July Gardening Tips
July 16, 2016
The heat, humidity and frequent rains of July are great for tropical plants. Gardeners, however, take a bit of a beating. Remember to keep the sunscreen, insect repellant and iced tea handy as you venture out into your garden to perform some needed summer maintenance.
A midsummer application of fertilizer is usually required, especially on annual flowers, lawns, shrub beds and vegetable gardens. This is a supplemental application, so don’t overdo it. A 15-0-15 slow-release fertilizer is a good general purpose landscape fertilizer for most plants.
Major pruning jobs should have been done earlier, but there is still some maintenance pruning that should be done. Deadhead, or clip old flowers, from summer flowering shrubs as soon as they fade to help insure an extended season of bloom. Crape myrtles, hibiscus, hydrangeas and althea are examples of shrubs that will bloom repeatedly if light, selective pruning is done.
Flowering annuals also respond well to deadheading. Snip off old flowers and flower spikes before they have an opportunity to form seed. Allowing annual flowers to set seed can shorten their blooming season considerably.
Inspect your lawn and shrub plantings frequently in order to identify pest problems as early as possible. The most severe damage from pest insects normally begins in July. Be on the lookout for chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass; spittlebugs in centipede grass; sod webworm in all lawns-especially new ones; lacebug and caterpillars on azaleas; whiteflies on gardenia and spider mites on lots of different types of shrubs.
Sod webworms often attack lawns in the summer. They eat the grass blades producing areas that look as if they have been mowed too short. Close inspection will reveal that the blades have not been cleanly cut as with a mower blade but have been chewed along their edges and tips. These caterpillars feed at night and rest during the day down among the runners and in the thatch.
Once an insect pest is found, evaluate the damage and determine if control is necessary. If it is, choose the least toxic option. If only a few caterpillars are found, hand picking might be the choice. Aphids and spider mites can often be controlled by spraying with an insecticidal soap solution. Chemical insecticides are sometimes required. Before choosing one be sure that the insect pest has been properly identified and that the insecticide is labeled for that purpose For vegetable gardeners that have problems with nematodes, soil borne diseases and extensive weed problems, July is a great time to try soil solarization.
Prepare the soil as you normally would for a vegetable garden including adding organic matter. Moisten the area and cover with clear plastic, not black plastic. Clear plastic will produce the highest temperatures. Be sure to weigh down the edges of the plastic so that it doesn’t blow up. Allow the soil to bake in the sun for four to six weeks. The sun will raise the soil temperature high enough to kill many soil borne problems.
Tip of the Week: The nice thing about tomatoes is that you have the option of harvesting when the fruit is green if needed. Tomatoes will ripen indoors at room temperature. To ensure even ripening, place the tomato with the stem up. The ideal time to harvest tomatoes is when they are fully colored but still firm.
In general, it is best to harvest vegetables early in the mornings while the moisture content is higher. The overall quality will quickly diminish as vegetables are exposed to hotter temperatures later in the day.
Reading And Reptiles At The Molino Branch Library (With Photo Gallery)
July 15, 2016
Dozens of children learned about reptiles and amphibians Thursday during the Summer Reading Club at the Molino Branch Library. They learned the difference between snakes and lizards, met a large African frog that really does not like to jump, learned about the difference between a turtle and tortoise and got hands-on with a boa constrictor.
The Summer Reading club continues next week with “Quite a Catch with Ron Anglin”. Participants can learn and be amazed as Ron Anglin mixes science and skill in an unforgettable juggling performance. Presentations will be held as follows:
Tuesday, Juy 19, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, located across from Southwest Branch Library. Show your library card for free all day park access.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Century Branch Library, 7991 N Century Blvd
- 4 p.m. at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.
Thursday, July 21, 2016:
- 11 a.m. at Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Club Participants Can Win Fire Truck Ride to School
July 13, 2016
Six lucky readers from the Summer Reading Club will have a chance to win a ride to school in a fire truck, followed by fire prevention and safety training for their entire school.
West Florida Library Summer Reading Club participants between ages 6 and 11 who live in Escambia County and have read for at least 50 hours will all be eligible for the drawing for the rides.
Other major drawing prizes include a pedal car fire truck, Fat Tire bicycles and recumbent bicycles. Prize categories start with as little as 12.5 hours of reading.
The winners will be chosen by drawing on July 30.
In the event a winner is chosen who is homeschooled, the ride will be to a fire prevention and safety event at their closest public library.
For more information, contact or stop by your nearest West Florida Library location.
