The Neighborhood Gardener – January

Plumeria

Happy New Year!

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And the Winner is...

Luke ConnorCongratulations to the 2015 Outstanding Master Gardener, Luke Connor of Marion County. In only six years of service, Luke has already volunteered nearly 1,000 hours, served in multiple leadership roles, and even taught agriculture to soldiers in the U.S. Army Reserve. Learn more about Luke.


Wendy's Wanderings

Wendy WilberThis is the month that we resolve to make changes in our lives for the better. For a happier and healthier 2016, why not make some landscaping and gardening resolutions? I always look for some easy things to quickly mark off my list, so for my first "Wanderings" column of 2016, I thought I might share a few simple landscaping resolutions. More


Suet is for the Birds

Premade suet with wire cageSuet cakes are a great source of high-energy animal fat and protein for the birds in your landscape. While they're widely available for purchase and not that expensive, making your own allows you to customize the flavors and have some fun in the process. More


Crazy For Cabbage

cabbage Get your new year gardening off to a healthy and productive start by planting a little cabbage this January. A member of the Brasicaeae family, cabbage is related to broccoli, collards, and Brussels sprouts. These winter veggies thrive in the cold; in fact, they require cool temperatures in order to grow. Cabbage can be eaten raw in cole slaw, pickled in sauerkraut, or cooked into a variety of dishes. Plus it's high in vitamins, particularly vitamin C. More


Plant of the Month: Camellias

pink camelliaCamellias flower in the fall and winter when their display of colorful blooms is most appreciated. During the remainder of the year, their evergreen foliage and relatively slow growth make camellias excellent landscape plants. Many Florida gardeners aren't aware of the sheer number of camellia varieties available. Most camellias will perform best if you plant them in a sheltered location where they receive partial shade, in a well-drained, preferably acidic soil. Any pruning should be done before late summer when the flower buds form. More


January in Your Garden

woman planting a treeFlorida observes Arbor Day on the third Friday of January. To celebrate, plant a tree in your yard or community. Consider a hurricane resistant tree such as live oak, bald cypress, cabbage palm, or crapemyrtle.

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.


Winter Interest: Bark Appeal

the bark of a river birch treeIt can be a challenge to add interest to your landscape for winter. Choosing trees that have unusual or interesting bark can bring dashes of texture and even color to your landscape during the less spectacular gardening months. More


What's Going On?

If your Master Gardener program or Extension office is having an event, be sure to share it with us.