Honoring "Palmetto Country's" Own Stetson Kennedy

On November 16, 2014 Beluthahatchee was officially recognized as the only US literary landmark to honor two writers:  commemorating both Kennedy and his friend, folksong artist, Woody Guthrie. 

Kennedy's wife, Sandra Parks Kennedy, reflects on "Beluthahatchee Bill," Woody Guthrie's nickname for the man who spent his life writing to raise the bar for equality and dignity for all in America.  Looking out from his back porch it was easy to feel the spirit of Beluthahatchee, which was named for the Miccosukee word meaning "dark water" - and the place that Zora Neale Hurston described as a mythical "Florida Shangri-la, where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten."

Now don't you forget to check out our Events page for our report on Gardenfest: Art in the Garden and visit our Awards page to see how the Certificate of Appreciation from MonarchWatch.org motivated us to get out and garden!

Support Your Local Monarchs! by Mickey Fraser, President, Garden Club of Switzerland

I shared my photos of monarch caterpillars enjoying the milkweed in my garden this summer with the Garden Club.  In sharing them with you I want to tell you just how easy it is to provide habitat for these imperiled animals and what is threatening them.  Here is why we all need to do something for the monarch.  Then I'll share how you can easily start your own Monarch Way Station.

Hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico every fall to overwinter in the high elevation oyamel fir forests of central Mexico.  The pictures of millions of Monarch butterflies resting on these trees are spectacular. (photo)  In the US, we are reminded frequently of the damage we have caused to our environment  such as losing 52% of the population of vertebrate animals in just 2 generations of human abuse and the Honeybee Colony Collapse.  Lately, scientists have found that there has been a 90% decline in of monarch butterflies in less than 20 years. This decline is troubling enough for some environmental groups to ask for federal protection for these beautiful orange and black butterflies that undertake one of nature’s most intriguing yearly migrations from Canada to Mexico.

 The known causes of monarch decline include the loss of more than 165 million acres of their habitat , including nearly a third of their summer breeding and feeding grounds to human development, widespread use of glyphosate-based  herbicides like Roundup, and planting of genetically engineered  Roundup-resistant crops in the Midwest where many monarchs are born.  While some plants have evolved to be resistant to glyphosate, the milkweed has developed no such immunity.  Round-up remains a potent killer of milkweed, the monarch’s only food.  And now, the EPA has approved a combination herbicide of glyphosate and 2,4-D, Enlist-Duo, to kill weeds that have developed glyphosate resistance.  The NRDC is suing the EPA over this decision, but in the meantime thousands of acres of milkweed being lost daily through the use of Enlist-Duo or Roundup. 

Milkweed plants are the only plants that the monarch will lay her eggs on and once hatched the larvae eat milkweed leaves as their first meal.  Milkweed consumption provides the caterpillar more than nourishment; it imparts a special predator deterrent to both the monarch caterpillar and butterfly.  Milkweed is poisonous.  Consumption of milkweed renders the monarch poisonous as well.  The caterpillar's and butterfly's bright colors advertise its deadly nature, and smart predators will avoid it, and live to see another day.

It's easy for us to become discouraged about our ability to affect the decisions of large corporations and agencies.  But that doesn't mean we can't do important things as individuals to protect milkweed and sustain (and even replenish) our monarch population.  Residents of the Midwest, where the effects of herbicides have devastated the milkweed population, are planting "migration corridors of milkweed" to support monarchs enroute between Canada and Mexico.  While northeast Florida is not an agricultural zone, we are in a migration path and threats to monarchs are here too:  overdevelopment and mosquito spraying being just two.  You can help.  Plant some milkweed and ask your neighbors to do the same.

 

Milkweeds are very easy to grow and once established will provide nourishment for many offspring in your garden and landscape.  The Monarch Joint Venture website has a milkweed resource page that tells you how to locate appropriate milkweed seeds and plants for your area.  Because monarchs have 3-4 generations yearly with easily identified egg, larvae and butterfly stages, once you plant your milkweed you’ll be guaranteed  wonderful nature viewing and numerous outdoor, teaching, and photography opportunities for yourself and family all spring, summer and fall.  This year my yard has seen three generations of monarchs, and October is the time for the 4th generation, the long-distance flyers, to begin the important migration to the monarch winter home in Mexico.

  

We can become good stewards for our environment and help to stop the decline of these beautiful butterflies with just a few simple steps.  Don't use herbicides that are toxic to milkweeds and avoid pesticides such as those cited at the Monarch Joint Venture that can adversely affect monarch caterpillars and butterflies.  You can check with your local University of Florida extension service for alternatives that are safer.  Plant milkweed wherever you can, and spread the word to your friends and local organizations. Pay attention to where you buy your milkweed plants or seeds and ask the store if they have been treated with pesticides.  Better yet, find a reputable source of milkweed seeds for your state at the Xerces Society Project Milkweed page.  Visit  www.monarchwatch.org and learn how to create a Monarch Way Station.  Monarch Way Stations are places that provide milkweeds, other nectar plants, and water to the generations that breed and migrate yearly.   If you do start a milkweed garden please register it at the Monarch Watch.  You may also look at the North American Butterfly Association website for information on creating a multi-species butterfly habitat in to your garden that supports both the larvae and adults, having your butterfly garden certified, and supporting butterfly research by doing butterfly counts.  

