Yes there are a number of options available, you can set your browser either to reject all cookies, to allow only “trusted” sites to set them, or to only accept them from the site you are currently on.
However, please note – if you block/delete all cookies, some features of our websites, such as remembering your login details, or the site branding for your local newspaper may not function as a result.
3:22pm Wednesday 2nd October 2013 in Leisure latest news
Autumn and winter gardening tips from Coolings’ Plant Doctor Mark Reeve
Now that summer is a distant memory, here are a few tips ideas to settle your garden in for the autumn and winter months, writes Plant Doctor Mark Reeve of Coolings Garden Centre.
Don’t forget get your pots! Many plants, especially evergreens ones, can freeze in their pots in winter.
If the roots freeze they can’t take up any water so the plant dies. Move them somewhere sheltered near the house to protect them.
If they cannot be moved then use bubble wrap to wrap around the pot to insulate it. It might not look pretty but it may save your favourite plant.
Fleece can be used on top growth to keep off a few degrees of frost but check the plant regularly as mould and rots can set in. We stock the fleece and bubble wrap at Coolings.
The autumn and winter months are good times (rain and frost permitting) to plant trees and shrubs.
Many trees create a fantastic show later in the year. Many Japanese cherries have good leaf colour as well as spring flowers.
Trees such as Amelanchier, Liquidambar and Nyssa light up the garden in autumn. If you only have room for shrubs then Acers (Japanese maple), Cotinus (smoke bush), Enkianthus and Hamamelis (witch hazel) put on a stunning show.
October is one of the best months to be planting trees, shrubs and perennials. You improve the survival rate of plants when you plant in the Fall as it gives the root system time to establish itself during the winter months. Above ground the plants appears to be dormant in winter (and they are) underground roots are active, growing deeper into the soil to provide a strong anchor for the whole plant.
When spring arrives the plant is acclimatized to its new environment and is ready to put out strong leaves, new top growth and lots of flowers.
Remember, there is still time to plant fall vegetables. Beets, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peas, Swiss chard, lettuce, radish, spinach, turnips, onions, parsley, mustard and carrots are all crops that do well this time of year. Vegetables can be planted from seed or transplanted.
Also, make sure to adjust your watering schedule for the cooler temperatures of Fall. The recommendation is to water in the morning if possible. Be sure to water long enough so the root system grows deep rather than staying close to the soil surface. Check your irrigation system for leaks, clogs or breakages to make sure water is getting to all areas in your lawns and beds.
Check your garden regularly for insects and fungi. Plants that have suffered heat stress during the summer are more prone to disease. If you find a problem, take care of it as soon as possible using a recommended insecticide or fungicide. Both organic and non-organic products are available to stop and protect against insects and fungi. This year we are beginning to see oak trees with wooly aphids that give a snow like appearance to the leaves.
Fall is also a good time of year to apply a fresh layer of mulch. Mulching helps reduce water evaporation and keeps the soil temperature warmer during winter to help plants survive frost and snow conditions. Mulching also saves on watering and always improves the appearance of your landscape.
If you are looking for a sea of bluebonnets in your garden next Spring now is the time to be planting. To encourage bluebonnet seeds to germinate they need to be scarified (the shell softened) before planting. Drop by the Nursery and we can show you how to do this – it’s not hard.
BEMIDJI — After the summer we’ve had — with hot temps and little rain — we should still depend on these time-honored tips from the Minnesota Extension Service to prepare for our Minnesota winter.
Empty and clean outdoor containers of flowers or vegetables once the plants are no longer attractive or productive. Outdoor freezing and thawing cycles can crack or break almost any type of pot, especially if there’s soil in it. Add the soil to a compost pile or spread it around gardens. Once they’re clean and dry, store containers in a protected place such as a garage, basement or garden shed. I don’t always do this but I do tip my pots and get the soil to dislodge so the pots are less likely to crack over the winter. Likely the deep leaf mulch protects them from cracking.
Continue to mow the lawn as needed and rake fallen leaves so grass doesn’t mat down, which encourages snow mold to develop. Grass continues to grow and likes to see the sunlight. If the leaves are too deep, run a power mower over them several times. This chips them into little pieces that filter harmlessly through the grass to the soil, recycling a small amount of nutrients as they break down. Otherwise, use the leaves as mulch to protect bulbs and flowering perennials, or compost them.
Visit your local garden center to choose flowering bulbs to plant for spring display. Plant bulbs early in October if you haven’t already put them in the ground. Water them well every week to 10 days unless we get good rainfall. They need to develop roots before the soil freezes in order to come through winter in good condition. Once the soil surface freezes, often early October in our area, apply several inches of mulch to help prevent fluctuating soil temps and premature spring growth. Occasionally, different resources offer conflicting information about zone hardiness. A tulip rated Zone 3 in one reference and Zone 4 in another may be successful if planted in a microclimate with well-drained soil and straw mulch. So take a chance on it — you may have a pleasant surprise come spring.
Above all, at this time of year, enjoy your harvest, enjoy some rest from garden chores and enjoy planning for next year’s garden. To learn about more current information to help you with your fall gardening, check out this bimonthly University of Minnesota Extension website:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/efans/ygnews/
Think about purchasing a University of Minnesota Extension calendar for 2014: it will have lots of gardening tips and other information on horticulture in Minnesota. It is great for keeping records of rain and snowfall, temperatures and when you planted and harvested.
To find specific reliable information about gardening and other horticultural topics, go to the University of Minnesota Extension website
www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/
Local master gardeners will also answer your gardening questions via a voicemail service. Call 444-7916, leaving your phone number, name and the nature of your question. A volunteer master gardener will give you a call.
TROY, Mich. and GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The annual Altair Technology Conference (ATC) is underway at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, Calif. This is one of nine Altair events held annually throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. The series collectively draws thousands of professionals to share experiences and successes leveraging Altair simulation and optimization tools to innovate design and development processes. New additions to the conference include the PBS Works™ User Group and the Enterprise Solutions Track.
Keynote speakers headlining the 2013 ATC include:
Altair Chairman and CEO James Scapa will provide insight on how Altair’s expansion into a variety of industry verticals is helping customers better solve the toughest challenges in both engineering and business. Product lifecycle management (PLM) technologies like AcuSolve® and OptiStruct®, cloud-based simulation with HyperWorks Unlimited™, high performance computing (HPC), and advanced business and engineering analytics will be highlighted. Additional Altair executives will take the stage to showcase the company’s evolving software vision, including insight on its HPC and cloud strategies and how solidThinking Inspire® is radically changing the user experience in design.
“Our global technology conference series, and particularly the Americas ATC, provides a venue for Altair customers to showcase their domain expertise and demonstrate the ways Altair optimization and simulation technologies have encouraged advanced engineering and game-changing business decisions,” said Scapa. “We are looking forward to the knowledge sharing, networking, and ideation that have become hallmarks of this annual event.”
Throughout the conference, experts from a wide variety of industries will participate in workshops to present their insights on trends, lessons learned from addressing complex design and engineering challenges, and how simulation and optimization technologies – including Altair’s flagship software suite HyperWorks® – are enabling innovative problem solving. Session topics include analysis and automation, design exploration, structural optimization, composites design, concept design, and design for manufacturability.
About Altair
Altair empowers client innovation and decision-making through technology that optimizes the analysis, management and visualization of business and engineering information. Privately held, with 2,000 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. With a 28-year track record for high-end software for engineering and computing, enterprise analytics solutions, and innovative product design and development, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.
SOURCE Altair
RELATED LINKS
http://www.altair.com
Van Valkenburgh lived in Boston for more than 25 years, and though his firm, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., is now based in New York, he has an office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a home on Martha’s Vineyard. When the museum’s building committee and director Anne Hawley were visiting gardens by the top nominated candidates for the Monks Garden project during the selection process, Van Valkenburgh was at his Vineyard home, so he invited them to his own private garden there, which is nearly the same size as the Monks Garden (and, we’re sure, gorgeous). That sealed the deal.
“Coming to the garden is not a practical experience,” Van Valkenburgh said as he stood in the museum’s Spanish Cloister during a preview event, nodding to the finished garden seen just outside through the Chinese Loggia. “I thought of the garden as a place to get lost.”
