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The population numbers have bounced up and down, but mostly down. For instance, the Mexican overwintering Monarch population estimate was up 35% for Winter 2021/2022, but down 26% the prior year. “Scientists estimate that at least 6 hectares is necessary for a sustainable population of eastern monarchs,” according to Monarch Joint Venture. Monarch populations have only met that threshold for sustainability approximately four times in the past twenty years. However, there are growing numbers of Monarchs overwintering in North America that has proved to be unhealthy for them.

Milkweed Routine Maintenance in the Fall
Native North American milkweed species are more likely to die back in Fall than the Mexican Tropical Milkweed variety that, during warm winters, can continue to produce foliage and blooms.
“Jim Edson, a geology professor at the University of Arkansas, said, “one research project offered five kinds of milkweed to monarchs,” according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “Butterfly weed was least liked and tropical was preferred. But scientists fear that what the monarchs like the most may be bad for them.”

Since the Monarchs enjoy Mexican Tropical milkweed found here, it’s become challenging to get them to migrate back to Mexico. Scientists are concerned that the suitable areas where Tropical milkweed can survive the winter from the Carolinas to California keep Monarchs here year-round. The problem with this is that Monarch populations that don’t return to Mexico have higher infection rates of the naturally occurring protozoan Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), which causes deformities and death.

Scientists Are Seeking Solutions
And although infected Monarchs can spread OE’s spores via any milkweed species, there is still little progress in finding a cure, although, for those rearing them, there are recommendations for reducing the spread. “We have worked out a way to control this parasite that we hope will not be too difficult,” according to Scientists at MonarchWatch.org. “Our method requires cleaning up your rearing operation; we have not yet found a way to “cure” a larva once it has eaten the spores, although at the University of Kansas we are continuing to look for such a solution using drugs that have been shown to work on related organisms. We have had limited success with attempts to surface-decontaminate eggs once they have been laid, although this does lower the incidence of the disease. Thus, the only way to solve the problem, and to prevent more releases of contaminated butterflies, is to make sure that the larvae you rear are never exposed to the parasite. There are four steps you will need to take. ” Learn more at Monarch Watch.

Scientists have found OE to be transmitted in three ways: infected females spreading spores onto their eggs, by contact with milkweed that infects others Monarchs, and during mating. “Monarchs that acquire spores as adults are temporary carriers, and themselves do not experience detrimental effects of the parasite,” according to their research published at the National Library of Medicine.

We at Earth Works hope this information benefits your understanding of best practices for maintaining milkweed for monarchs. Visit our garden center and speak to staff about the availability of milkweed and the many nectar plants available for them and other pollinators in Northeast Florida.

Happy Gardening!

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BE PREPARED TO SUPPLEMENT WITH ADDITIONAL WATERING IN DECEMBER

Earth Works recommends two lawn watering events per week in December. If you don’t get two rain events per week supplement with irrigation and hand watering. New lawns and landscapes require daily watering the first month to get established. Irrigation is restricted to once per week in Jacksonville, coinciding with a return to Standard Time that began on November 6.
Duval County watering ordinance includes:
1) No watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2) Odd number addresses, or addresses ending with letters N-Z, or no address may water only on Saturday.
3) Even number addresses or those ending with A-M may water only on Sunday.
4) Non-residential addresses may water only on Tuesday and
5) Apply up to ¾-inch or less of water one time per week.

If choosing a Winterizing lawn fertilizer, we only recommend an NPK with phosphorus and potassium. “Adding phosphorus to soil low in available phosphorus promotes root growth and winter hardiness, stimulates tillering, and often hastens maturity,” according to University of Nebraska Plant & Soil elibrary. “Potassium is a vital component of numerous plant functions, including nutrient absorption, respiration, transpiration, and enzyme activity.” Both phosphurus and potassium are essential for plant maintenance and support, according to the Noble Research Institute. For Winter we only recommend nitrogen-free formulations.

