Fall Gardening: Time To Tackle The Chaos And Prepare For Winter
October 2, 2010
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.
Earby C. Driver, Sr.
October 2, 2010
Earby C. Driver, Sr. age 86 of Molino, FL joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 1, 2010.
Mr. Driver is preceded in death by his wife, Wilhelmina and his son, David.
He is survived by his children, Laraine (Roy) Wilson, Brownstown, MI, Robert (Vicki), Molino, Earby Jr. (Linda), Milton, Phillip, Molino, Kathryne (Tommy) Carpenter, Pensacola and Deborah (Jim) Ballard, Milton, Doug (Robin), Molino; brother, Robert Driver, Cantonment; sister, Marie Whitehead, Cottage Hill; eleven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2010 at Highland Baptist Church with Reverend Brian Calhoun officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 1000 Hwy 29N, Cantonment, FL, is in charge of arrangements.
Patti R. Barnes
October 2, 2010
Patti R. Barnes, 49, of Destin, FL passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2010.
Patti was born on October 5, 1960 in Pensacola, FL. She was a 1978 graduate of J. M. Tate High School. Patti earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Troy State University. She was an accomplished business woman in retail management, and enjoyed meeting and assisting customers from many different places during her career.
Patti found great joy in the love she expressed to her family. She will always be remembered for her continued dedication and never ending compassion for each member of her family. Her two greatest loves were spending free time on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast and taking photographs of her nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Patti never missed an opportunity to spend time with her nieces and nephews as she was more that an aunt, but a mom and attended every extracurricular activity possible.
Her parents, Roswell and Herberta (Bert) Barnes preceded Patti in death.
She is survived by her sisters, Debra Matthews (Chris) of Marianna, FL, Nell McElhaney (John) of Cantonment, FL; brother, Steve Barnes of Destin, FL; nieces and nephews, Shane, Deena, Tara, Melissa and Melanie; great nieces and great nephews, Madison, Kaylee, Brantley, Carson, Mason, and Ava Claire. She will be missed by her special puppy companions Punkin and Bitsy.
A Graveside Service will be held at 3:00pm Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Bayview Memorial Park, with Reverends C. A. Flowers, Sr. and C. Aubrey Flowers, Jr. officiating.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Presents Talent Show
October 2, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School held their annual talent show Friday night at the school.
The following awards were presented:
Critics Choice Awards – First Place, Lori Harrell singing “I Wonder”; Second Place, Annie Bobo, Megan Bryan, Tamara Wise, comedy routine “I’m A Dork”; Third Place (tie) Morgan Wiggins, twirl routine; Koriaun Lewis, singing “You Raise Me Up”.
Peoples Choice Award – Annie Bobo, Megan Bryan, Tamara Wise for their comedy routine “I’m A Dork”.
For a photo gallery from the talent show, click here.
Participants in the Ernest Ward Middle School talent show were:
Katrina Rau; Amy Branch; Deasia Fountain, Felcia Muhammand, Flenequa Mitchell; Morgan Wiggins, Morgan Pope, Aliyah Creamer, Koriaun Lewis, Morgan Packer, Shania Ward, McKenzie Nassar, Lindsey Gindl, Kaelyn Coffey, Haley Coffey, Haley Brown, Annie Bobo, Megan Bryan, Tamara Wise, Gavin Coon, Jason Ogle, Abbie Johnson, Lori Harrell, Justin Moore and Amber Freeman.
Pictured top: Annie Bobo, Megan Bryan, Tamara Wise present their “Peoples Choice Award” comedy routine “I’m A Dork” Friday night during the annual Ernest Ward Middle School talent show. Pictured inset: Lori Harrel won the “Critics Choice Award”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Baker Plus Other Area Scores
October 1, 2010
Northview 39 Baker 36
Catholic 56 Tate 30
Cottage Hill Christen 31 Flomaton 28 (OT)
T.R. Miller 34 Clark County 26
Escambia Academy 28 South Choctaw Academy 26
Thomasville 24 Escambia County 0
Panama City 29 West Floirda 14
Pace 31 Niceville 17
Pensacola 49 Choctaw 0
Pine Forest 28 Tallahassee Lincoln 21
Monroe County 30 W.S. Neal 20
Pictured: Northview at Baker. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Traffic Watch: Problems Getting To Ernest Ward Middle Today
October 1, 2010
Traffic is being delayed by road construction on Highway 97 today at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Drivers should allow about 15 minutes extra time. Or, drivers headed to the school should approach from Highway 99A off North Highway 99 (coming from behind the gym) to avoid delays.
Escambia Schools Consider Four Out Of Town Law Firms To Sue BP
October 1, 2010
The Escambia County School District was set to vote Thursday on hiring four out of town legal firms to sue over the Gulf oil spill, but the contract was pulled from the agenda.
