Fall Gardening: Time To Tackle The Chaos And Prepare For Winter
October 20, 2013
Towards the end of the growing season, many landscapes are overgrown and untidy. Allowing plants to tower over others can mean the demise of the smaller plant. It’s time to tackle the chaos and prepare for winter.
First and foremost, take a good look at your landscape. If a plant has outgrown its allotted space, perhaps it was the wrong plant in the wrong place. Avoid these types of problems by becoming familiar with a plant before you plant it. While you can try to control the size of the plant to fit its space, it will never be a happy, stress-free plant.
Information on the mature size of a plant and their site requirements can be found in several Extension publications. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) “Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design” is intended for homeowners who want to take the next step and design their own Florida-Friendly landscapes. Included in this book is information on landscape design strategies, a landscape planning worksheet, and the FFL plant list containing many of the UF/IFAS recommended Florida-Friendly plants for each region of the state. It’s available online by clicking here.
Even in a well-planned landscape, though, the gardener’s controlling influence is important. The most useful methods for dealing with especially enthusiastic plants are removing, pruning, supporting or creating barriers to prevent unwanted spreading.
Removing and replacing
Autumn is an excellent time to establish shrubs and trees. Consider removing oversized plants and replacing them with carefully chosen ones that will happily fit within your defined boundaries. Plants that are installed late in the year will develop strong roots systems before hot weather arrives next spring.
Pruning
When it comes to pruning, it’s good to remember that it’s better to prune lightly occasionally as needed, than to allow a plant to get way overgrown and then cut it back severely. A few prudent snips here and there will help keep more vigorous plants from overwhelming their less vigorous neighbors.
Emphasis must be placed on the word “light.” It’s important to remember that late summer pruning may stimulate an additional flush of shoot growth on species which flush several times each year. These shoots could be damaged by an early frost.
Supporting
Another technique to improve the look of an overgrown landscape is staking. Staking or otherwise supporting plants keeps them from leaning or falling over onto others. It helps the tall plant look better, and obviously benefits the plants that would otherwise be covered. The stake should be tall enough to do the job but not be too obvious.
Stakes may simply be placed in such a way that the plant is supported by leaning up against it. On the other hand, it may be necessary to tie the plant to the stake. Typically, twine or plastic ties are used for this purpose. Make sure you tie the lower and upper parts of the plant to the stake to provide proper support.
Other techniques for support include tying twine in a loop all the way around a plant, using a wire cage – this is best done early in the growing season to allow the plant to grow into it – tying a plant to a sturdier, nearby plant or using one of the commercially available support systems.
Barriers
Many perennials and tropical plants spread by underground structures called rhizomes. If growth shows up outside the area you’ve allotted for that plant, promptly dig out the unwanted growth and replant it somewhere else.
Barriers extending at least one foot down into the ground around aggressive spreaders can sometimes help keep them under control. Digging, dividing and replanting clumps of aggressive spreaders annually is another good way to make sure they stay put.
Overgrown shrubs can cause a house to lose its curb appeal. Proper, regular control measures should be employed to keep a landscape looking its best.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Families Enjoy Free Outdoor Movie
October 20, 2013
Dozens of families turned out Saturday night to enjoy a free outdoor showing of the movie “Despicable Me” on a giant inflatable screen at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. The movie was sponsored by Northwest Escambia Baseball and NorthEscambia.com.
Tate, West Florida Join Architectural Firms For CANstruction For Manna
October 20, 2013
Two local high schools joined seven architectural firms for CANstruction 2013 Friday night at the Artel Gallery in downtown Pensacola.
Tate and West Florida high schools presented their designs — constructed of cans of food — alongside creations by members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Northwest Florida. The thousands of cans of food were all donated to Manna Food Pantries.
