Gardening: Kumquats Are The Gold Gem Of The Citrus Family
January 22, 2011
Extension Agents are sometimes the recipient of home grown fare. Each winter I look forward to the annual harvest of kumquats in my Master Gardener landscapes.
Kumquats (kuhm’ kwaht) have been called “the little gold gem of the citrus family”. The name kumquat comes from the Cantonese word for “golden orange”.
Kumquats have a thin, sweet peel and a zesty, somewhat tart center. It’s the only fruit in the citrus family that you can eat “skin and all.” They are rich in potassium and low in calories. One kumquat is approximately 12 calories and yields 8.3mg calcium, 37mg potassium, 7.1mg vitamin C, and 57 IU vitamin A. They contain only a trace of fat, 3.1g carbohydrate and 15.5g water per fruit.
They are believed to be native to China and were included in the genus Citrus until about 1915 when Dr. Walter T. Swingle set them apart in the genus Fortunella, in honor of the British horticulturist, Robert Fortune who introduced the kumquat to Europe in 1846.
Two varieties of kumquats are grown in Florida. The oval kumquat or Nagami (Fortunella margarita) is the most popular. The deep-orange fruit are small ovals, have 2-5 seeds, and are pleasantly flavored. The tartness of the fruit makes them great for use in cooking and for marmalades and jellies.
The Meiwa (F. crassifolia) is sometimes called “the sweet kumquat” as this variety is not as tart as the Nagami. This round kumquat has a thicker peel, sweet pulp and juice, and is nearly seedless. While they are very good to eat, it is not recommended that you use them for cooking or for marmalade as they lack the tartness of the Nagami kumquats.
This easy-to-grow evergreen tree reaches more than ten feet tall. It has few or no thorns and small, glossy leaves. The yellow-to-bright-reddish orange fruit are very showy and borne in large numbers. The fruit is considered ripe when it reaches a yellowish-orange stage, and has just shed the last tint of green. A steady harvest is available throughout the winter.
Kumquat trees grow well throughout Florida, planted in the landscape or in large containers. The trees are very cold hardy, and are highly resistant to citrus canker. The trees require about the same care as other citrus.
Whether grown in a container or in the ground, kumquats are heavy feeders and perform best with a regular fertilizing program. Be sure to water well before and after applying fertilizer to help prevent burn. If possible, buy a fertilizer formulated for citrus and one that has at least a third slow-release nitrogen. These slower-release fertilizers provide months of continuous nutrients, reducing effort and cost.
Do not allow weeds or sod to grow up near the tree trunk. They will compete with root activity.
Although pruning isn’t required, kumquats can be pruned to shape without diminishing next year’s fruiting ability. After harvest time, pick the fruit then prune the tree before new flowers appear. Remove suckers at the base of the trees anytime as they can sap the energy from fruit production.
Kumquats are an easy-to-grow plant that pays big harvest dividends in winter. After just a couple of years, they will begin bearing fruit and are a nice evergreen addition to the landscape. Try adding one or more to your landscape or garden.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
BBB Accepting Applications For $1,000 Scholarship
January 22, 2011
The Better Business Bureau Foundation of Northwest Florida is currently accepting applications for the 2011 Student Ethics Scholarship.
The Student Ethics Scholarship Award is given to college-bound students within the BBB Northwest Florida service area who demonstrate overall personal integrity and ethical behavior.
A total of nine high school junior and senior students will be granted $1,000 Student Ethics Scholarships this year. Three students in each of the BBB’s three districts will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward the accredited college or university of their choice.
Local leaders from businesses and academia will serve as judges and award scholarships based on criteria including leadership, community service, academic achievement and an essay response on building character.
The Student Ethics Scholarship will be awarded in conjunction with the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and the Customer Service Excellence Award. The Torch Award was created to recognize businesses and charities that insist on exceptionally high standards of behavior in dealing with customers, vendors and employees. The Customer Service Excellence Award recognizes employees who go above and beyond in their customer service activities.
The application deadline is March 18, 2011. Scholarship recipients will be recognized and asked to read their essay at a luncheon in their district to be held in May.
For entry forms and guidelines please visit www.nwfl.bbb.org/TorchAward or call (850 429-0002 or (800) 729-9226.
Ball Registration In Molino And Walnut Hill Today; Last Day For NWE
January 22, 2011
Registration will be held today for Northwest Escambia Little League at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park and for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park. Details for both parks are below.
Northwest Escambia Little League registration will be from 9 a.m. until noon today at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill for ages three to 18. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
Registration fees are $40 for the first child, $30 for the second child and free for additional children. The child will be measured for their uniform, and there will be a $20 deposit toward each child’s uniform fee.
Molino Recreation Association will hold registration each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 19 at Don Sutton Park. The annual draft will be February 19 at 3 p.m.
Registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Click here for complete Molino Ballpark registration information in printable form.
Pictured above: An Opening Day swing last year at Northwest Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Low 20’s Next Two Nights
January 21, 2011
It’s time to think about the pets, plants and pipes and to check on those that might have insufficient heat. The low tonight and Saturday night is forecast to dip to near 20.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
2,200 Trees Given Away
January 21, 2011
About 2,200 trees were scheduled to be given away Friday at two locations as part of an Arbor Day Celebration.
The Honeysuckle Garden Club of Barrineau Park held a tree giveaway Friday morning at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Each person was allowed to choose two free native bare-root trees, choosing from Southern crabapple, mayhaw, blackgum, Shumard oak, sawtooth oak, green ash and bald cypress.
Honeysuckle Garden Club members, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension personnel, and Escambia County Master Gardeners were also on hand to answer questions about the trees and tree planting in general.
