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Watermelon Harvest Around the Corner in the Central Florida Panhandle

admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:05:02 +0000

Watermelon harvest is around the corner in the central Florida panhandle, but is actually a week or two late.

Melon in field in Washington County. Credit Matthew Orwat

This slight delay in harvest is due to the near 100 degree temperatures and lack of pollinators present. Flowers have been closing early in the day due to heat, and this further reduces pollination. If daily highs ease off the from the 100 degree mark, pollination should improve. Watermelons are running and flowering well due to the plentiful rain a little more than a week ago. In Washington and Holmes counties, melon cutting should begin sometime between June 20th and June 26th. USDA reports slow movement of harvest as of June 10^th but a higher volume will be ready to move around June 20^th. As of June 14^th, wholesale prices in the central Florida Panhandle were between 15-20 cents per pound of melon and retail was around 30-35 cents per pound. This translates roughly to a $ 3.00 wholesale and $ 6.00 retail price for a 20 pound melon. As harvests improve and more melons hit the market, these prices could change. Market price observations are just that, observations. Prices vary due to local availability. For updated market reports on a regional and state level, check the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

Don’t forget about the Panhandle Watermelon Festival in Chipley, Florida on June 29^th!

A Watermelon Runner. Image Credit Matthew Orwat

Will this melon get pollinated? Image Credit Mathew Orwat

Newly Pollinated Melon. Image Credit Matthew Orwat

Author: Matthew Orwat – mjorwat@ufl.edu

Matthew J. Orwat started his career with UF / IFAS in 2011 and is the Horticulture Extension Agent for Washington County Florida. His goal is to provide educational programming to meet the diverse needs of and provide solutions for homeowners and small farmers with ornamental, turf, fruit and vegetable gardening objectives. Please feel free to contact him with any questions you may have.

http://washington.ifas.ufl.edu/lng/about/

Panhandle Agriculture

A Different View on Hydrangeas

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:55:02 +0000

There are a couple of possibilities for gardeners who are looking for something a little different than the old favorite French hydrangea. If you want to make your neighbor’s and gardening friends envious, consider adding one of the following selections to your garden.

The first to consider is the ‘Limelight’ hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) which is a hardy shrub and performs well in sunshine. New leaves emerge each spring and large greenish-white blooms emerge in the summer. Blooms may offer a color change into the fall, adding a delicate pink shade. This hydrangea should definitely be installed where it can be viewed and can grow 6-8 feet in height with a similar spread. Once established, it can be tolerant of some drought but will require moisture during extended dry periods.

If you have a garden with more dappled shade, the ‘Fuji Waterfall’ hydrangea is a good selection. This hydrangea will require a soil with more consistent moisture and will offer interesting lacecap blooms that appear to cascade over the dark green leaves. Growth will have a layered look with plants reaching about 3 to five feet in height.

For more information on newer selections of hydrangeas for our climate visit the University of Florida publication New Hydrangeas for North and Central Florida: Bigleaf and Mountain Hydrangeas

Author: Beth Bolles – bbolles@ufl.edu

Horticulture Agent, Escambia County

Gardening in the Panhandle

Forestry Tools Jefferson and Leon Outdoor Camp

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:49:21 +0000

Author: Scott Jackson – lsj@ufl.edu

http://bay.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant

Panhandle Outdoors

Aquaponics 101 workshop

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:17:40 +0000

Aquaponics is an exciting system where fish and plants grow in harmony. The aquaponic system can be a fun project for the home gardener but can also become a successful farming venture. Come and learn the basics of growing fish and plants together in an AQUAPONICS system.

Date: June 25th Time: 8:00am-3:30pm Cost: $ 25

Locations: UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Co., 3740 Stefani Road,Cantonment, FL 32533

For more information call or email:

Chris Verlinde – (850) 623-3868 or cmverlinde@gmail.com

Author: Blake Thaxton – bthaxton@ufl.edu

Santa Rosa County Extension
Agent I, Commercial Horticulture

Gardening in the Panhandle

North Florida Climate Will Soon Favor Fairy Rings

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:49:08 +0000

Soil temperatures and weather conditions are becoming favorable for the development of fairy ring in the landscape.

Most commonly observed as a circular ring of mushroom growing on lawns and gardens, the ring of mushroom growth, termed “fairy ring”, has its origin in fairy-tale and superstition.

However, it is the result of various basidiomycete fungi in the soil. Their appearance is that of the familiar shape of a mushroom with a central stalk and a cap containing gills on its underside.

Given the right environmental conditions, such as prolonged periods of high humidity, high air temperatures (above 90°F) and precipitation (natural rainfall or irrigation), fairy ring can occur. Normally fairy rings are seen during Northwest Florida’s wet summer months.

Nutrient for growth and development is derived from decomposing organic matter. Similar to a plant root system, fungal thread-like structures called hyphae move through the soil searching for organic debris as a source of nutrient. This is especially evident on heavily thatched areas of the lawn. As the hyphae continue to grow, they spread outward in multiple directions colonizing new soil.

