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The Neighborhood Gardener – October

Master Gardener volunteers,

There's still time to register for the 34th State Master Gardener Conference, October 18-21 in Kissimmee. Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear our keynote speaker, photographer John Moran, or attend some of the 24 concurrent educational sessions.

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Cut Flowers for Cool Weather

DianthusWhile thinking about all the yummy veggies you can grow and harvest in the fall, don't forget about flowers! While most won't be destined for your plate (although the pansies could be), flowers can still be harvested—for vases around your home. Bring some floral autumnal fun indoors with cool season bedding plants like dianthus (pictured), calendula, and more.

Wendy's Wanderings

Wendy WilberThis month we're reporting on the Oriental fruit fly and the state of emergency associated with the insect in South Florida. You may think, "This doesn't impact my garden or my landscape personally, so why should I care?" But as Floridians I think we should always care when there is a threat to our agriculture industry and our Florida farmers. More

El Niño

Map of southeastern US showing El Nino rainy patternYou may have heard that El Niño is back in the tropical Pacific Ocean, but what does that mean for your garden? El Niño events bring Florida a cooler and wetter winter, meaning you may find yourself dealing with more fungal diseases on plants, increased nutrient loss in the garden, and changes in the production of deciduous fruits, among other things. More

Plant of the Month: Chrysanthemums

Yellow mumsWhile the leaves of most Florida trees won't give us those traditional autumnal colors, we can still paint our landscape with the colors of fall. Chrysanthemums, or mums, are easy to grow and come in a range of warm, welcoming hues. When buying potted mums, look for healthy, well-shaped plants with many flower buds. These perennials are cold hardy and prefer full sun, but can also thrive with just morning or afternoon sun. More

October in Your Garden

October is a great time to be planting in the vegetable garden. Many herbs and vegetables thrive during Florida's mild winter. What better way to know what to plant this and every month than with a handy-dandy infographic. See what vegetables to plant, broken down by area of the state.

For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida's gardening regions—North, Central, and South.

Friend or Foe? Foe: Oriental Fruit Fly

Oriental fruit flyThe Oriental fruit fly infestation in Miami-Dade County has become a problem warranting the declaration of a state of agricultural emergency. While this may not directly impact your home garden at the moment, an infestation here in Florida could be devastating. Read more about the Oriental fruit fly and what is being done to keep this aggressive pest in check by visiting Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Beautyberry

Success Stories

  • We're looking for inspiring, Florida-Friendly success stories from your county. Submit yours today to Wendy Wilber.

Other Resources

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