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.
Photos: Summer Reading At Molino Park Elementary
June 16, 2011
The Molino Park Elementary School library was open Wednesday for students to enjoy reading and a little fun.
About 30 students enjoyed guest readers, blueberry pancakes, arts and crafts, and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The library will be open again June 29, July 13, July 27 and August 10 for Molino Park students. The library will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. On June 29, students are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue for the Fourth, and August 10 will bring a back to school summer surprise.
There will be guest readers each day, along with activities related to the stories that are read. Parents and students can check out books, and students can take Accelerated Reader tests.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 587-5265.
Parents are required to stay with their children, and books that are checked out are due back August 10.
Pictured: Students enjoy summer reading — and blueberry pancakes — Wednesday morning at the Molino Park Elementary School library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: GCA & NRA Hold Annual Awards Banquet
June 13, 2011
The Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resources Association (GCA and NRA) held their 18th annual awards banquet this weekend at the Langley Bell 4-H Club Center.
The following awards were presented before a crowd of about 140 people:
- Allie Vidak — 2011 Show Heifer of the Year
- Tyler Vines — 2011 Show Steer of the Year
- Tyler Knowles — 2011 4-H Spirit Award.
- Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham and Mick Breault — 2011 Breeder of the Year Award.
- Ashley Cunningham — 2011 Grand Champion Steer, 2011 Grand Champion Heifer presented by the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: The 2011 Show Heifer of the Year award is presented to Allie Vidak (left) by Allison Meharg and Sharon Meharg. Pictured below: The breeder of the year award with Scott Cunningham, Jacky Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, Mick Breault, and Jack Livingston. Submitted photos by Jerry Marbut for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Airman Helps With Japan Earthquake Relief
June 12, 2011
The son of a North Escambia area man didn’t know what to expect. He’d seen pictures of the devastation on television and in the newspapers, and he knew he had to help, but how? It didn’t take long for him to find out.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason T. Wintersteen (pictured), son of Jay Wintersteen of Santa Rosa County, was one of more than 20,000 U.S. military men and women, who have provided assistance in support of Operation Pacific Passage. The operation provides the authorized voluntary return of military family members from Japan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. Operation Tomodachi provides humanitarian assistance and recovery operations to the people of Japan.
Operation Pacific Passage has airlifted more than 7,000 passengers and more than 400 pets via military and commercial aircraft from various locations in Japan, and Operation Tomodachi has resulted in more than 400 missions being flown, more than 2800 tons of cargo, and more than 400,000 pounds of fuel delivered. Military members are also assisting in the cleanup of communities and airports.
“I supported the Noncombatant Evacuation and Repatriation Operations and airplane missions going north to Sendai to help with relief efforts,” said Wintersteen, who is assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota. “I also provided electrical support for multinational support agencies during their deployment in support of Operation Tomodachi.”
While nothing can totally prepare service members with the training they need to handle a disaster of this magnitude, the fact that they must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice has come in handy during this operation.
“This is the first time that I have been involved in a humanitarian mission of this scope,” said Wintersteen, who graduated from Rutherford High School, and the University of Maryland University College in 2009 through the military extension program.
Operations of this type are very important because they further demonstrate the longstanding and close working relationships that the United States has developed with many countries around the world over the years.
“This type of operation is important because Japan is one of our closest allies. They would do the same if we experienced a natural disaster of this magnitude,” said Wintersteen.
Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship, in the Japanese translation, means helping friends. For Wintersteen and the others, it has become more like helping family.
“Being involved in this operation made a big impact on me,” said Wintersteen.
Pictured top: Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct a countermeasure wash down on the flight deck. Sailors scrubbed the external surfaces on the flight deck and island superstructure to remove potential radiation contamination. Ronald Reagan is operating off the coast of Japan providing humanitarian assistance as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi. Pictured bottom inset: Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 730th Air Mobility Squadron pack and secure a pallet of relief supplies inside a cargo warehouse at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Pictured below: Houses lie in ruins in the Miyagi Prefecture after the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 in Japan. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recipes: Sundae Funday
June 12, 2011
Every week needs more Sundaes. Celebrate a great meal, a special occasion, a terrific day or just up the “cool factor” of any gathering by scooping up one of America’s favorite treats. Makeover this all-American dessert with easy to create recipes that promise to add a “cherry on top” to the experience. Get inspired and dip into these creative combinations.