It’s also essential to know your soil pH when supplementing with fertilizers. These macro-nutrients are only fully bioavailable at a pH of 6.5 or above and decreasingly available below. “In a very acid soil of pH 5.0 only 40% of the nitrogen is available, 35% of the phosphorus and 50% of the potassium,” according to Allotment Garden.org. “Increasing to an average plot’s pH 5.5 takes the nitrogen and potassium up to 70% availability but the phosphorus is still only at 45% availability. It’s not until the pH hits 6.5 that all the big 3 nutrients are fully available to fuel the plants.”

Now is an excellent time to consider BOOKING soil AERATION & TOP DRESSING service for your lawn ahead of Spring with the Earth Works Lawn Care department. Contact us to get you scheduled.

Stop in and shop our herbs and veggies that our buyers selected especially for your Winter garden. If looking for the latest seed varieties to hit the market consider subscribing to some of our listed 60+ Free Seed Catalogs.

GARDENING SOIL PREPARATION
Whether you have plans to use existing beds or containers we recommend turning your soil and mixing in a few amendments including Wild Earth Soil Mix for your raised beds or container gardening, a rich, light-weight compost mix available by the bag and yard. Plus, supplement with Espoma Organic Biotone Starter an excellent planting fertilizer with mycorrhizal fungi root enhancers. Visit Earth Works Gardens and speak with a staff member about your specific needs.  We carry everything from earthworm castings to bat guano for your specific planting soil amendment needs.

DECEMBER IS A TERRIFIC TIME TO PLANT TREES & ANNUALS
As previously mentioned December’s cold and dry weather is perfect here in Northeast Florida for planting palms, citrus, and other trees. December and throughout the Winter months is also the time of year to introduce colorful annuals in an otherwise often dormant and bland landscape. Earth Works has a large selection of annuals for your garden beds including petunias, violas, snapdragons, lambs ear, decorative kale, and Dusty Miller. For December we also have beautiful varieties of poinsettias and Anthurium with their long-lasting, heart-shaped flowers in stock.

PREPARE YOUR TENDER PLANTS TO BRING INDOORS
Become familiar with the cold tolerance of your plants and the threat of chilling temperatures above freezing for each. Learn more. Getting your plants acclimated to indoor living after being brought inside requires extra attention to their light and watering needs along with pest management. Our heating systems create far different conditions from those our outdoor plants are accustomed to. Inspect your plants from soil up through the leaves before bringing indoors. You don’t want a pest or disease problem with one plant to damage others by placing together indoors in tight quarters. Be prepared to adjust your plants watering needs, rotating to assure adequate lighting and away from drafts throughout the Winter period.

CONSIDER TAKING UP BONSAI OR ADDING TO YOUR BONSAI COLLECTION THIS WINTER
Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing dwarf trees in pots that can start anytime and last for generations. These potted plants can be started indoors or out with as little as soil, a container, and plant. Earth Works Garden Center Manager Matthew Barlow has decades of experience growing, training, and caring for bonsai plants and is available to answer your specific questions about bonsai. Earth Works likewise has bonsai plants ready to add to your collection or share as gifts and all your specialty products required to start and florish within the bonsai hobby.

POND CARE CONCERNS FOR DECEMBER
The main concerns involving koi in December revolve around water temperature. Rhonda King, Earth Works Garden Manager, discusses cold water concerns for koi ponds. 

Helpful Cool Weather Tips for Pond Owners:
-Keep a pond thermometer on hand. .
-Switch to cold water food for koi as their digestive system slows down with cooler temperatures.
-Now is the time to schedule your pond clean out before Spring.

SCHEDULE YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONSULTATION BEFORE SPRING
Winter is the best time to schedule your landscape design consultation to prepare and plan and schedule your installation ahead of the busy Spring and Summer season. With a landscape design consultation and drawing you are better able to budget all or phases of your landscaping wants and needs from improved curb appeal to new plantings, water features and all that goes into making your yard perfect for your vision of high quality outdoor living. It can take weeks, even months, to schedule and implement your plan especially if you wait until the busiest times for the landscaping industry. Don’t wait too late to get your project designed and scheduled to meet your desired completion date.

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