are national holidays and the kids don’t go to school. On the first day, people go to the cemeteries to clean up their relative's graves and decorate them with marigolds and other flowers. </p><p>A few years ago, my husband and I were in <span style="text-align: center;">Huatulco, Mexico (on the southwestern coast) on November 1. Markets and pickup trucks were filled with marigolds. People were buying huge bunches of them. </span>The woman in this photo bought an armload of marigolds that was almost as big as she was. </p><p>Nov. 2, the second Day of the Dead, is for the children. On this day that year, we were in Antigua, Guatemala and saw the the markets were selling kites and then we saw the kids flying kites in the cemeteries to stay in better touch with their dead relatives. Very touching.</p><p><br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1r2IBHoEN2G6qABfIsmZwra2HVK3uFlsaTmFgIp3EbJwbOY50C-im3HRbZm6ndljaWRnDRKeKdTvQQLER0dIqPV6fTQmVSP5ILEgQX2TH7Ee7ByOjxgIJIryJFPKxwY2s_eMYlso5vfAPRJOG-f_nQKIlPNoTMMTqB_nP1CZG_HjjCkYVNM5ovei/s650/mexmarigolds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1r2IBHoEN2G6qABfIsmZwra2HVK3uFlsaTmFgIp3EbJwbOY50C-im3HRbZm6ndljaWRnDRKeKdTvQQLER0dIqPV6fTQmVSP5ILEgQX2TH7Ee7ByOjxgIJIryJFPKxwY2s_eMYlso5vfAPRJOG-f_nQKIlPNoTMMTqB_nP1CZG_HjjCkYVNM5ovei/s16000/mexmarigolds.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flower market on Nov. 1 in Huatulco, Mexico is ready for an onslaught of customers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_q4Ygl2YE0727eUp6PsdXzxKVPtcB6fhNVdrDUSQBxWztelWGLLvPWVekZT9CyYy_IKlMxgp2HYiLAt7jWm1_q6KmTO5yK0SJZvH2HiVWQSTNvjDnb1wA84z-ID4gjtIgWWK7yJAXK-FlyceTGDJRs2KXLVoqLSB-mYRACR7gZO3vmXXCvjMXIWEo/s600/mexmarigolds-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_q4Ygl2YE0727eUp6PsdXzxKVPtcB6fhNVdrDUSQBxWztelWGLLvPWVekZT9CyYy_IKlMxgp2HYiLAt7jWm1_q6KmTO5yK0SJZvH2HiVWQSTNvjDnb1wA84z-ID4gjtIgWWK7yJAXK-FlyceTGDJRs2KXLVoqLSB-mYRACR7gZO3vmXXCvjMXIWEo/s320/mexmarigolds-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PDoC1vyd9V54qZfuQ0QTjSdAVVHoXYB1Ule4PLgNYOSFt4sFxx-DUAXDfnon5IfB6T_xjEnhdZk3zhoVeoCrDgAlZ6e6bd8OunO30vNgiOkqH8-4Kjlp2QAtUHpluh9sPoSteT-kdM0Wu3RzM3yw4CT8_5WjdZUs3w-Tju52_PAxmLpQKOngrlfg/s700/FelizHalloween.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="700" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PDoC1vyd9V54qZfuQ0QTjSdAVVHoXYB1Ule4PLgNYOSFt4sFxx-DUAXDfnon5IfB6T_xjEnhdZk3zhoVeoCrDgAlZ6e6bd8OunO30vNgiOkqH8-4Kjlp2QAtUHpluh9sPoSteT-kdM0Wu3RzM3yw4CT8_5WjdZUs3w-Tju52_PAxmLpQKOngrlfg/s320/FelizHalloween.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pickup truck loaded with marigolds behind a stand at a market in Huatulco, Mexico on Nov. 1.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Día de Muertos! Feliz Halloween! Happy Day of the Dead! This makes for a weird mixture of cultures in Huatulco, Mexico</td>
</tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUJAru9ZBQKCagdV-skS_Q3_sMub27uRK6UK0mt7G-LHSfa_6sPIfV6pWt_L1r4gmQ4R3MRt7k_WGjRhv48sHi4ZLVFmsIHE_6Bs1IQyo6smMTR4MfR0P931StOKmUNuBvO5PJQtluCZ0bzRZ6Mpzki_1dKsM5pQ5-_bbWnCBk4jpaWU90moueGAr/s750/2ndDayofDead.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUJAru9ZBQKCagdV-skS_Q3_sMub27uRK6UK0mt7G-LHSfa_6sPIfV6pWt_L1r4gmQ4R3MRt7k_WGjRhv48sHi4ZLVFmsIHE_6Bs1IQyo6smMTR4MfR0P931StOKmUNuBvO5PJQtluCZ0bzRZ6Mpzki_1dKsM5pQ5-_bbWnCBk4jpaWU90moueGAr/s16000/2ndDayofDead.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Nov.2, the second Day of the Dead, kids fly kites in the cemeteries. This is in Antigua, Guatemala.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3>Marigolds have been on the move!</h3>Other parts of the world also use marigolds for festivals and religious offerings.<div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7onABwDmKDWmRWGDGc7lZFYT3cvEYhObcCrCtOE7KYFV82LzhVYGGQ4hXXa0HBazKSx3jO1LIQdJ8g0-V-CBn0R3jlAo_xKy3dvVNY9pgwRIHMRuX2q2sd6ZFhJ3NnGJnNNu_CzRG41srlUqo2Hp_Tep4snp7SBcaJ2Kg1DC_7toqfDeXgqgKJRk/s650/Mumbaimarigolds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7onABwDmKDWmRWGDGc7lZFYT3cvEYhObcCrCtOE7KYFV82LzhVYGGQ4hXXa0HBazKSx3jO1LIQdJ8g0-V-CBn0R3jlAo_xKy3dvVNY9pgwRIHMRuX2q2sd6ZFhJ3NnGJnNNu_CzRG41srlUqo2Hp_Tep4snp7SBcaJ2Kg1DC_7toqfDeXgqgKJRk/s16000/Mumbaimarigolds.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Marigolds are strung together and used for offerings in Hindu temples. This is in Mumbai, India.</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0jUKrGumZ7ET9EL_yIoU5bF6PcEW3CxLXCUGMRS7I0nRnjj2X1tUtEYGc0-e_7aEgcySJ0GCwS00hqOfo8vnHo_2ESt7s9PgaTgQKMUKkoxo4Y4T18T3SSauTvj-DmsiaNEEgHBgFffd6psqI9Pg_qQXqR0NP16HIeL3fvL-Zj5m2xiyPhm61rgC/s750/marigoldin%20KL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="750" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0jUKrGumZ7ET9EL_yIoU5bF6PcEW3CxLXCUGMRS7I0nRnjj2X1tUtEYGc0-e_7aEgcySJ0GCwS00hqOfo8vnHo_2ESt7s9PgaTgQKMUKkoxo4Y4T18T3SSauTvj-DmsiaNEEgHBgFffd6psqI9Pg_qQXqR0NP16HIeL3fvL-Zj5m2xiyPhm61rgC/w640-h456/marigoldin%20KL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marigolds and other flowers are strung together and used for offerings in Buddhist temples .<br />This is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAp3ETj_UwGAplBnm-a93eFrZEIPBOi11KiLpuvhi7GeoKhmGYsAtYkDgChgvOD9M0SHUpqxW4tCOyAahEil-FDvEjDIyY8VWWGw9PXIPCW2uT81ZrAVYuMuoZqEyV5kUiBZIK1ouCxmxGsnCs46nR3C7V5dB-k1D-8oVdCcS-grTbKrI7LEzoVXm/s650/Marigoldsd-2022b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="650" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAp3ETj_UwGAplBnm-a93eFrZEIPBOi11KiLpuvhi7GeoKhmGYsAtYkDgChgvOD9M0SHUpqxW4tCOyAahEil-FDvEjDIyY8VWWGw9PXIPCW2uT81ZrAVYuMuoZqEyV5kUiBZIK1ouCxmxGsnCs46nR3C7V5dB-k1D-8oVdCcS-grTbKrI7LEzoVXm/s320/Marigoldsd-2022b-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marigolds as companion plants</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Marigolds in the garden</h3>
<p>Marigolds are popular plants in the garden for a number of good reasons. <b>Note:</b> Whether you're using marigolds for pollinators or as an edible, if you buy plants rather than seeds, make sure they have not been treated with systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids.<br /><br /><b>For decoration </b>in flower beds because their bright-colored flower heads last for days and they have a long blooming cycle in warm weather. And, as mentioned above, they last a long time when cut for bouquets.<br /><br /><b>To eat.</b> All the commonly available marigolds have edible flowers—just cut the petals or ray florets from the top of the flower head to use in salads or to add color to any dish. For the Mexican tarragon (<i>T. lucida</i>) in addition to the flowers, the leaves have a complex flavor and odor that's somewhat like anise/tarragon, but with a hint of mint.<br /> <br /><b>As companion plants</b> in vegetable gardens:<br />- to attract pollinators, <br />- to ward off pest bugs, <br />- to fill in to reduce weeds, <br />- to reduce soil pathogens because the roots exude antibacterial substance, so don't plant near legumes because plants in the bean family depend upon bacteria to fix nitrogen. <br /><br /><b>As a cover crop</b> to reduce root-knot nematodes. Just planting marigolds as a companion plant will not do much to reduce nematode populations. Grow the marigolds in a bed and at least two weeks before planting the fall crops, turn the marigolds into the top few inches of soil. For the details, read this article: <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/06/results-nematode-experiment.html" target="_blank">Results: the nematode experiement </a></p><p><b>As a dye</b> for fabrics or other materials. Their strong pigments are even used as chicken feed to color chicken meat.<br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o4n94KS1NyZyxruUrMyIy4Fn0UzEq-mlxD8UisplAVZeKunEV00GAT72Pxz5S67x-eMOyp7CD0xVbVr_alxkT9vqbnHizGIyw487c_QhJZmrUZ_7s845Se6_uRgJ54B4DmddiWOvGztDS4N3r1VwBskeiM4W7wxRo8te54p9OADezQts8HEByiyd/s648/Marigold-pollinator2-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="648" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o4n94KS1NyZyxruUrMyIy4Fn0UzEq-mlxD8UisplAVZeKunEV00GAT72Pxz5S67x-eMOyp7CD0xVbVr_alxkT9vqbnHizGIyw487c_QhJZmrUZ_7s845Se6_uRgJ54B4DmddiWOvGztDS4N3r1VwBskeiM4W7wxRo8te54p9OADezQts8HEByiyd/s320/Marigold-pollinator2-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorT_wZIKjvsJZfs_4eS6V8khujoTSdGGfSkqM_cEE68WCG_al4uwLuH-0L2BrLVUwGLVPCHzE5PD9oAdx21MjsgRgthh0ksFtRjC-zExF5aYSymp6xX9oOA_My5kK3J066ngLothCX8nvldosDcRrKqTgAv_fuGVG1cVOTYplJ-_fPfCqcNAzk3y9/s649/marigold-pollinator-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorT_wZIKjvsJZfs_4eS6V8khujoTSdGGfSkqM_cEE68WCG_al4uwLuH-0L2BrLVUwGLVPCHzE5PD9oAdx21MjsgRgthh0ksFtRjC-zExF5aYSymp6xX9oOA_My5kK3J066ngLothCX8nvldosDcRrKqTgAv_fuGVG1cVOTYplJ-_fPfCqcNAzk3y9/s320/marigold-pollinator-Stibolt.jpg" width="254" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monarch butterfly (<i>Danaus plexippus</i>)</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A southern carpenter bee (<i>Xylocopa micans</i>)</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>In addition to pollinators, marigolds also attract predators. A few years ago a wicked looking green lynx spider and all her babies occupied my marigolds during the fall months. This was fun to watch.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAgkBZ-bexcDH6-ygUa7bLNF5QiVbaYQGgDRYcTyqDiB44U8puimni_Y4I7Eqpahb7yLUVN3SF11bRs8vNMkmsjqHqCSsXfnoBCGz74CYTYgBFkmom23JRp-0QM7sDtXchOxb73bYE36EvAly-mFAYvxoGU_LiCF_xMdeOLSzjL9GKlkm3QNlQr8n/s750/marigolds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAgkBZ-bexcDH6-ygUa7bLNF5QiVbaYQGgDRYcTyqDiB44U8puimni_Y4I7Eqpahb7yLUVN3SF11bRs8vNMkmsjqHqCSsXfnoBCGz74CYTYgBFkmom23JRp-0QM7sDtXchOxb73bYE36EvAly-mFAYvxoGU_LiCF_xMdeOLSzjL9GKlkm3QNlQr8n/s16000/marigolds.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A green lynx spider mom, spent several months in our marigolds raising her babies. The babies here <br />are in two bunches protected under the marigold flowers with a web spun around both flowers. <br />Read my post on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2016/11/spiders-in-marigolds-new-bed.html" target="_blank">the spider-mom saga</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtt5g7cKuvrzzI0Y5jFS8Rh78IYZMnc5dPZDBiKwMSbPALGubYrU14FrVYm0H_r3RRvQcOSPw11H5OTKbUd5Ya2l1fZF9FxTk8iFqVIVnqT6iT_sbrAEbQGDU0K_PQ1pfpoPqDlQnCmwzav1TV6ROk8t8buAhW3rXE7kav4humJZOGsMednWGNxuV/s1320/whitemarigold.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtt5g7cKuvrzzI0Y5jFS8Rh78IYZMnc5dPZDBiKwMSbPALGubYrU14FrVYm0H_r3RRvQcOSPw11H5OTKbUd5Ya2l1fZF9FxTk8iFqVIVnqT6iT_sbrAEbQGDU0K_PQ1pfpoPqDlQnCmwzav1TV6ROk8t8buAhW3rXE7kav4humJZOGsMednWGNxuV/s320/whitemarigold.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burpee's white marigold, "Snowball."</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>The quest for a white marigold</h3>
<p>Marigold flowers are naturally yellow/orange/dark red and most of the many cultivars also had these warm color tones. Burpee Seeds began a contest to produce a white marigold with a $10,000 prize in 1954—a type of citizen science experiment—where its customers (including my mother), would buy the lightest yellow marigold seeds and if they grew a white one, they sent the collected seeds back to Burpee. Their growers tested the seeds to see if it yielded marigolds that were light enough to be called white. This quest for a white marigold lasted for quite a while until the prize was finally awarded in 1975. You could buy a nice house for $10,000 in the 1950s—it was a lot of money. So my mother grew fields of those pale marigolds for many years.</p><p>So I hope you'll add more marigolds to your yard to attract pollinators, to repel nematodes, to eat, to gather for flower arrangements, or to simply add beauty to your yard.<br />
<br />Marigolds by <a href="https://southernexposure.com/categories/marigolds/" target="_blank">Southern Exposure</a><br />Marigolds by <a href="https://www.burpee.com/flowers/marigolds/" target="_blank">Burpee Seeds</a> in addition to their white cultivar, they also offer one that is said to be a better deterrent to nematodes.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />
Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p><br /></p>
</div>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-51428257056901542902022-10-04T14:57:00.000-04:002022-10-04T14:57:25.038-04:00Habitat gardening<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn5rwpqcnjEavun-Zra8icg0I-eOwcxI2anjwXJxp4B-iKZdrhwpHIQErzDf0aQJRJuQjUhhYG8eT96qQ6i35WCs4IbxKW5nL4CNlHnzW3gHJBsfm1gkT_Swaydkq1G0E8bI_6-StsdSZuy2Ffa6I2J0mppxLHNZQSnvFFvyzVtljjnMmnTT-Sadp/s700/ecosystemcycles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="700" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn5rwpqcnjEavun-Zra8icg0I-eOwcxI2anjwXJxp4B-iKZdrhwpHIQErzDf0aQJRJuQjUhhYG8eT96qQ6i35WCs4IbxKW5nL4CNlHnzW3gHJBsfm1gkT_Swaydkq1G0E8bI_6-StsdSZuy2Ffa6I2J0mppxLHNZQSnvFFvyzVtljjnMmnTT-Sadp/w400-h283/ecosystemcycles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In natural areas, the soil ecosystem supports the plants, <br />which support the insects, which in turn support <br />the birds and other wildlife.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Florida's default landscapes</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Most yards in Florida
consist of highly maintained monoculture lawns, a few stand-alone trees, and a
fringe of foundation plants around the buildings. This is the opposite of
habitat gardening because typical Florida lawn care includes regular
landscape-wide applications of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and other
poisons. Then since these pesticides are not good for the turfgrass, synthetic
fertilizer is applied to keep it green.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">This treatment damages
the soil ecosystem (shown in the poster here), which plays an important role in
keeping the plants healthy, which then support the insects and the birds. In