(Scroll down to see all five recipes.)
S’Mores Dippers
Description
No campfire is needed for these s’mores.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup marshmallow crème
- 1 teaspoon half-and-half or milk
- 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon red, white and blue cookie sprinkles
- 4 Blue Bunny Champ! Chocolate Swirl Mini Sundae Cones
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine marshmallow crème and half-and-half. Microwave on High 20 seconds or until mixture just starts to puff; stir until blended. Cool for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and colored sprinkles; stir. Dip cones into marshmallow mixture then into graham cracker mixture. Serve immediately. Additional cones may be used to use the remaining graham cracker and marshmallow mixtures.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Strawberry-Kiwi Passion Sundaes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
- 1 medium kiwi, peeled
- 2 Blue Bunny Personals Premium Double Strawberry Ice Cream
- 4 teaspoons chopped white chocolate
- 2 teaspoons sliced almonds
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and orange peel, gently mix.
- Slice kiwi lengthwise into quarters then slice into bite-sized pieces; gently fold into strawberries. Set aside 10 minutes to form juice.
- Top each Personal with half the strawberry-kiwi mixture. Sprinkle each with 2 teaspoons white chocolate and 1 teaspoon almonds. Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 2 servings
Sand Bucket Sundaes
Description
This make-ahead dessert is great fun for summer parties or family desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Blue Bunny Caramel Praline Crunch Frozen Yogurt
- 1/2 cup butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
- Gummy sea-shaped candies, optional
- Sea shell-shaped chocolate candies
- 2 small pails or buckets (about 2 cups in size), washed
Preparation
- In each bucket, layer 1 cup frozen yogurt, 2 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel topping and 2 tablespoons cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Repeat the layers ending with graham cracker crumbs.
- Dessert may be eaten immediately or frozen at least 1 hour. If eating immediately, decorate with gummy and chocolate candies. If freezing, decorate just before serving.
Serves
Makes 8 servings
Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae
Description
Chocolate lovers will adore this sundae topped with a white chocolate-raspberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 3.5-ounce bar high-quality white chocolate, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Chef Duff’s Premium Triple Chocolate Cake Ice Cream
Preparation
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine half-and-half and white chocolate. Microwave on High, 30 seconds; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat an additional 10 seconds if not melted. Cover and refrigerate until thickened to a medium sauce, about 50 minutes.* (Recipe tested in a 1250-watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.) Gently fold in 1/4 cup raspberries.
- Place ice cream into 4 serving bowls. Top each with a scant 2 tablespoons white chocolate-raspberry sauce and about 4 fresh raspberries.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
*If sauce thickens too much during refrigeration, re-warm slightly in microwave, about 10 seconds.
Campfire Sundaes
Description
Your children will have fun making their own campfire desserts.
Ingredients
- 4 chewy chocolate chunk granola bars
- 4 1/2-cup scoops Blue Bunny Premium Peanut Butter Panic Ice Cream
- 4 tablespoons butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping
- 16 pieces candy corn
Preparation
- Cut granola bars in half lengthwise then in half widthwise, forming 4 pieces.
- For each sundae, arrange 4 granola bar pieces on a small plate to form “wood logs.” Top with 1 scoop ice cream, 1 tablespoon butterscotch-caramel topping and 4 candy corn “flames.” Serve immediately.
Serves
Makes 4 servings
Birth: Annabelle Auburn Lynd
June 12, 2011
Sgt. and Mrs. Brian and Kitty Lynd of Fort Stewart Georgia are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Annabelle Auburn Lynd. Annabelle came into the world on April 24, 2011, at Winn Army Community Hospital in Ft. Stewart Ga. She weighed 6 pounds, 2.3 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her grand parents are the late Al Proffitt and Penny Proffitt of Flomaton and John and Carol Southard of Puyallup, WA. Welcoming her home was her aunt Brandy McCurdy and her favorite cousin Robert McCurdy.
Photos: Byrneville Elementary School Field Day Activities
June 11, 2011
Just before the end of the year, Byrneville Elementary School held their annual Field Day.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Students took part in the long jump, football throw, Frisbee relay, sponge relay, obstacle course and tug-o-war. Top scorers were named for a boy and a girl in each class:
- 5th grade: all tied at 7.25 feet — Savana Nielsen, Logan Walters and Logan Hanks
- Levins 4th grade: Patti Lynn Brock 6.5 feet and Colby Graham 6 feet.
