Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 9, 2019
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Escambia Fire Rescue Smoke Detector Program Credited For Saving Life In House Fire
February 9, 2019
It’s a story that could play out anywhere in Escambia County.
Sometimes things have a way of coming together, even in the worst of circumstances.
When Escambia County Fire Rescue installed a smoke detector in a home on Herron Villon Lane a year ago, they had no way of knowing that it would help save a man’s life.
A fire broke out overnight in the residence, with flames ultimately consuming the home and making it a total loss. The elderly resident was asleep in his bed, but thankfully the smoke detector installed by ECFR last year woke him. Between being asleep at the time of the fire and having significant mobility issues, he said there’s no way he would have escaped without it.
ECFR crews arrived on scene to find the resident partially outside of the home. They were able to move him to a safe location, where he was then transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, Escambia County Emergency Communications Supervisor Shenae Maxwell was having trouble sleeping and decided to step outside. She saw the glow of the fire, called 911, drove to the location and provided the address and information to dispatchers. Since Maxwell is used to taking 911 calls, she was able to provide valuable information from the scene for her colleagues on the other end of the line.
Fire crews were able to bring the fire under control less than an hour after arriving on scene.
If you live in Escambia County and do not have a working smoke detector, call (850) 595-HERO (4376) for a free one. City of Pensacola residents can call (850) 436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.
Pensacola Opera Presents Hansel And Gretel At Molino Branch Library
February 7, 2019
<The Pensacola Opera presented Hansel and Gretel Wednesday morning at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Holds Literacy Week Book Character Teacher Parade
February 5, 2019
The teachers, faculty and staff at Molino Park Elementary School dressed as book characters for a Literacy Week Book Character Teacher Parade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2019 Annual Youth Art Exhibit Winners Announced
February 4, 2019
For the 65th year, the Escambia County School District has partnered with the Pensacola Museum of Art to present the Annual Youth Art Focus, an annual exhibition showcasing the talents of Escambia County art students and educators.
From now until Feb. 17, visitors can view the amazing works from over 500 art students and educators and take in their strong artistic achievements. The exhibition creates an opportunity for ECSD art students to experience the fine art world and enjoy the feeling that comes with having their work on display, celebrates ECSD art instructors for their talent, and invites the community to to take a glimpse at the thriving art world inside ECSD schools.
The 65th Annual Youth Art Focus exhibit is available for viewing now until Feb. 17, 2019. The 2019 student and instructor winners were honored at receptions for the artists and their families and friends last week. Stop by and enjoy all of their artwork! Museum hours and admission information is provided below.
The 2019 winners are:
Art Educators:
3rd – Denise Quirk Vowell, Love Bird, Hellen Caro Elementary School
2nd – Sarah Stubbs, Sweet, Northview High School
1st – Sarah Ingram, Restoration, West Florida High School
Best in Show – Katherine Discepolo, Tronco, Global Learning Academy
Student Artist Best in Show:
David Barthod-Perez, West Florida High, Forestful Rest
High School Student Artists:
Painting:
3rd – Katie Munoz, Washington, Moroccan Blues
2nd – Ben Crossin, Washington, Peacock
1st – Benjamin Darby, Pensacola High School, Look What You Have Done
Drawing:
3rd – Loc Pham, Washington, Yokai
2nd – Jolie Kennedy, Tate High, Metallic Slithering
1st – Scarlett Coffey, Washington, Self Portrait
Photography/Digital Arts:
3rd – Maggie Smartt, Escambia High, Shattered Fragments
3rd – Madalyn McGurk, Pensacola High School, Meadow
2nd – Raegan Tainter, Tate, Ladder to the Sky
1st – Ian Larrieu, Pensacola High, Reach
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Michelle Luther, Tate High, Autumnal Bowl
2nd – Chensen Nguyen, Escambia High, Vans Shoe
1st – Isabel Cauley, West Florida, Abraham
2-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Elijah Edmonds, West Florida High, We Took An “L”
2nd – Ian Young, West Florida High, Lakeside Village
1st – Savannah Creel, Washington High, X-Ray
Middle School Student Artists:
Painting:
3rd – Jasmine Felks, Bailey Middle, Wolf
2nd – Morgan Arreglado, Bellview Middle, Untitled
1st – Aiden Wilson, Bellview Middle, Untitled
Drawing:
3rd – Laynee Hubbell, Ransom Middle, Hybrid
2nd – Connor Hignite, Beulah Middle, Harmonious
1st – Monee´ Stokes, Beulah Middle, Emotional Singularity
Photography/Digital Arts:
2nd – Alyssa Allen, Beulah Middle, Reflection
1st – Adrienne Kimball, Beulah Middle, Friendship
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd – David Hathaway, Bellview Middle, Untitled
2nd – Gavin Pesta, Bailey Middle, Smoosh Face
1st – Jobey Conrad, Ransom Middle, Thoughts in Relief
2-Dimensional Works:
3rd – Patrick Rolin, Ernest Ward Middle, Untitled
2nd – James Harper, Beulah Middle, Man of Steel
1st – Nicole Lobo, Bellview Middle, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Cameron Keefer, Westgate, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Taylor Causey, Westgate, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Tyrese Thomas, Bellview, Untitled
Outstanding Artistic Achievement: Mya Dalton, Pine Forest High, Whos Kingdom
The museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Admission costs are: adults $7 ($6 for military, seniors, AAA members, UWF Historic Trust Members and UWF Alumni Association Members) and students (3 – 14) $4 (younger than 3 are Free). EBT cardholders, with a photo I.D., can obtain four free admissions. UWF students and museum members also receive free admission.
