1. home and garden

March 2015 | Vol. XXVII, No 3
Calendar of Events
MG MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, February 26, 2015
9:00 a.m.
Program: Meet the Agents
ROSE PRUNING DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 28, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Demonstration Garden
3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, Fl
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Conference Room
GARDEN TALKS- GROWING TOMATOES
March 20, 2015
10:30 a.m. to noon
Tyron Library, 1200 Langley Ave, Pensacola, Fl.
Register by calling 850-595-3460 or email:
[email protected]
You must preregister 3 days prior to the program to receive handout materials
NURSERY CLINIC
Saturday, March 21, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
Woerner Turf and Landscape, 1332 Creighton Road
Demonstrations on vegetable gardening and plant answers with the MGs
MG MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, March 26, 2015
9:00 a.m.
Program: To be determined
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Master Gardener’s Grapevine
Beth Bolles, Extension Agent III, Horticulture
Carol Lord, Horticulture Technician
Editor, Shelby Kalin
This newsletter is written and compiled by Master
Gardeners in support of the Escambia County Master
Gardener Volunteer Program. Master Gardeners have
contributed more than 162,350 hours of service to the
Extension Horticulture Program since 1987, providing
services worth $3,026,216.
Escambia County Master Gardeners Association
Officers – January 2015 – December 2015
Ann Luther, President
Annie Guthrie, Vice President
Russ Poerner, Secretary
Carolann Holmes, Treasurer
Extension Programs are open and available to
individuals and institutions without regard to race,
color, gender, age, handicap, or national origin. No
discrimination is intended and no endorsements by the
Cooperative Extension Service is implied for specific
products. Reference to commercial products or trade
names are for educational purposes only.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, any person requiring special
accommodations to participate in any meeting or
workshop noted herein is asked to advise the
University of Florida at least 5 working days prior
to the meeting or workshop by contacting Beth
Bolles at 850-475-5230. If you are hearing or
speech impaired, please contact the University by
calling 352-846-1046(TDD).
Beth R. Bolles
Beth Bolles, Extension Agent III Horticulture
President’s Remarks…
Last month was a super month. New activities
took shape and more MG’s than ever have
stepped up to the plate to volunteer. THANK
YOU to ALL.
Special recognition needs to go out to the Ad
Hoc committee, Pat Bush, Carolann Holmes,
Greg Leach, Sam Mathews, Judy Martin and
Debbie Soderlind, (I was just there as a board
representative) for helping with Beth’s vision
for propagation of plants. Thanks to Judy
Martin for the “We are Propagation” banner!
The banner sums up exactly Beth’s vision. If
you haven’t signed it yet, it is hanging in the
propagation area….please use a Sharpie to
write your name….Thank you to Beth for
reminding us of our volunteer mission….to
educate the community.
March brings on a huge sigh of relief….the
weather begins to smile down on us with
warmer temperatures and we actually can see
spring in our sights. The Demonstration
Garden is coming out of winter hibernation.
Please come out to help us keep the garden as
a demonstration to the community. Even if
something has failed this year due to weather,
it’s a great learning experience for all.
If you haven’t found a niche for volunteering,
here is a list of names that can give you all the
information you need to decide.
Contacts for activities updates…
 Ann Luther-President
 Annie Guthrie-Vice President
 Russ Poerner- Secretary
 Carolann Holmes-Treasurer
 Debbie Soderlind-Demo Garden
Representative at Large
 James West- MG Representative at
Large
 Bob McLaughlin-Past President;
current Facilities Maintenance
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
Raised Bed
Gardens……Owen Sharpe,
Tom Morgan, Beth Bolles

Demonstration Entrances
Garden…..Annette Aviles
9. Spring & Fall Festivals….ALL
MG’s
 Beth Bolles-Escambia County
Horticultural Agent, MG Program
Advisor
Educational Activities for Volunteers:
1. Extension Plant Clinic…….Carol
Lord/Beth…Training provided then
probationary period…..
2. Grapevine Newsletter……Shelby
Kalin
3. General Monthly Meeting
Refreshments….Kathy Jernigan
chair
4. Garden Talks….Carol Perryman &
Lynda Creed
5. Edible Gardens….Sam
Mathews/Bob McLaughlin
6. Habitat for Humanity ….Keva
McCorvey
7. Speakers Bureau Gardens……All
MG’s
8. Demonstration Garden….Debbie
Solderlind and Carol Lord ,
Extension Tech Advisor to the
Demonstration Garden.
Gazebo Garden….Dave Peck

