All Those Weeds In Your Yard Now Mean Many More Next Year
March 10, 2012
The spring equinox signals the transition from winter to spring. Temperatures along the Gulf Coast this time of year are also transitioning. We will experience increasing periods of warm weather, but we are still likely to have at least one more cold snap.
Landscapes are also in a transitional period. Lawns are slowly coming out of dormancy. Bulbs are poking their heads out of the ground to enjoy the sun. Even the insects are beginning to move about. Gardeners who are finding their way outdoors are shocked to see more weeds than they imagined.
Most of the weeds you see now are what we term winter annuals. They grow annually from seed during the fall through early spring. Many of these weeds (henbit, annual bluegrass, chickweed, etc.) will eventually die when the temperatures finally warm up for the season.
Winter weeds are now flowering heavily which is why you see the bright purples, yellows, and whites in the landscape. Since they are flowering and are in a reproductive stage, they will soon be completing their life cycles and dying. Spraying them at this time with a weed killer (herbicide) to try to control them is of little value.
However, if something is not done to remove the weed seeds being produced by these winter annuals, expect a bigger weed patch next year. Remember the old saying, “One year’s weed–seven years’ seed.”
One guaranteed way of getting rid of the weed seeds is hand removal. When you have a small number of weeds, physical removal is your best option. Just remember not to shake the plant to remove the dirt; you’ll likely be shaking off some weed seeds also.
Mowing the lawn and collecting your clippings will also remove some of the seedhead canopy. If you can do this prior to the seeds maturing, it will help reduce next fall’s seed source.
Vow to use a pre-emergent herbicide to help prevent winter weeds. For pre-emergent control of winter annual weeds, apply a herbicide when nighttime temperatures drop to 55° to 60°F for several consecutive days. So mark your calendars now to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early October in North Florida.
Next, vow to apply postemergent herbicides earlier in the winter when these young weeds are small and actively growing. Don’t wait until March to try to control winter weeds, it’s just too late.
As winter weeds begin to die off, they will create some additional problems. Their death will leave bare patches in the lawn. Unfortunately, a barren spot means that the summer weeds, such as crabgrass, spurge, and chamberbitter will probably start filling in the area. It’s best to try to repair these areas as soon as possible with sod, plugs or sprigs.
In additional to winter annual weeds, we have to contend with perennial weeds. Perennial weeds live for multiple seasons and flower more than once. Perennial structures, such as rhizomes, stolons, nutlets, or roots, survive from year to year. Perennial weeds are not effectively controlled with pre-emergent products.
There are a few perennial winter weeds that you may want to control now such as wild garlic, dandelions, clover, and plantains. Several postemergent herbicides can be used to spot treat these perennials. Contact your local Extension Service for more specific recommendations.
As always, be sure to thoroughly read and follow label directions when applying any chemical in the landscape.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Bratt Elementary Dedicates Meagan Wilburn Rose Garden (With Gallery)
March 9, 2012
Fourth graders at Bratt Elementary listened quietly Thursday afternoon as a small rose garden in memory of one of their own was dedicated.
The rose garden, located just outside the fourth grade wing of the school, was dedicated in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a nine-year old Bratt Elementary fourth grader who died after an ATV accident last October in Walnut Hill.
“We are going to remember Meagan forever with this rose garden,” Bratt Principal Jeanene Hall told the students.
“Respectful. Kind. Gentle. Oh, and bubbly…that’s one I just thought of just now,” were the carefully chosen words of Guidance Counselor Sheila Bryan as she described her memories of Meagan to the students.
Following the dedication, the students walked single file past the rose garden — which for now contains a small plaque and just two rose bushes that were purchased with change collected by Meagan’s classmates. Some of the students were visibly touched, breaking down in tears and hugging friends.
“Meagan will always be in our hearts and minds,” Hall said.
For more photos from the dedication, click here.
