The Laker/Lutz News

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension

Attention gardeners: Pasco Extension has a plot for you

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The UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension is offering free garden plots and opportunities to grow your skills at community gardens in Dade City, Land O’ Lakes, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Shady Hills.

You can create your own garden bounty, with a free community garden plot offered through the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension. (Courtesy of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension)

Pasco Extension pairs applicants for the free plots with the appropriate garden locations.

A new Wesley Chapel location also will be opening soon.

A community garden plot offers the opportunity to:

  • Grow and harvest your own food
  • Work with compost
  • Gain gardening experience in classes and seminars that are offered on site
  • Learn from experts

Plots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For East Side Community Gardens, call 352-521-1255, or email .

For West Side Community Gardens, call 813-996-2411, ext. 2458,  or email .

The Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, educational programs in environmental horticulture; sustainable agriculture; 4-H and youth development; and, family and consumer sciences.

To find out more, including how to volunteer, call 352-518-0156, or visit bit.ly/2I7gTs5.

Published September 15, 2021

Meat: It’s what’s on the menu for Father’s Day

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Father’s Day and grilling go hand-in-hand.

Dad may even get some grilling-related gifts that he’ll put to use right away to prepare the Father’s Day meal.

But, like so many other aspects of society, the pandemic has been hard on the beef industry, and meat, in general.

Traditional kabobs can make a nice Father’s Day dinner. The kids can help prepare the meal by chopping up the veggies, and the steak, depending on their ages. (Tip: Eight 12-inch bamboo skewers may be substituted for metal skewers. Soak bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes before using; drain.) (Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com)

So, I turned to my coworker, Laura Bennett, to ask her for some specifics.

Laura is the livestock agent for the University of Florida/Pasco County Extension, as well as the livestock agent for Sumter and Hernando counties.

I asked her what is going on with the beef shortages and prices, and this is what she told me: “Over the past weeks, many people have been concerned about our beef supply chain, and about all meats, including pork and chicken, for that matter,” Laura said.

She also pointed to an article in Feedstuffs Magazine, by Darrell Peel, a livestock marketing specialist for Oklahoma State University.

That article says the beef markets appear to be moving beyond the worst of the disruptions.

This is great news for consumers and producers of beef alike.

So, what was the problem in the first place?

When restaurants were forced to close their dining rooms in March, they experienced a swift and sharp reduction in business. At the same time, demand increased drastically at the grocery store because people were staying home to eat.

The shift created a bottleneck in the supply chain and disrupted the flow of product to retail markets.

Then, in early April, several beef processing plants had to close because of workers coming down with COVID-19 infections.

For four consecutive weeks, cattle processing was down nearly 35% compared to the same period last year.

Since then, beef processing has rebounded quite well, and for the week ending May 30, beef production coming out of the processing plants is down just 7.6% compared to the same week last year.

So, why were prices affected?

Let’s take a look at “boxed beef” to understand the impacts.

“Boxed beef” describes how 90% of beef is shipped to retail outlets.

Boxed beef refers to wholesale cuts of beef — such as beef rib, beef loin — packaged into vacuum pouches and then placed into a box for shipping.

Vacuum packaging is typically accomplished using a bag that has very low moisture and oxygen transmission rates.

The air is removed from the package via a vacuum chamber and the package is heat sealed.

With the elimination of oxygen, the growth of typical spoilage organisms is significantly reduced, thereby extending product shelf-life.

The shelf-life of vacuum-packaged, fresh beef is approximately 35 days to 45 days.

Early in 2020, boxed beef quality graded as “choice” was bringing $2.10 a pound.

In mid-May, the price more than doubled to $4.60 a pound.

Individual cuts of beef have had a wild ride of their own.

As you would imagine, the middle cuts — cuts from the loin that include our steaks — have been in lower demand because most go to food service/restaurants.

Let’s take a look at Choice wholesale beef tenderloin, which is filet mignon.

It was selling at $9.70 a pound early 2020, but dropped to a weekly low $5.33 a pound, in early April, when restaurant demand essentially stopped.

Once supply was shortened by processing plant closures, it hit a mid-May peak of $12.38 a pound.

You also may have noticed how hard it is to find hamburger in the grocery store.

That’s because many of us find hamburger easier to use and cook at home, thus raising demand for it once people significantly reduced eating out at restaurants.

