The New FYN Handbook is Here

The new Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook is now available online. If you would like a printed copy please visit your local extension office.

Discover all 9 Principles of the FYN program and utilize them in your yard to create a Florida-Friendly Landscape.
1. Right Plant, Right Place
2. Water Efficiently
3. Fertilize Appropriately
4. Mulch
5. Attract Wildlife
6. Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
7. Recycle Yard Waste
8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff
9. Protect the Waterfront

For more information please contact Michelleatkinson@ufl.edu or call the Manatee County Extension office at 941-722-4524.

Fabulous Florida Friendly Flowers

As I walked into the Manatee County Extension office today this fabulous Florida Friendly Flower was stretching out away from the others as if to to say, "Hey look at me!".

Dietes iridoides is her name but she goes by Africian Iris. She is a fabulous addition to any Florida Friendly landscape as she requires little maintenance. She lives best in USDA zones 8b-11 and can tolerate almost any soil type.

This little gem is found in most garden centers. If your neighbor has one you can propagate this plant by seed or division of the matted clumps.

The Africian Iris can tolerate areas that tend to be wet. You can even find it along lake banks. We have it in several locations at the Extension Office most areas are dry and it is doing very well and in bloom now.

You are always welcome to visit us to get ideas from our demonstration garden and chat with out Master Gardeners.

To inquire or register for this series contact the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension office at 941-722-4524 or email michelleatkinson@ufl.edu.

Create Your Fabulous Florida Friendly Landscape

Create Your Fabulous Florida Friendly Landscape Series to start August 27th.

With the signing of S.B 2080 by Governor Crist many homeowners are looking for direction on Florida Friendly Landscaping™ practices.

Senate Bill 2080 states that a deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforce to prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land; a local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land; local governments shall use the standards and guidelines when developing landscape irrigation and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ ordinances.

To help you develop your Florida Friendly Landscape we are offering a 5 step series. As a participant you will learn how to save water, time & money all while creating your Fabulous Florida Friendly Landscape.

Step 1 - Dazzling Designs on August 27th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Step 2 - Wise Watering on September 24th from 6:00pm yo 8:00pm

Step 3 - Magnificent Maintenance on Oct. 22nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Step 4 - Recycle the Rain on Nov. 19th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Step 5 - Compost Happens on Dec. 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

To inquire or register for this series contact the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension office at 941-722-4524 or email michelleatkinson@ufl.edu.

Get in the Know

Learn the Dirt on Summer Turf

July 8th 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Manatee County Extension Office

Workshop topics include summer lawn pests, diseases, and maintenance. Register online for this free workshop at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Manatee Office at 722‐4524.

Smart Landscape - Planning & Care

July 15th 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Manatee County Extension Office

The key to smart landscaping is to develop the Florida‐Friendly Landscaping™ plan to save water, time, & money. We’ll think through and solve intended uses of your landscapes plus the care required to maintain healthy plants. Register online for this free workshop at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 722‐4524. This class will satisfy the educational requirements for the Landscape Retrofit portion of the Manatee County Water Conservation Rebate Program.

Consult the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension office with questions at 941-722-4524 or email michelleatkinson@ufl.edu.

Right Plant, Right Place

Achieving a healthy, low-maintenance home landscape starts with putting the right plant in the right place. Select plants that match a site’s soil, light, water, and climatic conditions. Buy quality plants that welcome wildlife, consider plant size when you make your purchase, and aim for a diversity of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowers. Once these plants are established, they’ll require little—if any—supplemental water, fertilizer, or pesticides, saving you time and money.

Have you ever bought a plant that looked great at the nursery or garden center, only to have it die once you planted it? One way to avoid this heartbreaking scenario is by putting the right plant in the right place — matching the plant to the site conditions. This encompasses far more than simply putting sunworshiping plants in your yard’s sunny spots. You also need to consider things like maintenance and water needs.

Know Your Zone!
The USDA and American Horticultural Society (AHS) describe plants in terms of the lowest and highest temperatures where they can be grown. To use this information, you need to know:
■ Your zones for heat tolerance and cold hardiness. Discover that information at these links:
For cold: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-se1.html
For heat: http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_finder.htm
■ The zones for plants you want to grow. Unearth that information on plant tags, in reference books or on the EDIS website at edis.ifas.ufl.edu or the FYN website at fyn.ifas.ufl.edu. Match the plants you want to grow with your growing zones and you will improve your odds of gardening success.