Bob And Bess: You Can Learn A Lot From A Couple Of Byrneville Ducks
January 31, 2019
At Byrneville Elementary School, there’s a plenty of learning about reading, writing and math, and there’s a lot of learning from Bob and Bess.
Bob and Bess are a couple of ceramic ducks that sit in the hallway near the front door. Each and every school day, there is a message taped to each, usually a conversation between the duo.
“Gosh, Bess it really is cold this morning. I am glad that we live inside the school,” Bob’s message greeted Byrneville students on a freezing cold Wednesday morning.
“Me too, Bob. I don’t think it will stay this cold much longer, but the boys and girls need to be prepared if it does,” was the reply from Bess.
They’ve spread their messages for many years, thanks to Byrneville Principal Dee-Wolfe Sullivan. Bob and Bess are a Byrneville Braves tradition and are often a first stop for students arriving at school.
“If I had saved all the messages and stacked them up, they would probably reach up to here,” she said, holding her hand above her waist.
“The kids just really love them,” Sullivan said with a smile.
Pictured: Bob (top) and Bess (below) at Byrneville Elementary School Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Molino Park Students Dress As 100-Year Olds To Celebrate 100th Day Of School
January 30, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School students celebrated the 100th day of the school year Tuesday by dressing up like 100-year olds.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names January Students Of The Month
January 30, 2019
Ransom Middle School has named their Students of the Month for January. They are Tom Fleming, sixth grade, and Erica Langton, eight grade. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Names January Students Of The Month
January 28, 2019
Bratt Elementary School has named their January Students of the Month. They are:
Pre-K
Jasiah Barnes
Kayson Southard
Kindergarten
Brantley Sharpless
Shaleigh Wesley
Benji Burkland
Hayden Batson
1st Grade
Emma Southard
Bentley Alexander
Jadon Long
Landon Lee
Linley Dunn
2nd Grade
Olivia Garrett
Na’kiyah Williams
Shawn Andrews
Sophia Ikner
3rd Grade
Alyssa Barber
Anthony Johnson
Tyler McAnally
Hunter Parker
Kasei Barlow
4th Grade
Mikayla McAnally
Anna Sanspree
Kylar Davis
5th Grade
Bryson Orso
Maggie Stewart
Charlee Weaver
Camden Clark
Music
Max Mason
Carsyn Dortch Named Miss Ernest Ward (With Pageant Photo Gallery)
January 27, 2019
Carsyn Laine Dortch was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Saturday night in a “The Greatest Show” themed pageant at the school.
Third runner-up was Jamison Abigail Gilman, second runner-up was McKenna Rae Simmons, and the first runner-up in the annual pageant was Emma Sage Gilmore.
The Personality Award went to McKenna Rae Simmons; Miss Hospitality, the People’s Choice Award and the Physical Fitness Award to Jessica Faith Stabler; the Poise and Appearance Award to Emma Sage Gilmore; and Miss Congeniality to Carsyn Laine Dortch.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the pageant, click here.
Pictured top: Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Carsyn Laine Dortch. Pictured below in descending order: First Runner-up Emma Sage Gilmore, second runner-up McKenna Rae Simmons, and Third Runner-up Jamison Abigail Gilman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
