Feeding the Birds

To make room for people moving to Florida, vast areas of wildlife habitat are affected. Habitat is an area that has sufficient amount of food, cover, water, and space for a particular animal. When humans change the land to suit their needs, they can decrease the amount of habitat available for wildlife. In particular, this changing environment is affecting where birds occur in Florida. When humans move in, some bird species move out. However, some bird species are still living in these human-dominated landscapes.  A great way to attract wildlife into your landscape, especially birds, is to install plants that provide food.

Provide food for birds by planting species with berries, seeds, and fruits and filling your bird feeders with high
quality seed. Make sure your bird feeders protect the seed from rain, minimize spillage, and are easy to see from the air. And keep them at least fifteen feet away from vegetation to thwart cats and creative, determined squirrels.

Some ideas for recycled bird feeder:

For more information visit
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/fyn/florida_friendly_yards/bird_gardening.html

Stop Crape Murder!

It is that time of year when the crape myrtles are starting to loose their leaves and go dormant for the winter.  Resist the urge to over prune these poor trees.Unfortunately, many homeowners and landscape professionals prune crape myrtle trees too severely. Topping--commonly called "crape murder"--can be very damaging and disfiguring to the tree. This practice results in a "witch's broom" appearance and a tree that is no longer in proportion.

Crape myrtle may need little or no pruning if planted in full sun away from walkways and roads and in areas with room for plant growth. In these locations, trees form a round canopy that often extends to the ground. Reasons for pruning crapemyrtle (or any plant) are to improve plant structure and alter plant size, shape, and appearance according to human perceptions and landscape function. Well pruned crape myrtle provide an interesting, sculptural feature in your landscape during it's dormant season and beautiful color in the growing season.

For more information on pruning crape myrtles or other trees visit: 
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep399
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/crape_murder.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep399
http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.shtml
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg087

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout Photos

Thanks to all 84 walkers who join us for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Walkabout.  We had perfect weather to enjoy the landscapes of historic Palmetto.  Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/112564141574467714222/FloridaFriendlyLandscapingWalkabout#