Pictured top: “No Hunger” by Tate High School. Pictured inset: “Mega-can-o-saurus” by the West Florida High School Engineering Academy. Pictured below: “Kill Hunger” by Bay Design Associates and Sam Marshall Architects, the firm designing the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. There are 1,511 cans for the hungry in the design. Pictured bottom: “PAC-CAN” by Bullock Tice Associates with 1,304 cans for Manna. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Crowns Homecoming Queen And Her Court
October 19, 2013
The Northview Chiefs crowned Homecoming Queen Anna Fischer and her court Friday night. First runner up was Danielle Scott, and second runner-up was Tamara Green. Junior Maid was was Kendal Cobb, Sophomore Made was Lillie Allen and Freshman Maid was Autumn Albritton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Freshman Maid Autumn Albritton, Junior Maid Kendal Cobb, Queen Anna Fischer, second runner up Tamara Green, first runner up Danielle Scott and sophomore Maid Lillie Allen. Pictured below 2012 Homecoming Queen Ashley Cunningham crowns 2013 Homecoming Queen Anna Fischer. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Holds Annual Homecoming Parade (With Photo Gallery)
October 18, 2013
The Northview High School 2013 Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt this afternoon as hundreds of spectators looked on.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The sophomore float in the Northview High School Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon, with sophomore court members Lillie Allen, Morgan Wiggins and Jessica Amerson. Pictured below: The Tribal Beat Band marches. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Results, Photo Gallery: 17 Bands Take Part In Assessments At Tate
October 17, 2013
The Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Music Performance Assessments were held Saturday at Tate High School. Seventeen bands from across the area took part in the event.
Tate and Jay high school received a final overall rating of “Superior”, while Northview’s Tribal Beat received a rating of “Excellent”. For Northview’s band, it was the first assessment event since 1996. The band had never scored a Superior rating in any category. This year, the band received Superior ratings in the Auxiliary (color guard, majorettes and dance team) and marching and maneuvering categories.
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Jay bands, click here.
The following schools received the highest final rating of “Superior”:
- Baker School
- Choctawhatchee High School
- Crestview High School
- Escambia High School
- Ft. Walton Beach High School
- Gulf Breeze High School
- Tate High School
- Jay High School
- Milton High School
- Navarre High School
- Niceville High School
- Pace High School
- Washington High School
- West Florida High School
The following school received a final rating of “Excellent”:
- Northview High School
- Pensacola High School
- Pine Forest High School
Children Of The Swamp: Author To Promote Book Set In Escambia River Swamp
October 17, 2013
A Chicago-area author will discuss his book set in the Escambia River swamps at several local libraries.
Author J. Ferdinand Rizza will promote his book “Children of the Swamp” at three West Florida Public Library locations:
- Friday, October 18 – Tryon Branch Library, 11am-12 noon
- Friday, October 18 – Molino Branch Library, 2-3pm
- Saturday, October 19 – Main Library, 11am-12 noon
- Saturday, October 19 – Southwest Branch Library, 2-3pm
From the publisher:
“Children of the Swamp” Author, J.F. Rizza has set out to not only accomplish his personal best in the writing of this novel, but also to accomplish his personal best in his quest to land the fish of a lifetime. He knew the moment he entered the realm of the swamp that a novel was eminent. However, he did not originally set out with the intention of writing a novel. Instead the novel seemed to seek him out and demanded of him to be written.
The story begins as our main character, a poet, attempts to break a bad case of writer’s block by taking a peaceful hiatus in Florida. Being unfamiliar with the region and its people, he accepts an invitation to go fishing with two locals and soon finds himself venturing out into the Escambia River basin alone with these newly found acquaintances. As he finds himself traveling further and further out into this vast wilderness, he realized his vulnerability and dependency on these swamp-folk. Thus the story unfolds.
With his writer’s block broken, his prose and poetry flow freely throughout the text, coloring it and drawing you the reader deeper and deeper into the spirit of the swamp. The adventure grows as does his understanding of the swamp, its people and its pitfalls. The focus now being on his new found obsession, fishing for that monster of a catch, is the stuff of which legends are made.
