Webmaster's note: Yes, we know this picture has nothing to
do with gardening. However the webmaster felt compelled to
include it since - well - 'tis the season!
September, 2008
Welcome back to Joani's Corner.
Did you all get enough rain last month? We had quite a bit at our
house......12 inches at least give or take 5 or 6! Thanks to Fay
our cisterns are full and she showed us where we had a little
leak!! Is there such a thing as a 'little' leak?? Last month here
in Joani's Corner in the 'Weather Expectations' section I
predicted less rain than in July......I was about 2 feet wrong!!
The winds were kind to us with only minimal loss of some
small branches and one small, old tree that wasn't doing well
anyway. We're still raking, sweeping and putting mulch back where
it was. With all the heavy rain a lot of the mulch floated off to
where it didn't belong.
We do hope you fared well with Fay
and that she didn't spread to much of her wrath to your home and
family.
There will be a full moon September 15th. It's called the Full
Harvest moon. The first day of fall arrives on the 22nd. September
is also the peak of hurricane season. We've had a sample of what
could happen with Fay. Take care and stay prepared.
Central
Florida
Average High - 90º - Average Low - 72º
Expected rainfall is 5.76"
In 1988 the record high was 98º
In 1981 the record low was 57º
Tallahassee
Average High - 89º - Average Low - 69º
Expected rainfall is 5.01"
In 1997 the record high was 99º
In 1967 the record low was 40º
Jacksonville
Average High - 86º - Average Low 69º
Expected rainfall is 7.90"
In 1999 the record high was 98º
In 1981 the record low was 48º
Melbourne
Average High - 88º - Average Low - 72º
Expected rainfall is 7.20"
In 1972 the record high was 98º
In 1982 the record low was 58º
Florida Wildlife Adventures for
September
As fall begins we may start seeing new birds as they
migrate through Florida heading for their winter
residence. If you are a bird person or just have a
beginning interest. Get a good bird book for you and
your family and start highlighting all the birds you
might have visiting your backyard this fall. Get a
squirrel-proof bird feeder, some bird seed and place it
where it can be easily seen. It's a fun family project
and one you won't have to spend lots of money for......
you don't have to take it for a walk, it doesn't bark or
get fur on the furniture and you won't have to take it
outside in the middle of the night! It's the perfect
hobby!
Bald eagles are returning to nesting
sites to begin their courtship. Gray bats migrate
back to Alabama caves for winter hibernation.
Manatees will be gathering in fresh water springs and
near power plants.
Spadefoot toads can be heard
after heavy rains.
(click to enlarge)
Hints:
Now if you know what this bug is, you're very good at
searching the internet. If you've seen one in your yard it's a very
rare thing but we did find it in ours. This pretty bug can be found
in Texas and other parts of the southwest United States. This one
probably hitched a ride on someone's car when they came to Florida.
One was seen in Orlando about 4 years ago. This may be a tough
one for you, but ? ?
Whatizzzit ? ?
Are the Cicadas
Calling You?
In case you haven't heard them the cicadas are
calling! No it's not a call on your cell phone or the
new neighbors next door. In Florida they are best known
for their loud calls heard during the day or evening,
usually coming from high in the trees.
Some
cicada calling songs, like the scissor grinder cicada,
make sounds similar to power tools. If you are working
outdoors you may find that some are attracted to the
sound of your
lawnmowers or outdoor power equipment. It will usually
be a female looking for a mate. The male cicada is the
one that makes the noise.....the girls prefer to not to
make any sounds at all except to tap their wings. The
male uses the noise factor to attract a female or to
scare off a bird or other predator. Females are also
attracted to lights at night.
Cicadas are often
heard but seldom seen or captured, but can be identified
by their songs. If you want to hear the songs of some
Florida species, look up 'Cicadas in Florida' on the web
and go to the University of Florida website. They are a
very interesting bug.
In the Eastern US,
periodical cicadas can be seen in huge numbers.... as
many as 1.5 million an acre every 13 or 17 years.
Thankfully, this type does not live in Florida.
19 different species do live here in Florida and they're
very specific to where they want to live. Some like
waste fields and pines, others prefer oaks, some like to
be near the ocean and another cicada only lives in the
keys and one in the everglades. Even their names have a
lot of character like glass winged, dog day, seaside,
scissor grinder and Olympic.
Some are small,
only 1/4" but others can get quite large. One that we
found was quite plump and was about 2 '' long.
On the positive side, it should be noted that cicadas
don't bite or sting. They do provide food for many kinds
of wildlife like birds, small mammals, and other
insects. Newly emerged adults are easily caught and have
been used for food by humans, either raw or cooked, and
are even credited with having saved some family groups
from starvation early in the history of North America.
ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS FLOWER & VEGETABLE AWARD
WINNERS FOR 2009
The new selections for
2009 have been announced! There are 4 of them. It sounds
like a good year for all of you to try some exciting new
plants. Seeds and plants of all these should be
available at your favorite garden center very soon
There is a
gorgeous new Viola called Rain Blue and Purple.
Certainly a perfect name for this flower. It has just
about every shade of purple and blue there is. One very
interesting thing is it's 1 '" flowers change color from
purple and white to purple and blue as they mature. It's
a good deal....2 plants in 1. Plants spread 10-14 inches
with a trailing habit. Great for hanging baskets and
should be a perfect as a patio friendly plant. It is
heat and cold tolerant so it should do very well fall
through winter.......and into spring here in Florida.
Red Blue and Purple Photo:
All-America Selections
Honey Bear Photo: All-America
Selections
Honey Bear is an acorn squash. It is a squash that
was bred to be baked and served in the half shell. It's
a sweet squash as the name implies.
This squash
plant is bush and compact but can be as tall as 2-3' and
4-5' wide without vining. The size of the squash is
perfect for 2 people to share and should weigh 1 pound.
It's powdery mildew tolerant. From seed to the first
squash will be about 100 days.
Gretel is an eggplant with
glossy white, mini-fruit which grows in clusters and
mature in 55 days. Gretel is a small squash only 3 -4
inches long, sweet and has tender skin. The plants are 3
ft. wide and as tall. It will do well in containers just
make sure your container is at least 16" deep.
Gretel Photo: All-America
Selections
Lambkin Photo: All-America
Selections
Finally we have Lambkin which is a melon.
Can't wait to try this one. This melon will weigh 2- 4
lbs. with a thin green and yellow rind. Inside you'll
find it sweet, aromatic, white and juicy. Fruit will be
ready for your enjoyment 65-75 days after planting seed.
Refrigerated, Lambkin can be stored much longer than
other melons.
Answer to ? ? Whatizzzit
? ?
It's the Harlequin Flower Beetle.
Take care, stay safe and let's hope any future hurricanes
just stay out in the Atlantic. See you in October!
Until then, if you have any questions or comments drop me a line
at joani@betterlawns.com.
