Weekend Gardening: Watering Wisdom
June 18, 2011
Dry weather is persisting across much of the South. Below normal rainfall and record-breaking heat is taking a toll on local landscapes. Because of Florida’s sandy soils, drought-sensitive plants may experience water stress after only a few days without rain or irrigation. Because water is a valuable resource, it’s crucial that irrigation be delivered properly to ensure plant health and conserve water.
How often we need to water varies, depending on such factors as temperature, rainfall, humidity, season, plants and light intensity. Proper watering is a function of applying the right amount of water at the appropriate times. It is important to get water to plant roots efficiently and effectively and to keep the moisture in the root zone area.
Irrigation Frequency
Many gardeners tend to water lightly every day during dry weather. Light frequent watering doesn’t get the water deep into the soil. Because roots only grow where there is adequate moisture, this practice results in a shallow root system.
Shallow-rooted plants are unable to tap reserves of water deeper in the soil and are prone to drought stress in even brief dry periods. Eventually, your plants become dependent on you to water them constantly.
Established trees and shrubs typically do not require frequent irrigation. For established plants, apply enough irrigation to wet the soil at least 8 to 12 inches deep rather than light amounts that wet only the surface. Deep watering provides water to a larger portion of the root system. A thorough watering should not be necessary for established landscape plants more often than once a week.
University of Florida guidelines call for watering lawns on an “as needed” basis. Lawns that are in need of water will show specific signs. These signs include the leaf blades folding in half, the grass showing a blue gray tint or your footprints remaining visible long after being made.
How Much To Water
To irrigate thoroughly, enough water should be applied to penetrate about 8 to 10 inches into the soil. Applying ½ to ¾ of an inch of water to medium-textured soils generally will accomplish this.
To figure out how long to leave your sprinkler on to apply the recommended amount of water, first, place several empty cans in the spray pattern of the sprinkler. Turn on the sprinkler and check the time. When about a ½ inch of water has accumulated in most of the cans, check the time again. That’s how long it takes your sprinkler to apply a ½ inch of water – and about how long you should leave it on to thoroughly irrigate an area.
The best check of how thoroughly an area has been watered is to go back about 15 minutes after watering and dig into the soil with a trowel. Find out if the water penetrated deep into the soil. Check several places. This procedure also works to calibrate an installed irrigation system or hose-end sprinklers.
In some situations, such as on slopes and heavy clay soils, the water may need to be added more slowly to reduce runoff. It takes water longer to penetrate heavy clay soils than light sandy soils. Run the sprinkler on for 10 to 15 minutes and off for 15 to 20 minutes until you’ve applied a ½ inch of water.
When to Water
Water early in the morning. Less water is lost to evaporation and wind drift in the morning because of cooler temperatures and less wind.
Final Thought
In the long run, organic matter in landscape beds helps to maintain soil moisture. For best results, mulch all landscape beds twice a year. Pine straw and pine bark are excellent mulches along with hardwood mulch.
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.
Two Farmers Markets Today
June 18, 2011
There are two farmer’s markets going on in the North Escambia area this morning, offering a variety of fresh produce and other local products.
The Market at Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church at 699 County Road 95-A South in Cantonment is taking place from 8 a.m. until noon. Today, the market features A&N Blueberries, Blue Gate Coop, BBG’s Country Corner, C&D Mill, The Farm and Enoch’s Walk, Heiden’s Honey & Whole Wheat Bread, Kelly’s Mayhaw Berries & Jelly, Ladybug Acres Natural Growers, Po Man’s Pickins, Patty Putters Crafts and more.
The Atmore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Market in the Park, today FNB & Trust Park downtown (the small park between the bank and Highway 31). Local growers will sell their produce and more. There will be live music from 9:30-11 a.m.
Escambia County ‘Hamburglar’ Gets 15 Years In Prison
June 18, 2011
An Escambia County man is headed to prison for a string of burglaries — including the theft of hamburger patties.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said James William Cole, Jr., entered a plea of no contest before Judge Jan Shackelford to 12 counts of burglary of an unoccupied structure, theft and criminal mischief.
Judge Shackelford found Cole guilty and sentenced him to 15 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender.
The burglaries occurred in Escambia County in January and February of this year. Cole broke into numerous local businesses including daycare centers, churches, a dry cleaner, and oil/lube centers. During the burglaries, Cole stole cash, electronics and at one location — hamburger patties.
Cole has additional cases pending in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties on charges of burglary, theft and criminal mischief.
Scott Signs Education Bills
June 18, 2011
Scott signed a pair of wide-ranging education-related bills on Friday.
The first, HB 1255, establishes a gift ban on school board members, revises testing requirements and requires districts to put budget information on their websites.
The second, HB 7151, eliminates a prohibition on requiring certain students to take summer classes at universities and includes a number of other Board of Governors priorities.
The bill also requires a study on the appropriate scores for Advanced Placement credits. The Senate companion of that bill at one point would have changed the minimum AP score a student needs to gain college credit from a 3 to a 4. But that was taken out with an amendment and not included in the final version. Both bills now become law.
Burn Bans In Effect
June 18, 2011
Burn bans remain in effect in Escambia County, Florida, and in the entire state of Alabama. In Santa Rosa County, officials are asking for caution, but there is no burn ban.
Escambia County issued a burn ban Wednesday afternoon due to the extreme drought and heightened risk of wildfires. The ban issued by Escambia County Fire Chief Daniel Spillman prohibits all open outdoor burning, including trash and debris burning, campfires, bonfires and all other similar fires. Fireworks are also included in the ban.
The Town of Century and the City of Pensacola are included in the burn ban, according to Sonya Daniel, public information officer for Escambia County.