Last but not least, join a garden club that promotes wildlife conservation.  The Garden Club of Switzerland is dedicated to providing habitat for monarchs and other butterflies.  See our Awards and Projects page for information on our Freedom Butterfly Garden and other initiatives to protect wildlife and the environment.  Let's stay in touch!

Seven for a September Bouquet - Balance and Hue

Here is Beverly Fleming's wildflower composition, a palette of purples nestled in the greenery.   It's evident she has learned the art of floral arranging, perhaps at a local, state, or national garden club seminar.  Her arrangement invites the eye to travel two diagonals, from top to bottom; a strong vertical line created by the one tall Fakahatchee grass blade dividing the composition in half accentuates the informal symmetry of the diagonals.  And the two pumpkins encircling the vase echo those floral lines.
 
So what are the names of these fall flowers?  Beverly knew them all and cited them for us.   Here  is a pictorial exposition of the names, along with links to describe them.

Plant Names.  Click the links below the photos to open up web pages that describe the plants.  Each web page opens in its own window; close the window to return to this page.  The common name links open resources and photos from www.floridata.com   The scientific name links open resources from the University of Florida, IFAS, www.solutionsforyourlife.com

1 Rattlesnake master  -   Eryngium yuccifolium  

2 Winged Sumac  -  Rhus copallinum

3 American Beautyberry  -   Callicarpa americana

4 Mistflower  -   Eupatorium coelestinum

5 Spotted Horsemint  -  Monarda punctata

 

6 Porterweed  -  Stachytarpheta jamaicensis 

7  Fakahatchee Grass/Gamma Grass  -  Tripsacum floridana 

Why is it Called a Harvest Moon?

The full moon occurring closest to autumnal equinox is called the harvest moon, not simply because our temperatures will be falling and daylight hours will be less (signaling the time to harvest crops).  Its brightness as a full moon, coupled with the unusually long period it stays in the sky mean that farmers can get more work in - at this time of year the work that is typically done is harvesting.  This fortuitous timing is all due to the influence the earth's tilt has on the moon's (and the sun's) position in the sky.  Around autumnal equinox the moon rises in the northernmost point on its orbital plane.  It takes less time for the moon to reappear each night during autumnal equinox.  In fact, around the equinox the moon rises just after the sun sets, illuminating the sky and allowing farmers and gardeners alike to continue their outdoor work.  The pattern repeats itself for several days, affording a set of advantageously long days for agricultural chores.  This is the real reason for the appellation, "harvest moon."

The fact that the moon travels in it's lowest plane in the sky also influences its color.  Who hasn't seen an orange moonrise at this time of year?  The extra layer of atmosphere the moonbeams travel through bend the light to the red spectrum, huing it in a stunning shade of autumn.  See the Farmer's Almanac for a full discussion of the geometry of  moon's orbit in the autumn night sky.  Well, if you live in northeast Florida, you'll probably have to take our word for it.  The rains of 2014 continue, at least through Monday.  But keep your night watch a few more days, and you might be rewarded with a colorful moonrise and a very very bright moon, thanks to the phenomenon of a supermoon last month.

Farmers traditionally have associated the moon with moisture; it also is thought to influence other chores related to animal husbandry, fishing, and  woodworking.

Our posts this year covered winter solstice, vernal equinox, and now, autumnal equinox.  Summer solstice occurred, but we failed to note it here (we'll try again next June).   Our garden club year is about to begin.  Please consider joining us!

Photo on this posting from:  
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2011/01/harvest-moon-saturday-night-live.html

Roses for Florida

In the previous post, "The Name of the Rose," the author discussed naming conventions for plants (and animals).  A useful cypher for understanding the conventions used in scientific and popular sources, such as Dave's Garden plant files.

But knowin' ain't growin' - and growing roses in Florida has seemed like a bridge too far.  Well, modern horticultural science (and industry) to the rescue (at a price).  If you are willing to forgo the fragrance and compromise on the form, you have several modern options to choose from.

For those of us that live in northern Florida, one of the most carefree species is the Knock-out(TM) rose  such as Rosa 'radrazz'.    Or the little Drift(TM) rose.  Drifts are relatively new to the market and carry a higher price tag, but if you want a bed of nice color, they are the ticket.  Both varieties (note that they are trademarked) are relatively carefree, but not bullet-proof.  Even the stalwarts are troubled by Rose Rosette disease, and when it strikes it is very hard to control.  Some nurseries advise just removing the plant entirely because the mites that harbor the virus can overwinter in dormant parts of the plant.  Avoid spacing your roses together too closely; close spacing encourages traversal of the mites to other roses.  And buy from a trusted nursery, one that will have the backbone to do the "right thing" and toss infected roses rather than risk transmitting the disease to remaining stock.