addition, much of the lawn chemicals have rinsed through the soil or have been
carried away with erosion to pollute our waterways causing too much algae
growth and toxic dead zones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span><a name='more'></a></span>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">It doesn't have to be like this...</h3>
<p>Homeowners' yards, school yards, community properties, municipal lands could all be modified to look more like "The Real Florida"--filled with Florida native plants arranged in natural groupings. I've covered this huge topic in two peer-reviewed books for Florida: "<a href="http://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813061313" target="_blank">The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape</a>" and "<a href="http://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813064635" target="_blank">A Step-by-Step Guide to a Florida Native Yard,</a>" plus there are even more ideas in the award-winning “<a href="http://sky-bolt.com/climate/climatewiselandscaping.htm" target="_blank">Climate-Wise Landscaping</a>.”</p>
<p>While you could hire a native nursery to install an all-native landscape for your whole property as one big project, most people will work on their building habitat project over a number of years as they have the time, money, and energy to work on this project. Also, when you work on a project like this over a number of seasons, you gain experience and find out what works and what does not for your property.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Here is one strategy to get you started...</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GRXo-K30fDSmwORy6J_YtH5liLKOHpHcfF1M98Rwngn4-oE-w90jsXBnB7AFAWehFrxpiXV0K0ib-e7JKfI6niJUDhDYmyaPqZB2Qq630KDwMCuWSMZs2wcs1T3Xcz0YSqdGt1CW-yNLCXAoHtq-zvsQlQbqPoyoxm4e7qrQYLu7iex7gu_zIc7Y/s650/lawntree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="650" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GRXo-K30fDSmwORy6J_YtH5liLKOHpHcfF1M98Rwngn4-oE-w90jsXBnB7AFAWehFrxpiXV0K0ib-e7JKfI6niJUDhDYmyaPqZB2Qq630KDwMCuWSMZs2wcs1T3Xcz0YSqdGt1CW-yNLCXAoHtq-zvsQlQbqPoyoxm4e7qrQYLu7iex7gu_zIc7Y/s320/lawntree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzKWeix__2-NBEBhTUMn6AG8BNjTKTU54G_2I95QfAT4GEB71Elo1XBeNt1bGGczIZmKwm4GtfHAi6wMrebmp26Mn4POnWztGYjVqwAlbIFDL3cqdIUSSPkDzwMB5iQ0G-R4K1AXt0b_LJXjpzAMYASKulqW9kaACPm94Na73c7FWmZmJsPOBbCPs/s636/magnoliagrove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="636" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzKWeix__2-NBEBhTUMn6AG8BNjTKTU54G_2I95QfAT4GEB71Elo1XBeNt1bGGczIZmKwm4GtfHAi6wMrebmp26Mn4POnWztGYjVqwAlbIFDL3cqdIUSSPkDzwMB5iQ0G-R4K1AXt0b_LJXjpzAMYASKulqW9kaACPm94Na73c7FWmZmJsPOBbCPs/s320/magnoliagrove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single magnolia tree in the middle of a lawn...</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building habitat around a magnolia.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Build habitat around single trees</h3>
<p>There are a number of good reasons to begin with building habitat around single trees that were planted in the middle of a lawn or those that have had understory plants and companion trees removed as part of the clearing as the house or other buildings were being constructed so they are left as a remnant of what used to be there.</p>
<p>- Trees are not good for lawns because the vast majority of the tree roots are shallow and wide spreading and the tree will outcompete the grass for water and nutrients. Plants with the largest leaf surface area with absorb more water due to <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank">transpiration</a>. Also, the tree, as it grows will cast an increasing shadow, which is not good for the turgrass near the tree.<br />
- Typical lawn care with its landscape-wide applications of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and synthetic fertilizers is not good for the soil ecosystem, which means that the tree will suffer. Plus the frequent use of power tools near the tree such as string trimmers and lawnmowers could gouge the bark or slice off the tops of roots as they gain girth and rise above the lawn mowing height. The repeated traffic due to mowing also harms the tree.<br />
- A tree that is planted with other trees and/or surrounded by understory shrubs and trees creates a series of complex interwoven root systems, and because of this, that grouping of woody plants will be much more wind tolerant and more drought tolerant than a lone tree in the middle of a shallow-rooted lawn. <br />- A tree surrounded by other woody understory plants will absorb more stormwaater from the surrounding landscape than a single tree in the middle of a lawn. A group of trees and shrubs could be arranged to be at the edge of a <a href="http://www.sky-bolt.com/garden/raingarden2.htm" target="_blank">rain garden</a> to help soak up stormwater from roofs, roads, or other impervious surfaces.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Steps to build a thicket around a tree</h3>
<p>To build a thicket or grove around a tree:<br />
- Begin by looking at the tree's leaf-drop area and create a thicket as least as large as that, especially for magnolias with their thick, leathery leaves. Those leaves will become part of the mulch for the thicket. Create this space with wide curves so mowing around it will be easy.<br />
- Options for removing the lawn from under a tree are limited, because sod-cutters or herbicides would damage the tree. Pull out the grass and the weeds by hand or with hand tools right next to the tree. Further away from the tree, you could apply a thick layer of wood mulch with or without cardboard or layers of newspaper under the mulch.<br />
- While you're working around the tree, find areas between the major tree roots where you could plant your understory plants. If they are other trees or shrubs, be sure to leave enough room beteem them so they can grow into their own forms.<br />
- Choose plants that are compatible with the tree and that are native to your region so they can play significant roles in the local ecosystem. Also, choose plants to increase the species diversity in your neighborhood.<br />
- When planting the woody plants, rinse all the potting soil from the roots and spread the roots out in a shallow planting hole for the best results and to give them a head start on becoming wind tolerant and drought tolerant. Read this for more on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/01/smart-gardening.html" target="_blank">root rinsing</a>.<br />
- It's a good idea to use bunching grasses and other smaller or herbaceous plants at the edges of the thicket to make it easier to manage.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Examples of thickets in a suburban setting</h3>
<p>Here are some examples of tree thickets in my North Florida neighborhood...</p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6u58rqO-oUIBYWkyc7y5sWQAiSJfy5joIlIKXhB0WWGYuUdOS1ZP8vcmxbsMItFK45Z9bs-8A_t96NIK2V2QFrPvn2p655uJxfggbD56UP3U64oTUJO_TrKi9N8KY-8d_I6P6lW37wI_chBerDkAF9Tr1U39_9NaIYL3F3dDazjB9WYs225XJSxs/s750/thickets2-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="750" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6u58rqO-oUIBYWkyc7y5sWQAiSJfy5joIlIKXhB0WWGYuUdOS1ZP8vcmxbsMItFK45Z9bs-8A_t96NIK2V2QFrPvn2p655uJxfggbD56UP3U64oTUJO_TrKi9N8KY-8d_I6P6lW37wI_chBerDkAF9Tr1U39_9NaIYL3F3dDazjB9WYs225XJSxs/w640-h379/thickets2-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A natural palmetto thicket next to the road. This thicket provides screening and habitat and receives virtually no ongoing maintenance other than the infrequent mowing of the surrounding freedom lawn.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujFUpFwykGw0rXgfZE8tQ4vB_-w4ix3B5bgF_aoApdFgzj_asnuvzlwju9f5vKOceK1pRz-uJkNTESCN8rUqVTvgXYpqp43sLTfkN4ElXXiIDAtiOfS1sfmRitxJwgSFClLbP6PBemVeK3Kl0eOXfJV316mwkdTHcQnF-QPcAxgfkEjMhqNuqjSWI/s650/thickets3-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="650" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujFUpFwykGw0rXgfZE8tQ4vB_-w4ix3B5bgF_aoApdFgzj_asnuvzlwju9f5vKOceK1pRz-uJkNTESCN8rUqVTvgXYpqp43sLTfkN4ElXXiIDAtiOfS1sfmRitxJwgSFClLbP6PBemVeK3Kl0eOXfJV316mwkdTHcQnF-QPcAxgfkEjMhqNuqjSWI/w640-h414/thickets3-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An azalea thicket around an oak. This is one of two azalea thickets in this yard. They have been in place for more than a decade and they receive no ongoing maintenance other than mowing around them. While I would have used a native azalea, this still offers a good example of a mature thicket. FYI, this is the same yard as the palmetto thicket next to the road in the above photo.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRXMBKzya34uY1UBJcfdBKwSSjhl2-L0TrUXJY9ViZfLjURH_a8ElaaWVmzOIDtrrnIcBs7BcxumJ77aSpHYXplfxbS8QwgFol000CdI6u-yN7U6t7EpU0OZOcqlFj6YnTGT8fo_qlZt_LN07TdXYswl4r0ri0UEWkFD5R9HsBTw44iLTLzTV_rX/s1061/thickets-2006-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1061" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRXMBKzya34uY1UBJcfdBKwSSjhl2-L0TrUXJY9ViZfLjURH_a8ElaaWVmzOIDtrrnIcBs7BcxumJ77aSpHYXplfxbS8QwgFol000CdI6u-yN7U6t7EpU0OZOcqlFj6YnTGT8fo_qlZt_LN07TdXYswl4r0ri0UEWkFD5R9HsBTw44iLTLzTV_rX/w640-h462/thickets-2006-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful self-planted native pinxter azalea (<i>Rhododendron canescens</i>) thicket around a pine tree. Go to its plant profile on the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/rhododendron-canescens" target="_blank">Florida Native Plant Society's website</a> for more information and a link to native nurseries that have it in stock. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MspeCdiZ7PFF3HpKY4L-cxt1moyR9HNpnhUsLEdjf4vxYDMBmeHR1Vwfs4FFoJhAhhQ_qj2qPRw3J0YMgf8g-I1EIryEaPtpKqcrFKZiE4WIeYVr8jPGCz7Nj4do9oHnEqB1NDS9OUzmssUt_NniG7JvHQJ33Uf2tNqwd4B2H-0aZjg-i8kJA3iO/s650/thickets-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="650" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MspeCdiZ7PFF3HpKY4L-cxt1moyR9HNpnhUsLEdjf4vxYDMBmeHR1Vwfs4FFoJhAhhQ_qj2qPRw3J0YMgf8g-I1EIryEaPtpKqcrFKZiE4WIeYVr8jPGCz7Nj4do9oHnEqB1NDS9OUzmssUt_NniG7JvHQJ33Uf2tNqwd4B2H-0aZjg-i8kJA3iO/w640-h480/thickets-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature-built thickets around trees on a minimally-maintained community right-of-way--a triangular space between roads.</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">The opposite of habitat landscaping</h3>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoiDNauc8ZyUepFfdLNKeppJeCfB3vRh--3Xmoemhb1vcSJCgwKB6ke35YZLzlRAkMyU9cMhAMjOHwBISvQjjBHB06diBp__CP3inRr2Ixwo_0l4xZa7jm1eUj-ZyAmK-Mn7ymkEQltwjDjIQFJcRK1Cx5rPtAjM-pbQxEgy7gtHUi6z1xSLVojy2/s650/trimmedupmagnolia-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="650" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoiDNauc8ZyUepFfdLNKeppJeCfB3vRh--3Xmoemhb1vcSJCgwKB6ke35YZLzlRAkMyU9cMhAMjOHwBISvQjjBHB06diBp__CP3inRr2Ixwo_0l4xZa7jm1eUj-ZyAmK-Mn7ymkEQltwjDjIQFJcRK1Cx5rPtAjM-pbQxEgy7gtHUi6z1xSLVojy2/w640-h338/trimmedupmagnolia-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new homeowner chopped off a magnolia's (<i>M. grandiflora</i>) lower branches. This tree is some distance from the house near a relatively busy neighborhood road. When the branches grew all the way to the ground, this tree used to provide good screening and sound dampening from the road and much better habitat for the birds. Also, now that more light reaches the area under the tree, there will be a lot of weeds to manage. So <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">unnecessary</span>! </td></tr></tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwmZrzSiHuvLdxb0Hrx5FcbI-hDeFVmwTbc5dZCkePzEyq--7zOcUBjCQQpZ5w9QIBuLOZkkgBfAjxOi6YRSx2zZJr2vbAyNjOL4i1qj0z5XLIkqMfIvW7LHGGx26RNRacJS1GW6aQlC9yWDG41hkNhdbIKaEhcGNN1FoLrsE1B-djhhnJA1kIwPF/s650/thicketremoval-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwmZrzSiHuvLdxb0Hrx5FcbI-hDeFVmwTbc5dZCkePzEyq--7zOcUBjCQQpZ5w9QIBuLOZkkgBfAjxOi6YRSx2zZJr2vbAyNjOL4i1qj0z5XLIkqMfIvW7LHGGx26RNRacJS1GW6aQlC9yWDG41hkNhdbIKaEhcGNN1FoLrsE1B-djhhnJA1kIwPF/s320/thicketremoval-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL00KCH6PmtG4SyOP2RZjRbZhEj5RgkiHsZwFYcWTcwFsuVmmwQqPaf3ldzL1oZnyk49TC-aQwiNo6goZ122kG3z1So6No3NBa1ctCG9GqUkaojGFK0NoA2gMHBnESirHUjuR_sM1vAfm7OAG6KS1LU73UboHj7jd0ucN3OMBiQd1IUvpcRnC4HPPD/s600/thicketremoval2-2022-Stibolt.jpg.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL00KCH6PmtG4SyOP2RZjRbZhEj5RgkiHsZwFYcWTcwFsuVmmwQqPaf3ldzL1oZnyk49TC-aQwiNo6goZ122kG3z1So6No3NBa1ctCG9GqUkaojGFK0NoA2gMHBnESirHUjuR_sM1vAfm7OAG6KS1LU73UboHj7jd0ucN3OMBiQd1IUvpcRnC4HPPD/s320/thicketremoval2-2022-Stibolt.jpg.JPG" width="310" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cutting away of a nature-built thicket.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three large piles of needlessly cut vegetation.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>This homeowner has a long driveway and there were groupings of trees and shrubs in thickets all along the driveway. Some are still in place as seen in the photo on the left. But recently, they chopped away all the understory trees, shrubs and vines. They just cut them off, so those plants will send up many suckers and now, instead of a no-care habitat, there will be an endless cycle of cutting and pruning. All this vegetation not only provided good habitat, it also cooled the air through transpiration. What a waste of time and effort and too bad for the birds that used to call this home.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">For more information:</h3>
