Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 21, 2015
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Molino Park Names Volunteers, Partner Of The Year
February 20, 2015
Volunteers were honored during a luncheon Thursday at Molino Park Elementary School.
Volunteers of the year were announced, including Rachel Bradley, adult volunteer; Carolyn Cropper, senior adult volunteer; and Alianna Davis, youth volunteer. Jimmy’s Grill was named Molino Park’s Partner of the Year.
“There is no possible way that we can accomplish all that needs to be accomplished to grow God’s most precious gift, our children, without the helping hands and loving hearts of our volunteers,” Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward said. “We are very thankful for all of our volunteers.”
Century Resident Celebrates Her 103rd Birthday
February 19, 2015
Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 103rd birthday Thursday.
Godwin was born in Jay back in 1912, one of 12 children born to her parents Annie and William Griffis. She has two younger surviving siblings - Jean Clark and Veda Welch. She raised two sons, one of which is deceased, and has four grandchildren.
She was raised in the Mount Carmel community of Santa Rosa County. In her early years, she spent most of time in the cotton fields, but she was always in church on Sundays.
Godwin attributes her long life to hard work and faith. Those who know her will say that she was always caring for and helping others. She always put family first, even if it meant she had to do without the things she needed.
Godwin is longtime resident of the Century area and is the oldest resident at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Pictured top: Century resident Della Godwin turns 103 years old Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highland Baptist Kids Share Messages Of Love
February 17, 2015
Children from Highland Baptist Church recently visited with residents of the Health Care Center of Pensacola. The children delivered handmade Valentine’s cards with a special message.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photobomb: Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Newest K-9 Zurki
February 16, 2015
These are the newest members of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team — Deputy Doug Burgett and K-9 Zurki.
Burgett and Zurki recently completed a 480-hour, Florida Department of Law Enforcement approved K-9 training course. The course consisted of searches, apprehensions and obedience. In order to complete the course, each deputy was required to demonstrate proficiency in these areas along with passing a final examination.
Burgett transferred to the K-9 team after being the patrol unit after being selected for the position last year.
Photo courtesy SRSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Assembly Of God Children Get Colorful While Helping Missionaries
February 15, 2015
The childrens’ ministries at the Bratt Assembly of God have worked hard to make a difference this year, including raising over $1,500 to help support the efforts of the Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge worldwide. All funds raised through BGMC go to meet critical needs around the world such as feeding programs, water wells, Bible schools, curriculum, and other missionary needs around the world.
As a reward for exceeding their goal for the year, the Bratt AG children were given the opportunity to color the hair of their pastors, Rick and Deborah MaHarrey, and their children’s leader, Elaine Godwin.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have news to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Upcoming Class: Chick Raising 101
February 14, 2015
Escambia County UF/IFAS Extension, the Panhandle Poultry Club and the Florida Panhandle 4-H Clubs will host an Chick Raising 101 program on Wednesday, February 18, at 7 p.m., at the Escambia County Extension office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
This free program is for anyone interested in learning more about hatching chicks, raising chicks and basic chick care.
For more information on the program please call the Escambia County UF/IFAS Extension office at (850) 475-5230 or email Hank Bignell at hdbignell@ufl.edu.
Bratt Elementary Art On Display At School District Headquarters
February 13, 2015
3-D art from Bratt Elementary School is currently on display in the Escambia County School District headquarters in the Vernon McDaniel Building on Pace Boulevard. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Group Makes Plans To ‘Reimagine Century’ In May
February 11, 2015
An organizational meeting was held Tuesday night to make plans for the second Reimagine Century event on May 16.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate — both their physical and spiritual needs. “It is an outreach, but it’s also a chance for the body of Christ to come together and reach those in the community,” she said.
The event will include a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, AIDS testing, diabetes information, live music, fishing lessons from Mission Fishin’, free manicures, a laundry detergent giveaway, information from community agencies, a clothing giveaway, free lunch, free haircuts, youth and teen activities and sports, a diaper giveaway and more.
About two dozen people, representing a variety of churches, businesses and community groups, attended Tuesday night’s organizational meeting. Interested persons are invited to attend the group’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4.
Pictured top: Volunteers discuss Reimagine Century Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Organizer Linda English. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Computer Classes Begin Thursday At Century Branch Library
February 11, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for February at the Century Branch Library:
Introduction to the Internet – Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m.
Participants will learn the basics of exploring the internet, navigation, browsers and internet safety.
Facebook Basics – Thursday, February 26, 6 p.m.
This workshop is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to create a Facebook profile, add and remove friends, upload photos, share posts and more.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.