Tropical & Evergreen
Gardens….Judy Martin

Retreat Garden…..Diane
Powell

Butterfly Garden/Pollinator
Garden….Gary McGraw

Japanese Garden….Ann
Luther

Grass Garden….Sherry
Atkinson

Border Garden…..Debbie
Soderlind

Rose Garden….Paula
Launtz

Muscadine Grapes…..Bill
Norman, Alexander Kozman

Herb Garden…..Carol
Perryman

Container gardens….
Barbara Kelly

Stefani Road Entrance
Garden……Gwen Conley
Remember that Activities are listed on the
VMS. You can sign up on the VMS. This is a
very important communication tool of the
Master Gardener Program. We also use emails
and the Grapevine to get the volunteer word
out!! When you hear the song “we heard it
through the grapevine” …… MG volunteering
will come to mind!
WOW what a network of activities and people
that need your help!!! Please check your
Emails, Grapevine, Executive Board Meetings,
General Monthly Meetings to stay informed
and add your new ideas for the volunteer
educational programs. If you haven’t been
contacted for your ideas, look over the list & let
us know…..we definitely need you!
Remember if you have an idea….don’t just
throw it out there…make sure you catch it!
AND more importantly run with it with your
team to the finish line…..
“We are Propagation” & “We are Escambia
County Master Gardener Volunteers” to
educate the community as a TEAM.
See you in the garden,
Ann Luther
Nobody can do everything, but everyone can
do something—Author Unknown
From Beth…
Every years seems busier than the last and that
is a good thing. Although we are not able to
meet every request, we are making strides for
more proactive community outreach.
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As Master Gardeners each of you made a
commitment for volunteer service following
training. The 75 hour volunteer requirement
may sound like a lot but given our focus in 2015
of working as a team, everyone should be able
to reach that mark.
I know that the Executive Board is very
interested in discovering the hidden talents of
the group and making every volunteer feel part
of the team. We do need your help. Now is the
time for you to step forward and share how you
would like to join in the educational efforts.
Even though there are many established
projects, new ideas are always welcome. In
addition to some of the traditional activities, let
us know if there is a new opportunity for
volunteers. New ideas and activities help
energize the organization and keep us moving
forward.
I will try my best to make sure there is a place
for everyone, but I do need each person’s help
in finding talents and ways for volunteers to
make a difference in our program and
community.
Vice President Comments
On The Fly US Fish and Wildlife Service is
mounting a campaign to restore the numbers
of Monarch Butterflies to previous levels. The
target area will center on the 200,000 acre
habitat along the I-35 corridor stretching from
Texas to Minnesota ( 50% of the Monarch
Butterfly population is know to migrate along
this route.)
It is no secret to our readers that the fault for
loss of habitat is primarily herbicides that
destroy milkweed plants. Milkweed is the
favorite host plant for this once prolific
creature which had been estimated at Billions
in the past. The focus will be awareness of the
dwindling populations and also urging massive
plantings of milkweed. US Fish and Wildlife
Service is considering granting our colorful
friend endangered species status.
Monarchs are welcomed each year to North
Florida. In fact, we have a wonderful Butterfly
Garden in our own Demonstration Garden that
is shepherded by Master Gardener Gary
McCraw. Gary regularly gives talks on
butterfly habitats and is an excellent resource
for all things butterfly. Ask and he will
recommend which milkweed is best suited for
our zone. (Source washintonpost.com
DarylFears 2/9/2015.)
Kudos to Alex Kozmon who is now
“Keeper Of the Calendar“ and doing a
fabulous job. Ann Luther was over heard saying
“No sooner had I given Alex the information to
go on the calendar when I got an
announcement of the event via VMS email! “
Needless to say she was pleased. Wow great
way to keep us all informed.
Double Kudos to Judy Martin for
providing us with the fabulous
“We Are Propagation” Banner. This banner
is now proudly hanging over the potting shed
in the Demo Garden. A Personal thank you to
Judy for driving Sherry Atkinson and me to the
Gulf State Horticultural Expo in Mobile.
Wow those ladies have energy to spare. I was
awed as they ran from booth to booth meeting
and greeting. If you have not been, it is an
education. The Automated Seed Planting
Machines, the Whole Tree Planters, and the
enormous Mowers were absolutely astounding.
Plus, we had a preview of soon to be released
plants, some that just made my heart race.
Don't go planning on buying massive quantities
of plants; most exhibitors prefer to sell whole
booths and some do not sell anything. That is,
unless you are with Sherry ...she managed to
get a staggering amount of plants at bargain
prices or free for propagation. Thanks Sherry
Atkinson you inspire us all.
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Announcements..
Thank you so much for your confidence in my
ability to serve as treasurer for the Master
Gardener Program. Former treasurer Clark
Cain did a masterful job establishing