<p>- To learn why native plants are so important, watch this <a href="https://youtu.be/xLn5UCM_tv8" target="_blank">4-minute Doug Tallamy video.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4woSNtnQsswnqMwgombAAPjaNVFDtq91REeHO9IaChueTSZV8SwKKNryjPBVnFfmWmkjxOOUezDQx16fwoo1K-Apb31aQiZKSJ4ua3bGSdL8CZS7b2spDgHKQVDI0A26z-h9u8u3BqB5uGgIEoHOOfg57r3FdLSPqnUCbyz9Xo8NQppJ0abFXeOsR" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="1000" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4woSNtnQsswnqMwgombAAPjaNVFDtq91REeHO9IaChueTSZV8SwKKNryjPBVnFfmWmkjxOOUezDQx16fwoo1K-Apb31aQiZKSJ4ua3bGSdL8CZS7b2spDgHKQVDI0A26z-h9u8u3BqB5uGgIEoHOOfg57r3FdLSPqnUCbyz9Xo8NQppJ0abFXeOsR" width="320" /></a>
- After replacing at least half of the lawn with native plant habitat, register your yard, school, or business property as part of Doug Tallamy's Homegrown National Park.<br /><a href="https://homegrownnationalpark.org/" target="_blank">https://homegrownnationalpark.org/</a><br /><br />
- <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank">Transpiration: Forests' most important service</a><br />
- <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-value-of-trees.html" target="_blank">The value of trees</a><br />- To find native plants or native plant vendors, visit <a href="https://www.plantrealflorida.org/">https://www.plantrealflorida.org/</a></p><p></p>
<p>I hope you're inspired to build some native habitat in your yard, even if it's small, because every yard makes a difference to a butterfly or a bird. Pass it on and play it forward, so your whole neighborhood can become an even larger habitat with more diversity.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p></p><p></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-56521798211337294252022-09-01T05:25:00.001-04:002022-09-01T05:48:12.933-04:00Tall elephantsfoot, an easy-to-grow Florida wildflower<table align="right" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrfeodNrDinjXxlhezCc3y_NWQjUjLtCeib9Cv-CbCfPJjPWexeTfnUJ7VONUCFeBkbu8H7fAlytGxgUvO4Y3xYTVx9vSg9HS0kTpNNUeuf8cyc3g4gtFcD5R7JHFzA_MfFgH-V5sy5iIkWbXfpgb8eJL9w8kRypF6mXHWXLCa7pk342v0gBrQXM8/s657/GreatPurpleonElephantsfoot%20Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrfeodNrDinjXxlhezCc3y_NWQjUjLtCeib9Cv-CbCfPJjPWexeTfnUJ7VONUCFeBkbu8H7fAlytGxgUvO4Y3xYTVx9vSg9HS0kTpNNUeuf8cyc3g4gtFcD5R7JHFzA_MfFgH-V5sy5iIkWbXfpgb8eJL9w8kRypF6mXHWXLCa7pk342v0gBrQXM8/w360-h400/GreatPurpleonElephantsfoot%20Stibolt.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Great Purple Hairstreak sipping nectar from tall <br />elephantsfoot flowers. The larval host for this beautiful<br />butterfly is mistletoe (<i>Phoradendron leucarpum</i>).</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><b>Tall elephantsfoot (<i>Elephantopus elatus</i>) </b>is a perennial Florida native wildflower with leathery leaves that form a rosette around its central growing point at ground level (basal leaves) and it's this leaf arrangement that inspired both its common name and genus name, elephantsfoot and <i>Elephantopus</i>, because they form a dense circle shaped like an elephant's footprint. The plant produces one or more tall, hairy flowering stalks with hardly any leaves. </p>
<p>It's a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), but it's unlike many of the family members that have flower heads composed of both disk and ray florets like a sunflower (with the ray florets looking and acting like petals and the smaller disk florets arrayed in the center). The flower head for this species has only disk florets that are subtended by three hairy bracts, which define the shape of the flower head as a triangular. The florets are light lavender to whitish and last only a day. They don't bloom until late morning just when the pollinators are first becoming active. So if you're out early in the morning, all you'll see are the old flowers from the day before.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdmOc3B-WqBRl9KonBk2SjPqiR5WZ1cfJeUleg0TbH4vhq9QIvScm9LwIj4yYIVGNotY6a6jQPAKipEVs2o5K5RfontoPBRSNIdKHS6Aaa7j37l0xk6amiJKqjQ2QMJtxxYLniXZn637bnHkfTAbwgue6KJglWQucTiYR6SQM9T3zokdPXv1S8HBt/s600/tall-elephantsfoot-f-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdmOc3B-WqBRl9KonBk2SjPqiR5WZ1cfJeUleg0TbH4vhq9QIvScm9LwIj4yYIVGNotY6a6jQPAKipEVs2o5K5RfontoPBRSNIdKHS6Aaa7j37l0xk6amiJKqjQ2QMJtxxYLniXZn637bnHkfTAbwgue6KJglWQucTiYR6SQM9T3zokdPXv1S8HBt/s320/tall-elephantsfoot-f-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="290" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5untbCSlLiQIkKQ6knpkHSWfRqu5mwhNITd0xnUKGKbtkaenCuQSpP4Kk_5TngYgg9WFot6J4FUW5GbxCzRvbXkw3HbBnsKeYG3YzjP5Esql8aADvLyORfmnLFVHjCCCsjWpNyAjIubUk8PoEH4xTRIWiOFslFG65O7_c0_XPHvF9cQ2vkcfJatRm/s350/MapPic_Species550.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5untbCSlLiQIkKQ6knpkHSWfRqu5mwhNITd0xnUKGKbtkaenCuQSpP4Kk_5TngYgg9WFot6J4FUW5GbxCzRvbXkw3HbBnsKeYG3YzjP5Esql8aADvLyORfmnLFVHjCCCsjWpNyAjIubUk8PoEH4xTRIWiOFslFG65O7_c0_XPHvF9cQ2vkcfJatRm/s320/MapPic_Species550.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flower head structure is defined by<br />the three bracts, which form a triangle.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Range map for tall elephantsfoot in Florida<br />from <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=550" target="_blank">The Atlas of Florida Plants</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<table align="left" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhS28eBAiDc0YhyaMdlQGEYu9YGaBiwtXZG5MqRYsRFCWTtm411vPZX2j_e4ano9LrwHy8Ks-pFR2uwLri7iEWci7zMX-2P0-LFed9eZD8486HWlblJH1dPn9IUZu50OmjvjXs_gb4q067PuWMjAYPiMy3gb-kcmVjhP9YyHGdUFpxwc8Xc5kJyf_/s586/tall-elephantsfoot-b-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhS28eBAiDc0YhyaMdlQGEYu9YGaBiwtXZG5MqRYsRFCWTtm411vPZX2j_e4ano9LrwHy8Ks-pFR2uwLri7iEWci7zMX-2P0-LFed9eZD8486HWlblJH1dPn9IUZu50OmjvjXs_gb4q067PuWMjAYPiMy3gb-kcmVjhP9YyHGdUFpxwc8Xc5kJyf_/w341-h400/tall-elephantsfoot-b-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall elephantsfoot at the edge of a<br />wildflower meadow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">In the landscape</h3><div><br />Tall elephantsfoot is native to the southeastern states from South Carolina to Louisiana including most of Florida. It self seeds and may volunteer in wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens, and even in partially shaded areas of non-poisoned <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/05/our-freedom-lawn.html" target="_blank">freedom lawns</a>. I took all the photos for this article in my yard where this delightful wildflower has planted itself. </div><div><br />It's fairly tolerant of transplanting and I have moved it frequently from the lawn to edges of wilder areas where I want something low-growing to transition from the mowed areas to the understory shrub area. While the flower stalks can be fairly tall up to more than two feet, the flowers are small and not showy from a distance, so in they serve well as a low border plant. In addition, they tolerate mowing, so being planted at the edges of the mowed areas works well. </div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3nE3VEcfeYBJKVjLtbkGqCXxlXGIXNRM89FXJIsEHoOXYgqyVAkZ-1ofGy1zoQZGsGsuk7252PS1sYNBYgT9jN_qpyZU7GkUcDv8bp9OW7SLJrXVmRoUNqoY2MKwLzAdaUigJe2x2LYh3vvjwNo7kOU5eEfYVZ9ztEupsissmuFgtbxqmbk41W-b/s600/tall-elephantsfoot-h-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3nE3VEcfeYBJKVjLtbkGqCXxlXGIXNRM89FXJIsEHoOXYgqyVAkZ-1ofGy1zoQZGsGsuk7252PS1sYNBYgT9jN_qpyZU7GkUcDv8bp9OW7SLJrXVmRoUNqoY2MKwLzAdaUigJe2x2LYh3vvjwNo7kOU5eEfYVZ9ztEupsissmuFgtbxqmbk41W-b/s320/tall-elephantsfoot-h-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="240" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLyo4JHctGS9PBC5NgARyfvSCGV3YL0vdq-xl5CDdokGm89LJRZQtu0akP8UY9cQVy2Xy1rygAPpDLfbOZZrdOwzbs-r7F3SHkRkjbKDQHfW-MTGRb28P5CwKOun_BhE8wv_LGfJ4RF0QfiY_V0_gA3xqVBsnoR1PXROpwIjEXgL5FNJug8lmjNsp/s600/tall-elephantsfoot-g-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLyo4JHctGS9PBC5NgARyfvSCGV3YL0vdq-xl5CDdokGm89LJRZQtu0akP8UY9cQVy2Xy1rygAPpDLfbOZZrdOwzbs-r7F3SHkRkjbKDQHfW-MTGRb28P5CwKOun_BhE8wv_LGfJ4RF0QfiY_V0_gA3xqVBsnoR1PXROpwIjEXgL5FNJug8lmjNsp/s320/tall-elephantsfoot-g-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="265" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall elephantsfoot holds its own<br />in our freedom lawn.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If the lawn is not mowed often, these<br />plants put out short flower stems.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27xkZwb4mmp9E4NdlzwPydmSptdm3SS_fJCmi8d8Vnk4agxPxMYk5HLQbQCqOKs6u94ZjCglDPymNz8LxcQ_RmCaP4GXNW5d8HVWpbS9X_DlFcUByi5y3AkDujxGUzuhFPyDlowOtAwUwNdA2e3gmQM5Zx0D7HGDaDeJN2min5dm1GOhRig9-cyqF/s717/tall-elephantsfoot-i-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27xkZwb4mmp9E4NdlzwPydmSptdm3SS_fJCmi8d8Vnk4agxPxMYk5HLQbQCqOKs6u94ZjCglDPymNz8LxcQ_RmCaP4GXNW5d8HVWpbS9X_DlFcUByi5y3AkDujxGUzuhFPyDlowOtAwUwNdA2e3gmQM5Zx0D7HGDaDeJN2min5dm1GOhRig9-cyqF/w378-h400/tall-elephantsfoot-i-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guess is that this pollinator is a Feather-Legged<br />Scoliid Wasp (<i>Dielis plumipes</i>)</td></tr></tbody></table>When growing in the lawn, it generally starts in a sparse area and then spreads from there crowding out both the St. Augustine grass and the other volunteers. We don't mow the lawn very often, so between mowings, the lawn elephantsfoots send up flowering stalks that end up being about six inches tall.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Pollinators</h3><p>Tall elephantsfoot attracts both a high volume and wide variety of pollinators from bees and wasps to butterflies and lovebugs. So this self-seeding, easy-to-grow wildflower deserves to be part of your pollinator garden.</p><p><br /></p>
<table align="left" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie2dTSMExs9xwReVoBtioo80mEghP5c_9fEIx3Ubk5dzm_DeLOYXTbD3Jz6RTm2DJyLdhd-v5F1qxtwPUQ9teOSfygyzKzi2rq2bygb0MdwBH8bTGro5kLbSUiQWAHCDkFwruds5L8squvQEOAOlnWfIRQXcTTCjUr6R7WVrdt9-rG0IRd0CFn9ub/s1024/01tb-pushyplant1-jumbo.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie2dTSMExs9xwReVoBtioo80mEghP5c_9fEIx3Ubk5dzm_DeLOYXTbD3Jz6RTm2DJyLdhd-v5F1qxtwPUQ9teOSfygyzKzi2rq2bygb0MdwBH8bTGro5kLbSUiQWAHCDkFwruds5L8squvQEOAOlnWfIRQXcTTCjUr6R7WVrdt9-rG0IRd0CFn9ub/s320/01tb-pushyplant1-jumbo.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>NY Times</i> article showing that this<br />unassuming little plant can push other plants </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">In the news</h3><p>Tall elephantsfoot was featured in an article in the New York Times that covered research done at University of Florida showing that the leaves of this plant actually apply pressure to nearby plants. </p><p>"<b>This Pushy Plant Is the First Proved to Shove Its Neighbor</b></p><p>"This behavior could help study a longstanding mystery of how so many plants share small amounts of space. </p><p>This research was done by Camille Sicangco, an undergraduate student, and Dr. Francis “Jack” Putz, a botany professor at the University of Florida. Ms. Sicangco worked with engineering professors at the university to design and 3-D-print a soil-mounted cantilever system that growing leaves could push against. After just 24 hours, the leaves had pushed the device so it was no longer vertical. Over a number of trials, they measured an average pushing force of around .02 Newtons — roughly the force needed to lift a dime. Putz believes that the pushing force comes from hydraulic pressure generated inside plant cells.</p><p>This link I've shared here is a "gift" article and provides you with access to read it without having to subscribe to the Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/01/science/plant-shoving-pushing.html?unlocked_article_code=LZG8oMFkfoaZbvjA0ML0GC6GfLvJH4IL--VPPh0nvtnvxP7lOR0fx76N8irleBCe55DZutLnPEiP0hj26JBQaABGGcQUleejvW4hZsRPBUfPKFRWX1GZmdAiTxISXprnejaDRngld_AmpuUqI039fctRXJl-hLu-KmzIOFMCjfFZLOs04gF6DAqB5EVxOB3Qy3yv0UJrRqMus-VzMLnfIIPFwj_3IPqneiUhdVsGJgGaFzuU1vYgSBE7yaZggxmwUJ1MQ0vaKYdH8_dDLd25hCLAnubjASa7h64KSh90qRbz-vR8SXqDIxSwFAXRRsElkS7312zO4WqZl2I8Phuk&smid=share-url" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/01/science/plant-shoving-pushing.html</a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Add this Florida native to your landscape</h3><p>So whether you're studying the physics of the plants' leaves or just enjoying the parade of pollinators, I hope you have some tall elephantsfoot in your yard duking it out with the other wildflowers. For more information and for a link to native nurseries that have this lovely, but tough, wildflower in stock, go to its <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/elephantopus-elatus" target="_blank">plant profile on the Florida Native Plant Socety's website</a>.</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>
</div>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-80183957755311820892022-08-01T06:58:00.002-04:002023-07-24T20:17:17.021-04:00Okra: a fast growing, heat-loving crop <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKa9CYkek5AKRaB3aY718KXGseWvn2GQC9cLMlA6p_vcCP-eRiWS8uXH21fTWzlE8DEoTrVBESlPVvWUX5MhfsZi82aiBgxyXJqT2XIzvhXLyxRShFFt9ndIiybZxhPymFGil6Qq08s3oWNofSP5FyldHQ6wueEEFgyiRKag9BhG4mgduTn64yyFf/s641/BurgundyOkra-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="641" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKa9CYkek5AKRaB3aY718KXGseWvn2GQC9cLMlA6p_vcCP-eRiWS8uXH21fTWzlE8DEoTrVBESlPVvWUX5MhfsZi82aiBgxyXJqT2XIzvhXLyxRShFFt9ndIiybZxhPymFGil6Qq08s3oWNofSP5FyldHQ6wueEEFgyiRKag9BhG4mgduTn64yyFf/s320/BurgundyOkra-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgundy okra is a beautiful and tasty addition <br />to your summer vegetable garden.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>) is a fast growing, heat-loving annual crop native to the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia along the White Nile River. It has been grown in various parts of the world and was most likely brought to the Caribbean Islands and the southeastern states by enslaved peoples from Western Africa. At first, it served as a subsistence food for slaves, but was then accepted as a southern favorite. Thomas Jefferson grew it in his garden at Monticello, Virginia in the 1780s.</p><a name='more'></a>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">The mallow plant family</h3>