Your mind just may take a break basking in the foliage of 66 trees and more than 7,000 perennials (2,100 bulbs are scheduled still to be planted). And the 530 feet of winding paths placed in the garden’s 7,545 square feet might turn you around a bit, but you won’t truly lose your way — you’ll enjoy just being in the garden, and then walk one of the many paths back. “It’s not about getting here or there or anywhere,” said Van Valkenburgh, adding that like the museum, which invites personal exploration and study rather than presenting a singular, direct path to view the artwork, the garden is meant for meandering. A pause in nature during a museum visit.
Courtesy of Alex S. MacLean, 2013.
An aerial view of the Monks Garden shows the historic building on the left, the curved brick wall at the top right, and garden filling the space between.
You can enter the garden either through the historic building’s Chinese Loggia, where plants are pressing up against the glass walls, or you can emerge from the contemporary glass connector, which links the old building with the new. There, the garden has a softer edge, welcoming visitors in gradually. Curvy walkways made of dark clay with specks of shimmery mica schist expand the space by creating numerous pathways and vantages, and the fullness, achieved from ferns, wild ginger, daylilies, Hellebore, Japansese Stewartia, gray birch trees, and red and white camellias, juxtaposes with the openness of the museum’s central indoor courtyard. No bricks were cut for the project — an interesting detail that achieves an organic quality around the path’s edges.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Felicella, 2013.
Shimmery mica schist gives the clay bricks sparkle.
Historical photos of the Monks Garden are on the museum’s website, and the history is interesting to follow. Gardner’s initial design was, not surprisingly, Italianate, with tall trees planted in rows. Within a few years, she enhanced the garden with a pergola covered in vines. After her death, museum director Morris Carter added more shrubs and a rock garden, but when Roland van N. Hadley became director in 1970, he hired Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Massachusetts, to re-grade the garden and plant new trees, shrubs, and ground covers along a bluestone path. That was how the garden looked until the museum briefly closed to prepare for the opening of the new wing in 2012. Now, we’ve got Van Valkenburgh’s interpretation of Gardner’s vision to enjoy.
{ story.summary|safe|escape }
Port Augusta Secondary School has been the focus of Adelaide University students’ course projects for the past month.
Thirty-two University of Adelaide students travelled to Port Augusta last Thursday as part of their fourth year Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture curriculum.
Students created PASS redevelopment concepts with the aim of addressing various issues within the schools’ design.
PASS staff and students had the opportunity to view these projects at a community consultation last Thursday.
Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at University of Adelaide, Dr Susan Shannon, was proud of her students’ designs.
Four weeks ago, students spent two days in Port Augusta consulting with PASS staff, students and the wider community in an effort to find what it would take for PASS to become further engaged with the community and students.
University students were also required to transform the school into a 21st century learning environment.
Designs were cost effective and various ideas included putting a partial transparency roof over the school to provide more shade in warmer months yet still providing sunlight, as well as redeveloping the areas visible from Victoria Highway.
The idea of inviting Adelaide University students to redevelop the school stemmed from the presence of an Adelaide University site in Port Augusta.
PASS Principal Paul Billows is positive about the connection students are making with the university.
“The architectural brief is broader than just landscaping, it’s about community, function and culture, so the students have really been trying to get a sense of Port Augusta and the school and building that into some of the designs, its very clever,” Mr Billows said.
The current architectural designs will be refined further after students receive feedback from the school and community.
Kurt Goering (left) and Dan Williams are the two candidates seeking the two-year at-large position on the Monroe City Council
By Polly Keary, Editor
With one month left to campaign, candidates are in full election mode, visiting forums, knocking on doors and sending mailers out by the thousand.
Running for one of three contested seats on the Monroe City Council are Kurt Goering and Dan Williams, who are running for the two-year, at-large position.
Kurt Goering, 44, has served almost six years on the council already. Because there is an eight-year term limit on council members, he can only serve two more. That is why, instead of running to keep the seat he already holds, he filed to seek the at-large position currently held by Kevin Hanford, who is now running for a four-year seat.
Goering has lived in Monroe with his family since 1998, holds a bachelor’s degree in geography and social science and did graduate work in geographic system and urban planning at the University of Washington. Professionally, he has worked for 22 years in the private sector, in cartography, business management, software and system design at ATT and Microsoft.
His opponent, Dan Williams, is new to city politics. He has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State in finance, and is an Army veteran. He recently retired as a commercial airline pilot.