The only exemptions to the ban are state permitted burns, authorized fireworks displays, fireworks sales authorized by state law and outdoor cooking in barbeque grills, smoker and other outdoor stoves at private residences.
Depending on the circumstances, violations could be enforceable by civil citations or criminal penalties if warranted, Daniel said.
In Santa Rosa county, officials are asking residents to avoid any outdoor burning activity, including campfires, bonfires and yard debris and trash burning.
“While no burn ban is in place at this time, if conditions change, the board of county commissioners can take emergency action immediately to enact any necessary burn ban,” said Joy Tsubooka, Santa Rosa County public information officer.
The Florida Division of Forestry is currently not issuing any burn permits.
Pictured top: An unauthorized burn Friday afternoon on Rigby Road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sybil McGhee Smedley
June 18, 2011
Sybil McGhee Smedley, age 52 of Atmore went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from a Pensacola hospital. Mrs. Smedley was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore. She was a member of the Atmore Apostolic Church and a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Leatha McGhee and a brother, Joe McGhee, Jr.
She is survived by her five sons, Nicholaus Ryan McGhee, Chad Randell Smedley (Whitney), Charles Ian Smedley, Aaron Michael Smedley and Quinten Marshall Smedley; six grandchildren, Courtney, Jessica, Jordan, Justice, Cheyanne and Ayana; two brothers, Frederick McGhee (Carol) and Kenneth McGhee (Linda); four sisters, Linda Shipps, Patricia Wessel, Sandra Steverson and Veronica McGhee; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Reverend Steve Ward and Reverend Steve Breceda officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Pkwy is in charge of arrangements.
Jay Man Arrested For Manslaughter; Woman Died From Narcotics Overdose
June 17, 2011
A Jay man has been arrested for manslaughter in connection with the December 2010 overdose death of a local woman.
Michael Sanford was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on a charge of manslaughter.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2010, at Sanford’s home on Bullard Road in Jay, according to investigators.
That’s when the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and EMS responded to Sanford’s home for a possible overdose. The victim, Patsy Jean Wright, 55, was pronounced deceased a short time later at Jay Hospital.
An autopsy was conducted and showed several needle marks present on the victim’s body. The autopsy determined that the cause of death included include acute morphine intoxication and was homicide.
During the days following the incident, investigators spoke with witnesses who were present during the incident at Sanford’s house. Witnesses stated that Wright went to Sanford’s residence to be injected with Morphine pills after they were broken down into a liquid form.
Wright allegedly allowed Sanford to inject her with morphine and she immediately went to sleep, witnesses told investigators. Sanford gave Wright numerous other injections of morphine, rendering Wright was incapable of consenting to further injections, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses said they told Sanford to stop and became concerned for Wright’s wellbeing. Witnesses stated that during the early morning hours after being injected, Wright would not wake up and was having difficulty breathing and finally quit breathing and 911 was called.
Witnesses stated that Sanford took all of the evidence — including syringes, spoons, pill bottles, and related paraphernalia — and burned it in a burn barrel in his back yard.
Sanford was also interviewed by investigators and admitted to injecting Wright with morphine. Sanford admitted to deputies that he injected Wright numerous times and stated that it might have been after Wright was “passed out” because he was also “high”.
Sanford is currently being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
3 Injured In Hwy 29 Crash
June 17, 2011
At least three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Highway 29 south of Century.
The accident happened just after 4 p.m. near Glover Road. The driver of a car apparently rear-ended a pickup truck hauling load of furniture. The driver of the car as well as two passengers in the pickup truck were injured. The driver of the pickup was not injured, according to preliminary reports.
The three injured parties were transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not immediately available.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
50/50 Shot Of Rain Today
June 17, 2011
The rain chance is higher today that it has been in weeks at 50 percent. But the showers will be scattered; not everyone will see rain. Some of the storms may be a bit strong, with gusty winds and hail.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 96. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
Escambia County Agrees To Fire Tax Increase; Failure Would Cut North Escambia Fire Services
June 17, 2011
The Escambia County Commission agreed Thursday night to raise fire fees. Without the increase, North Escambia fire stations will lose all paid firefighters that currently staff three stations during the weekdays.
The fire fee increases won’t be finalized until after the September 13 meeting to adopt a final tax assessment roll.
The Municipal Services Benefit Unit will increase on property tax bills by $5 per year for the next two years for county residents outside Pensacola and Santa Rosa Island. That will increase the current $75 fee to $80 for 2011 tax assessments and $85 for 2012. The commercial fee will rise from $.034 per square foot to $.037 per square foot, with a minimum of $80 for 2011 and up to $.040 per square foot with a minimum of $85 for 2012.
In 2009, the county hired 12 paid firefighters under a federal SAFER –Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response- grant. The grant provided funding that decreases each year to fund the firefighter positions — $441,990 the first year, $385,413 the second, $245,701 the third and $150,369 for the fourth year. In the final year, 2014, Escambia County must fully fund $631,503 for the dozen firefighters.
The fee increase — an estimated $1.34 million over two years — will be used to replace the SAFER funds and maintain the current level of fire services.
The commission voted 3-2 in favor of the increase fees, with Commissioner Kevin White and Wilson Robertson against.
“The impact on your insurance rates will be much higher than $5 per year,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said of a no increase situation. “I believe this is a necessary move…I think it will actual decrease the money our citizens have to spend rather than increasing fire insurance rates.”
According to a presentation to the commission Thursday night by Escambia Fire Chief Daniel Spillman, a failure to adopt the fire fee increase would lead to the elimination of paid weekday firefighters that staff four stations — Century, Molino, Cantonment and Myrtle Grove. If that happened, North Escambia’s fire stations would have relied solely upon volunteers with no paid firefighters.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.