<p>This crop plant belongs to the mallow plant family (Malvaceae). In addition to okra, plants in this family include <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/roselle-floridas-cranberry.html" target="_blank">roselle (Florida's cranberry</a>), garden hibiscus, cotton, various mallows, and cacao (the source of chocolate). Most of the members of this family are edible, Those decorative hibiscus and mallow flowers are also edible if you grow them without using poisons. </p><p></p><p>Also, many of the plants in this family produce a slime from the leaves, stem, roots, and fruit--some more than others. This slimy, mucilaginous quality of okra serves as a thickener and is savored in gumbo and other dishes. The slime is generated as you cut the okra fruit. It has been used medicinally, comparable to aloe vera as an ointment. Marshmallows were originally made from slime extracted from roots of a marsh mallow (<i>Althaea officinalis</i>), which is native to Eurasia. It was whipped like an egg white and this whipped concoction (sometimes with sugar added) was used as a vehicle for delivering unsavory medicines.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZr2dZW14CA4W-EAxAq5c1sm1l_fqEhAinETo7B29N5WsMuemAuwcujVJdfIPOAdHczG9e5rADgvzZK59G63NF7wCqizb5BmQ0zPCt8z3GJVltbtn2MOpTgBRs7dNIRaAcTju24f-OONym-cHY5TPG_IptFFWduB4DF-Q1-JIpWRUmHFgsokpvY8j/s650/Okrablossoms-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="650" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZr2dZW14CA4W-EAxAq5c1sm1l_fqEhAinETo7B29N5WsMuemAuwcujVJdfIPOAdHczG9e5rADgvzZK59G63NF7wCqizb5BmQ0zPCt8z3GJVltbtn2MOpTgBRs7dNIRaAcTju24f-OONym-cHY5TPG_IptFFWduB4DF-Q1-JIpWRUmHFgsokpvY8j/s320/Okrablossoms-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely okra flowers rival its hibiscus relatives<br />for beauty, but last only one day. Here you can<br />see its overlapping petals.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Okra</h3>
<p>Okra's typical form is a single thick stem reaching 6 to 15+ feet tall by the end of the season. The leaves are alternate and usually palmately lobed and covered with fine bristly hairs (pubescence) that many find irritating to their skin. When the plant is mature enough, the flowers grow in the axil where each leaf is attached to the main stem. The flowers are pale yellow with deep burgundy centers and are funnel-form with 3 to 5 united sepals, 5 separate, but overlapping petals, and numerous stamen united into a distinctive column around the pistil. They remain open only one day. Most okra cultivars produce most of their flowers in late summer as the days begin to get shorter.</p>
<p>The okra fruit is usually divided into five sections, but its shape is variable. Some are long and thin while others are short and fat. Many are pale green, but some are burgundy. Some are spineless, but many have sharp spines. Whatever their shape or color, okra pods mature quickly. Depending on temperature, they must be picked within four or five days of blooming. After that, the walls of the pod quickly lignify and they become woody and inedible.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPOBOkGLAgtrjTJvrxvfDsyJ0sY9Xmtf5UOZrI5iOulWYsC_dzMHkB_HJ80uKu91b7DVKi04C5dKUn6p0OEQBwHTNXCQFxsde-2c2yxVyIu9D26tcvygwHA71v2NxAOZiiZU0fB2xX_mAgFD0JvV247BhfHwG_K7uJ47r4pIvY_bfd0EJNoCglj2K/s400/Okraswales-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="400" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPOBOkGLAgtrjTJvrxvfDsyJ0sY9Xmtf5UOZrI5iOulWYsC_dzMHkB_HJ80uKu91b7DVKi04C5dKUn6p0OEQBwHTNXCQFxsde-2c2yxVyIu9D26tcvygwHA71v2NxAOZiiZU0fB2xX_mAgFD0JvV247BhfHwG_K7uJ47r4pIvY_bfd0EJNoCglj2K/s320/Okraswales-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building swales for the okra is worth the time <br />and effort because this greatly increases their yield.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Growing okra</h3>
<p>Okra is an easy vegetable to grow in Florida's hot, wet summers. It produces a lot of fruit, so don't plant too many. I plan for 12 to 18 plants for the two of us. It flowers over a long period, and, as long as the pods continue to be picked, it will keep flowering until the days begin to cool off in the fall. It does best when grown in rich soil with plenty of irrigation. The last few years, I've ordered seeds from <a href="http://www.southernexposure.com" target="_blank">Southern Exposure</a>--both the Burgundy Okra and the Gold Coast Okra.</p>
<p>I build a variation of a mound garden for my okra using kitchen scraps in trenches between the planting areas to enrich the soil and I build swales or indentations so the water stays in place. For more information on how I do this, see my <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2012/07/okra-swales.html" target="_blank">Okra swales</a> and <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/08/prepare-or-enrich-soil-for-crops-by.html" target="_blank">Enriching soil</a> posts. I use wire tomato cages to keep the okra growing straight, and if necessary, I use one or two taller poles and corral the plants with soft cloth ties.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeggkWM4oBYIPMz4zsHAZaEstRmf0ZoYaXJF3gg_jZZxa5P1XoLOGmqYxKNn7xkV9BW1JbtNCcWBhzwuj266qzxb2sTpJWj9xLzSvMFLyhBTOCYxKOjLobMc6FGRpFD6Q6c5vy8iCYAocPABmlusYzZK55Hedot2uSyZaD38bBOD_5t0OtXedg31H2/s676/leaf-footedbug-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeggkWM4oBYIPMz4zsHAZaEstRmf0ZoYaXJF3gg_jZZxa5P1XoLOGmqYxKNn7xkV9BW1JbtNCcWBhzwuj266qzxb2sTpJWj9xLzSvMFLyhBTOCYxKOjLobMc6FGRpFD6Q6c5vy8iCYAocPABmlusYzZK55Hedot2uSyZaD38bBOD_5t0OtXedg31H2/s320/leaf-footedbug-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While okra attracts some pest bugs like this <br />leaf-footed bug, vigorous plants do not require<br />any treatment for them.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>During the warmest days of summer, to supplement the rainfall and landscape-wide irrigation, I hand irrigate the okra with rain barrel water. This is when the swales are useful because I only direct water into those indentations so it doesn't run away. I also weed the swales to reduce competition for the water and soil nutrients, but once the plants are large enough to cast shade over the swales, the weeding is reduced.</p><p>Okra has its pests in the garden such as stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs, but the plants are so hardy that they don't make much difference. Root-knot nematodes can also be a problem for okra, so it's a good idea to bury some marigolds with the kitchen scraps to reduce the nematode population. But I've found over the years, that if the okra is well irrigated and growing in very rich soil, it will thrive despite the damage from the nematodes. Read my article on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/06/results-nematode-experiment.html" target="_blank">using marigolds to reduce nematodes</a>.</p><p><br /></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4P3zRaiQmDuX1tcqsiEP5dhX_g06nq1YomItih1Bs5dgteLy6zjgaQ1wqXetSmEJlq2-m17gAI8NMNM8NzmBK4A9vZbAiTYIDs-o16FsR29LDN_g273e-G-jleqCm_9y_QWupdVOAKz57stij1-ttTr5RdNYpYaZWOTWro7frP7FMsR4LKCJ7PMe/s508/Okra-07-24-18Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4P3zRaiQmDuX1tcqsiEP5dhX_g06nq1YomItih1Bs5dgteLy6zjgaQ1wqXetSmEJlq2-m17gAI8NMNM8NzmBK4A9vZbAiTYIDs-o16FsR29LDN_g273e-G-jleqCm_9y_QWupdVOAKz57stij1-ttTr5RdNYpYaZWOTWro7frP7FMsR4LKCJ7PMe/s320/Okra-07-24-18Stibolt.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small scissors is the best okra harvesting tool.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Harvesting and using okra</h3>
<p>As mentioned above, the fruit must be harvested before it becomes woody, and normally, this means that you'll be harvesting every day. We use small scissors for the harvesting so we make a clean cut on the stem of the fruit and so we don't injure the adjoining leaf or the main stem. After harvesting, we cut them into 1/4" slices and freeze them in a bag until we have enough for a gumbo or a mess of fried okra--about a pound. My husband does this prep work and weighs them. So far this season (end of July), our okra harvest has been more than 6 pounds. We have enjoyed them mostly in soups or gumbos, but we recently had a nice batch of fried okra--it was the main course of two dinners. Yummy.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QcbQh6m1UjfzES3zZNQ7KIjowN_j81SFvcEM_qK5uo2Mbcjlhul_eIZu5eiJkgbjMsqDyMYwCDKj-r1DEIXps9ftc1ALn2fU4jNqF_qbYawKtDZyVUQLPO3OUuxng2fMqHeO6afIZzVYOuvm2XfrS0aZDx9A8auY7P_KSndZ45HumLqKIvXAwG4o/s500/Okra-08-04-18Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QcbQh6m1UjfzES3zZNQ7KIjowN_j81SFvcEM_qK5uo2Mbcjlhul_eIZu5eiJkgbjMsqDyMYwCDKj-r1DEIXps9ftc1ALn2fU4jNqF_qbYawKtDZyVUQLPO3OUuxng2fMqHeO6afIZzVYOuvm2XfrS0aZDx9A8auY7P_KSndZ45HumLqKIvXAwG4o/s320/Okra-08-04-18Stibolt.jpg" width="256" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2MbvG9SjNoJ7N2M1kNwEQ3EWsTLf2o2ZOu0HsMaRQsWZAuC_nJlRkhVd_ZRmO6ui8R4KeMQOOV1tPMk2eBRCZSejHUtbjjCd4LqM8EPN7MCLYqfayRDo902mJ3sC8wpzugF5wye2diGopruSfEvJuxjDOW91jRAItCOPAD3kQzIz4PZWntA5CAPb/s627/okracrop2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2MbvG9SjNoJ7N2M1kNwEQ3EWsTLf2o2ZOu0HsMaRQsWZAuC_nJlRkhVd_ZRmO6ui8R4KeMQOOV1tPMk2eBRCZSejHUtbjjCd4LqM8EPN7MCLYqfayRDo902mJ3sC8wpzugF5wye2diGopruSfEvJuxjDOW91jRAItCOPAD3kQzIz4PZWntA5CAPb/s320/okracrop2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="204" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some years our okra was so tall that we<br />needed a step ladder to harvest them.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's crop has yielded more<br />than 6 pounds. Soon I'll need the<br />ladder again for harvesting.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tMjQJFjhlaXyZGSQvyQoPC47N9Xj6cr9kLSv2EfwFr2R6lMOSxp81PxTJp_03IJ0NTK6BtU_Kmg7WCiR5Vv-RPwVRifINQas1mMlEFqnEuirmsVsYLVl-gizK8UtDwS9oeWLYZ3rVQm_oVtCd8Xji5ZE2iEiizy5qV1HD9_gQo58uLB205MUxtv8/s550/friedokra-07-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="550" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tMjQJFjhlaXyZGSQvyQoPC47N9Xj6cr9kLSv2EfwFr2R6lMOSxp81PxTJp_03IJ0NTK6BtU_Kmg7WCiR5Vv-RPwVRifINQas1mMlEFqnEuirmsVsYLVl-gizK8UtDwS9oeWLYZ3rVQm_oVtCd8Xji5ZE2iEiizy5qV1HD9_gQo58uLB205MUxtv8/s320/friedokra-07-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuVN1oHwVQEHVBz4yX8fDVIyGA1tbgPidLkRZwBolXwWQgNewqY9Qcnufo2mtiJn_xs71Wi9rs1Mw4cOgnFWSYgFd_SufOWqwFrAHoDF9dw7KmLWo6jtsJs-E9J_MchjwsZONDpFCyJ2pytx8XFfEBuIJUVvv-4AfVRzlWqKswNB04kL8aEJACqSE2WE/s432/okra-growyourown-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuVN1oHwVQEHVBz4yX8fDVIyGA1tbgPidLkRZwBolXwWQgNewqY9Qcnufo2mtiJn_xs71Wi9rs1Mw4cOgnFWSYgFd_SufOWqwFrAHoDF9dw7KmLWo6jtsJs-E9J_MchjwsZONDpFCyJ2pytx8XFfEBuIJUVvv-4AfVRzlWqKswNB04kL8aEJACqSE2WE/s320/okra-growyourown-Stibolt.jpg" width="296" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh! Yummy fried okra for dinner.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grow your own okra--I took this photo a few years ago, so it's probably more expensive now.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
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<p>So, I hope you're enjoying the dog days of summer by growing some beautiful and bountiful okra.</p>
<p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</b></span></i></p>
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Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-79575524739180850372022-07-01T05:40:00.000-04:002022-07-01T05:40:38.606-04:00Mangrove spiderlily: an impressive Florida native<h3 style="text-align: left;">The mangrove spiderlily (<i>Hymenocallis latifolia</i>) </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvOgcCyOcvwQn8P64BAq8RaJPVFMncXtIYgcfyw5q0VLnmVJroxr_IcVW4smrKf9dXyLDkYWQbUImNTYMHunjU39md9HF2265uQIPc5IWfA09eKIebHaAEJOVhdGCL1kNofovqaIYqaCpRXYdtaTBZM_NVjKrfi9gRTTmet1UO-uUphS82yObit25/s600/spiderlily%202022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvOgcCyOcvwQn8P64BAq8RaJPVFMncXtIYgcfyw5q0VLnmVJroxr_IcVW4smrKf9dXyLDkYWQbUImNTYMHunjU39md9HF2265uQIPc5IWfA09eKIebHaAEJOVhdGCL1kNofovqaIYqaCpRXYdtaTBZM_NVjKrfi9gRTTmet1UO-uUphS82yObit25/w400-h384/spiderlily%202022-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers are impressive with orange pollen<br />and six strap-like tepals emanating from<br /> a central disk corolla.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The mangrove spiderlily is long-lived perennial in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) and its native range is along coastal areas in Central and South Florida and in most of the Caribbean islands. There are 14 species of <a href="https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=625" target="_blank">spiderlily (<i>Hymenocallis</i> spp.)</a> native to Florida, but the mangrove spiderlily is the one that is most often available for sale in the native plant community.</p><p>It flowers from late spring through early fall, but in my experience, most of the flowering comes all at once at the beginning of summer. While it's also known as perfumed spiderlily, the ones in my yard have a very light scent. Like many white flowers, they are primarily pollinated by moths.</p><p></p>
<a name='more'></a><p>The genus name, <i>Hymenocallis</i>, is from the Greek hymen, meaning “membrane,” and callis, meaning “beautiful.” All of the species of this genus have a membrane or "cup" of fused petals and sepals at the base of the flower with six tepals that radiate almost horizontally from the cup. They are called tepals because the sepals and the petals have the same form--tulips in the lily family (Liliaceae) provide a good example of tepals. Flower scapes (or stems) may produce up to 15 flowers in a flower head, but only one or two open each day and then they wilt after a day. The fruits are large (up to ¾-inch in diameter) green ovoid capsules, but I don't recall ever seeing one on my spiderlilies.
