Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Lawn and Garden Publications, May 2013

Lawn and Garden
	*Biting midges, no-see-ums Culicoides* spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) (EENY349/IN626)** Biting midges can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors during early morning and evenings, and even during the daytime on cloudy days when winds are calm. They will readily bite humans; the bites are irritating, painful, and can cause long-lasting painful lesions for some people. A common observation upon experiencing a bite from this insect is that something is biting, but the person suffering cannot see what it is. This 4-page fact sheet was written by C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in626
	*The mexican lac scale Tachardiella mexicana* (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Kerriidae) (EENY552/IN990)** The Mexican lac scale is native to Mexico and Texas, but populations have been established in Florida. Adult female scales produce a high-domed ‘test’ or shell with four to six lobe-like projections that anchor the test to the plant surface. The test is hard and glossy with a reddish-orange tint around the edges, and darker toward the center. In some specimens, white string-like wax fiber extrusions project from the dorsum of the test, but these may break off. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in990
	Gardening in Raised Beds (ENH1211/EP472) Gardening in raised beds is becoming more popular as more people try growing their own food. Using raised beds is like growing plants in large containers. The planting area is raised above the existing soil level and usually enclosed within a structure to form a planting bed. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Terry Brite DelValle, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep472
	Landscape Design with Edibles (ENH1214/EP475) Although design basics for edible ornamental landscapes are essentially the same as strictly ornamental landscapes, a few details ensure the success of the edible landscape. Gardens with plants that change considerably with the seasons rely more on an organized yet interesting layout, appealing support structures, functional pathways, and colorful containers and planters to provide interest and beauty when the plants are not taking center stage. There are twelve important ideas to consider when creating a successful edible ornamental garden. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Gail Hansen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep475
	Florida-Friendly Plants for Stormwater Pond Shorelines (ENH1215/EP476) Selecting aquatic and shoreline plants for stormwater ponds is more challenging than selecting plants for a typical landscape. Site conditions can vary greatly and are more difficult to control. For example, water depth sometimes fluctuates widely, creating wet and dry conditions. Water quality varies with rainfall and fertilizer inputs. Steep slopes can make plant establishment and retention difficult. The concept of using the right plant in the right place is particularly important in the shoreline environment because the planting area includes a dry slope and a littoral shelf with shallow and deep water areas. This 4-page fact sheet recommends plants that were selected based on these three questions: 1) What environmental conditions does the plant need to grow? 2) How do you want the plant to function? 3) What do you want the plant to look like? Written by Gail Hansen and Shangchun Hu, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep476
	Nematode Management in Residential Lawns (ENY006/NG039) Plant-parasitic nematodes are among the least understood and most difficult pests to manage on turfgrass in Florida. They are very small, and most can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. They use a stylet to puncture plant cells, to inject digestive juices into them, and to ingest plant fluids. The most reliable way to determine whether plant-parasitic nematodes are involved in a turf problem is to have a nematode assay conducted by a professional nematode diagnostic lab. This 6-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng039
	Growing Potatoes in the Florida Home Garden (HS993/HS183) The Irish potato is a cool-season crop. A recently grown and harvested potato exhibits different flavor profiles from one that has been in storage or on a grocery shelf for an extended period. For example, in storage, the starches in potatoes convert to sugars, resulting in a less desirable texture and taste. “New” potato flavor can be achieved in the home garden by following a few growing recommendations. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Christian T. Christensen, Libby R. Rens, Jeffrey E. Pack, Lincoln Zotarelli, Chad Hutchinson, Wendy Dahl, Doug Gergela, and James M. White, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs183
	*Florida Foliage House Plant Care: Adenium obesum* (ENH1213/EP474)** Adenium obesum and its many hybrids are often seen in retail garden centers. They have vibrant floral displays in shades of red, white, pink, and yellow. Flowers average 2–3 inches in diameter and may be single, double, or even triple. The plants must be stationed in high light, 6 hours or more per day, to maintain flowering during the summer. Adenium obesum makes a dramatic specimen for a deck or patio but should be moved indoors in winter. This 2-page fact sheet was written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep474