Joani
Joani MacCubbin

July, 2008

Wouldn't it be nice if we could package up some of this heat for next winter when we're cold and tempted to turn the heat on? Some day it may be possible.

The month of June brought our backyard almost 6 inches of rain. Our plants are happy and the lawns look great. A lot of people had extremely high water bills. So try to be frugal and check 'Joani's Corner Website for June' for some ideas on how to save water.
We've had to pull a few plants left over from the cooler months like pansies, daisies and poppies but there were replacements that have taken care of the bare spots and pots.

If you have some pots that once contained plants that have died out. Don't replant in them until you have cleaned them up. Soak them for a few minutes in a ' and ' solution of water and bleach. They may need a little scrubbing in places. Then leave to dry in the sun. That will take care of any lurking bug or disease problem.

This month in Joani's Corner:

Weather Expectations and Wildlife Adventures
? ? Whatizzzit ? ?
Plant choices to take care of indoor air pollution
Plant choices for hot, humid weather

Weather Expectations for July

On the July 18th there will be a full moon. It has many names like the Full Red Moon because as the moon roses it appears reddish through the evening haze. It has also been called the Green Corn Moon, The Full Sturgeon Moon and The Full Grain Moon.

Central Florida

Average High - 92º - Average Low - 73º

Expected rainfall is 7.15"

In 1998 the record high was 100º

In 1981 the record low was 64º

Tallahassee

Average High - 92º - Average Low - 73º

Expected rainfall is 8.04"

In 1980 the record high was 103º

In 1967 the record low was 57º

Jacksonville

Average High - 91º - Average Low 72º

Expected rainfall is 5.97"

In 1981 the record high was 103º

In 1972 the record low was 61º

Melbourne

Average High - 91º - Average Low - 72º

Expected rainfall is 5.38"

In 1980 the record high was 102º

In 1977 the record low was 60º

Florida Wildlife Adventures for July

Not much happening with our wildlife. I guess they're keeping a low profile also to stay cool, too.
It's hard to believe but some of our birds will be packing up to prepare for their migration. The Shorebirds, purple martins and swallow-tailed kites migration starts in mid-July and peaks in August.

Watch for Frigate birds. They can be seen flying overhead in south Florida. For the shore birds that are still nesting be careful while on our beaches especially while driving or walking our doggies.

Later this month alligators and crocodiles will begin hatching. Baby racoons, foxes, armadillos, possums and bobcats are beginning to leave their dens and following their parents in the woody areas. Observe them but don't touch. Yes, they're cute but their parents don't think you are so take care!

One thing that isn't having any problems with this heat and humidity is the Mosquitoes and Chiggers. They will be waiting for you in the early morning and evening hours and in great numbers. Biting you is what they need to reproduce! So protect yourself if you're out working in the garden, visiting your neighbors in the evening or out camping. Don't give them a chance to increase their numbers.


	(click to enlarge)
Hints: You may see these little mounds and think they are nests for big ants but if you look carefully you will see there are no ants at home. No need to worry at all about these little sand hills......they're ok. Now it's your turn.......? ? Whatizzzit ? ?

Plant Choices to Help with Indoor Air Pollution

If you've been like Tom and lately, we've been spending a 'little' more time inside rather than being outside in this hot, humid weather lately. If you have also........while you're inside wishing you could be outside....maybe it's time to think about adding a few new plants inside your home.

Unfortunately there are some common everyday air pollutants inside our homes that we can actually reduce with some familiar, everyday plants. It doesn't matter how old or new, how many pets you own, or how clean you think your home is.... there are lots of pollutants there that you can't see or smell.

If you have young children it may be particularly helpful to try and control some of them. These pollutants can cause us misery that we may be blaming on outdoor pollens or allergies but some may be coming from inside your home. These toxins can cause skin and eye irritations, headaches, asthma and some even more serious conditions.

Three of these common toxins are:

Trichloroethylene or TCE which is found in adhesives, dry cleaning, printing inks and dyes, paints and varnishes.