</p><p>The species epithet <i>latifolia</i> is Latin for “broad leaf” and indeed, the evergreen leaves that are from 1.5 to 3.5 inches wide is the identifying trait to differentiate this species from the other <i>Hyenocall</i>is species. The arching leaves are evergreen linear or strap like with entire margins or straight edges and can be more than 3 feet long. They emerge directly from the large bulbs--there is no central stem.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3mn6Rr9sPOoep7QXUkBBKMx13ROy5OkmvEQHG0kZ7jFnVbCwp1-alJYhX6toT4K69_8p60dl9lyxlp_mw_0ZZChzvfySmfNw2HfctgpRVMjbVboR2PICHAxJJuhAKMqN0Dx_HKgVl2d7Kpq2yinwWIVuVZ2BR-ffdXukewBIDiIt_SjPqivG35XP/s531/mangrovespiderlily2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3mn6Rr9sPOoep7QXUkBBKMx13ROy5OkmvEQHG0kZ7jFnVbCwp1-alJYhX6toT4K69_8p60dl9lyxlp_mw_0ZZChzvfySmfNw2HfctgpRVMjbVboR2PICHAxJJuhAKMqN0Dx_HKgVl2d7Kpq2yinwWIVuVZ2BR-ffdXukewBIDiIt_SjPqivG35XP/w269-h320/mangrovespiderlily2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="269" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ue-G8e8-mlvGzFfmyjbJ29rJn9GFN9qQ62obE4AkQbrntF4E55pxxmfjY5u_ZnsqYV5Atf6oGy55L9XVM0ZrLgvMQ8t_MhR9iGT8IcZSR_YTuAbVRNAXGZPDR34EY8D8ILyZU0j92U5Cv3UU_bvV4QIDK5iuJ2MJpZogpsjiCIkk3KS03XMgpCgj/s350/MapPic_Species3784.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ue-G8e8-mlvGzFfmyjbJ29rJn9GFN9qQ62obE4AkQbrntF4E55pxxmfjY5u_ZnsqYV5Atf6oGy55L9XVM0ZrLgvMQ8t_MhR9iGT8IcZSR_YTuAbVRNAXGZPDR34EY8D8ILyZU0j92U5Cv3UU_bvV4QIDK5iuJ2MJpZogpsjiCIkk3KS03XMgpCgj/s320/MapPic_Species3784.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers begin to wilt after just one day, but new flowers open each day.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native range map from the Atlas of Florida Plants.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Using spiderlilies in the landscape</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp-zEPCR4wuIMcf-zamAeEBDe6TuCQ8nDBelxGnOcx06TEAgrJ3LM9MdXjLoWD8kzPESmSxusOdplW2HCi_eNmJQunlLTpDBUcltxPk_DoWspEE9pYNnHeG8iWVQs4_m6OxgmT9KkECXnc7ThM1qsC_7ARgqeYZDX1ylWxlRHrL72WaJuoZNsP5P6/s639/spiderlily%202022b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="575" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp-zEPCR4wuIMcf-zamAeEBDe6TuCQ8nDBelxGnOcx06TEAgrJ3LM9MdXjLoWD8kzPESmSxusOdplW2HCi_eNmJQunlLTpDBUcltxPk_DoWspEE9pYNnHeG8iWVQs4_m6OxgmT9KkECXnc7ThM1qsC_7ARgqeYZDX1ylWxlRHrL72WaJuoZNsP5P6/w360-h400/spiderlily%202022b-Stibolt.jpg" width="360" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mangrove spiderlily is impressive in the landscape.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The mangrove spiderlilies are tough, drought-tolerant, and salt-tolerant. They also tolerate various soil types from sand to rich loam and alkaline to slightly acidic. Part of the reason for their durability is their large bulbs, which can be 5 or 6 inches in diameter.</p><p>The leaves are evergreen, so even when it's not blooming, an established bunch of mangrove spiderlilies with its shiny, dark green leaves makes a statement in your yard. I have them growing in three different locations for several years and the bunches have grown and multiplied so that the bunches are all about 3 X 5 feet wide and deep and 2 to 4 feet tall. Over the years, the bunches have grown wider and deeper, but not much taller. If the bunches get too large for their space, I could divide them.</p><p>The standard recommendation for amount of light is "full sun to partial shade," but the bunch I have next to the back of the garage is in almost full shade and this is the bunch that as grown the largest. The standard recommendation for soil moisture is not too wet and not too dry, but there's a wide variation between those extremes. The bunch shown in this photo is in a 4-foot-wide bed between the driveway and the fence around the heat pump unit and is in range of our irrigation system, but the bunch behind the garage is not covered by irrigation and I never water it. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Technically, </span>we are not in its native range, but two counties north. It's done very well for us anyway.</p><p><b>Where to use them in your landscape:</b></p>
<p>- as an understory plant in a grouping of trees and shrubs. </p>
<p>- as a foundation plant. Unlike most shrubs used for foundation plantings, these won't need constant trimming.</p><p>- as part of a low hedgerow, or on the outside of a taller hedgerow.</p><p>- as part of an upland buffer along a shoreline. (This is its natural habitat as you could probably guess from its common name.)</p><p>- as part of a pollinator garden or wildflower meadow.</p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT5r_ZTkLFBjc7G5o53CeVF_vkTdq4rMvqGMhDXkBgmyyiBLC230b-T2rutaBxamgf2QYEMBPhDZKzkAIF0-z5ZDdARW9yeTCAYS6N6NCJrQWaLZ-2RBoiRDBKXkRcFwwcJH1KNGyknROezdYGrUOkjBAeuG0670lJ2AVjIDQtAW-cFm5GOVVsByk/s713/spiderlily%202022c-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT5r_ZTkLFBjc7G5o53CeVF_vkTdq4rMvqGMhDXkBgmyyiBLC230b-T2rutaBxamgf2QYEMBPhDZKzkAIF0-z5ZDdARW9yeTCAYS6N6NCJrQWaLZ-2RBoiRDBKXkRcFwwcJH1KNGyknROezdYGrUOkjBAeuG0670lJ2AVjIDQtAW-cFm5GOVVsByk/w309-h400/spiderlily%202022c-Stibolt.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eastern lubber grasshopper is attracted<br />to these spiderlilies, particularly the flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Spiderlily pests</h3>
<p>The eastern lubber grasshoppers (<i>Romalea microptera</i>) are attracted to this plant and will do great damage to the flowers, the scapes, and the leaves. In this photo, you can see the hole chewed through a flower bud. I hand pick them every day during blooming season to contain the damage. They are slow and easy to catch. I'm not squeamish, so I don't need any gloves or other preparations and the grasshoppers end up in the compost pile. Think of all those micronutrients. You could put them in a jar of soapy water, if you don't want to squish them.</p><p>I've never seen caterpillars or other herbivores including deer or rabbits eating these plants.</p>
<p>So, I hope you'll plant some of these tough but interesting spiderlilies on your property. Here is the link to the <a href="https://www.fnps.org/plant/hymenocallis-latifolia" target="_blank">mangrove spiderlily plant profile</a> on the Florida Native Plant Society website, which also includes a link to native nurseries that have it in stock, but any native nursery could order it for you.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p>
<p><br /></p><p></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-70380539832984749952022-06-01T06:12:00.001-04:002022-06-09T05:55:46.243-04:00Growing onions and garlic in North Florida<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMcVvYU6qCU9_uHIA2XT6QMJRohb8oracQghBJGMQA6J8zVls0cXtKq94UUdvlaE0qP4FKpgTztoML3I9Lrhy2eg4K54jviE609eHIU7yWVL3lanUzsohBLG1hF1QCiCA3xwztYz0IlBhfvSbuJBhZl9jzEbgq0eDiWLlQqBlu0sRI4pyJQAlo7Dy/s515/OnionplantingDay11-19-21-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMcVvYU6qCU9_uHIA2XT6QMJRohb8oracQghBJGMQA6J8zVls0cXtKq94UUdvlaE0qP4FKpgTztoML3I9Lrhy2eg4K54jviE609eHIU7yWVL3lanUzsohBLG1hF1QCiCA3xwztYz0IlBhfvSbuJBhZl9jzEbgq0eDiWLlQqBlu0sRI4pyJQAlo7Dy/s320/OnionplantingDay11-19-21-Stibolt.jpg" width="280" /></a><br />Onion planting day: November 26</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Onions and garlics </b></h3><div style="text-align: left;">Both onions and garlics are in the genus <i>Allium</i>, which contains several crops that are divided into two groups:<br />1) Onions, which have hollow leaves and <br />2) Garlics, which have flat, solid leaves. (*See note below on the family.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Onions (<i>Allium cepa</i>)</b> are treated as a long-season annual in Florida. Botanically, they are biennials, where in a natural habitat, they would grow leaves and form a bulb the first year, go into dormancy, and the second year they would use the stored energy in the bulb to form flowers, which are borne on a specialized stem called a scape. We interrupt this cycle by harvesting as the plant goes dormant and when the bulb is at its maximum size. </div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3>Use short-day onions in Florida</h3>
<p>Since we grow our onions right through the winter, we need short-day onion varieties. I've seen long-day onions for sale in local stores, but those onions will not form bulbs before the heat of summer sets in--they are guaranteed to fail.</p><p>I used to rely on local garden centers for my onions, both seeds and sets. But now I buy onion plants from <a href="https://dixondalefarms.com/" target="_blank">Dixondale Onion Farm</a> where they know their onions so I can be assured of getting appropriate plants just in time for planting. They say that each bunch contains 50 to 75 plants. Those that I've received over the years have always been on the generous side of this estimate. This year I bought two bunches one was yellow granex sweet onions and the other was a short-day sampler. I had a lot(!) of onions to plant and did so on Nov. 26th.</p><p>I plant onions in well-prepared soil that has been enriched with compost in a 4 to 5-inch grid pattern in raised, wide rows. I add a 2 or 3-inch layer of pine needles on top of the planting surface and even more in the spaces between the wide rows. You want those spaces between the rows for good drainage and for space between crops. We grow onions during our dry season, so regular irrigation is a must for a good onion harvest. Regular weeding is also advised, but I must admit that I'm not as diligent as I should be. In addition, I tend to allow dill, which self-seeds in our beds, to remain among the onions.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXX8iT8YH9dyZ7BQLMACErx92CMmHCB6mzYojcN6NevSeUsB3n6rIpU6-hbdzJyQQga5_U5jm9E9DnSUhLIveFPh52Xm4sOAmDvbnxWnobzvfe88G32MQYpa9oTPqStZPK2X3szLVcUqhe4JdyA0L17z5IcnJvlc2ZHSblX-4b1zLHgI-vK6BpYzi/s700/OnionplantingDay11-19-21b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXX8iT8YH9dyZ7BQLMACErx92CMmHCB6mzYojcN6NevSeUsB3n6rIpU6-hbdzJyQQga5_U5jm9E9DnSUhLIveFPh52Xm4sOAmDvbnxWnobzvfe88G32MQYpa9oTPqStZPK2X3szLVcUqhe4JdyA0L17z5IcnJvlc2ZHSblX-4b1zLHgI-vK6BpYzi/s320/OnionplantingDay11-19-21b-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVqBe3VMij3EpVMO6yFIn-la0rnSWXbqn0J_-Ia3zgTI43TO_tC0YaAwDbXUW5NsHBQEoZSkF_gRPo64E9tl9Wl_vAznbewZjAG-szzNqowmHKQigW9NA7vZaZbXHxalfMaujJ1kzmICdoTyaWs1r_lgyW2igce9tV_Tn21FCkQCwii2UOfC7XqwA/s650/OnionplantingDay11-19-21c-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="650" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVqBe3VMij3EpVMO6yFIn-la0rnSWXbqn0J_-Ia3zgTI43TO_tC0YaAwDbXUW5NsHBQEoZSkF_gRPo64E9tl9Wl_vAznbewZjAG-szzNqowmHKQigW9NA7vZaZbXHxalfMaujJ1kzmICdoTyaWs1r_lgyW2igce9tV_Tn21FCkQCwii2UOfC7XqwA/s320/OnionplantingDay11-19-21c-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The granex onion bunch includes lots of plants.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting onions in a 4-to 5-inch grid.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>When growing perennial onion crops such as chives and scallions, blooming is part of the life cycle, and the flowers are decorative and highly edible. But when we grow onions for the bulbs, we don't want flowers because the production of the flowering stalk will reduce the size of the bulbs. Here in Florida where the weather is inconsistent through the winter and into spring, it's not unusual for some of our onions to bloom during the first year. I harvest these rogue onions as soon as I see the scape and use the whole plant for salads, soups, and such within the next week or two. Drying them for storage doesn't work, because they skipped their dormant stage.