The “chuck roll” is a wholesale cut that a good deal of hamburger comes from.

The price of chuck rolls had a pre-COVID-19 average near $2.66 a pound.

As you might expect, its price peaked in early May at $6.28 a pound, before dropping back to $4.66 a pound at the end of May.

Derrell Peel concluded his article this way: “hopefully beef product markets are settling back into a much more stable situation and with typical product price relationships re-established.”

That’s great news, as we enter grilling season.

For more information about the USDA Quality and Yield Grading system, contact Laura Bennett, UF/IFAS Multi-County Livestock Extension Agent at .

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

The website, BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, has loads of recipes, including this one for kabobs.

Classic Beef Kabobs

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef Top Sirloin Boneless Steak cut 1-inch thick
  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 1 medium red, yellow, or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  • Cut beef Top Sirloin Boneless steak into 1-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in large bowl. Add beef, mushrooms, bell pepper pieces and onion pieces; toss to coat.
  • Alternately thread beef and vegetable pieces evenly onto eight 12-inch metal skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces.
  • Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill kabobs, covered, 8 minutes to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 minutes to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Season kabobs with salt, as desired.

Published June 17, 2020

It’s fall — that perfect time to enjoy squash

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Pumpkins seems to get all of the attention each Autumn.

Pumpkin spice lattes. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin pies. Jack-o’-lanterns.

But, remember, pumpkins are just one kind of winter squash.

(Courtesy of Shari Bresin)

You can also find many other varieties of winter squash in your garden or at your grocery store.

There’s butternut squash, acorn squash, delicata, spaghetti squash and others.

So, what are the characteristics of a summer squash versus a winter squash, besides the obvious fact that they are harvested at different times of the year?

As the website Harvest to Table explains, the winter squash has a hard outer shell and firm flesh — prolonging its storage life, so it can last throughout the winter.

Winter squash is best enjoyed roasted, stewed or baked.

Meanwhile, the summer squash, such as the well-known zucchini and yellow squash, has a soft skin and moist flesh and can be eaten raw, steamed or sautéed. They won’t hold up as long and should be eaten within a few days.

While the hard skin of the winter squash allows it to endure the cold, it makes it hard to cut.

So, here’s a tip: Microwave the squash first, to make it easier to slice in half, or peel.

First, wash the squash’s skin and dry it. Then, use a knife to carefully make a few slits down the middle of the squash, where you plan to cut it in half. Then, use a fork to poke some holes throughout to allow steam to escape.

Then microwave for about 5 minutes.

You’ll still need to put a little muscle into it, but it will help.

Winter squash is more than just a comfort food.

It is high in carotenoids, protein, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and the minerals magnesium and potassium, so enjoy the different types all throughout the season to reap the health benefits.

With the different types of winter squash and the different ways to cook it, you should have plenty of variety to enjoy throughout the season.

As a bonus, enjoy the seeds!

I admit, I didn’t think much of squash seeds.

When carving a pumpkin for Halloween, I always saved the seeds and then roasted them, but for some reason, I always discarded squash seeds up until recently, when I realized I was throwing away a perfectly good protein-filled snack.

They are smaller than pumpkin seeds and don’t need as long to roast (about 15-20 minutes baked at 275°, or until they start to “pop”).

And, get creative with them:

In a bowl, coat the seeds with a tablespoon of olive oil and, instead of salt, try ½ teaspoon of spices, such as red pepper flakes, cinnamon, or garlic powder.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Here is a butternut squash soup recipe I’ve made that came from cooksmarts.com (https://www.cooksmarts.com/articles/butternut-squash-with-white-bean-soup/):

Butternut Squash with White Bean Soup
Serves: 6 (as a side), 3 (as a main)

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash, chopped
  • 1 medium to large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 to 3 thyme sprigs, leaves removed
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 to 3 sage leaves
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can white beans, drained
  • 1 quart broth (veggie or chicken) or water
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • Maple syrup, to taste (optional)
  • Creme fraiche or sour cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then add the oil and then garlic.
  • Add the chopped onion, sage, and thyme leaves.
  • Sauté for about 3 minutes, tossing with a heat-safe spatula or wooden spoon a few times.
  • Add the butternut squash and drained beans, and pour enough stock /water to cover all the ingredients.
  • Cover pot with its lid and bring to a boil.
  • Once the soup boils, keep the lid on and lower heat to a simmer, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove the pot from the stove and let the soup cool down, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
  • Then place the immersion blender in the soup, tilt at about a 10 degree angle, and puree at a medium setting.
  • Season to taste with nutmeg and maple syrup for a bit of sweetness.
  • Ladle into bowls and swirl in a spoonful of creme fraiche.

