July Gardening Tips
July 16, 2011
The heat, humidity and frequent rains of July are great for tropical plants. Gardeners, however, take a bit of a beating. Remember to keep the sunscreen, insect repellant and iced tea handy as you venture out into your garden to perform some needed summer maintenance.
A midsummer application of fertilizer is usually required, especially on annual flowers, lawns, shrub beds and vegetable gardens. This is a supplemental application, so don’t overdo it. A 15-0-15 slow-release fertilizer is a good general purpose landscape fertilizer for most plants.
Major pruning jobs should have been done earlier, but there is still some maintenance pruning that should be done. Deadhead, or clip old flowers, from summer flowering shrubs as soon as they fade to help insure an extended season of bloom. Crape myrtles, hibiscus, hydrangeas and althea are examples of shrubs that will bloom repeatedly if light, selective pruning is done.
Flowering annuals also respond well to deadheading. Snip off old flowers and flower spikes before they have an opportunity to form seed. Allowing annual flowers to set seed can shorten their blooming season considerably.
Inspect your lawn and shrub plantings frequently in order to identify pest problems as early as possible. The most severe damage from pest insects normally begins in July. Be on the lookout for chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass; spittlebugs in centipede grass; sod webworm in all lawns-especially new ones; lacebug and caterpillars on azaleas; whiteflies on gardenia and spider mites on lots of different types of shrubs.
Sod webworms often attack lawns in the summer. They eat the grass blades producing areas that look as if they have been mowed too short. Close inspection will reveal that the blades have not been cleanly cut as with a mower blade but have been chewed along their edges and tips. These caterpillars feed at night and rest during the day down among the runners and in the thatch.
Once an insect pest is found, evaluate the damage and determine if control is necessary. If it is, choose the least toxic option. If only a few caterpillars are found, hand picking might be the choice. Aphids and spider mites can often be controlled by spraying with an insecticidal soap solution. Chemical insecticides are sometimes required. Before choosing one be sure that the insect pest has been properly identified and that the insecticide is labeled for that purpose For vegetable gardeners that have problems with nematodes, soil borne diseases and extensive weed problems, July is a great time to try soil solarization.
Prepare the soil as you normally would for a vegetable garden including adding organic matter. Moisten the area and cover with clear plastic, not black plastic. Clear plastic will produce the highest temperatures. Be sure to weigh down the edges of the plastic so that it doesn’t blow up. Allow the soil to bake in the sun for four to six weeks. The sun will raise the soil temperature high enough to kill many soil borne problems.
Tip of the Week: The nice thing about tomatoes is that you have the option of harvesting when the fruit is green if needed. Tomatoes will ripen indoors at room temperature. To ensure even ripening, place the tomato with the stem up. The ideal time to harvest tomatoes is when they are fully colored but still firm.
In general, it is best to harvest vegetables early in the mornings while the moisture content is higher. The overall quality will quickly diminish as vegetables are exposed to hotter temperatures later in the day.
For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu. Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Old Time Fiddler’s Convention Is Saturday
July 16, 2011
The 32nd South Alabama Annual Old Time Fiddler’s Convention will be held Saturday afternoon and evening in Atmore.
The event beings at 2 p.m. (you can arrive any time during the afternoon) at Escambia County High School on South Presley Street with fiddlers, vocal groups, bands, guitars and much more musical entertainment. BBQ plates and other snacks and treats will be available.
Almost $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, including $1,000 to the best fiddler.
Tickets are $9 at the door with children under 12 admitted free.
Proceeds benefit the Atmore Rotary Club’s Academic All-Star scholarship program that annually recognizes students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy.
Pictured: A performance during last year’s South Alabama Annual Old Time Fiddler’s Convention. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘A Terribly Sad Day In Pensacola’: Toddler Killed, Man Injured In Shooting
July 15, 2011
A 19-month old toddler was shot and killed Friday afternoon in Pensacola in an incident that also left a 21-year old man in the hospital with a gunshot wound.
“It’s a terribly sad day in Pensacola when the actions of some people result in the death of an innocent child,” Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons said.
Police said 19 month-old Tyquaris Moultrie was killed and his uncle, 21 year-old Vincent Dennis, was injured in the shooting just after 2 p.m. at Pensacola Village. The police chief said an altercation over drugs is believed to have led to multiple shots being fired into an apartment.
Witnesses said three to four males ran from the scene after the shooting. Simmons said officers are pursuing leads on suspects.
“We have all available manpower working on this case, and are not going to rest until we take those who are responsible into custody,” said Simmons.