Pictured: A rose garden was dedicated Thursday afternoon in honor of Meagan Wilburn, a 9-year old Bratt Elementary student killed in an ATV accident last year. Pictured below: Meagan’s sister Cailee Wilburn looks at the garden. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Coast Guard Crew Remembered
March 9, 2012
Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard bid farewell to four of its own.
In a memorial service held at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, the service paid tribute to the crew of Coast Guard helicopter 6535 – Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, Lt. Thomas Cameron, Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight.
“Dale, Tom, Nando and Drew answered the call,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. “They stepped forward and dedicated their lives to helping others – the only thing stronger than their desire to fly, was their desire to serve. And, they did serve – they served all of us.”
On February 28, a Coast Guard helicopter went down in Mobile Bay during a training flight. The bodies of Taylor, Cameron and Jorge were recovered from the crash site shortly after the crash. Knight’s body was recovered Thursday.
Pictured: A memorial service honoring the Coast Crew that died last week in a Mobile Bay crash was held Thursday in Mobile. Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Nurse Named A ‘Legend’
March 8, 2012
A Jay Hospital employee has been recognized as a Baptist Health Care Legend — a team member who goes above and beyond to improve the quality of life for people in the communities served by the organization.
A nurse is a caregiver 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Why? Someone who cares about helping others can’t just turn off feelings of compassion. Patsy Jackson is a prime example.
While on a leisurely motorcycle ride one Saturday, Patsy, an R.N. administrator at Jay Hospital, and her husband stopped to eat at a seaside restaurant. Patsy noticed a woman sitting nearby who did not look well. She kept her eye on the woman who eventually slumped over in her chair. Immediately to the rescue, Patsy ran to the table and helped lower the woman to the floor where she did compressions and the family member did mouth-to-mouth. Restaurant staff retrieved a defibrillator and Patsy hooked up the device and continued CPR until an ambulance arrived and took the woman to be treated.
On another occasion, a patient arrived by EMS to the emergency department in full code. The patient’s elderly wife was very distraught, helpless and traumatized by the situation. She was terrified of riding in a helicopter, but her husband needed to be quickly transported for care. Patsy drove the woman to the hospital, sat with her for five hours and interpreted information so that she could understand and be comforted by the care her husband was receiving.
Patsy’s presence was a blessing for two people who will never forget her expert care even off the clock.
College Students Spend Their Spring Break Helping Others
March 6, 2012
A group of college students from Philadelphia are spending their spring break doing volunteer work for the Escambia County (Ala.) Habitat for Humanity. The 18 students from Holy Family University are spending their nights at the Brewton YMCA and their days repainting the homes of two elderly widows in Atmore.
The students are working at the Smith home on Peacock Lane in Robinsville and and O’Farrell home on Old Bratt Road.
The students will be working hard but will also get a taste of” Southern hospitality”. Tuesday, they will have a short day of work and then enjoy a picnic , hayride and “History of Atmore” tour hosted by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce. Thursday evening, they will be treated to a beach theme meal and painting party at the Hourglass in Brewton. Friday, the students plan to enjoy a day at the beach before beginning their trip back home.
The students are participating in Habitat’s national alternative break program, Collegiate Challenge. This is the fifth year Escambia County Habitat has hosted college volunteers through the Collegiate Challenge program.
Photo: Azaleas In Bloom
March 5, 2012
Unusually warm winter weather has the North Escambia area looking a lot like spring. Azaleas, like this one in Bratt, are beginning to bloom across the area. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Students Honored For ‘Diversity’ Poem, Photograph
March 5, 2012
The Escambia County School District held a reception for District PTA Reflections winners recently at the Hall Center. Two students from Bratt Elementary placed in the district contest and their work will go to the state level for judging.
Lydia Smith received first place on her literary entry (reprinted below) and Juliana Bryan placed second for her photography entry (pictured bottom of page). The theme of the reflections program this year was “Diversity”.
Different people
In this world,
Various looks
Everywhere around you,
Red, yellow, black, and white,
Small and big, man and woman,
In every way you’re different
To everyone else
You have diversity.