Note: I also added kale (added last, not pureed) to give it more color.

Published October 30, 2019

Extension office kicks off wellness program

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Start stepping toward a healthier future with UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, which is now offering a 12-week walking program called Let’s Walk Florida.

The program is designed to encourage community members to team up in pursuit of a lifelong walking habit.

Avid walkers Christa Lusk, left, and her husband, Roy Gilmore, take an evening stroll through their Land O’ Lakes neighborhood. (Christine Holtzman)

Anyone can participate in the program aimed at promoting physical wellness.

Walking reduces the risk of heart disease and some cancers, improves blood pressure, blood sugar levels, energy, mood and more.

Walkers can choose from health, fitness and performance tracks.

And, participants can work toward goals at their own time and pace, reporting their results to the Pasco County Extension Office.

Registration for the program is $10 per person, and all ages are welcome.

Participants can sign up as teams or individually, or request to be assigned to a team.

The first 50 registrants will receive a pedometer and water bottle.

UF/IFAS will host a Let’s Walk Florida Kickoff Event on July 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

To register and reserve your spot by July 28, visit bit.ly/LetsWalkFL.

Published July 17, 2019

Celebrate Earth Day in the garden: Reduce, reuse and recycle

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Rain barrels, compost and using organic matter for mulch are some excellent ways to go green in the garden.

But, there also are endless ways to upcycle outdoors to attract wildlife, while reducing, reusing, and recycling more nontraditional items into creative and fun, and practical items.

As Earth Day 2019 approaches, which is officially on April 22, consider using those old nylons to tie up newly planted trees or stake a tomato plant.

Egg cartons are great for growing transplants. (Courtesy of the University of Florida)

A milk jug with multiple holes poked in the lid makes an excellent watering can for gently sprinkling flower pots.

You can also cut a milk jug in half and use the bottom half as a planter for seeds (just cut a few slits in the bottom for drainage) and the top half as a soil scoop with a built-in handle.

Have some old mini-blinds that you just can’t bring yourself to throw out? Cut the slats into 6-inch strips and use them for plant labels in the garden.

Plastic or foam drinking cups make great seed starters (again cut a few slits in the bottom for drainage), as do fabric shopping bags, which look beautiful hanging on a porch or along a wall with trailing flowers flowing out and over the top.

Or, you can take paper towel or toilet paper tubes, partially roll them in a few sheets of newspaper and fold over the bottom, slip out the tube and voila! You have instant biodegradable seed-starting containers that you can plant directly into the garden without having to remove the seedling.

Old newspapers and cardboard boxes make outstanding weed blockers. Simply layer them over weedy spots in the garden and overlap them slightly to block the sun from reaching the ground, top them with some soil or mulch to hold them in place, and you’ll have months of excellent weed control. Just avoid the glossy or waxy paper products, as they might leach things into the environment that don’t belong.

Egg cartons are great for growing transplants. And, for a splash of color and whimsy, old wine bottles can be partially buried upside down, one after the next, along paths and flower beds to make beautiful borders that will add an enchanting decorative touch with many colors and heights.

Got an old mailbox? Don’t throw it out. Remove the door and add a block of wood to seal the opening. Cut a central hole cut out of the block for birds to enter and exit. No need to add strings or nesting material as these can be harmful to wildlife. The birds will do the heavy lifting on move-in day to build their nests inside.

Or, remove the mailbox door and add dozens of various widths of bamboo shoots to create a bee abode. More pollinators mean more flowers and fruits in your garden, and a healthier environment.

Plastic drink bottles can be turned into mini-greenhouses by simply removing the bottom and using the top half as a cover to protect tender seedlings from cold, with the bottom becoming a planter.

Old glass plates or chinaware make pretty “puddlers” for butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators needing to rest and drink from shallow water. Even an old boot can make a great garden planter that will surely get some attention.