Rizza’s writing style is captivation, colorful and rich in metaphor. His sense of character development is outstanding, and the storyline believable. Some of what you read will be very new to you, and much of it you will relate to quite readily. Fisherman, naturalists, campers, survivalists and readers with an interest in prose, poetry and unique American folk culture will find this book to be a “must read”.
“Children of the Swamp” is available from Amazon.com.
Camp Fire Kids Hold Trike-A-Thon For Children’s Hospital
October 17, 2013
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently held their fifth annual Trike-A-Thon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The children not only raised $652 for St. Jude; they also learned about trike safety and the importance of helping others.
Submitted photos by Pam Townson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Special Meeting: A Little Boy In Need And An Unselfish Young Lady
October 16, 2013
Before Tuesday, Shelby Godwin of Bratt had never met Wyatt Johnson, an 18-month old from Century who is suffering from a chronic liver disease that will require a transplant. Hugs, smiles and happy tears filled the Bratt Elementary School Library Tuesday afternoon as Shelby saw Wyatt in person for the first time.
But there was already a special bond between the two, a little boy in need of all the help the world will give him and a young lady with an unselfish heart.
As we reported last month, Shelby saw a fundraising flyer with Wyatt’s picture at CVS in Century. She was so emotionally touched by the young man that she wanted to do something to help him.
Her idea was a fresh orange juice stand along East Highway 4 in Bratt, under the shade trees in front of her house. The 10-year old used her own money to purchase the oranges and supplies for her little business venture and borrowed an old fashioned juicer from a friend of her mom.
“Hey,” Shelby said to Wyatt, taking his hand in hers. “It’s good to meet you.” Tears poured from the face of Nicole Johnson, Wyatt’s mom, as she embraced Shelby in a hug. Afterwards, Shelby pushed her glasses up and wiped her eyes.
“Thank you, thank you so much,” mom Nicole said.
“You are an amazing young lady,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told Shelby. “This world needs more people like you.”
“We do need more people like you,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall added, presenting Shelby with an official proclamation in her honor. “You are very special. There’s a special place in heaven for you.”
Wyatt’s dad, Justin Johnson, presented Shelby with a single white rose, a card, and a “Team Wyatt” shirt. Shelby and her mother, Kim Godwin, gave Wyatt a gift, a teddy bear and a matching outfit. Wyatt looked at the teddy bear cautiously, smiled and began to play. His smile grew larger as he twirled the bear’s fur around his finger and poked at his nose.
The Godwins then presented Nicole with the proceeds from Shelby’s orange juice sales.
“Hey there,” Shelby said and she kneeled next to Wyatt for photos. As the camera clicked off the photos, their smiles became bigger and bigger as did those of everyone in a room. For a moment, all was well in the world of the new best friends, a little boy in need of all the help the world will give him and a young lady with an unselfish heart.
Shelby’s orange juice stand is open some Friday and Saturday afternoons in the 5100 block of West Highway 4, almost directly across from the Bratt Assembly of God. A small fresh squeezed orange juice is $1 and a medium is $2. Donations are welcome and very much encouraged. All proceeds benefit Wyatt Johnson. A fund has also been established in Wyatt Johnson’s name at Pen Air Federal Credit Union.
Pictured above: (front, L-R) Shelby Godwin, Nicole Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Daisy Johnson, (back) Bratt Elementary Principal Karen Hall, Kim Godwin, Justin Johnson, Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, and Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
Pictured above: Shelby Godwin makes fresh orange juice to raise money for Wyatt Johnson.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Visit The Pumpkin Patch
October 16, 2013
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch is open once again this year at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Organizers said hundreds of pumpkins have been sold far this year; another delivery is expected by the weekend.
The church’s Third Annual Fall Festival will be held at the pumpkin patch on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be free activities for the children, local musical entertainment, food, baked goods and more. Admission is free.
Pictured: The Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