Kurt Goering
1. How would you describe the job of the city council in Monroe, and what is the job of the city council person within that larger role?
I believe the overall role of the city council is to represent the city residents in the city’s business, enact legislation for the mayor and city staff to enforce, provide a city budget that is balanced both on paper and in reality, cast vision for the future and look out for the city’s best interests.
I believe it is the responsibility of each individual council member to understand how our city government works, to always be approachable, to listen and act on citizen concerns, be well-prepared for the business at hand and always have a vision for the future of the city in mind.
2. In what ways is Monroe doing well, and in what ways could the city improve?
The city’s success from focusing on economic development is a bright spot in an otherwise poor economy. The positive results from hiring an Economic Development Manager are undeniable and quite literally “in the bank.” Thanks to an unwavering focus on making Monroe an attractive place to do business, we now have new businesses, new employment opportunities, funded reserves and are millions of dollars less in debt, all without raising property taxes. Additionally, the customer service culture at City Hall is vastly improved.
Now that the city is on firm financial standing, an improved focus is needed on finding funding for the city’s list of transportation improvements.
3. What is the single most critical issue that you wish to tackle on the council?
I believe providing for the city’s future through economic sustainability is the most critical issue the city faces. When our city’s economy is healthy and thriving, everyone benefits. As Monroe becomes more business friendly, a financial gain for the city is realized, and the burden of government is lessened on the residents. The city has spent the last four years getting out of the financial mess from the previous administration and did it without raising taxes. Enacting policies that ensure Monroe is an attractive place for businesses to locate, for housing to be built and for families to live creates economic stability and sustainability.
4. How can Monroe go about attracting the kinds of businesses that citizens want (bowling alley, alternative grocery store like Trader Joe’s, etc.) and that could encourage other businesses and people to move here?
Solving this problem is why the council created the role of the Economic Development Manager. We’ve seen success so far attracting new development and businesses that also create jobs, such as Natural Factors in the Fryelands Industrial Park. Making sure the city has as much available commercially-developable land as possible is key to making potential investors take notice. The council’s role is to create policies that help Monroe promote itself, be marketable and attractive. I’ve personally reached out to Trader Joe’s a number of times. Some businesses will simply choose to locate elsewhere.
5. Are our mitigation fees too high or too low? Does development pay its share of costs, or do our fees keep developers out?
From an overall standpoint, each mitigation fee the city charges needs to be evaluated (school, traffic, etc.). I don’t believe that we should be afraid to raise or lower fees, whichever fee it may be, to make Monroe as attractive as possible for new businesses and housing. The city needs to be agile and be able to adjust to changing markets to stay viable and attractive. We’re competing with many other cities for new businesses, housing and capital investment. Ultimately the market will determine whether the city’s fees are too high or not. We should not be afraid to respond to changing markets.
6. What are ways the city can help facilitate a healthy business district in the downtown?
I believe that the Federal EB-5 program is a very viable vehicle through which to attract capital investment dollars and related jobs for downtown Monroe. This program is designed to stimulate economic activity and job growth. The city has looked into this program previously as part of a potential public-private partnership for re-development and enhancement of First Air Field. I believe that Monroe could make a case for marketing itself as a potential EB-5 Regional Center, attracting investment, with the added bonus of implementing the Downtown Master Plan.
7. As the economy improves, and with Walmart coming in, it is likely that the city will start to get a little more revenue in coming months. A lot of cutbacks were made through the recession; where should Monroe direct new revenue first?
With Monroe finally back-on-track financially, the city must remain economically viable. The failed policies of the past must not be repeated. After the city’s current services and reserves are funded, I believe the wisest course of action is to pay off the remaining debt from North Kelsey, to fully fund the Police Department and fund the city’s list of traffic improvements. I have met a number of residents who have been a victim of a recent crime. They appreciate our Police Department and want to ensure they have the tools they need to protect our community. We also need better East-West road connections through town. Taking care of these items can positively affect the city’s bottom line.
8. What would you like Monroe citizens to know about you?
I am truly honored to serve as a city council member. My family is proud to call Monroe home since 1998. We love this town! From worship to shopping to community service – we do it all here. We’re advocates for local activities, businesses and special-needs children. What matters in this election is a record of proven leadership, common-sense decision-making and a dedication to fiscal responsibility, which is what I offer as a council member. Monroe needs approachable leaders with vision, who are willing to make tough decisions to improve our quality of life. I am that leader. I would be honored to serve Monroe in this way again.