Most anything that seems like it has lived out its useful life can be helpful in the garden.

Place old dryer sheets or the lint from the dryer lint trap in the bottom of a pot to prevent soil from flowing out of the bottom of the pot.

Old T-shirts work well for this, too.

Not listening to those old CDs anymore? String them together and use them to harmlessly ward off birds from using your garden as a buffet.

Find an old wooden pallet or gutter? These can easily be turned into great planters for shallow rooted plants, such as strawberries or ornamentals such as petunias.

Lean a pallet up against a tree or barn and let the plants flow down like a trellis. Beautiful and functional!

Arrange three or four pallets, turned on end and tied together to form a square and you have a compost bin.

The possibilities are endless.

Going green is easy, cheap and environmentally beneficial for us all.

Upcycling household items to something with a useful, new life can be rewarding and fun. Let the creative juices flow, get the kids or grandkids involved and make a difference this Earth Day.

By Whitney C. Elmore and Emily Carter

Dr. Whitney Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III. Emily Carter is an intern from the University of Florida.

Published April 17, 2019

Caladiums offer a kaleidoscope of color

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If you’re looking for a plant that brings color and interest to the landscape, consider adding some caladiums to your yard.

Caladiums produce vibrant colors and stunning patterns on their leaves, which attract attention.

They are tropical foliage plants that thrive in shady nooks and crannies making them easy to grow in Florida’s hot, humid weather.

Selecting a color may be the most difficult thing about growing caladiums — since planting is simple and maintenance minimal.
(Courtesy of University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)

Caladiums look great as landscape plants, but also stand out in pots and containers.

Perhaps best of all: Caladiums offer beautiful color displays from summer to fall and again in the spring.

There are dozens of cultivars to choose from. Some have large, heart-shaped leaves, while others have long, narrow leaves reminiscent of an arrow.

The color kaleidoscope ranges from shades of green to red, purple, pinks, white, and variegated mixes of multiple colors.

Leaves average from 6 inches to 12 inches in height, and they grow fast, reaching mature size in just one season.

Selecting a color may be the most difficult thing about growing caladiums — since planting is simple and maintenance is minimal.

Caladiums grow from underground tubers, and you can purchase them already having stems or without.

The tubers are “knobby” with “eyes” much like a potato.

When planting, place that knobby side up, with at least 2 inches between each tuber. Plant them no more than 2 inches deep.

Plant the tubers when the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, as tubers will not do well in cooler soils.

Caladiums like a lot of moisture; they do not like saturated or dry soil.

Remember, these are tropical plants, so they’ll need to be watered frequently to keep them moist.

Mulching around the plant helps lock in moisture and makes the area more appealing as well, but it’s not required.

When they die back in the winter, simply cut away the stems and wait for their return in spring.

Some caladiums have been bred to tolerate direct sun, but morning sun is best with shade for the rest of the day. This makes them a perfect addition under the beautiful oaks where sunlight is limited.

Growing caladiums in shade helps the leaves to be more vibrant in color when compared to full sun, too.

Fertilize caladiums with a soluble fertilizer, based on label directions, but be sure you fertilize the soil and avoid the leaves, as the fertilizer can burn the delicate leaves.

Shade gardening with caladiums is a simple and fun way to add color with a dramatic impact to your landscape.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published April 18, 2018

Rallying ’round the blueberry bushes

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Hurricane Irma blew across the landscape, uprooting and toppling about 100,000 blueberry bushes at Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside Dade City.

Pasco High senior ​Matt​ ​Gregory, 17,​ took a break and used a cane stake to stretch out his back.​ ​Gregory​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​Nathalie Sawczuk, 17,​ ​​(obscured​ ​by​ ​plant)​ were​ ​among​ ​students​ ​who​ ​volunteered​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm. (Fred Bellet)

In Irma’s aftermath, the farm’s general manager, Leonard Park, knew he had a narrow window to salvage as many of the plants as possible. He also knew he didn’t have enough labor to make that happen.

An unexpected phone call from Whitney Elmore offered some hope.

Elmore is the chief executive director of the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension, in Dade City.

“She wanted to know if she could send some volunteers to help,” said Park. “I thought she meant a van with maybe 20 people.”

Elmore had bigger ideas, and put social media to work.

“This went viral,” said Elmore. “It’s been all over Facebook and Twitter.”

Pasco County, the University of Florida and the extension service worked as a team to put out the word.

Land​ ​O’​ ​Lakes​ ​resident​ ​Tom​ ​Stewart​ ​staked​ ​fallen​ ​blueberry plants​.​ ​Stewart​ ​said​ ​he​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​event​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm on​ ​​Facebook.

On a hot, Saturday morning, about 200 volunteers drove their cars and trucks down a narrow dirt lane, off St. Joe Road, to put in a day’s work and save the blueberries.

Volunteers focused on about 23 acres of the approximately 145-acre farm. That is where the youngest blueberry plants had either been uprooted or knocked down.

Farm employees were able to put their attentions on more mature plants elsewhere.

The turnout caught Park by surprise.

“It’s heartwarming. This is a tremendous benefit to us,” he said. “This (the young plants) is the future. We’re going to keep on, keeping on.”

It was all for a good cause, said Elmore.

Frogmore Fresh Farm benefits the county’s economy. The Sigety family, which owns the farm, does charitable work in Pasco, donating to food banks and providing internships to local students, Elmore said.

University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​Carlos​ ​Zambrano​, right, ​and​ ​Dario​ ​Racano,​ both​ ​of​ ​Gainesville,​ staked​ ​young​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​at Frogmore​ ​Fresh Farm.

“It’s about being part of the community and making it better for everyone,” she said.

About 50 students and faculty members came from UF. Two sororities also sent volunteers.

“People have driven two hours basically on a call from social media, which is really interesting,” said Kevin Folta, UF professor and chairman of the university’s horticultural sciences department.

“But, this is what we’re supposed to do as a land grant institute. It fits our mission well.”

Frogmore’s blueberries are hybrids developed through UF research. Folta said the plants produce fruit after the harvests in other countries, such as Chile.

It opens markets for Florida blueberries that might not be available, he said.

Linda​ ​Dao,​ ​a​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​senior​ ​biology​ ​major,​ ​worked to​ ​fix damaged​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​fell​ ​over​ ​from​ ​the​ ​force​ ​of​ Hurricane Irma’s wind.

They are rooted in wood chip beds and hydrated with an irrigation system, sort of as a “big, crazy hydroponic garden,” Folta said.

“None of this would happen naturally,” he said. “It’s a system that works and brings millions of dollars to the state of Florida. Blueberry acreage is exploding.”

Elmore said Florida produces about 20 million pounds of blueberries annually, with a value of about $82 million to $100 million.

UF wasn’t alone in rounding up students to help.

Another 50 or so volunteers were from Pasco High School’s science club and student body council. There also were students from Saint Leo University, local residents, and church members.

The Salvation Army provided bottled water.

Margarita Roma, local migrant activist and executive director of Farmers Self-Help Inc., came with about 10 volunteers. Most were teenagers, wearing T-shirts in support of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Kevin Folta, professor and chairman of the University of Florida’s horticultural sciences department, relied on social media to recruit about 50 UF students to help salvage blueberry plants damaged by Hurricane Irma.

Those children, often referred to as Dreamers, are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children before age 16, and who have lived here since June 15, 2007.

“It’s good for our kids to have visibility,” she said. And, good to show that they can help the community they live in, she added.

Jose Pedro Lopez, 14, wanted people to know that Dreamers are like everyone else. “They should be able to live a free life,” he said.

Volunteers headed into the field, one group at a time.

In groups, volunteers carried batches of cane stakes and rolls of tape, and walked into the field.

Jim Moll, the extension service’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping program manager, gave tutorials on blueberry care.

Plants had to be stood upright, firmly replanted, and wrapped with tape to keep foliage from drooping.

“It doesn’t have to be a pretty knot, just effective,” Moll said. “You want it tight, but, not too firm. You don’t want to cut off circulation.”

Moll felt optimistic.

Pasco High School student, ​Roney​ ​Webster, 17,​ ​ties green tape​ ​around​ ​a​ ​​stake​ ​to support a damaged blueberry plant.

The plants “will be traumatized from being whipped in the wind,” he said. “The good news is they are all green. They aren’t limping.”

Samantha Acacio, 21, bent down to tie a knot around a blueberry plant. She felt a connection to the environment, as she worked to put the plants upright.