Another "type" of rose that survives our hot humid Florida summers is collectively referred to as "antique," "old (garden)", or "heirloom" roses - roses that were in existence before rose hybridization became a big industry.  Many of these have grown in abandoned gardens or cemeteries in Florida for decades.  These old glories are some of the most fragrant and beautiful flowers.  For those that have the space to allow them to grow to full size, they can be very rewarding.  The University of Florida has several selections as well as planting advice.  And the Deep South Region of the American Rose Society has an even more extensive list of "old roses" vs. "modern" ones that can be grown (with patience and attention) in warmer, wetter climates.

The Name of the Rose

You might recognize this title as the name of a medieval murder mystery by Umberto Ecco that inspired a popular movie.

If you are a gardener, you might recognize the title as a statement of a much more practical problem:  researching a plant by its name.  Plant names come in two flavors:  scientific and common.  And, of course, any given plant can have more than one common name.  Let's say you know the name of a plant, so in theory you can look it up.  But unless you know whether you have the common or scientific name you'll be sorely taxed to locate the appropriate reference.  Should you consult a scientific name index or a common name index?  Adding to the complexity is the fact that every scientific plant name has two parts:  one part is the genus name and the other is the species.  Unless you know both parts (and know which part is genus and which is species) you'll be hard pressed to locate a reference.  What's a gardener to do?

One skill that is useful in understanding plant nomenclature is to be able to discern which part(s) of the name you have.  The article, "Genus, Species, and Cultivars, Oh My?" published in Dave's Garden provides some easy-to-apply guidelines for identifying plant name categories.  Especially helpful for those of use whose eyes glazed over during lectures on Biological Classifications in our school days science classes.  The author also provides reasons why we "really ought wanna" know about this stuff!  Not the least of which is that it can help us use Daves Garden PlantFiles Search feature (and any other search or index) more effectively.  Isn't that clever!  Maybe now you'd like to read, "Genus, Species, and Cultivars, Oh My?"


Other searchable resources:  Floridata and Solutions for Your Life.

Carrot-Zucchini Nut Bread

Carrot-Zucchini Nut Bread by Bette, a volunteer at the GTMNERR Pollinator Day celebration

Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp sale
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sugar*
• 1 cup vegetable or canola oil**
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 eggs**
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 cup shredded carrots

*you can substitute brown sugar for white if you like; if you want a less sweet bread cut the sugar in half and add 2 tsp vanilla extract

**for a lower fat bread, half the oil and substitute 1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce. substitute non-fat egg whites for whole eggs.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325

In a separate bowl combine the first 8 ingredients, ending with the baking powder and set aside. In a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed, beat sugar, oil/yogurt, honey and eggs until fluffy.  Stir zucchini and carrots into the whipped mix.  Add dry ingredients.  Mixture should be moist.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2x4 1/2 by 2 1/2 loaf pans.  Bake at 325 for 50-60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.  Loaves baked in pyrex/glass pans may take longer to cook.)  Cool in pans for 10 minutes.  Turn out onto racks and cool completely.

Honey local to St. Johns County made by the St. Johns County Beekeepers Association can be used.  1-Pound jars for $10 each are available at:  the University of Florida Extension Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine, FL (904) 209-0430  Or you can contact the Bee Keepers on Facebook or their website (listed above)

See more about honey at the Garden Club of Switzerland’s Resources page:  Honey:  Making Good Use of It.

Honey Maid Graham Muffins

Honey Maid Graham Muffins by Bette, a volunteer at the GTMNERR Pollinator Day celebration

Makes 9 muffins

Ingredients

• 2 packs Honeymaid (or similiar) honey graham crackers, finely rolled to make approx. 3 cups of crumbs

• 1/4 cup sugar*

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 cup skim milk

• 2 TBS honey

• 1 egg**

*you can substitute brown sugar for white if you like; if you want a less sweet bread cut the sugar in half and add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

**for a lower fat muffin, substitute non-fat egg white for whole egg.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400

Combine the first 3 dry ingredients.  Stir in the milk, egg, and honey until just moistened.  Spoon batter into 9 greased 2 1/2-inch muffin pan cups.

Bake at 400 for 15-18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.  Let stand 5 minutes, then remove from pan.  Serve warm.

Honey local to St. Johns County made by the St. Johns County Beekeepers Association can be used.  1-Pound jars for $10 each are available at:  the University of Florida Extension Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine, FL (904) 209-0430  Or you can contact the Bee Keepers on Facebook or their website (listed above)

See more about honey at the Garden Club of Switzerland’s Resources page:  Honey:  Making Good Use of It.