procedures and has been carefully training me
to take over this responsibility. I intend to
continue following his protocols.
The Treasurer’s file found in Beth Bolles office
will be checked on Mondays allowing for
Reimbursement checks to be available on the
following Monday. The folder holds the 2015
Budget for your reference, Reimbursement
Request and Deposit forms. These documents
are also available on VMS under
NEWSLETTERS / DOCUMENTS PROPOSED BUDGET.
When requesting reimbursement for expenses
please use the Reimbursement Request form
detailing the expense specifics including a
reference to the particular budget line item. All
requests require an attached receipt and
prompt submission within a month of the
expense.
Thank you to Steve Warner and the Audit
Committee for inspecting the ECMG 2014
Financial Records. Their approval brings
closure for former treasurer Clark Cain and
2014.
Sincerely,
Carolann Holmes, Treasurer
News from VMS The VMS calendars are
coming to life! MG graduate Alexander
Kozmon, class of 2015, has accepted the
responsibility of managing the calendars, and
has already begun to update the postings.
Kozmon stated that it was during a December
2014 VMS inservice, conducted by Chuck
Stander, when it became apparent that the
VMS calendars were not being utilized and he
believes that the calendars can serve as an
effective communication and organizing tool.
While some events can be gleaned from the
Grapevine, MG President Anne Luther would
like anybody within the MG service who has an
approved event, to send that information to
Kozmon via VMS e-mail for posting. Posting
information should contain the event title,
date, time and location, an event coordinator,
the number of volunteers required for the
event, and a brief description. Events will be
posted within 24 hours, but to date, events
have typically been posted within 12 hours of
submission.
Once a general event is posted, a VMS
notification will be sent to all MGs advising
them to check the calendar for updated
information. This will ensure that all within
the MG service have an opportunity to
participate in each event. And for all of the
garden coordinators, your work details qualify
as general events, so don't’ hesitate to submit
them as well.
Alex Kozmon ECMG
THANKS GARDEN PARTNERS
At our January meeting, we congratulated the
trainees who have completed their classes.
Another welcome to: Mollie Armes, Annette
Aviles, Karen Carr, Terry Henry, Alexander
Kozman, Tom Morgan, Bill Norman, Lo Sitton,
Tracey Suligoy, B. J. Taylor and Patti
Wernicke. Assisting in the transition to
becoming active master gardeners, we thank
the following garden partners: Carol
Perryman, Russ Poerner, Carolann Holmes,
Annie Guthrie, Gary McGraw, Greg Leach,
Dave Peck, James West, Olivia Hamilton,
Lennie Foster and Judy Martin.
Pat Bush and Russ Poerner, Garden Partner
Program co chairs
2015 SPRING FESTIVAL
Planning for this year’s annual Spring Flower
Festival is underway and we are getting
organized to be an integral part of the
Escambia County Extension Services Open
House scheduled for May 2, 8:00 – noon.
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This event is bringing together all the
volunteers and agents who serve Escambia
County residents. The centerpiece of this event
will be the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new
4 H Building. Local dignitaries and the
general public will be invited and this offers all
of us new opportunities to show case our
demonstration garden and educational
activities. To date the following MGs have
offered to coordinate activities/demonstrations
and provide education to the
attendees: Cashiers – Carolann Holmes,
Parking and set up – Dave Peck, Holding Area
– Gwen Conley, Refreshments – Kathy
Jernigan, Childrens Activities – Keva
McCorvey, Registration – Pat Porter, Plant
Clinic - Greg Leach, Exotic Vegetables/Fruits –
Tom Morgan, Propagation – Doug McCrary,
Plant Sale – Ann Luther, Layout – Bob
McLaughlin, Garden Guides – Nettie Joseph.
Plans and details are still being worked out and
will be circulated via VMS and The Grapevine.
There are many ways to help this event be a
huge success and we need everyone involved.
Please contact any of the MGs mentioned
above and offer your help and suggestions.
The proper growing site and conditions: roses
need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct
sunlight, in an area with good air circulation,
and loose, friable, highly organic soil, and little
competition from tree roots. Since a rose is a
heavy repeat bloomer you’ll need to fertilize
every 5-7 weeks or after every bloom cycle. To
enjoy your roses, you’ll need to spend some
time spraying weekly to prevent fungus, and
continue deadheading the spent blooms to
encourage re-bloom.
Pat Bush, Chairman
Everything’s Coming up Roses
The Rose, our national flower, is a popular
flowering shrub in our extended growing
season in the coastal South. Gardeners are
influenced by different factors when selecting
which roses to grow. For some, fragrance is of
primary importance, often because of the
memories of Grandma’s old garden roses from
their childhood. Others are looking for ease of
care with a minimum of work and time.
Whatever your priorities, there are a few
factors of utmost importance when successfully
