Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 11, 2017
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.
Wild Game Supper, ‘Live’ Art Saturday In Molino
February 10, 2017
A Wild Game Dinner and Fish Fry will be held Saturday evening at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, with guest speaker Tim Bertram, a creative arts pastor.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with the meal at 5:00 p.m. The meal is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. The meal will include a variety of venison dishes (spaghetti, back strap, sausage), fried fish, baked beans, fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, dessert, coffee, tea and water.
Bertram is creative arts pastor for God’s Graffiti Ministry. While creating a work of “live” work of art, he shares the Gospel. Bertram will also be guest speaker during a Men’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday and during the morning service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Highland Baptist, 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
Free Sign Language Class Offered At Century Church
February 7, 2017
A free sign language class is being offered at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century at 4:30 each Sunday afternoon. The class met for the first time this past Sunday, learning the basics of the alphabet. Organizers said it’s not to late to join the class. For more information, call (850) 366-4106.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 6, 2017
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for January at Bratt Elementary School.
Eric Anthony
Nevaeh Bush
Addison Carpenter
Kaedence Carter
Will Classen
Crimson Davis
Riley Dawson
Logan Diller
Kintley Flowers
Olivia Garrett (not pictured)
Tucker Hare
Graysen Hubbard
Mary Catherine Hughes
Landon Johnson
Kaitlin Lloyd
Maddi Lowery
Tyler McAnally
Keira McDuffie
Austin Minchew
Angel Schoonover
Jackson Simmons
Bryce Stabler
Kimmora Thomas
Raleigh Warr (not pictured)
The students pictured below, Kimmora Thomas and Logan Diller, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for January.
<strong>Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.</strong>
4-H Horsepower Club Donates To Animal Shelter
February 6, 2017
The Escambia County 4-H HorsePower Club in Cantonment recently decided to help out the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Following parliamentary procedures, the club approved a Levi Nelson motion to donate $125 worth of puppy and kitten food to the shelter. Taylor Nelson, president of the club, ensured that the purchase did not go over budget. The 4-Horsepower Club also collected baskets of used towels for the shelter.
The Escambia County 4-H HorsePower Club donates all funds collected to community service work.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tavianna Parker Named Miss EWMS (With Photo Gallery)
February 5, 2017
Tavianna Parker, 13, was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in “A Disney Celebration” themed pageant at the school. She is the daughter of Joseph and Sheley Parker.
Third runner-up was Wylder Gibson, second-runner up was Jessica Stabler, and first runner-up in the annual pageant was Jordan Wilson.
Other awards presented were: Miss Hospitality Jessica Stabler, Miss Congeniality Tavianna Parker, People’s Choice Jessica Stabler, Miss Personality Jordan Wilson, Miss Physical Fitnesss Hailey Harigel, and Miss Poise and Appearance Jordan Wilson.
For a photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Editor’s note: Photo reprints are available. Email news@northescambia.com for details.
Pictured top: Miss EWMS Tavianna Parker is crowned. Pictured inset: Jordan Wilson was first runner up and named Miss Poise and Appearance and Miss Personality. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 3, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Dawson Miller (left) and Shelby Coleman. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cat Country’s Brent And Candy Named ACM Award Finalists
February 2, 2017
Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton from the Cat Pak Morning Show at locally owned Cat Country 98.7 are finalists for the 2017 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Personality of the Year. This is their sixth nomination in 10 years.
The Cat Pak Morning Show won the ACM Radio Personality of the Year award in 2009.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the level of commitment and service Brent and Candy have in the community,” said Mary Hoxeng, owner of Cat Country 98.7 and sister station NewsRadio 92.3 FM/1620 AM.
Brent and Candy are “live and local” from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on Cat Country 98.7 and on CatCountry987.com.
The 52nd Annual ACM Award Show will air live from the T- Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on CBS Sunday, April 2, 2017. This year, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will host the show starting at 7 p.m. It will be a celebration of the country music industry and the artists that make the songs come to life.
Local FFA Students Place At District Competition
February 1, 2017
Local FFA students recently took part in the District I FFA Competition.
Leadership Development Events (LDE) focuses on student success. The key to achievement lies in the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world. Students can explore numerous career fields within agriculture by participating in LDEs. Students spend many hours training for competition and receive assistance from their advisor, industry partners, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Results were as follows:
Prepared Public Speaking
- Elizabeth Fleeber – Chipley
- Jaeci Cooley – Jay
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Mitchell Singleton – Northview
- Wyatt Patterson – Chipley
Creed Speaking
- Amanda Hachel – Jay
- Chloe Taylor – Vernon
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
- Donnie Dixon – Northview
- Joshua Bruner – Chipley
Parliamentary Procedure
- Tate — Cora Andrews,Madison Lucio,Victoria Kelson,Courtney Welch, Gabe Fergerson,Michael Harrelson
- Chipley
Middle School Results
Prepared Public Speaking
- Nathan O’Neal – Beulah Academy of Science
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Thuan Vo – Beulah Academy of Science
Opening and Closing Ceremony
- Beulah Academy of Science — Leia Grantham, Nathan O’Neal, Thuan Vo, Bella Avaritt, Olivia Gafford, Dylin Alford, Kamden Jones
The individuals and FFA Chapters that won first place above will represent Escambia County School District and District I FFA at the Florida FFA State Convention in June. District I FFA encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington Counties.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Library $5 Bag Book Sale Set For Saturday
February 1, 2017
Friends of West Florida Public Library will hold a $5 Blowout Bag Sale Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St.
Here’s how it works: Attendees will receive a brown paper bag when they enter the library and can fill it with whatever books will fit inside. Each bag is only $5, and there is no limit on bags. There will be mysteries, novels, reference books, children’s books, biographies, military history and many more categories to browse.
“The $5 bag sale is always one of our most popular events,” said Linda Williams, immediate past president and book sale chair. “Besides giving the community the opportunity to get great books at a great price, the sale is another way for the Friends of the Library to raise funds to support library programs.”
Friends of West Florida Public Library President Mike Lane said, “Our volunteers are working hard to fill the tables with the best books we have. There will definitely be an opportunity for everybody to get some great buys.”
The Friends of West Florida Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing financial support to the West Florida Public Library system through membership fees, book sales and donations. The Friends organization was the major source of funds for the library’s 2016 Summer Reading Program, and it also provides funds for other literacy and educational activities.