Dan Williams
1. How would you describe the job of the city council in Monroe, and what is the job of the city council person within that larger role?
The number one job of the city council is to uphold the ordinances of the city of Monroe using the powers of the council which are set out in RCW34A.11.020, and listed on the city website. Also, the council needs to be receptive to the ideas and opinions of our citizens. Each council member should make sure that the citizens have a chance to be heard, and that their concerns are given consideration.
2. In what ways is Monroe doing well, and in what ways could the city improve?
Monroe has so much potential that is not being realized by the current council. We can improve so much by listening to our citizens.
3. What is the single most critical issue that you wish to tackle on the council?
The most critical issue in this city is alienating of our citizens. As council members we need to bridge the gap, and create an atmosphere that makes each citizen feel part of our government.
4. How can Monroe go about attracting the kinds of businesses that citizens want (bowling alley, alternative grocery store like Trader Joe’s, etc.) and that could encourage other businesses and people to move here?
Monroe has had a visioning process where citizens and the government set out guidelines for the type of business and development which were clearly set. These guidelines should be enhanced and then followed. Businesses like to know they can depend on ordinances to be upheld so they have a clear vision of the type of community they are investing in.
5. Are our mitigation fees too high or too low? Does development pay its share of costs, or do our fees keep developers out?
Our mitigation fees must be constantly monitored to ensure that development pays its fair share so that costs do not fall upon the taxpayers of Monroe.
6. What are ways the city can help facilitate a healthy business district in the downtown?
The city can facilitate a healthy business district in our downtown by working with property owners and businesses to enhance the area, and make it a vibrant destination. The current council has allowed Walmart to come into the city, which has the potential to damage some of our existing businesses. Council should consider dedicating some tax dollars generated by Walmart to enhance our downtown area with landscaping and parking. This will allow us to add back to the community by giving our small business owners a better chance to compete.
7. As the economy improves, and with Walmart coming in, it is likely that the city will start to get a little more revenue in coming months. A lot of cutbacks were made through the recession; where should Monroe direct new revenue first?
All of our city departments including the police and fire departments must be reviewed to be sure they have the budgets and the personnel they need to provide our citizens with service.
8. What would you like Monroe citizens to know about you?
I would like the citizens of Monroe to know that I have their best interests at heart. I have no connection to special interest groups, and am not a “polished” politician. I have frequently attended our city council meetings, and know we can do better. I hope people will contact me; I promise that if I am elected they will have a voice on city council.
Photos
Earth Day 2013
Download HiRes
Energy Action Month focuses on Airmen’s role in sustaining an assured energy advantage
Posted 10/1/2013 Updated 10/1/2013
Email story
Print story
by Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
10/1/2013 – JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — October, Energy Action Month, provides an opportunity for Airmen to learn more about the impact of energy to the Air Force’s mission as part of a national campaign led by the Department of Energy.
The theme for 2013, “I am Air Force Energy,” puts the Airman at the center of the campaign. The goal is to inspire the total force to be more efficient so they can give the Air Force an assured energy advantage in air, space, and cyberspace.
Beginning this month, the Air Force will highlight specific steps Airmen can take in their jobs to be more energy aware. More efficient flight descent procedures, new ways of loading cargo and vehicle idle time reduction are just a few of the ways Airmen can help the Air Force achieve its energy goals and maximize its energy advantage to support the mission.
Base EAM Champions have planned activities during the month to highlight energy awareness. These efforts will share best practices and celebrate the innovative ideas and accomplishments of Airmen at all levels across the country and around the world who have reduced energy and water use and saved money.
“In fiscal 2012, the Air Force saved more than $1.5 billion through smarter buildings, new technologies, and more efficient flight operations,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning. “The smart use of energy means flying our aircraft farther, transporting more cargo, and accomplishing our mission in a more efficient and effective way.”
Despite the savings, the Air Force spent $9.2 billion on energy in fiscal 2012.
“Every gallon of fuel and watt of electricity we save allows us to have more resources to meet other Air Force priorities,” said Kathleen Ferguson, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics.