Moultrie was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital where he died a short time later. Dennis also was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Juveniles Arrested For Stealing Purse From Vehicle
July 15, 2011
Two juveniles were arrested for stealing a purse out of a vehicle in Atmore Thursday afternoon after police found them hiding in house.
A female told Atmore Police that she was visiting her grandmother on Swift Street when she looked outside and saw two people around her vehicle. When she stepped outside, the suspects fled with her purse.
Another witness told police that they saw two people run into a house on Bream Street. Atmore Police officers found two juveniles hiding inside the house. Both were arrested and charged with theft of property and unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle.
The Alabama Department of Corrections K-9 team assisted the Atmore Police Department in the arrests.
Anger Guilty Of Traffic Crash Death
July 15, 2011
An Escambia County man is facing up to 35 years in prison for a traffic crash death last year.
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Friday morning that Andy Adrian Anger was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving on a suspended license resulting in death.
On September 28, 2010, Anger was driving on Sorrento Road when he lost control of his vehicle, flipping it several times, according to Eddins. Anger’s passenger, James Burtan McIlhatton, II, was ejected and died at the scene. Anger fled the scene into the woods. Witnesses testified that Anger had been in a bar in Perdido Key earlier that evening. He previously had been convicted three times for Driving Under the Influence and at the time of the accident his license were suspended.
Judge Paul Rasmussen scheduled sentencing for August 30. Anger faces up to 35 years in state prison.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Byrneville Community Center Cool Again; Copper Thief Still Wanted
July 15, 2011
The Byrneville Community Center is as cool as ever and back in business just a few days after an air conditioning copper theft.
Community center managers reported Monday morning that the copper had been stripped from one of three air conditioning units. By Thursday, Escambia County Facilities Management had replaced the A/C.
Betty Porz, a board member at the county-owned Byrneville Community Center, said the building is booked solid this time of the year with family reunions and other events that need the air conditioning in top working order.
“It’s cooling great,” Porz said Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the theft.
“We hope evidence gathered by the sheriff’s department will open a door to make an arrest in this case,” Porz said. “We still hope someone will come forward and tell what they know.”
Anyone with information about the theft should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: Crime scene investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office retrieve fingerprints Monday morning from air conditioning units at the Byrneville Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Chances Remain High For The Weekend
July 15, 2011
The North Escambia area received some much needed rain Thursday afternoon and evening, with some areas receiving well over an inch.
In many parts of the area, heavy downpours led to something North Escambia has not seen in many months — standing water. Pictured above: A vehicle travels through water across West Highway 4 in Century Thursday afternoon.
A low pressure system and a weak cold front will bring more rain to the over the weekend.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia River No Longer Providing DIRECTV Customer Service, Billing
July 15, 2011
As of today, Escambia River Rural Services, a division of Escambia River Electric Cooperative, will no longer provide customer service for DIRECTV.
Some DIRECTV customers in the North Escambia area that purchased their systems from Escambia River or have electric service from EREC have received their customer service and billing services from Escambia River rather than from the satellite company.
Escambia River’s contract to provide DIRECTV customer service expires July 15, according to Sabrina Owen, EREC’s director of marketing.
DIRECTV customers will need to contact DIRECTV at 800-531-5000 or online at directv.com.
“Escambia River Rural Services will continue as a DIRECTV retailer and will still be selling and installing DIRECTV systems,” Owens said. “We thank you for allowing us to be a part of your satellite television experience for the past 18 years.”
The Book Closes On ‘Harry Potter’ Film Series
July 15, 2011
The final Harry Potter film hit the big screen at 12:01 this morning, with throngs of fans lining up at theaters along the Gulf Coast anxiously anticipating the moment. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ is the end for the Harry Potter series, 10 years after the first film and 14 years after the book release.
Did you see the movie? Tell us about it in the comments below, and email any photos you have to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured above left: Sisters Lydia (left) and Haylee Weaver of Molino wait to see the final Harry Potter late Thursday night at the Ridge Cinema 8 in Pace. Pictured above right: Northview High Senior Taylor Rigby (left) and junior Ashley Cunningham pose with Voldemort at the Rave on Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Nab Home Invasion Suspect
July 15, 2011
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies caught a home invasion suspect as he tried to flee Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
A homeowner reported a burglary about 3:30 p.m. on Stefani Road near Twilight Drive. Arriving deputies nabbed the suspect as he try to run to a nearby SUV parked in a driveway.
An search with a K-9 followed for a potential second suspect. Further details were not immediately released by the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above: Deputies investigate a home invasion Thursday afternoon in Cantonment. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.