The second event was held at Lexington Terrace Park and Community Center on old Old Corry Field Road in Pensacola.
Pictured above and below: A tree giveaway at the Barrineau Park Community Center Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested On Six Animal Cruelty Charges
January 21, 2011
A Century man was arrested Thursday afternoon on six animal cruelty charges in connection with the December seizure of several malnourished dogs and horses seized from his property in December.
Willie Lee Jones, 54, was charged with three counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise, and three counts of cruelty to animals. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Friday morning with bond set at $15,000. Judge John Simon also ordered that he possess no animals if he is released on bond.
On December 22, Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized at least six dogs and four horses from the home at 6420 North Century Boulevard, just south of Tedder Road.
One of the dogs, a pit bull, was found chained to a piece of post, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Another, also a pit bull, was found in a cage by itself with open sores on its body. A female pit bull was found with three puppies. The puppies were playful and appeared to be of reasonable health, according to the reporting deputy, but the mother’s ribs and hips were clearly visible.
Two of the pit bulls were euthanized due to their poor health, according to Escambia County Animal Control. The other animals are all recovering after receiving veterinary care.
One of the horses was stabled by himself in what deputies described as “an old dilapidated building”.
“The horse was standing on a thick layer of manure that coated the entire floor of the stall,” according to the Sheriff’s Office report. There was no food or water for the horse.
A man that lives on the property told deputies that he had fed and watered the horses Wednesday morning, but it was the last of the food. He said that Jones was due to purchase more food and hay for the horses the following day.
Deputies found another horse in small enclosure standing in a pile of manure that was several inches thick. None of the horses on the property had food or hay, and several lacked adequate water, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: A Century man is facing six animal cruelty charges in connection with these animals seized in December. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Race To The Top: Escambia Schools Awarded $8.37 Million
January 21, 2011
The Escambia County School District was notified Thursday that it will receive $8,373,647 in Race to Top funds.
Escambia County was one of five districts to be awarded Thursday, bringing the total number of districts receiving full approval of their Race to the Top grant to 35, with the combined amount of funding awarded now at more than $142 million.
In August 2010, Florida won $700 million in funding through the federal Race to the Top competition. Half of the funds will be distributed to approved school districts to carry out locally developed education reform plans.
The other half of the funding is being used by the state to develop a broad array of programs and strategies that will directly aid all school districts in areas that include improving their lowest performing schools; recognizing and rewarding their highly effective teachers; and increasing the academic achievement of all students.
Hwy 99 Bridge Reopened After 6 Week Closure
January 21, 2011
There’s some good news for many North Escambia drivers — a North Highway 99 bridge opened Friday after being closed for six weeks.
The 55-year old bridge over North Pine Barren Creek, just north of the Oak Grove Park, was closed for emergency repairs on December 9 after a routine inspection revealed a deterioration of concrete at the southern end of the bridge. A portion of the repair included the installation of steel piers and a steel truss (pictured above) to support that end of the bridge.
The project was delayed because it was too cold for the contractor to pour concrete and too cold to apply the necessary joint sealants. Repairs to the wood and concrete bridge were done by DKE Marine under an emergency Escambia County purchase order not to exceed $100,000.
The roadway is heavily traveled and is a primary route for school traffic to and from Bratt Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools.
Pictured: A new steel truss supports part of the Pine Barren Creek Bridge on North Highway 99 in Oak Grove. Pictured below: The bridge was once again open to traffic Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clean Out Your Closets For Children’s Hospital Kids
January 21, 2011
There is still time to clean out your closets to benefit a great cause.
Saturday, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital will host ”Clean Out Your Closets 4 Kids Day” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Greenhut Auditorium at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Area kids and their parents are asked to go through their closets and bring new and gently used items to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and other area children’s charities.
Items needed include DVDs, video games, books, gently-used plastic toys and board games, winter coats, and art supplies.
Once the donations have been brought in, volunteers will sort through the items and designate them for a variety of pediatric departments at Sacred Heart, including the Autism Center, Miracle Camp, Child Life, Pediatric Rehabilitation, and the Pediatric Care Center. Donations will also be given to other area child charity organizations and area Escambia County elementary schools.
For a complete list of needs, click here.
For more information on how to get involved, please call Cat Ellis at (850) 416-1156.
Ernest Ward Students Explore Past With National History Day Projects
January 21, 2011
History came alive through the eyes of students at Ernest Ward Middle School Thursday evening as they displayed weeks of work on projects for National History Day.
The History Fair in the school’s gym capped off a project in which EWMS students were required to do research into a topic. The research was presented in exhibit form, much like the typical science fair, or as a drama or web presentation. Students complete projects either individually or in teams.
For a photo gallery of projects, click here.
This was the second year Ernest Ward has participated in the national program, with the top projects from Ernest Ward headed next to a district competition. Those winners were:
GROUP
- Samantha Sharpless and Tamara Wise — Women’s Rights
- Hannah Gibson and Morgan Ward — Poarch Creek Indians
- Jason Perritt and Tyler Houston — Atomic Bomb
- Amy Murph and Jessica McCullough — 9/11 Debate
INDIVIDUAL
- Tristan Barrett — Cuban Missile Crisis
- Ben Linam — Iran Hostages
- Logan Lee — Atomic Bomb
- Tristan Brown — Ping-Pong Diplomacy
PERFORMANCE
- Abbie Johnson, Harmoni Till and Brittney Ward — Holocaust Drama
WEB
- Kelton Wooten and Jaylen Parker — Iran Hostage Crisis
- Shania Ward and Julie Hester — Women’s Suffrage
- Danielle Suggs and Penny Banda — Lincoln-Douglas Debates
- Joshua Borrelli and Murphy Bryan — Atomic Bomb