Hundreds of Airmen have gone above and beyond to help increase our energy security.
Energy Manager David Morin led an energy program at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, that collected and analyzed energy use data to increase energy efficiency and implemented xeriscopic landscaping wherever possible. Through these efforts, Morin helped reduce base energy consumption by 27 percent, water by 24 percent and overall utility bills in fiscal 2012 by $1.9 million.
Kelly Jaramillo, U.S. Air Forces Europe Energy Manager, oversaw an energy program that included 46 projects that are estimated to save more than $5.5 million a year. She also implemented an energy awareness campaign that engaged the residents in Military Family Housing and helped them reduce energy consumption 25 percent and natural gas 17 percent.
The Seymour Johnson AFB Support Center earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating by consolidating five functional organizations into a single facility which cut energy consumption 60 percent and costs 50 percent. The building utilizes a high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow HVAC system, centrally maintained temperature set points, and low-flow plumbing. These features helped the base reduce potable water use 50 percent, and save 2,862 MMBTUs and $55,000.
The 22nd Operations Group Fuel Efficiency Office at McConnell AFB, Kan., designed and implemented measures to reduce and eliminate inefficiency in the fuel management of the KC-135. These measures included reducing KC-135 landing fuel, changing the KC-135 standard landing configuration, incorporating fuel efficiency software to inform flight speed, routing, and altitude, pioneering a new training configuration which reduced aircraft basic weight, air maximizing simulator usage, and training 400 aircrew on the importance of fuel management. These efforts saved the Air Force $4.3 million, even though sorties increased 42 percent.
All of these success stories highlight how Airmen have taken organic ideas and used them to affect the entire Air Force. During this month all Airmen are encouraged to really focus on energy conservation and how they can do their part to give the Air Force an assured energy advantage.
The Destin Garden Club is an interesting and exciting group of women interested in gardens, luncheons, plant swapping and keeping the gardens at The Destin Library green and gorgeous. President Carol Boden presides and members come from all over Okaloosa County and neighboring areas. The club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month except July and August at The Destin Library at 9:30 a.m. Dues for 2013 are $35. New members joining October through December will have their membership dues covered all the way through 2014.
Entering the library, I find a beautiful table set to my left that carries enough food for Pharoah’s army. I wonder if they do this all the time. I find shrimp, fresh watermelon pieces, strawberries and blueberries and brownies — and much more. Member, Carol Tyler, has created a stunning tiered centerpiece using fresh potted flowers.
In the large meeting room of the library, I find two tables set up. At the first table members sign in and receive a free ticket in the hopes of winning one of the beautiful crates of fall mums donated by Home Depot and Lowes. The second table is a 50/50 table, a fundraiser, where all purchased tickets go into a pot. Tickets cost $1 each or $5 for ten. A winning ticket is drawn and the winner receives 50 percent of the pot and the club gets the remaining 50 percent to help toward new landscaping for the library.
September’s program is a PowerPoint presentation by Okaloosa Master Gardener Karen Kirk-Williams. Her presentation highlights plant recommendations to create beautiful fall color in our own Destin gardens.
Some of her recommendations for our area include alyssum, flowering kale, “red butterfly” pentas and Mexican tarragon, which is anise scented with edible flowers. Fennel and parsley will be enjoyed by the swallowtail butterflies as they pass through town. Pineapple sage has edible pineapple scented blooms and leaves, and our ever durable pansies and violas will last through all the cold winter months.
“The cool weather that is coming provides a good time to plant for next year as it gives your new plants and trees time to concentrate their energy on growing roots rather than top growth,” Karen says.
Plant now for next year the Cape Plumbago, which likes full to part sun and has a long blooming season that extends close to year round. You can also plant narcissus and daffodils now for a show in the early spring of 2014. Recommended daffodils that do well in the Florida Panhandle are Carlton, Fortune, Thalia and Silver Chimes.
Plans are already underway for The Island Garden Club of Okaloosa Island and The Destin Garden Club to join together for a bus trip to the Mobile 2014 Festival of Flowers. This is a March horticultural extravaganza acknowledged as the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast. This event is one you don’t want to miss.
For more information on the Destin Garden Club, call Carol Boden at 424-3979