………………………– Lydia Smith
Pictured top: Bratt PTA Reflections second place winner Juliana Bryan (left), Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and first place winner Lydia Smith. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Correction: Byrneville Community Center
March 4, 2012
A few hours after we published photos of a misspelled sign on the Byrneville Community Center, the sign was repainted last Thursday. The misspelled sign can be seen in the photo to the left; the corrected sign is pictured above and below. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Caring For Camellias
March 3, 2012
One of Northwest Florida’s most reliable and rewarding shrubs is the camellia. Providing dark green leaves throughout the year, gardeners are rewarded in late winter or early spring with a variety of beautifully colored and shaped flowers. Camellias tend to thrive in our acidic soil but they do require some routine maintenance.
Pick up the fallen flowers. A fungal disease known as petal blight will rapidly turn entire flowers brown. If a camellia has petal blight, remove and dispose of all blighted flowers both on the plant and on the ground. You may also consider discarding the old mulch around the shrub and apply a layer of fresh mulch. This practice sometimes helps prevent fungal spores from blowing back onto new flowers. One of the best ways to prevent this disease is to pick up and destroy fallen blooms. Flowers will continue to drop for several weeks, so it’s important to pick up blooms several times a week.
Scout for tea scale. One of the most common insect pests of camellia is a scale insect known as tea scale. Check the underside of leaves regularly for this annoying pest. These small, sessile, white, thin, sap-sucking insects can build up large numbers if you do not regularly inspect your plants and take corrective measures when scale is first found. Often your first clue will be spotty yellowing on the upper surface of the leaves. Horticultural oil can be used in the winter time if used before blooming or in spring after blooming. Do not apply horticultural oil when near-freezing temperatures may be expected. Always carefully read and follow pesticide label directions before use.
Expect some leaves to fall in the spring. Camellias are “evergreen” meaning that they have leaves on the shrub year round. However, as individual leaves age, they will fall from the shrub and are replaced with new leaves in the spring. It is not unusual for camellia to drop up to 30 percent of their leaves. As long as new leaves are developing, there is no need for concern.
Camellia can be pruned after they flower. The most important reason for pruning camellias is to improve the overall health of the plant. Many times, camellias that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or deteriorating twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies. In many instances, camellias that have been neglected for a number of years will become infested with scale insects. Pruning is an effective way to provide for better coverage of chemical sprays and increase air circulation.
Lichens are warning signs. Lichens are gray-green to green mossy growths on the stems of old, neglected camellias. The lichen is a combination of a fungus and an alga that grows symbiotically. They are not parasitic to the camellia. Affected plants usually need fertilizing, watering, and mulching for better growing conditions.
Fertilizer applications help to achieve maximum performance. Apply fertilizer in the spring after blooming but before new growth starts. With many fertilizers, small amounts at frequent intervals are better than heavy applications. Special camellia fertilizers are available at your local stores. One application in early spring after blooming should be followed by a second application in mid June to early July. Scatter the fertilizer evenly on top of the mulch and away from the main stem of the plant. Water the fertilizer into the soil. Do not fertilize after July, so the plants will have a longer time to harden off and avoid freeze damage.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Named (With Photo Gallery)
March 3, 2012
Jadlyn Agerton was named Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Friday during the school’s annual pageant.
First runner-up was Raegan Harrell; second runner-up was Lillie Allen; and third runner-up was Alexys Smith. Elizabeth Wright was named Miss Congeniality, while Agerton received the Physical Fitness Reward. The Poise and Appearance award was presented to Harrell.
Picture top: (L-R) Second Runner-up Lillie Allen, First Runner-up Raegan Harrell, Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Jadlyn Agerton and Third Runner-Up Alexys Smith. Pictured left: Agerton awaits the judges’ decision backstage during Friday night’s Junior Miss Ernest Ward Middle School pageant. Pictured below: Allen is crowned third runner-up. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