“These (plants) produce oxygen,” said Acacio, a pre-med student at Saint Leo University. “Why not have more oxygen in the world? It’s motivation. They weathered the storm, and we’re going to help them stand upright.”

Wesley Chapel residents Maleena Newcomb, 14, Allie Black, 14, and Ana Anderson, 24, might have been volunteering at an annual coastal cleanup, if not for Irma.

But, they were happy to find themselves being useful at the farm instead.

“It’s a good effort,” said Black. “You get community service hours. It’s all good.”

Gayle Womer and her daughter, Jenny Konow, attend First Baptist Church in Dade City. Konow is a 4-H leader.

Konow said they had some experience with blueberry plants. “We’re small hobby farmers,” she said. “We kind of know the struggles if you need help.”

But, it was her 11-year-old son, Archer Konow, who told his family that they had to volunteer. He loves everything about farming.

“It’s good to help people after hard things come through,” he said. If it’s a business, he added, “You need to help out.”

Roney Webster, 17, is a Pasco High senior. He volunteered around his community to help neighbors with cleanup.

This was one more chance to help.

“It’s just giving back,” Webster said. “I’ve been outside pretty much every day helping people.”

Published September 27, 2017

Her career touched many lives

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Officially, Betsy Crisp’s last day of work was Feb. 3.

But, based on her track record, it seems unlikely that the Land O’ Lakes woman will merely kick back and relax.

Betsy Crisp and her friends, colleagues and family members celebrated her retirement with a buffet of finger foods and a beautifully decorated cake. The celebration was at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
(B.C. Manion)

Crisp retired after 29 years as the food and consumer sciences extension agent for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – Pasco Cooperative Extension.

She is the woman who crisscrossed Pasco County preaching the gospel of good nutrition. She helped people to navigate through bureaucratic systems. She used elbow grease when a job needed to be done.

Crisp helped nurses learn how to balance the demands of their work and daily home life.

She taught classes on cooking with herbs and spices.

She provided pointers for stretching a food dollar.

She helped launch Pasco County’s first residential recycling program, and was on the ground floor 20 years ago establishing the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank, which is now part of Feeding Tampa Bay.

Over the years, Crisp’s work drew attention.

She was named the southern region’s Continued Excellence Award winner in 2013 for her many accomplishments on the job.

Colleagues, friends and family members dropped by to celebrate with Betsy Crisp, as she leaves a career spanning nearly 30 years as food and consumer sciences extension agent for Pasco Cooperative Extension. Crisp, center, laughs with her friends, as her brother, K.C. Nayfield (right), listens.

The licensed dietitian was honored for the nearly 150 programs she presented each year in the areas of food, nutrition, health and safety.

Her Family Nutrition Program also secured grant funding to support several program assistants and many volunteers, helping more than 136,000 people improve their eating habits.

That award was among numerous honors she picked up over the years.

She deserved the recognition because her work got results, said friends and colleagues who attended her retirement reception at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

“Betsy has always gone above and beyond. She set high standards for herself and carried a very full workload,” said Mary Chernesky, former director of the Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Office.

A proposal Crisp co-wrote in 2007 for the USDA SnapEd Family Nutrition Program received funding for $160,000 a year, and the funding has since escalated to almost $400,000 a year, said Chernesky, who is now retired.

“Betsy has helped people, counseled them, shared her knowledge, made a difference in people’s lives in the county and state,” Chernesky added.

Crisp paid attention to what her peers were doing, and when she recognized a program of excellence, she nominated it for an award.

“Many extension agents across the state have received recognition and awards, over the years … because when Betsy found programs that were good enough to be considered for nomination, she did it. Sometimes we didn’t even know it had been sent in,” Chernesky said.

Kurt Conover, who spoke at Crisp’s party, said he met Betsy about 30 years ago.

That’s when Crisp suggested that Land O’ Lakes get involved in the Coastal and Waterway Cleanup, Conover said.

He said Crisp told him: “Land O’ Lakes should get involved in that. We’ve got lots of lakes here.”

So, the pair became co-captains, and they organized the largest volunteer effort of any site in Pasco County, Conover said.

Conover said he handled the easy part: Getting donations of supplies and food for the cleanup crews.

Crisp took care of the logistics. She made sure that cleanup teams weren’t duplicating efforts.