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FdRyM2LCJNry6HyvQ8lkwznyuMprOPgXfyL-qsSrkaU3jVzYCfbPqtatkIg3reOSd40Hqy1pMerAKmZkiikRh_dhC3LffHL5lUfGzUuMx61CQNjeuSQTCq2I0y31TtrtiaT-Twx6NDGwQgtm5xDISPbXeo_g13KkjzI24SG62DgCnSTkFx_I05pi/s650/Boltingonion-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="650" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FdRyM2LCJNry6HyvQ8lkwznyuMprOPgXfyL-qsSrkaU3jVzYCfbPqtatkIg3reOSd40Hqy1pMerAKmZkiikRh_dhC3LffHL5lUfGzUuMx61CQNjeuSQTCq2I0y31TtrtiaT-Twx6NDGwQgtm5xDISPbXeo_g13KkjzI24SG62DgCnSTkFx_I05pi/s320/Boltingonion-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0orC2B2auD66UaeTUhHNlBHaDBQ1OPB5TW5HN0I81Ml-qTrsgLSaH4Po3lOt_MexXZfgEoq4zGaTJpZFT37tZbxZId1-MVj0_96JDqrDvAbU09V6Sfa5p8g3X8FHXOvHrSBix6hibxJifQC6PKCw4qA7nDQHcW1urIVtvw2BQowqLnf-iyPVBK5A/s579/Cuttingonions2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0orC2B2auD66UaeTUhHNlBHaDBQ1OPB5TW5HN0I81Ml-qTrsgLSaH4Po3lOt_MexXZfgEoq4zGaTJpZFT37tZbxZId1-MVj0_96JDqrDvAbU09V6Sfa5p8g3X8FHXOvHrSBix6hibxJifQC6PKCw4qA7nDQHcW1urIVtvw2BQowqLnf-iyPVBK5A/w311-h400/Cuttingonions2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="311" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I harvest bulb-onions that have developed buds <br />and use all parts of the plant (except the roots)<br />in salads, soups, and more.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting onions (<i style="text-align: left;">Allium fistulosum</i><span style="text-align: left;">) </span>blooming. <br />The flowers are edible, too.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<h3>This year's onion harvest</h3><div>You're supposed to harvest onions when more than half of the leaves have fallen over, and the soil is bone dry. Well, this year we ended up with a two-stage harvest: one on May 2 when about a third of the leaves had collapsed--mostly on the granex onions. I left the rest of the onions in the ground while we were traveling for a couple of weeks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheykKbZRqFUeQo_VMmkFbKhKClTLgTnw8RpdZ_4tCEcSKSwR_U4DarA0M3BuoFRvCLS0jTH12TjajVVbMD0aRqk-BbARvagrf9Obztiu-NfRwzPCZcBXEjHVYaS3HuQKop-1aTBQ5MGyMaAcbuUzk3s6A4u5SdNUXeoyYaQD8sZ1MY-PFiuXcDHv02/s559/Onions5-3-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheykKbZRqFUeQo_VMmkFbKhKClTLgTnw8RpdZ_4tCEcSKSwR_U4DarA0M3BuoFRvCLS0jTH12TjajVVbMD0aRqk-BbARvagrf9Obztiu-NfRwzPCZcBXEjHVYaS3HuQKop-1aTBQ5MGyMaAcbuUzk3s6A4u5SdNUXeoyYaQD8sZ1MY-PFiuXcDHv02/s320/Onions5-3-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="258" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedLXxt_L8fyc7TQ4s6Zfm9tvhuDlX8u7JqhSqoV-e1UcetawRACE0960JVHmauyVpl-AXU29bF2I_DyiFUm60A4vFif82hZ5q9UGeT8pepwJlTgXSTjObgCXCUfrbIn9lrDk1M78ARcqH3s7i_2BirWPjy6mbpE2qCC7CXRoASoxHRHcCB1Wz_kQA/s577/Onionharvest5-3-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedLXxt_L8fyc7TQ4s6Zfm9tvhuDlX8u7JqhSqoV-e1UcetawRACE0960JVHmauyVpl-AXU29bF2I_DyiFUm60A4vFif82hZ5q9UGeT8pepwJlTgXSTjObgCXCUfrbIn9lrDk1M78ARcqH3s7i_2BirWPjy6mbpE2qCC7CXRoASoxHRHcCB1Wz_kQA/s320/Onionharvest5-3-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="250" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On May 2, about a third of the leaves<br />had fallen over.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first onion harvest was on May 2.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
The second harvest was on May 20th when I pulled the rest of the onions. We tie the onions in bunches with a soft cloth to dry over a line in the garage. We dry them for several weeks there. For those onions without leaves or those with weakened leaves, we brush off the soil, cut away their leaves, and put them in the refrigerator for use in the next few weeks. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRhRtGiK8b_bgdFOzjD8buv-tQOYyBWPxi-VxZ3t7AIikE7-HDRqjO0yoVQsQiuBRnBC5rRTUq352573I3WBBHUSOFsO1mJoG7c0NosgsQsV5CBLe_UwefH858XA3ervTnwXurH1hvc86fuBqEtsyOkIHM3-FSzDqT_yzj2K02-U12sjtc7iL3XtC/s641/Onionharvest5-20-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRhRtGiK8b_bgdFOzjD8buv-tQOYyBWPxi-VxZ3t7AIikE7-HDRqjO0yoVQsQiuBRnBC5rRTUq352573I3WBBHUSOFsO1mJoG7c0NosgsQsV5CBLe_UwefH858XA3ervTnwXurH1hvc86fuBqEtsyOkIHM3-FSzDqT_yzj2K02-U12sjtc7iL3XtC/s320/Onionharvest5-20-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="275" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UHUXJ5Qjr4EX-1doaK7_AVWdsG5CFouz-Gs9WykEuStTBE_oHgKxHKxrKoH1XxxBpt7_B8qKp8OgehhjWNi-YyX_s-DPjJ6l7sQ_dIOXrSwxH42NUDwtiDvgH37nrPN0lJNiVX7_pL207s0dflN5M2sFMG1Ya6ztWJd-oAaakaxS7zPlBPEE-xhm/s529/Onionharvest5-20-22b-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UHUXJ5Qjr4EX-1doaK7_AVWdsG5CFouz-Gs9WykEuStTBE_oHgKxHKxrKoH1XxxBpt7_B8qKp8OgehhjWNi-YyX_s-DPjJ6l7sQ_dIOXrSwxH42NUDwtiDvgH37nrPN0lJNiVX7_pL207s0dflN5M2sFMG1Ya6ztWJd-oAaakaxS7zPlBPEE-xhm/s320/Onionharvest5-20-22b-Stibolt.jpg" width="272" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second onion harvest was on May 20th.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions with weak stems will be used first.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey-zh5_-SrQuOcb6U65Ki8CXO4yXj1aPVQs10Uuf_CjoC5kZgljs79BiHwC-LvttF8WkYQaj1_lhuop7oKMNA4Dh0qLMJcOK-F78fAnYddNPrFYBWznDIiDa_5NFDW5e6ucRwt2C_xDLyu2FH3KDGWQiAWvkge6ZXYnWJTLcgpPl1TV-J-fpPbweF/s700/Oniontying5-2021-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="700" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey-zh5_-SrQuOcb6U65Ki8CXO4yXj1aPVQs10Uuf_CjoC5kZgljs79BiHwC-LvttF8WkYQaj1_lhuop7oKMNA4Dh0qLMJcOK-F78fAnYddNPrFYBWznDIiDa_5NFDW5e6ucRwt2C_xDLyu2FH3KDGWQiAWvkge6ZXYnWJTLcgpPl1TV-J-fpPbweF/w400-h246/Oniontying5-2021-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tying the bunches with strips of soft cloth.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsd5sqD0h52aJRxkQLkW7qhlWyhAmBF2MbeB0QegXQ9vdwh9YLmLnYDe9Z2KvGu8t1okJBED5jv8uapb0wC8pWXAHpFfMP6sdpwcilTuG1yryzwLMMyvYSmImagvYB8zBrRLke9tyS1wUMqCe_iSdohoc3DQwsOqHv3us1FtIpXUBWWg1crcHik7n/s750/Onionhanging5-20-22-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="750" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsd5sqD0h52aJRxkQLkW7qhlWyhAmBF2MbeB0QegXQ9vdwh9YLmLnYDe9Z2KvGu8t1okJBED5jv8uapb0wC8pWXAHpFfMP6sdpwcilTuG1yryzwLMMyvYSmImagvYB8zBrRLke9tyS1wUMqCe_iSdohoc3DQwsOqHv3us1FtIpXUBWWg1crcHik7n/w400-h221/Onionhanging5-20-22-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's onions and garlic drying in the garage.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Other crops on the onion side of this genus (with hollow leaves) include:</b><br /><div><b>
Chives</b> (<i>Allium schoenoprasum</i>) <br /><b>Scallion</b>, Welsh onion, cutting onion, or bunching onion (<i>Allium fistulosum</i>)<br /><b>Walking onion</b> or Egyptian walking onion (<i>Allium</i> x <i>proliferum</i>)<br /><br />
<h3>Garlic</h3><div><b>Garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i>) </b>is a long-season annual; use the softneck varieties in Florida, which means that most of the grocery-store garlic will probably not work well for you since it's mostly hardneck varieties. Garlic produces no seeds, so only the bulbs are sold. Each compound bulb consists of a dozen or more cloves separated by layers of thin, papery skin. We plant it in the fall here in Florida and it grows through the winter, much like onions and often I plant and harvest garlic and onions at about the same times.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyzC2m5z75RpiwoLdBxgDiX7RRrIpbePj8wTtQC6rIGnPhXrVJBcBTjjrnLZ4ckBqoVPzxwkknYoQm2Woubr3k5a8gHSD1hNj7FheHRynXlN0D7fFpTab5Z33N8Kj3tKtPlNbQjGT2Hu8ZyHozDLoFGOMHrtRHPPuBjI0DUzFDkJBI6zo1u6bLKnA/s700/Garlicplantingday11-26-21-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="700" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyzC2m5z75RpiwoLdBxgDiX7RRrIpbePj8wTtQC6rIGnPhXrVJBcBTjjrnLZ4ckBqoVPzxwkknYoQm2Woubr3k5a8gHSD1hNj7FheHRynXlN0D7fFpTab5Z33N8Kj3tKtPlNbQjGT2Hu8ZyHozDLoFGOMHrtRHPPuBjI0DUzFDkJBI6zo1u6bLKnA/s320/Garlicplantingday11-26-21-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbfVIZbusIHVuJExo3ezHY3BfaQc3J3TtT6IE0oSxjOFViBzFUffi-OYl76K5PyMDC5vLTvDkPxLsb4Ct27HAnHfG5yWokMDX7v516aFqcCWNRK2r0KnsXVZ5yJIq7lBnMuFsvzJ4vt9t0fagtYFdXeIUJLIoKEw4x74d96azwS087_O7-4BIPFTy/s634/Garlicharvest2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="634" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbfVIZbusIHVuJExo3ezHY3BfaQc3J3TtT6IE0oSxjOFViBzFUffi-OYl76K5PyMDC5vLTvDkPxLsb4Ct27HAnHfG5yWokMDX7v516aFqcCWNRK2r0KnsXVZ5yJIq7lBnMuFsvzJ4vt9t0fagtYFdXeIUJLIoKEw4x74d96azwS087_O7-4BIPFTy/s320/Garlicharvest2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting garlic cloves in a 4-to 5-inch grid pattern.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About half of this year's garlic harvest.</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZIbiu2GS_MuoFuWH6HMJN4bKi9XE8enA4oeKdi0V0l7utphV3CjcMvMGJzj7896_3D-_2J9XI0fm-HQIenN-T372ygfhZTXkg8XeJ_2Jwlemb80DuJo5zGlEYWUhu2N52S4MdMAu07UpK0-2zBNtkoOlC89jhvoDzpsHL1uj2fwno6E1T2gELHG4/s508/GarlicWreath-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZIbiu2GS_MuoFuWH6HMJN4bKi9XE8enA4oeKdi0V0l7utphV3CjcMvMGJzj7896_3D-_2J9XI0fm-HQIenN-T372ygfhZTXkg8XeJ_2Jwlemb80DuJo5zGlEYWUhu2N52S4MdMAu07UpK0-2zBNtkoOlC89jhvoDzpsHL1uj2fwno6E1T2gELHG4/s320/GarlicWreath-Stibolt.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several years ago, I braided the garlic leaves <br />to make a garlic wreath for drying.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Much like onions, I plant garlic cloves in a 4- to 5-inch grid pattern in well-prepared soil that has been enriched with compost in my wide rows. The wide row configuration provides good drainage is particularly important for garlic. Link to this article for more information on <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2012/10/fall-weather-and-garlics-wide-rows.html" target="_blank">planting garlic and wide-row planting</a>. <br />
<br />You can use the harvested garlic right away, but you'll want to dry most of the garlic so that it can be stored for several months. <br />
<p><b>Other crops on the garlic side of this genus (with flat, solid leaves)</b> include:<br /><a href="http://www.greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/08/garlic-chives-bountiful-evergreen-crop.html" target="_blank"><b>Garlic chives</b> </a>(<i>Allium tuberosum</i>) <br /><b><a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/07/leeks-growing-and-using-this-garlic.html" target="_blank">Leeks</a></b> (<i>Allium ampeloprasum</i>), including elephant garlic, a cultivar of this species (<i>A. ampeloprasum </i>var.<i> ampeloprasum</i>)<br /><a href="http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/native-herb-has-earned-honored-place.html" target="_blank"><b>Meadow garlic </b></a>(<i>Allium canadense</i>), which is native in Central and North Florida<br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Storing dried onions and garlic</b></h3><p></p><p>After several weeks in the garage, we store ours in paper bags with tops folded and pinned shut on the floor of our pantry. We check once a month or so to pull out bulbs which may have sprouted or gone soft. </p><p><b>*Onion and garlic plant family:</b><br />The Florida Plant Atlas says they are in their own family: Alliaceae. This is my go-to botanical authority. But, when first described more than a hundred years ago, early botanists put them in the lily family because of their 6 tepals (a combination of 3 petals and 3 sepals of equal size). Later botanists said that they didn't belong with the lilies and created the Alliaceae family. More recently, some authorities (including my old college professor and mentor, Jim Reveal) put them in the amaryllis family Amaryllidaceae, in a tribe known as Allioideae. Click this link for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allioideae" target="_blank">history and details</a>. </p><p>I hope you're growing these wonderful crops in your winter gardens no matter which plant family the taxonomists place them in. </p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />
Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p></div>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-22238416494643725002022-05-01T06:38:00.001-04:002022-05-02T12:43:29.038-04:00Two geezers and a shed--part 2<h3>After 10 years, the shed needed some work.</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yBkQHnEmEA4XPV8Fz05KMSrQ6eId1S4es2qQQyzHjQ1CA_F31K9vX0UyNa8EZLT0zVaEQD5IfjG53gKGV2QAXv-586DWIVq7P6S6OywbiZ9WO_I36LJlLCB3cRRrf7BCD3leMWOh_XjnLww1VgzZHUz85ENOewv-G_n7ar4JqyP6u5neuC2LLt9v/s600/shedproject2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yBkQHnEmEA4XPV8Fz05KMSrQ6eId1S4es2qQQyzHjQ1CA_F31K9vX0UyNa8EZLT0zVaEQD5IfjG53gKGV2QAXv-586DWIVq7P6S6OywbiZ9WO_I36LJlLCB3cRRrf7BCD3leMWOh_XjnLww1VgzZHUz85ENOewv-G_n7ar4JqyP6u5neuC2LLt9v/w400-h350/shedproject2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our shed had a noticeable tilt after ten years. <br />In the foreground, the pot sits on the top of the septic holding <br />tank and the septic drainage field mound is to the left.</td></tr></tbody></table>