- Gilmore 4th grade: Olivia Porter 5.75 feet and Seth Killiam 7 feet
- 3rd grade: Payton Jackson 6 feet and Ian Gifford 6.5 feet
- 2nd grade: all tied at5.75 feet — Heather Knowles and Peyton Sheets
- 1st grade: Taylor Levins 5.75 feet and Cody Adams 6.25 feet
- Dawson Kindergarten: Briana Dunsford 5.5 feet and Jamarkus Jefferson 5.75 feet
- Barbarree Kindergarten: Aleigh Thorn 4.25 feet and Ryder Nolen 4.75 feet.
Pictured top: Top Byrneville Elementary Field Day long jump winners Savana Nielsen, Logan Walters, & Logan Hank. Pictured below: Tug-o-war was one of many events at the BES Field Day. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Blueberries
June 11, 2011
Blueberries are ripe for picking. So take the kids on an adventure and enjoy the freshness of local produce by visiting a u-pick farm. U-picks allow visitors to harvest their own fresh fruits and vegetables.
U-pick produce is grown in your own community and is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. With fewer than one million Americans now claiming farming as their primary occupation, farmers are a vanishing breed. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
U-pick blueberry farms are scattered throughout the North Escambia area. Contact your local Extension Office for u-picks in your area.
Every farm is a bit different. Some have more relaxed rules, others more strict. But at all the farms, remind the kids that plants are living things to be cared for and respected, not abused. The farmer feeds his family and pays his bills from the well-being of these plants! So here are some general farm guidelines:
- Follow all rules posted by owners at their picking locations.
- Look for the check-in and check-out areas. Note whether you will be charged according to weight or volume.
- Health codes usually require no pets in the fields.
- Always call in advance to find out if the fruit/vegetables you want are available, to get directions, to check their opening and closing hours and to ask if children are allowed.
- Walk in the rows, don’t step on plants! Some farmers frown on stepping across rows, even if you do it carefully.
When you arrive at the farm, take some time to explain to your kids how to identify and pick ripe fruit. Select plump, full blueberries with a gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn’t fully ripened. White and green colored blueberries will not ripen after they are picked. Unripe berries should be left on the bush because then they will turn into ripe berries for you to pick when you bring your friends back in a couple of weeks time.
The general rule when it comes to blueberries is “the bigger, the sweeter”. A fully ripe blueberry should easily come loose from the plant. If it takes any appreciable pressure to pick them, the berries aren’t fully ripe. It is best to pick blueberries by gently rolling each one from the cluster with the thumb into the palm of the hand. When picking is done this way, the berries that aren’t ripe will not come loose.
Once picked, don’t place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn’t form. Don’t wash the berries until just before using to prevent berries from becoming mushy. Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
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.
North Escambia Native Robert Killam Aboard Recent Honor Flight
June 9, 2011
A Poplar Dell native was among 89 World War II veterans on a recent Honor Flight trip from Mobile to visit their memorial in Washington.
Robert Paul Killam, now an Atmore resident, served for 30 years stationed at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and for five years in Corpus Christi, Texas.
During the trip, the fifth for the Honor Flight of South Alabama organization, the veterans visited the WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. They were welcome to Washington by Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Rep. Jo Bonner.
Paulette (Killam) Kindred, a 1963 graduate of Century High School, said her father was deeply touched by how interested younger people were in learning about the experiences of the WWI veterans. Students at several Mobile area schools wrote personal thank-you notes to the veterans.
“The concerns these students listed in their notes were truly amazing,” Kindred said.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High Cheerleaders Receive International Recognition For Helping Tornado Devastated Area
June 9, 2011
The Jay High School cheerleaders are getting a little international attention thanks to a story on NorthEscambia.com.
The varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders at Jay High School decided to “adopt” the cheerleading squads at Phill Campbell High School and send a personal care package to each cheerleader. Their efforts were featured in NorthEscambia.com story on May 11.
The NorthEscambia.com story is now featured on AmericaNeedsCheerleaders.com — a website dedicated to promoting positive contributions made by cheerleaders around the world.
Click here for the original NorthEscambia.com story and additional photos.
Click here for the AmericaNeedsCheerleaders.com story.
Pictured top: The Jay High School varsity cheerleaders created personal care packages for each member of a cheerleading squad in the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama, which was devastated last month by a tornado. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.