Besides cleaning up the community, the annual effort has encouraged community involvement, Conover said.

It has had a generational impact, too, he said.

“There were children who came to this event that grew up to be adults, and they had their children there, participating,” Conover said.

He also noted that Crisp’s husband, Paul, and the couple’s children, Megan and Michael, were always there to pitch in.

Besides delivering at the professional level, Crisp is known for her personal touch, friends and colleagues said.

She remembers birthdays.

She asks about sick relatives.

She celebrates her colleagues’ joys and helps them shoulder their sorrows.

Crisp said her achievements came because of the people she was able to work with throughout her career.

At her reception, she made it a point to go around the room calling out people by name and publicly thanking them for their help. She had a kind word for practically everyone — if not everyone — in the room.

Crisp said she loved every minute of her career — except when she had to cut her staff because of budget reductions.

“I cried,” she said.

But, Crisp managed to keep her emotions in check at her retirement party.

One colleague, however, could not.

Her voice broke, as she bid farewell to Crisp — her trusted mentor and friend, someone she knows she will dearly miss.

Published February 15, 2017

Coping with seasonal drought in the landscape

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If you were to take a map of the globe and draw a parallel line to the east and to the west of Florida — worldwide — what would you discover?

You would note that Florida is roughly positioned along the same latitude as Mediterranean-type climates where dry, arid conditions prevail. Logic implies then that our weather should be more like that of Southern California or parts of the Mediterranean; hot and dry.

(Courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS communications)

In a normal year, Florida is especially known for its hot, but very wet summers. Because Florida sits between two large bodies of water, it has the luxury of moist, humid air riding along the sea breezes being pulled in our direction just looking for a piece of land on which to rain.

Florida averages 50 inches of rainfall per year as opposed to Southern California at 15 inches to 20 inches annually.

But, from October to April or May, Florida can be very dry.

That’s a typical dry pattern for us based on our latitude, so even sticky, swampy Florida is meant to dry down. In our landscape, this can pose some issues, but maybe not the ones you’d expect.

Our trees and shrubs, once established, require little to no supplemental irrigation throughout this typically dry period, because they are adapted to this seasonal variation.

There is one caveat, though: These must be the right plants in the right place.

A plant out of place, say a shade-loving plant in partial to full sun, will obviously require more water to survive if it’s going to do so.

Put that shade-loving plant in a shady spot where it’s meant to be, and we prevent stress, thus lowering water needs.

Newly planted shrubs and trees would certainly require more water during the dry season, so that’s why it’s best to hold off on planting until we begin our warmer, wetter season in May maybe even June, so that frequent irrigation won’t be necessary. Let nature do the watering for you.

Turfgrasses, like St. Augustinegrass (‘Floratam’ is an example), are a bit different. St. Augustinegrass will enter a semi-dormant phase in Central Florida due to the shortened day-length of fall and winter. It’s not actively growing, but it’s not totally dormant either, so it does need some water to stay alive.

When it’s dry during the winter, it’s common to see symptoms of drought on this grass. Rolled leaf blades, a bluish-purple cast, or footprints left behind as we walk on the turf are all symptoms of drought and require supplemental irrigation. Conversely, in the summer, if your turf is established and healthy, it’s unlikely you need irrigation at all, as long as we’re getting frequent rainfall like we normally do.

Be aware that too much water could actually cause more harm than good, and certainly wastes valuable water any time of the year.

As we continue through the dry season, monitor your turf for drought stress and irrigate late in the evening to prevent evaporation losses, and use no more than three-quarters of an inch of water per application.

In Pasco County, water restrictions limit homeowners to one irrigation event per week, so make the most of it, and irrigate appropriately.

When asked how much irrigation a homeowner is applying, the most common response is 10 minutes or 15 minutes.

Ten minutes to 15 minutes of irrigation, depending on your irrigation system and the nozzles, might mean that you’re applying 1/10th of an inch to 2 inches or more of water.

The only way to be sure is to calibrate the system, which is easy. Take two tuna cans, or three, and place them in each irrigation zone. Run the zone for a set period of time. Measure the amount of water in the can, and if you’re putting out more or less than the three-quarters of an inch recommended, simply adjust the timing on that zone and retest.