In 2012, my husband and I moved the shed that came with our house closer to the garage so that it would be more useful. I documented how we moved the it using pvc pipes as rollers and pulled it slowly across the yard with our van to its new location. That was quite a project and my "<a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2012/08/two-geezers-and-shed.html" target="_blank"><b>Two geezers and a shed</b></a>" article is still one of the most visited posts on this blog.<div><br /></div><div>These days the shed is heavily used for tools, pots, and other gardening supplies. But the oak tree to its left had grown and had tilted the whole shed a few degrees, and on the right, there were large roots also touching the bottom of the shed.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, we thought we would have to move it a foot or two to the right, but after clearing out the leaves and sticks from under the shed, we decided to just raise it in place. We know that this is not a permanent solution because the trees' roots will continue to grow. <span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylem0p33Rb8ty2A3mzqjRxSmOupRdbPbdiDpXN2vtqZyDR8qCH6QogO-JM7aK8OTtRL71DO1kqirhhRDw70ULL7SV6R7jRoAGF6bh7sfwZRvheBEIh5Puyh1XF9Kewg0dJU5lqp2IDDoMUs_-TgT5W-UQX25z_JpUg78kp_Y5FDLk5Zt6BT9K9yJ5/s650/shedprojecta-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="650" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylem0p33Rb8ty2A3mzqjRxSmOupRdbPbdiDpXN2vtqZyDR8qCH6QogO-JM7aK8OTtRL71DO1kqirhhRDw70ULL7SV6R7jRoAGF6bh7sfwZRvheBEIh5Puyh1XF9Kewg0dJU5lqp2IDDoMUs_-TgT5W-UQX25z_JpUg78kp_Y5FDLk5Zt6BT9K9yJ5/w400-h278/shedprojecta-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacking up the back corner of the shed.</td></tr></tbody></table>
We removed everything from the shed and swept out ten years of accumulated dirt. Then we dug a hole deep enough under the back right corner of the shed so we could fit a board and the jack under the floor. </div><div><br /></div><div>We jacked it up until the back of the shed was level. We were somewhat surprised to see that the whole shed was rigid enough that the front of the shed was also level and hanging there in mid-air. We quickly slid an extra paver into the space under the front corner to relieve the stress on the structure. It was just the right thickness. That was lucky.</div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kOn-m0_T6A0OzR_TzHUgCYkq-smSCY3hPhgVs6y5ntb3zsZm1W7_706GViBbUozumfwXp1yy1GyyjvtDRz7QzNyzrRQhuDjln3nVoiaml3pK8obh7M0C9NWBGkcqVESMz6Y45LfXK6WnKm0IED3qDcrmfyt0vYNrSdbo73bXkYKkrPJ2vK9ElfBL/s650/shedprojectb-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="650" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kOn-m0_T6A0OzR_TzHUgCYkq-smSCY3hPhgVs6y5ntb3zsZm1W7_706GViBbUozumfwXp1yy1GyyjvtDRz7QzNyzrRQhuDjln3nVoiaml3pK8obh7M0C9NWBGkcqVESMz6Y45LfXK6WnKm0IED3qDcrmfyt0vYNrSdbo73bXkYKkrPJ2vK9ElfBL/s320/shedprojectb-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJhULS4wU5KjOKdPvGxZM4hY6jme58rnwWTDBY9yg6A-AcJCN3d4qs84STi8uLrpX-bLVXP5DidbPO43lTXps3w7dNjkjV-AxZkV4UzpxbvJTJ0TWOT0uuy3x1KADxbjj9wdv0TckK12iFX0usMwqXRHp1zn5LQn3OG9ov8Q_YMUn2ZSaLxzqssZo/s650/shedprojectc-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="650" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJhULS4wU5KjOKdPvGxZM4hY6jme58rnwWTDBY9yg6A-AcJCN3d4qs84STi8uLrpX-bLVXP5DidbPO43lTXps3w7dNjkjV-AxZkV4UzpxbvJTJ0TWOT0uuy3x1KADxbjj9wdv0TckK12iFX0usMwqXRHp1zn5LQn3OG9ov8Q_YMUn2ZSaLxzqssZo/s320/shedprojectc-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking the level as we jacked up the back corner.</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When it was level in the back, it was also level in the front, and we slid a paver under the skid on the left side.<br /><br /></td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvaI_GdwYk8ilFBugupzriEmhgl1mgGdDniw5gr_Gbg4Ur35kx6FGGohz5nK1H0UWuYEekvjAAtxCrzPTOa24QnRSd0z1OQWPZCpDbTX9QpD4drrAIJVkWRn582zsGzpgZNXoN7T4R6oeNe7coo9l6IMUn94ZtJ11bSKyl-_KdRTXJJCfHbj-B02v/s650/shedprojectd-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="650" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvaI_GdwYk8ilFBugupzriEmhgl1mgGdDniw5gr_Gbg4Ur35kx6FGGohz5nK1H0UWuYEekvjAAtxCrzPTOa24QnRSd0z1OQWPZCpDbTX9QpD4drrAIJVkWRn582zsGzpgZNXoN7T4R6oeNe7coo9l6IMUn94ZtJ11bSKyl-_KdRTXJJCfHbj-B02v/s320/shedprojectd-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We replaced the block on the back corner paver with <br />one that was twice as thick, and we rammed <br />stones under it for more stability.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The back corner needed more work, so we moved the jack to the side of the structure to relieve the stress and to give us room to work in this area and to replace the single thick paver with one that was doubly thick. We solidified the soil under that paver with volcanic gravel and rammed it in place with the end of the board until the level of the cement block was high enough to keep the shed level. And we thought that maybe the soft soil here was another factor that had caused the shed to tilt. (The gravel was from the former <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2018/07/rock-scaping-in-florida-good-idea-or-not.html" target="_blank"><b>rock-scaping feature</b></a>.)</div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMYbwZX37uxZ2us_FOTIuwYkM7fbHGhblM-KrlGhfBscmojU7hKST2zFgkDnK-c0dPhq3PFnyXO0i6psGYRiCO5sFsL_s3Ken3lvIupmHPLmmuOd2pzp6Dc4_sRCQmtfMPBosLJZoTQucuYg7Tmv_7w-TfjFPylXMZzI5EPzgaH4vAcj7PmQtST57/s600/shedprojecte-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMYbwZX37uxZ2us_FOTIuwYkM7fbHGhblM-KrlGhfBscmojU7hKST2zFgkDnK-c0dPhq3PFnyXO0i6psGYRiCO5sFsL_s3Ken3lvIupmHPLmmuOd2pzp6Dc4_sRCQmtfMPBosLJZoTQucuYg7Tmv_7w-TfjFPylXMZzI5EPzgaH4vAcj7PmQtST57/w300-h400/shedprojecte-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A newly leveled shed. Now it was <br />time to put the tools back.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p><br /></p><p>Okay, now it was time to put the shelving, containers, and tools back into the shed. Another gardening project crossed off the to-do list, but there is always more to do. I hope you've been crossing projects off your gardening to-do list. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Green Gardening Matters,<br />Ginny Stibolt</i></b></span></p></div></div>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059452818853443050.post-37234777095890466282022-04-22T06:48:00.000-04:002022-04-22T06:48:37.901-04:00The value of trees<h3 style="text-align: left;"> An appreciation of trees</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyosZ6XDWW2rot6BBy5zzfP5b136YXnjReNrgKEbWwQuvhQnmld_jo6LXRKYR0aaHRSF0-bUYqyLmTh1RucsgDR7SZHw2Az_F0uQmMO_x-aczkuTifPzijG98yZvto9pKRv8Wu-jJt6vDxx3pODptROmhqPV22YgtwWoEGQOFCBM0L1SwLmbKWVori/s650/Trees%20in%20our%20landscapes-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="650" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyosZ6XDWW2rot6BBy5zzfP5b136YXnjReNrgKEbWwQuvhQnmld_jo6LXRKYR0aaHRSF0-bUYqyLmTh1RucsgDR7SZHw2Az_F0uQmMO_x-aczkuTifPzijG98yZvto9pKRv8Wu-jJt6vDxx3pODptROmhqPV22YgtwWoEGQOFCBM0L1SwLmbKWVori/w400-h291/Trees%20in%20our%20landscapes-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees in our yards and in our communities add to the global <br />population, which is crucial for slowing down climate change.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Here are just some of the many ways that trees are important not only in our urban and suburban neighborhoods, but also for the whole planet:</p>
<p>- Trees actually <b>cool the air </b>through transpiration. A mature deciduous tree like an oak will transpire more than 400 liters of water on a hot summer's day. In the process of liquid water evaporating (going from liquid to gas) the air is cooled. At 68˚F each gram of water that evaporates, cools the air by 585 calories. <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank"><b>Transpiration: Forests' most important service</b></a></p>
<p>- Trees <b>sequester carbon</b>, by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) a long-lasting greenhouse gas, through the process of photosynthesis where they remove carbon dioxide from the air to make sugars, which are then stored in the various plant tissues. A typical hardwood tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon per year. This means it will sequester approximately 1 ton of carbon by the time it reaches 40 years old. <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/11/sequester-this-carbon-dont-throw-it-away.html" target="_blank"><b>Carbon sequestration</b></a></p>
<p>- Trees <b>produce oxygen </b>through photosynthesis, but trees and all the other organisms in the forest absorb most of that oxygen to live. Also read <a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2019/02/transpiration-forests-most-important.html" target="_blank"><b>Transpiration: Forests' most important service</b></a> where I talk about three cycles in the forest: Carbon, Oxygen, and Water.</p>
<p>- Trees <b>remove carbon monoxide (CO) and other air pollutants from the air</b>. They are absorbed primarily through stomata (pores) on the leaves where they diffuse into intercellular spaces and may be absorbed by water films to form acids or react with inner-leaf surfaces. Trees can remove significant amounts of air pollution in cities, where it is often concentrated. <a href="https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/DataFactSheets/pdf/ESC/Carbonmonoxideremovedannuallybytreecover.pdf" target="_blank"><b>More information on this from the EPA</b></a>.</p><a name='more'></a><br />
<p>- Trees, especially a variety of native trees, <b>provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife</b>. See below.<br />
- Trees <b>reduce soil erosion</b> with their extensive root systems. <br />- Trees <b>remove pollutants and sediments from stormwater runoff </b>and then slowly release the water back into waterways and underground aquifers.<br />
- Trees <b>reduce stress levels in people</b>.<br />- More trees around schoolyards correlates to <b>higher educational performance levels.</b> <a href="https://www.aau.edu/research-scholarship/featured-research-topics/does-school-performance-grow-trees" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Link to study</a><b>.</b><br />
- Trees <b>increase property values</b>. "Good tree cover increased property prices by about 7 percent in residential areas and 18 percent for building lots. Quality landscapes with healthy trees can increase retail spending from 9 to 12 percent. Tree-filled office properties can expect 7 percent higher rents than those without trees or quality landscaping." <b><a href="https://www.brightview.com/resources/article/big-trees-make-your-property-value-grow" target="_blank">Three huge benefits big trees offer you</a></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;"><p>Baltimore: Over the life of a single tree, it is not unreasonable to conclude that $57,000 <b>in economic and environmental benefits are provided.</b></p></b><p>- $3.3 million a year in energy savings by shading buildings from the summer sun and blocking winter winds; <br />
- $10.7 million a year storing 527 tons of carbon. Carbon is a harmful gas that contributes greatly to the greenhouse effect;<br />
- $3.8 million a year by removing 700 metric tons of air pollution (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide etc);<br />
- $1.6 million a year by removing 244 metric tons of ozone. Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog and a leading contributing factor of asthma."<br /><a href="https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/forestry/treebaltimore/value" target="_blank"><b>Current value of services provided by Baltimore’s trees</b></a></p></blockquote>