growing any kind of roses in the coastal South.
Valentine’s Day is an easy date to remember to
start your annual major pruning of your
bushes. There are some guidelines about how
to properly prune the different kinds of roses.
For instance climbing roses are pruned
differently than a Hybrid Tea due to growth
patterns. Proper pruning is one of the most
critical activities. Whether a first time pruner
or whether you are still uncomfortable with the
process, it’s always good to get an informed
review of the process.
We hope you’ll take advantage of the excellent
demonstration, which will be presented on
Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 am by Glenn
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Schulman, Master Rosarian from the Pensacola
Rose Society. In addition, he will help
diagnose any rose problems you bring as well
as demonstrate techniques. The
Demonstration Rose Garden will be our guinea
pig. Call 475-5230 for information.
Barbara Stander, ECMG
Upcoming events in the area..
March 1
Tour Mobile Botanical Garden's
Winter Garden - 2:00 p.m.
March 7 – FDSG meets at the Gulf Breeze
Presbyterian Church at 9:30 a.m. Call Linda
Henderson, 850-936-4950.
Garden Talks
March 20, 2015 – Growing tomatoes 10:30 a.m to Noon – Tryon Branch Library
April 10, 2015
Using Your Edible Harvest 9:00 a.m. to 10:30
a.m.- Escambia Extension office, 3740 Stefani
Road
Here’s the Dirt on…..
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
March 12
Pensacola Federation of Garden
Clubs presents annual "Tour of Tables" 11-2.
Luncheon tickets $25 in advance. Call 4326095 for info. Preview night is 11 March from
5-8pm, cost $10
March 17
Pensacola Camellia Club Annual
Banquet and Installation of officers. Location
to be announced.
March 19 Tri-County Horticulture Study
Group presents:
Location:
DeFuniak Springs, Home of Dara
Dobson of 7 Pines Native Nursery
Activity:
Tour 7 Pines Native Nursery,
2365 County Hwy. 192, DeFuniak Springs
Lunch: Bogey’s at Hotel DeFuniak (400 US
Highway 90 E, Defuniak Springs)
For more information
contact [email protected] (850-6782842).
March 19
Milton Garden Club sponsors a
Fun With Flowers Hands-on-project and
program- 10am-noon, 5256 Alabama Street,
Milton. $30 per person. Luncheon included.
Seating is limited to the first 40 registrations
Mail registrations to: 6735 Highway 99,
Molino, 32577-4048 Make checks payable
to: Gina Jogan. Deadline is March 9, 2015. For
more information, please contact Jen Weber
([email protected]) Ruby Spice is native all along the East Coast. It
is often found along forest margins and near
creeks and ponds. Summersweet, also known
as pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), is named for
its long white spikes of spice-scented flowers
that appear in July and August. “Ruby Spice” is
just one of several cultivars, producing sweetly
fragrant rosy blooms in late summer. The
blooms are extremely attractive to bees and
hummingbirds. The glossy, dark green leaves
turn a woodsy yellow-orange in fall. “Ruby” is
tolerant of occasional drought and even light
sea spray, but only when well established.
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The twisted, contorted branches give it an
unusual look all year long. ‘Contorta’ is
deciduous, has very sharp thorns, and likes
sunshine. CHECK IT OUT.
Gwen Conley - ECMG
MGs in Action
The class of 2015 are planning two nursery clinics for
March.
“Ruby” reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet and 4 feet
wide. It is pest and disease free and grows best
in moist, slightly acid sandy soil. It can tolerate
a range of conditions including acidic, wet soil
and even salt spray. It prefers sun to part
shade but will also tolerate shade. It is truly an
easy-to-grow, multiseason shrub you will truly
enjoy. SJK
 Check this out….
….in the Demonstration Garden
Chaenomeles speciosa “Contorta”
( contorted quince)
You’ll find this small, low growing shrub in the
Japanese Garden. Grows 2 - 3 ft, tall and
wide. Most grow wider than tall . One of the
early bloomers, white to pink blossoms are 1
1/2 to 2 inches across.
Great teamwork on the Weeds Garden Talk. Thanks
to the speakers Terry Henry, Carolann Holmes,
Alexander Kozman, and James West.
Alexander Kozman and Bill Norman pruned the
muscadine grapes. The area will demonstrate
seasonal versus regenerative pruning.
Clark Cain weeded a good portion of the rose garden
in prep for the upcoming rose pruning program.
Annie Guthrie and Lo Sitten prepared flyers for the
upcoming programs.
Gwen Conley assisted with teaching the Westgate kids
during a program date change.
Bob McLaughlin built a new raised bed for the demo
garden and Tom Morgan lined it with fabric.
Doug McCrary, Warren Tate, and a team member
upgraded the garden drain line that was damaged
during construction.
Shelby Kalin, Lois Wright, Dianne Powell, Marion
Woodley, and Lynne Lovoy prepare the Grapevine
each month for distribution.
Steve Warner finalized the yearly audit.
Marjorie Johnecheck and team planted seasonal
flowers in the front of the gazebo garden.
Annette Aviles obtained materials for the heater
modifications.
Darwing Wenzler and Chuck Stander prepared and
delivered programs at the Ed series.
More to come in future newsletters.
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