Joani
by Joani MacCubbin


December, 2005

We hope you and your family had a very nice Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a special Christmas Holiday season also. Thankfully living here in Florida we don't have to look forward to freezing temperatures, snow, snow tires, ice, heavy coats.....mittens, big electric bills, etc. That list just goes on and on, doesn't it?? 

As I'm originally from Maine I do miss a few things every winter. Things like skiing, childhood memories of a nice toboggan ride, drawing pictures on frosted car windows and making snow angels. Did if any of you ever walk backwards in the snow to make your parents think you went in another direction? What I miss most is night-time skiing especially under a full moon and seeing it shine on a glistening ski slope and watching it create ever-changing shadows in every shade of blue you can imagine. 

Ok, ok back to reality.....this month in Joani's Corner you will find:

The Weather Almanac and Wildlife Happenings
Slugs - More than you probably want to know!
A fun Christmas Ornament craft project....and nothing to do with plants

The Weather Almanac for December

This month there will be a full moon on the 15th. The names of this full moon is the Full Cold Moon, the Full Long Nights Moon because the nights are at their longest or the Full Moon before Yule. 

Central Florida

Average High - 72º - Average Low - 50º

Expected precipitation is 2.53"

In 1968 the record high was 88º

In 1969 the record low was 19º

Tallahassee

Average High - 66º - Average Low - 42º

Expected precipitation is 4.10"

In 1971 the record high was 84º

In 1962 the record low was 10º

Jacksonville

Average High - 66º - Average Low 44º

Expected precipitation is 2.64"

In 1994 the record high was 84º

In 1983 the record low was 11º

Melbourne

Average High - 73º - Average Low - 53º

Expected precipitation is 2.31"

In 1983 the record high was 89º

In 1983 the record low was 21º

Wildlife Adventures for December

Snail kites are gathering in large south Florida roosts and nesting activity begins. This is the best time for watching waterfowl on wetlands, lakes, and prairies.


Snail Kite

Look for Goldfinches at north Florida feeders. 

Yellow-rumped warblers will show-up at feeders if it is cold enough.

In north Florida, bald eagles start hatching about Christmas day.

Great horned owls and barred owls courting. Watch and listen for them. 

Slugs, Slugs, Slugs

Florida has three native species and a few exotic types which have been and thankfully so intercepted by USDA. They are very destructive garden and greenhouse pests. Slugs are usually active only at night and stay inconspicuous during the day. But where they have been is very obvious because of their trail of slime that is left behind. 

Slugs are easily recognized......they look like a snail without a shell. They are not worms or insects. They are in the mollusk family which means they are related to oysters and clams. Their top side is covered by a tough leathery skin. The head has 4 pair of tentacles, the upper set are light sensors , the lower, shorter set is used for detecting odors. Both sets are retractable and can be regrown.
The underside of their body is soft, sticky and slimy. Slugs can be as small as half an inch or as long as 4 to 5". Slugs are usually only active at night and stay rather inconspicuous during the day. But where they have been is very obvious because of the trail of slime they leave behind. This slime they emit is essential for movement and protects the slug while moving over rough terrain which may contain broken glass, rocks or maneuvering in plants with thorns. 
Slugs are both male and female depending on what stage in life they are in. They lay gelatin-like eggs in clusters of 20 to 30 which are hidden in moist soil. Eggs are round or oval and usually colorless. As soon as they hatch, young slugs can be very active and will start to crawl and feed immediately especially if the temperature and humidity conditions are right. Slugs, especially young and hungry ones, can even lower themselves from plant to plant by mucus threads that may be as long as several feet. 


Snails & Slugs
Slugs can do a real number on the plants in our gardens and cause major damage in commercial greenhouses. It might be several days before plant injury becomes apparent, because they merely rasp away at surface tissues. They will eat roots, bulbs, tender leaves and are even able to eat poison oak, poison mushrooms and other plants that are toxic to humans. 

Natural enemies are few, birds, especially ducks will feed on slugs. Some snails will eat slugs and some slugs will even eat their own friends and family members. They will even eat animal excreta, smelly and rotten things and even earthworms. 

Adverse weather conditions like very hot, dry weather or excessive rains might slow them down a little. Clean surroundings will help to control slug populations, removal of boards, piles of brush, and other debris will limit their numbers. 

To control slugs in your yard you can use a slug bait or leave shallow containers of beer in areas where slug damage is noticed. They enter the container and eventually drown. Another easy way to capture slugs is by putting a little cat food inside a large soda bottle, lay it on the side and sink it in the ground just deep enough for the top of the bottle is easily accessible to a slug. They are attracted to the cat food, go inside and can't find their way out.

ant. It enjoys cool weather but will not enjoy freezing temperatures. If this does happen to your basil plant and you are using it for cooking you will notice leaves will darken and lose flavor. 

Christmas Ornaments

Materials Needed:
Cotton Crochet thread - each ornament uses about 2 yards of crochet thread
A few Q-tips 
Ornament Hangers
7" Balloons
Liquid Starch - do not dilute 
Glitter
Directions: 
1. Start by blowing up your balloons to the size of a Christmas ornament and knot the tops.
2. Pour undiluted starch in a shallow bowl to at least 1/2" deep.
3. Soak a whole strand of 'crochet' cotton in the bowl of starch being very careful not to let it tangle and leaving one end easily available. 
4. When you are sure it is well saturated take your balloon by the top and start wrapping with the wet strand. It's best to work over a sink. Drips will happen! 
5. Keep winding until the balloon is 'loosely covered.
6. Important! Leave a 'little' larger opening for balloon removal later.


Click to Enlarge


Click to Enlarge

7. You can start over you want to.....pull the strand off the balloon and just re-soak the strand and use it to try again.
8. When it's done just the way you want, sprinkle with glitter. 
9. Hang balloon to dry by the top of the balloon itself using one of the ornament hangers. Do not disturb for at least 6 - 8 hrs. or overnight. 
10. The magic words in the following and final step is 'gently'.....very 'gently'. Hold your ornament by the top and use a Q-tip to carefully separate the strands from the balloon by pushing the balloon inward in small areas at a time as you go around your ornament. You will hear it make a slight crackling noise.
11. When you feel it's mostly separated, take a pin or scissors and puncture the balloon then carefully extract it from inside the ornament. You may have to slip your scissors inside to cut and remove the balloon.
12. Finally replace the hanger for decorating and you are done!
13. It's a good idea to hang these for storage. They are just too delicate to pack in a box.
 

I'd like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. Hope to see you back here in 2006!


If you have any questions please drop me a line at joani@betterlawns.com