Florida Association of City Clerks Honors Century’s Gonzalez
July 13, 2016
The Florida Association of City Clerks has passed a resolution honoring Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez for serving as their Northwest Florida district director for the past three years. The resolution was recently presented to Gonzalez (pictured left) by FACC’s Linda Bridges. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Students Take Part In Washington Youth Tour
July 10, 2016
Rebecca Boutwell of Jay High School and Zipporah Harris of Northview High School recently joined 1,600 youth leaders representing electric cooperatives from 43 states for a week-long tour of the nation’s capital as Washington Youth Tour delegates.
Rebecca and Zipporah won Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s contest held annually for juniors in EREC’s service area.
Highlights of their trip included visits to the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials; Arlington National Cemetery; relaxing on the Potomac River during an evening boat cruise; and visiting many other places of interest in Washington, D.C.
Youth Tour delegates also met with Congressman Jeff Miller and visited the U.S. Capitol, where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day program, they gained a better understanding of rural electric cooperatives’ history and their importance in the communities they serve.
Officers Pray For Dallas Victims, Nation
July 9, 2016
Local law enforcement officers gathered Friday at noon at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for a prayer vigil for the Dallas shooting victims and to pray for healing for our nation. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Program Brings ‘Wizard Of Oz’ To The Library
July 7, 2016
The Summer Reading Program is continuing at local West Florida Library branches. Wednesday, the Hampstead Stage Company presented their adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Century Branch Library. The program was also presented Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library.
The Summer Reading Program will feature a reptile program next week: Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Southwest Branch Library; Wednesday at 11 am. at the Century Branch Library; Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Main Library; Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Molino Branch Library; and Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Tryon Branch Library.
Photos by August Whorff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now: Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp Next Week
July 6, 2016
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp next week with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 11-15 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
“We are fortunate to get someone of Coach Roger’s talents and achievements to head up this camp” said First Baptist Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey. “He has a unique ability to deal with children, and his love for them is evident.” This is the fifth year the church has offered this camp.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
“One of the many things that blesses me about the camp is coach does not receive any salary,” FBC Bratt Student Pastor Tim Hawsey said. “The $45 registration fee will actually be used to purchase shoes and basketballs for children in other countries that do not even own a pair of shoes. Coach Roger will go to those countries and conduct basketball camps and leave the equipment with the children. Some of the children walk four or five miles just to attend his camps. So, we not only benefit from learning about basketball, but we are able to participate in missions, too. And, our church receives nothing from the $45, it all goes to Global Sports Outreach. We just have the joy of seeing children learning about basketball and Jesus at the same time.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, contact Hawsey or Sherrye Gilman at (850) 327-6529 or stop by the church on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
Scholarships are available if the $45 registration fee per child is not financially possible for a family.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century, Flomaton Celebrate The Fourth With A Bang (With Photo Gallery)
July 4, 2016
Fireworks lit up the night Sunday with an early celebration at Century’s Showalter Park.
The fireworks show was a joint effort of both the Town of Flomaton and the Town of Century. The towns alternate hosting the festivities each year; next year’s show will be back at Hurricane Park in Flomaton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fourth Of July Cookout Costs Slightly More This Year
July 4, 2016
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly more this year but still comes in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Although the cost for the cookout is up slightly (less than 1 percent), “Prices in the meat case are starting to look better from the consumers’ perspective,” said Veronica Nigh, an AFBF economist. “Retail ground round prices are trending lower,” she noted, pointing to the nation’s cattle inventory and commercial beef production, which continue to rebound from dramatically low levels in 2014 and 2015.
In addition, “On the pork side, commercial production also continues to grow and is at the highest level in 25 years,” Nigh said. Spare rib prices are about the same as a year ago, while the amount of product in cold storage is up 121 percent, Nigh pointed out. “This is helping mediate the normal seasonal upswing in spare rib prices we typically see around the July 4th festivities,” she said.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
Commenting on factors driving the slight increase in retail watermelon prices, Nigh said, “While watermelons are grown across the U.S., most come from four states – Texas, Florida, Georgia and California – which together produce approximately 44 percent of the U.S. crop. Shipments of watermelons are down nearly 8 percent compared to the same time period last year,” she said.
U.S. milk production is up 1 percent compared to the same period last year. During the first quarter of 2016 (January-March), U.S. milk production reached historic levels, putting significant downward pressure on the price farmers receive for their milk.
Nigh said the increase in the price of cheese slices highlights the spread in prices that often occurs between values at the farm, wholesale, and retail stages of the production and marketing chain.
Farm Bureau members (volunteer shoppers) in 26 states checked retail prices for summer cookout foods in mid-June at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 17 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Nigh said.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $56.06 marketbasket would be $9.53.