An arc or ring-like pattern is usually noticeable once mushroom growth and development is visible. The shape of the mushroom’s ring-like pattern outlines the outward edges or growing points of an expanding underground mycelium (fungal mat) network. That is the reason why fairy rings may get larger from one year to the next.

To learn more about “Fairy Rings” including types, safety considerations, and control options, please follow this link.

Author: Alex Bolques – abol@ufl.edu

FAMU/CAFS, Gadsden County Extension, Horticulture and Small Farms Extension Agent

Gardening in the Panhandle

Tree Cattle are Harmless

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:24:25 +0000

Tree cattle webbing. Photograph by Douglas L. Caldwell, University of Florida

Many people are noticing small insects on trunks and branches of their trees. When disturbed, these insects move in a group and are commonly called tree cattle because of this herding habit. They are ¼ inch brownish-black insects with white markings. Some people assume that these insects will injure their trees but they are harmless. They could be considered beneficial.

Before you spray your tree to control these insects, click on the following link and read the entire article.

Tree cattle a re harmless

Tree cattle. Photograph by Jim Castner, University of Florida

Author: Larry Williams – llw5479@ufl.edu

Larry Williams is the County Extension Director and Residential Horticulture Agent for the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Okaloosa County.

Gardening in the Panhandle

Slime Mold – Only A Cosmetic Problem

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:43:25 +0000

Although black or white streaks are shocking when they appear on an otherwise healthy lawn, the incidence of slime mold is rarely harmful.

Closeup: Slime Mold in Centipedegrass. Image courtesy Matthew Orwat

Slime mold is actually caused by the small round fruiting bodies of a special type of fungi, called Myxomycetes, which are regularly present in the soil. It usually appears on warm humid days in late spring or early summer after extended periods of rain. This extended period of heat and humidity, as is currently being experienced in the Florida Panhandle, initiates the perfect climate for slime mold development.

Slime Mold in Centipedegrass. Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat

As depicted in the picture above, slime mold makes the lawn look like it was just spray-painted with black or grey paint. The round fruiting bodies, called sporangia, carry the spores which will give rise to the next generation of the mold. After a few days the sporangia will shrivel up, release the spores and leave no noticeable trace on the lawn.

Slime Mold Sporangia. Image Courtesy Matthew Orwat

Currently, no fungicide exists to control slime mold because chemical control is not necessary. An excellent method to speed up the dissipation of slime mold is to mow or rake the lawn lightly. This will disturb the spores and hasten their departure. Another effective removal method is to spray the lawn with a forceful stream of water. This process washes off the slime mold sporangia and restores the lawn to its former dark green beauty.

Excessive thatch accumulation also increases the probability of slime mold occurrence.

For more information consult your local county extension agent or read the Alabama Cooperative Extension publication Slime Mold on Home Lawns.

Author: Matthew Orwat – mjorwat@ufl.edu

http://washington.ifas.ufl.edu/lng/about/

Gardening in the Panhandle

2013 Turfgrass Expo & Field Day

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:16:45 +0000

There is something for the professional and homeowner at the 19^th Annual Turfgrass Expo & Field Day. You’ll see and learn the newest in the areas of lawn grass varieties, weed control and many other topics related to selecting, establishing and maintaining a Florida lawn.

This University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) event will take place on June 19 at the West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) in the north part of Santa Rosa County.

Registration fee is $ 40. Register Online or register at the event. For more information, contact Robin Vickers at (850) 983-5216 ext. 113 or visit the WFREC website.

To read entire article, click the following link. 2013 Turfgrass Expo

WFREC Turfgrass Field Day, Photograph UF/IFAS Extension

Author: Larry Williams - llw5479@ufl.edu

Larry Williams is the County Extension Director and Residential Horticulture Agent for the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Okaloosa County.

Gardening in the Panhandle

Gulf Coast Turfgrass Field Day June 19

admin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:05:49 +0000

Gulf Coast Turfgrass Expo and Field Day

The UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center along with the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America will be holding the 19th Annual Gulf Coast Turfgrass Expo and Field Day.

When: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM (CDT)

Where: UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, 4253 Experiment Road, Jay, FL 32565

Cost: $ 40

Field Day Details:

Register Online
Download the Flyer: 2013-Turfgrass-Flyer
For Additional information contact: Robin Vickers 850-983-5216 ext. 113

Author: Doug Mayo – demayo@ufl.edu

Jackson County Extension Director, & Livestock & Forages Agent

My true expertise is with beef cattle and pasture management, but I can assist with information on other livestock species, as well as recreational fish ponds.

http://jackson.ifas.ufl.edu

Panhandle Agriculture

Aquaponics 101 workshop June 25

admin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:33:32 +0000

Date: June 25th Time: 8:00am-3:30pm Cost: $ 25

Locations: UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Co., 3740 Stefani Road,Cantonment, FL 32533

For more information call or email:

Chris Verlinde – (850) 623-3868 or cmverlinde@gmail.com

Author: Blake Thaxton – bthaxton@ufl.edu

Santa Rosa County Extension
Agent I, Commercial Horticulture

Panhandle Agriculture