Test each zone. Check for broken or nonfunctional heads. Also, look for heads that are pointing onto pavement, sidewalks and so on, because they are doing nothing more than wasting water and your money.

A simple calibration check every three or four months will prevent a lot of turfgrass woes and save a lot of dough.

Also, remember that your grass is not actively growing through the fall and winter, so fertilizing during the dry season of late fall through early spring is useless, as the plant will not use the fertilizer, and what remains of it is leached into the groundwater leading to senseless pollution. Plus, it’s a waste of money. We don’t want to tell our plants to grow when nature is telling them to rest. There’s a reason they’ve slowed growth or gone dormant, so don’t interfere by overwatering or fertilizing during these times of drought.

If you have questions about helping your landscape cope with seasonal drought, call your local University of Florida/IFAS Extension Office for help. We have Solutions for Your Life.

Dr. Whitney Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published January 11, 2017

The truth about bromeliads and mosquitoes

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Zika is a concern in Florida and bromeliad plants have been singled out as potential sources of mosquitos that carry this virus.

Bromeliad plants produce a fold of leaves commonly referred to as a “tank” where water will collect.

And, several types of mosquito larvae (the young, non-flying aquatic phase), including larvae of the Aedes family of mosquitoes, which can potentially transmit Zika as flying adults, can be found in these tanks.

A water-filled tank of a bromeliad, in which mosquito immatures stages, including A. albopictus, occur. (Courtesy of Dr. Phil Lounibos)
A water-filled tank of a bromeliad, in which mosquito immatures stages, including A. albopictus, occur. (Courtesy of Dr. Phil Lounibos)

Inevitably, the question arises that if bromeliads can hold water, can they harbor mosquito larvae? Quite simply, the answer is yes. However, anything that holds water can hold mosquito larvae.

Subsequently, the next logical question is: Should bromeliads be removed from the landscape to get rid of aquatic mosquito habitat?

Let’s explore some facts before jumping to answer that question.

First, anything that holds water – even a bottle cap – can be a potential mosquito larvae habitat.

Pet dishes, birdbaths, toys, tires, downspouts, gutters, even other types of plants – anything that holds water can harbor mosquitos.

This is Florida, and water is generally everywhere.

Eliminating all sources of mosquito larvae is difficult, if not impossible around the house, but we can limit much of the problem by emptying standing water and not allowing it to collect in the first place.

In the same vein, eliminating bromeliads from the landscape won’t eliminate all of the mosquitos that can carry Zika.

While you can remove your bromeliads, which will eliminate one place where larvae can live in your yard, you’ll need to remove any other item where water can collect, as well.

If you can’t get rid of all of those places, why remove your bromeliads when there are ways to limit larvae potentially associated with them?

Also, keep in mind that mosquitos, as adults, fly.

So that mosquito that bites you in your yard could have come from quite a distance.

It is possible to keep our much-loved bromeliads and limit larval habitats at the same time.

Simply inspect your bromeliads every three days to seven days and either drain out any standing water with a turkey baster, tip the bromeliad if it’s in a pot, or flush out the tank with water from a hose.

Make sure the water from the tank is flushed into a dry spot so that any potential larvae will dry out and die, and not just be transferred to another body of water. You can also apply Mosquito Bits® every seven days to the bromeliad tanks.

This product is very safe for your plants and the environment – it’s made from a bacterium that specifically kills mosquito larvae. You can purchase these at a reasonable price at many garden centers, or order them online.

Professionals can use Altosid Pro-G, which is an insect growth regulator. This product can be applied to the tanks every 30 days. For both products, which are quite safe and effective, simply follow the label directions.

There are other simple and effective ways of controlling mosquitoes in your home landscape.

Eliminating your bromeliads might reduce the population a bit, but it won’t eliminate them entirely. Exercise good landscape maintenance and take a look around your yard every three days to seven days, and be sure to empty standing water anywhere you see it.

Continue to enjoy your bromeliads, but treat them like the rest of your landscape plants and maintain them properly by simply flushing out the tanks frequently or using a larvae control product.

Water and mosquitoes are part of Florida’s landscape, as are the beautiful bromeliads that grace us with splashes of color and unusual textures.

It’s easy to keep our beloved bromeliads and protect ourselves from mosquitos at the same time.

Dr. Whitney Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published October 12, 2016