Benzene is found in detergents, petroleum and rubber products, synthetic fibers and tobacco smoke.

Formaldehyde is very common and is found in carpeting or carpet padding, permanent press fabrics, cleaners, furniture, cigarette smoke and paper products like grocery bags, wax paper, facial tissues and paper towels.

For Trichloroethylene or TCE some plants you can use are: Dracaena, Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily or spathiphyllum, potted flowering mums, or Corn Plant.	Gerbera Daisy (click to enlarge)
Dracaena (click to enlarge)	For the Benzene some of the plants to use are: Aglaonema or Chinese evergreen Chrysanthemum Gerbera Daisy Peace Lily, Dracaena, or English Ivy
For Formaldehyde a few plants you can use are: Bamboo Palm, Pothos, Corn Plant, Ficus trees,	Ficus Tree (click to enlarge)
Spider Plant (click to enlarge)	Philodendrons, Sanseveria, or snake plants, or Spider Plant.

Plants that Will Do Well in Hot Weather
If you're having a hard time getting from rain to rain and you really want to have a little interest in your yard with minimal watering. How about trying some plants that aren't major flowering plants but still beautiful. .......and are a little easier on their water needs. I have six that you might like to try.
Flax lilies have become a real favorite of mine. It's leaves are similar to the variegated liriope but wider with more defined coloring of green and white while some have solid green leaves. It does have tiny, delicate flowers on long stems. A great filler or border plant. Flax lilies do well in sun or part shade.	Flax Lily (click to enlarge)
Rosemary (click to enlarge)	Rosemary is an evergreen shrub with pine needle like leaves. If planted in the ground it can grow 3 - 5 ft. tall. In the spring and summer you'll see small blue flowers along the stems.
She doesn't seem to mind being a little dry once in while at all. And she'll do well in full sun or a little shade. Sprigs from your rosemary plant can be used for cooking purposes and makes a very attractive accent plant for your garden. In warm climates rosemary plants have been known to live 30 or more years!
Coleus is a very colorful plant as we all know very well. At this time of the year it would probably prefer afternoon shade. But you can't beat it for color, longevity and minimal water use in your landscape. Plant it in the ground or in pots.	Coleus (click to enlarge)
A good use for coleus is around a deck, pool or patio area as it's not a messy plant. Alternanthera is also a very colorful plant with bright colored leaves of hot fuchsia, white, shades green and pink..... and all on one plant. Check them out at your local garden center and be prepared to bring a few home. They would enjoy living in shady or filtered sun area. Plant them in pots for the patio or in the ground.
Asiatic Jasmine is one of the toughest plants I know. Not a real favorite of mine as it can get a little out of control especially when it has been planted in an area where it borders a lawn. It will need constant edging. But... it does very well in areas that you have a hard time growing a lawn. Like that tough area between the sidewalk and the road or any contained area where it can be kept in bounds. It's very drought tolerant. There is a green and a variegated variety available. It would enjoy being in a shady or a sunny area.
Caladiums (click to enlarge)	Caladiums are always a beautiful sight. You can purchase them as bulbs at garden centers now and grow them yourself. It's very easy. They will do best in filtered sun or shady locations.
It's leaves can be white, red, green and shades of pink or combinations of all those colors. It's a great potted plant for the patio in a shady area..... it's tough and isn't messy at all. We've had a large pot of them on our patio for two years. It will die back in the fall so store the pot where it won't get much water and let the bulbs rest in that pot. Then in the spring it will return as healthy as ever and bring you twice as much beauty as it did the previous year. So try a few of these......you'll be very glad you did!

Answer to ? ? Whatizzzit ? ?

It's the nest of a Solitary bee! If you watch it carefully, you may just see it come in for a landing and quickly enter it's nest. It's not a bad bee....so leave it be.

See you all back here in August!

Until then, if you have any questions or comments drop me a line at joani@betterlawns.com.