Skip a Week of Irrigation

Now that our tempatures are starting to drop we can skip a week of irrigation. During cooler months in fall and winter, your lawn doesn’t need watering every week … It’s the best time to train your yard to need less water! So only water your lawn every other week and only if it needs it.

This Florida Friendly Irrigation video features one our own Master Gardeners, Carol Ann Breyer!

For more information please contact MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu.

What is a Watershed?

While teaching a group of 5th grade students I asked, "What is a Watershed?". The responses ranged from a well pump house description to a closet where water bottles are stored.

November is Watershed Awareness month so lets define a Watershed! water·shed (noun) a ridge or stretch of high land dividing the areas drained by different rivers or river systems. According to the Southwest FL Water Management District a watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast.

That being said, do you know your watershed? Why is it important to know your Watershed? Understanding where stormwater runs to from your property will help you feel the connection we all have to our watershed. When we apply chemicals (i.e. oil, gas, pesticide, fertilizer, roof cleaner, driveway cleaner, etc), spill chemicals, leave debris or trash on your property it can end up in a body of water. We all have a responsibility to keep our watersheds as clean as possible so we can enjoy them for boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing or just observing.

By allowing stormwater to stay on our property in rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, green roofs or by using permeable surfaces we help prevent pollutants from entering our watershed by reducing stormwater runoff.

Take the Watershed Pledge and get a free wrist band.

For further information please contact MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

This week is a Rain Barrel Week!

Tropical Storm Ida is due to deliver rain for the next couple of days. With a rain barrel in place you could capture 55 gallons quickly from your roof top. Recycling the rain is a fantastic way to conserve water. Plants can tolerate even filter the pollutants that are sometimes is found in stormwater runoff. With the change in temperature our pool is evaporating water every night. Using a rain barrel to replenish pool water conserves potable (drinking) water and is delivered free with every rain event.

Find out how you can install a rain barrel at you home by attending the Recycle the Rain workshop on November 19th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Manatee County Extension Office. For more information call Michelle Atkinson at 941-722-4524 or email at michelleatkinson@ufl.edu.

Adopting a Florida-Friendly Landscape

Adopting a Florida-Friendly Landscape: Steps for Converting a Typical Development Landscape to a Florida-Friendly Landscape

Florida homeowners have many reasons to consider converting their existing residential landscape to a Florida-Friendly Landscape. Most importantly, a Florida-Friendly yard is an environmentally sound yard that conserves and protects Florida's waterways, soil, wildlife, and energy. Using the right plants in the right place can filter harmful stormwater runoff, improve the landscape's soil, provide wildlife habitat, and create shade for energy efficiency in the home. Landscaping also adds beauty and creates pleasant outdoor living spaces to increase the value of residential property.

For more information visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP396 or contact Michelle Atkinson at michelleatkisnon@ufl.edu or 941-722-4524

Gardening in November

November garden tips;

Now is the time to apply fertilizer to Zoysia and Bermudagrass - this will be the last fertilizaton of the year.

Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather. Turn off systems and water only if needed.

Continue to monitor the garden for insects and disease.

Be sure you are mowing at the proper heights:

• St Augustine & Bahia - 3-4"


• Zoysia - 1.5 - 2"


• Seashore Paspalum - 3/4 - 1.5"