According to an attorney employment contract that had been on the agenda for Thursday afternoon’s school board special meeting, the school district is seeking legal relief against BP, Tranocean, Ltd., Halliburton Energy and related companies. The board is seeking reimbursement for losses incurred as a result of the summer oil spill, including decreased tax revenue.
Four firms were to be hired by the school district: Nix, Patterson & Roach in Texarkana, Texas; Harrison, Sale, McCloy, Duncan & Jackson in Panama City; Harrison Rivard in Panama City and Carl R. Nelson in Tampa.
The Nix Patterson firm would receive 20 percent of any settlement, while Harrison Rivard and Harrison Sale would receive 10 percent and Fowler White would receive 7.5 percent. The attorneys would be hired on a contingency basis — if there was not financial recovery, the attorneys would not be paid.
School Board member Jeff Bergosh said he will not support the contract with the four firms until local legal firms are considered by the board.
“I have no problem with any of the firms represented in this contract–I just don’t know who they are,” Bergosh wrote on his blog. “I want to know why no local firms were considered. We have some highly qualified, nationally respected firms that are quite capable of representing us effectively. These well qualified local firms hire local residents and create jobs here in Pensacola. If all things are equal, I prefer to hire locally.”
The Escambia County School Board is expected to consider the legal services contract again at an October meeting.
Only Northview, Vernon Undefeated In District 1-A
October 1, 2010
Only three teams remained undefeated in District 1-A football four weeks into the 2010 season — including the Northview Chiefs.
The Chiefs are 2-0 in the district, while Vernon is 3-0. Freeport and South Walton have each lost one game.
The Chiefs (3-0, 2-0) will travel to Baker (1-3, 1-2) next Friday night in a District 1-A game. Vernon (4-0, 3-0) will be at Freeport (2-1, 2-0) in matchup of undefeateds in District 1-A — meaning one of the two teams will have their first district loss Friday night.
Pictured top: La’Mikal Kyles (#17) gains yardage for the Northview Chiefs behind the blocking of Blake McCall (#17) last Friday night. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
New Year, Increased Half Million Dollar Budget Begins Today In Century
October 1, 2010
Friday was the first day of the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget in Century with over a half million dollars in increases and increased ad valorem tax rate.
The town’s total budget is $3,337,231 — a decrease over the 2009-2010 budget of $4,587,744. The difference is due to a one-time $1.83 million grant for a water infrastructure project during the last fiscal year. The new budget represents an increase of $579,487 over last year’s budget minus the water grant.
Outside of the grant-funded water project, the town’s biggest source of revenue — $1,825,000 — is from water, gas and sewer charges, and the biggest expense is $1,464,178 to pay for the costs associated with providing the water, sewer and natural gas service for the town’s residents.
Ad valorem taxes will increase slightly — from .823 mils last year to .9048 mils. The new millage rate is estimated to generate $30,000 for the town during the 2010-2011 budget year, compared to $26,000 in the last fiscal year.
The budget passed 4-0 with council member Henry Hawkins absent from a recent budget hearing. No members of the public spoke for or against the budget.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here or the image below.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council meets earlier this month in regular session. From the left: Nadine McCaw, Ann Brooks, Sharon Scott, Henry Hawkins and Gary Riley. Hawkins was absent from a budget public hearing held just prior to the council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Park 5th Graders Present “Cooking It!”
October 1, 2010
Refined sugar isn’t so sweet, but fruit and veggies are good — that’s the message behind a play and puppet show presented today at Molino Park Elementary School.
Molino Park’s fifth graders and professionals from the Pensacola Little Theatre presented “Cooking It!” — an original musical play designed to facilitate healthy eating and address childhood obesity.
For a photo gallery from a Thursday practice, click here.
“If you can’t pronounce it, renounce it,” says character Chef Freda, portrayed by PLT’s Tricia Hartley in the play after the students learn that refined sugar can “hide” behind names like manitol, sorbitol, dextrose and galactose.
But puppet characters Brussels Sprout and Carrot, along with Farmer Mark, spread the word that fruits and vegetables can be a tasty and healthy alternative, especially when sweetened with just a pinch of raw sugar and the flavorful help of the “Spice Girls.”
“Too much sweet stuff in your food is not good for you,” said fifth grader Domonique McNeill. “Sugar hides itself; you have to read the label to learn where the sugar is,” added Kylee Jackson.
The students have practiced all week under the direction of Michelle Hancock, Pensacola Little Theatre’s Beyond Boundaries coordinator.
“We’ve learned how to do a play with real actors,” said Aaron Dees. “It’s been great.”
For a photo gallery from a Thursday practice, click here.
Pictured above and below: Fifth grade students at Molino Park Elementary practice Thursday morning for a Friday performance of “Cooking It!”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