<p>More cities and communities need to emulate Baltimore's stance on the intrinsic value of their canopy trees, because when each tree has a value of $57K, then city crews are much less likely to remove mature trees for superficial reasons such as, "They shed too many leaves." or "They need to be trimmed too often." Even if those removed trees are replaced by new trees, those smaller trees won't begin to replicate the benefits of the mature trees for fifteen or twenty years!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Wildlife habitat</h3>
<p>Native trees are extremely important for building local habitat. Doug Tallamy has changed the narrative about why native plants are so important. His arguments are compelling and easy to understand. He pointed out that "a single pair of breeding chickadees must find 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one clutch of young and the vast majority of those caterpillars will hatch on native plants."</p>
<p>He says that home landscapes can help wildlife survive. His newest initiative is his "homegrown national park." He urges people to replace half of their lawns with native trees and native understory habitat. This way we could go from 40 million acres of lawn to a 20-million acre national park.</p>
<p>This is an easy concept and we can bring in people who have not thought about habitat before by making it easy for them to obtain native plants and helping them be successful in attracting pollinators and birds to their yards. <a href="https://homegrownnationalpark.org" target="_blank">https://homegrownnationalpark.org</a></p>
<p>For more information and details, here are articles on things that live in or on trees:<br /><a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2015/03/remarkable-resurrection-ferns.html" target="_blank"><b>Resurrection ferns</b></a><br /><a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2018/05/theres-nothing-spanish-or-mossy-about.html" target="_blank"><b>Spanish moss</b></a> <br /><a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/11/lichen-three-way-symbiotic-organism.html" target="_blank"><b>Lichens</b></a><br /><a href="https://greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/06/birds-of-prey-in-our-yard.html" target="_blank"><b>Birds of prey</b></a><br /></p><table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeGDYQ_YjZwV5YtqOcfwEpuO66KFtXV4qeCyBmiWzuQrg0wk79osYe-2t3nrje6wpv4gDSmE4_4wYGj16Nj8bfOrAQYSRLE8G-WSOsaw8E9ZqbajBh8UDFl7Hcgfei7hb9NsD6SQO5opYWR5Ri_kBOqCtPrUiD2uQhCGD1arF581uUXqiA4vf99te/s700/Liveoak-ferns-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeGDYQ_YjZwV5YtqOcfwEpuO66KFtXV4qeCyBmiWzuQrg0wk79osYe-2t3nrje6wpv4gDSmE4_4wYGj16Nj8bfOrAQYSRLE8G-WSOsaw8E9ZqbajBh8UDFl7Hcgfei7hb9NsD6SQO5opYWR5Ri_kBOqCtPrUiD2uQhCGD1arF581uUXqiA4vf99te/w400-h300/Liveoak-ferns-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwXtoz55VXwzQwSeLufPf4o7dHv6bV-7BBIsJK57Z2HHDToO5u-Q9X7ko6e_5Y96LVDlh6QTMtioEKuXGHbVk5sH9jfqJiZlO4tr4sVwRBNbzlT8PQFAn9n83sZJ0Rovxi3iTA3dFVIORTVt0GEG9wdpGSMjk6Lr97Z4mciFBd6rmav6yLRq_93sK/s650/Lichenionstick-2020-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="487" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwXtoz55VXwzQwSeLufPf4o7dHv6bV-7BBIsJK57Z2HHDToO5u-Q9X7ko6e_5Y96LVDlh6QTMtioEKuXGHbVk5sH9jfqJiZlO4tr4sVwRBNbzlT8PQFAn9n83sZJ0Rovxi3iTA3dFVIORTVt0GEG9wdpGSMjk6Lr97Z4mciFBd6rmav6yLRq_93sK/s320/Lichenionstick-2020-Stibolt.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resurrection ferns (<i>Pleopeltis michauxiana</i>) are epiphytes (air plants) and are often found on the broad live oak branches. They increase the habitat values of the trees.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichens are 3-way symbiotic organisms and are often found on trees, but they do not harm them in any way.</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa7tKO0nKL0wFF7lOsFZoft_IxVn-73blZ9SYdydKqs_gGzzUe-ug-Z_kQpBYmIMri6-cn3khxF5piYkZllzseMbJWf_uzX2-1RKEbOvQEwUmk3Cuy9JqZlSnv8kThsCUrDXndU1nXg3BxoDmBhov7U4WoCxbwnQo2FNF8pNGKXxwc7XkYFiX559I/s625/SpanishMoss-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa7tKO0nKL0wFF7lOsFZoft_IxVn-73blZ9SYdydKqs_gGzzUe-ug-Z_kQpBYmIMri6-cn3khxF5piYkZllzseMbJWf_uzX2-1RKEbOvQEwUmk3Cuy9JqZlSnv8kThsCUrDXndU1nXg3BxoDmBhov7U4WoCxbwnQo2FNF8pNGKXxwc7XkYFiX559I/w288-h400/SpanishMoss-Stibolt.jpg" width="288" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7m5-pqiKgIjLUJ4nCN1rmcca9C9FTDDx5wAA5-hdLORy5HygzrxET0MT9f7iEbuX-wWquYwCd0tR75V-QR5K3s7oD8k3fVtQDNFlZQxgW4c-VkkNMOqJYXwy-wrPnQh4oNrZRYNTZuEN1-SFXBlivGZyX8ekb6s4B1MTGZR88o66hIRDVsfi-Lbh/s538/Raccooncubs-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7m5-pqiKgIjLUJ4nCN1rmcca9C9FTDDx5wAA5-hdLORy5HygzrxET0MT9f7iEbuX-wWquYwCd0tR75V-QR5K3s7oD8k3fVtQDNFlZQxgW4c-VkkNMOqJYXwy-wrPnQh4oNrZRYNTZuEN1-SFXBlivGZyX8ekb6s4B1MTGZR88o66hIRDVsfi-Lbh/w335-h400/Raccooncubs-Stibolt.JPG" width="335" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish moss (<i>Tillandsia usneoides</i>) is a flowering plant in the pineapple family, which provides additional habitat values and does not need to be removed trees.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees provide habitat for a wide variety of <br />wildlife such as these cute raccoon cubs. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j4IWsBRbUGIujOYfkBMxGMGFBWD4Ms878m2kRLMo9_x9OlXurfoN9T-g4nrBSWkuwa4RAyCeWfjebvOtgwpfbMtMwqn9s5xuXynfeG1HR1OsVy2nr9qvMZjYkfjAxvQ0FSlHBoz59szFcXttO99LyFBpbKmCJXe6S7vOyigPdMsUP_u2c6bhQ7e8/s547/BarredOwl-2021-Stiibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j4IWsBRbUGIujOYfkBMxGMGFBWD4Ms878m2kRLMo9_x9OlXurfoN9T-g4nrBSWkuwa4RAyCeWfjebvOtgwpfbMtMwqn9s5xuXynfeG1HR1OsVy2nr9qvMZjYkfjAxvQ0FSlHBoz59szFcXttO99LyFBpbKmCJXe6S7vOyigPdMsUP_u2c6bhQ7e8/w321-h400/BarredOwl-2021-Stiibolt.JPG" width="321" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hqp-n94C9Bxz4L-Fx2sr_t2EWei0ykg_cWPXKwTBc2JVytIrOKhVexxRq8iaDSVnt8abJ0B0K9GOq6GyLEMszGT4uE9dH37nlxg_hriBrhNz0n5nuE3QAJelGX29-hhDWAK_oFAldSIVhw0nTDqM_ojBW6RHFhr_mNXX5_6FePk0plI3NdZL8dPs/s572/Deadwoodprovides%20life-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hqp-n94C9Bxz4L-Fx2sr_t2EWei0ykg_cWPXKwTBc2JVytIrOKhVexxRq8iaDSVnt8abJ0B0K9GOq6GyLEMszGT4uE9dH37nlxg_hriBrhNz0n5nuE3QAJelGX29-hhDWAK_oFAldSIVhw0nTDqM_ojBW6RHFhr_mNXX5_6FePk0plI3NdZL8dPs/w315-h400/Deadwoodprovides%20life-Stibolt.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love having Barred Owls (<i>Strix varia</i>) in our non-poisoned, wooded yard. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even dead branches provide habitat and food for birds such as these Crested Flycatchers.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Trees are being removed</h3><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<p>Despite all their benefits, trees are being removed at an alarming rate. Not just in our rainforests, but in our communities and neighborhoods and often for no discernable reason except perhaps to grow more lawn. Here are two examples from my neighborhood, but examples like this are found in all over Florida and beyond. People don't seem to have enough respect for the value of trees and all their benefits.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCoYAbcOLVE5ONjWKFpVz1E1_ddu048axD4HHOl4dmCVn5SWxfjihmQRVuX8wTF903BF32N-FFS7gXfkjxi4Zw_BF_WG4BWIz6M9FlfTMLvI42xtdLEY6tDxdX5jfUxqf4_9i0zGHBqgKrTIeYTrQelmoQ35CGzPPjQTZcWkxUFARmDhwAMD_jsNP/s618/Sycamore-2022-Stibolt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="618" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCoYAbcOLVE5ONjWKFpVz1E1_ddu048axD4HHOl4dmCVn5SWxfjihmQRVuX8wTF903BF32N-FFS7gXfkjxi4Zw_BF_WG4BWIz6M9FlfTMLvI42xtdLEY6tDxdX5jfUxqf4_9i0zGHBqgKrTIeYTrQelmoQ35CGzPPjQTZcWkxUFARmDhwAMD_jsNP/w400-h339/Sycamore-2022-Stibolt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were two beautiful mature native sycamore trees (<i>Platanus occidentalis</i>) in this front yard and now only one badly mutilated tree is left. They were perfectly placed to soak up the moisture from the swales next to the roads--this is a corner lot. They were not too close to the house and not too close to the wires. Now, the new owners of this house have planted knock-out roses around the base of this poor tree. These trees were important and cooled the whole yard, which have made that house more comfortable in the summer. While the remaining tree will leaf out and send out new shoots, severe over-trimming and topping of this tree will significantly shortens its lifespan. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKRn-sUOqtZzMnWmlnjv_EG4CJHYt01sEuwDxkCVy0gCvlDqr7ChfGYXoJpFLWBK60h7rRx00Qd4WYzDL29QS4CNffoAcKJppPhzB9V0YgFAGakUzjxClAlCdxAhOwdWCUwZ2EUYTK4-3wHYi6Jh8Fa3OyfLO-hNpQUVrbaWx1svAZ3UGXjPpmCm/s650/Downed%20oak-2921-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="650" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKRn-sUOqtZzMnWmlnjv_EG4CJHYt01sEuwDxkCVy0gCvlDqr7ChfGYXoJpFLWBK60h7rRx00Qd4WYzDL29QS4CNffoAcKJppPhzB9V0YgFAGakUzjxClAlCdxAhOwdWCUwZ2EUYTK4-3wHYi6Jh8Fa3OyfLO-hNpQUVrbaWx1svAZ3UGXjPpmCm/w400-h299/Downed%20oak-2921-Stibolt.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful live oak (<i>Quercus virginiana</i>) and a bunch of other trees were taken down for no reason. This was two years ago, and this tree and others were chopped up and stacked up as firewood. What's left now is a larger lawn area between the road and the house. Now, the whole yard will be hotter in the summers and support fewer birds.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">And more views on trees...</h3>
<table cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1gWpypDh2gl2tZWnwv8SRGY8g78CZuZ-EKOyWByXZ2XId_V6HVOghIhpucW4hdqrbH3xO_CNT8XRss7Vjw9Ewe2VGhZd96_enS3k4GvR1RS9fHckdEjzqlROcnA_-ZvzsZBXeHgz5VLhRj-eNSdMzIy_GOTsEEVbFW1RgflzLPq09PwJ7cFOjPt3/s680/TNC-nature.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="680" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1gWpypDh2gl2tZWnwv8SRGY8g78CZuZ-EKOyWByXZ2XId_V6HVOghIhpucW4hdqrbH3xO_CNT8XRss7Vjw9Ewe2VGhZd96_enS3k4GvR1RS9fHckdEjzqlROcnA_-ZvzsZBXeHgz5VLhRj-eNSdMzIy_GOTsEEVbFW1RgflzLPq09PwJ7cFOjPt3/s320/TNC-nature.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi04on68QS52vGgn1vaxLbS5kTgf4odiKZ_oZw9PEfmDOc-1M7vRdjrOTHYL_1whn7QtCVKSMaugb-50xmL-RYAwlHGuthf7WD7dGK-07q-N3jcbOonc9OczfOkUS75CcjQAE8tdFLgaZVIqN1kuZX3dLP0ruWBFpsEZxgq3qhc5vJq_5aZyUpdriR/s526/Akienslovetrees.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="526" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi04on68QS52vGgn1vaxLbS5kTgf4odiKZ_oZw9PEfmDOc-1M7vRdjrOTHYL_1whn7QtCVKSMaugb-50xmL-RYAwlHGuthf7WD7dGK-07q-N3jcbOonc9OczfOkUS75CcjQAE8tdFLgaZVIqN1kuZX3dLP0ruWBFpsEZxgq3qhc5vJq_5aZyUpdriR/w320-h308/Akienslovetrees.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From The Nature Conservancy:<br /> <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/build-healthy-cities/cities-stories/benefits-of-trees-forests/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b>Six ways trees benefit all of us</b></a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even aliens know that trees are valuable!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4kf-t5Yq7Nibh98k8AHrYsXBvSHibBSizCZiVL9sPawFigUnbuXR_tCR5O43PwOSwFrgHnS-9zxkGPM4ttNDarsVpGdw3yk6xf8J0yMeSK1xqwD5d1A_RLdRfrQsMGQ9alD3QXcuBmVQTFy9RWtcDXg8-s2tBbRcXp6KuwTeWDHVD9jc3FygUeF9/s700/Sunrisetrees-Stibolt.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="700" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4kf-t5Yq7Nibh98k8AHrYsXBvSHibBSizCZiVL9sPawFigUnbuXR_tCR5O43PwOSwFrgHnS-9zxkGPM4ttNDarsVpGdw3yk6xf8J0yMeSK1xqwD5d1A_RLdRfrQsMGQ9alD3QXcuBmVQTFy9RWtcDXg8-s2tBbRcXp6KuwTeWDHVD9jc3FygUeF9/w640-h464/Sunrisetrees-Stibolt.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in a beautiful, treed yard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So, plant a wide variety of native trees in your yard and in your community to build more biodiversity, but more importantly, keep and maintain mature trees so they can continue to provide habitat for wildlife and ecosystem services for us and the whole planet. We all need to work to help people living in our neighborhoods and those working for all levels of our government understand how valuable trees are on so many levels.</p><p><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Green Gardening Matters</i></b><br /><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ginny Stibolt</i></b></p><br />
<br /></blockquote><p></p></div><p></p>Ginny Stibolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00146498065329489520noreply@blogger.com2