Florida-Friendly Fall Plants

To get great Fall color consider adding the following Florida-Friendly Plants.

Gazania - annual

Coleus - comes in many varieties

Beauty Berry

Herbs - Purple Basil adds Fall color

Celosia - annual

Save the Date - Nov. 5th for the Walkabout

Plant a Pollinator Garden.

September is National Pollinator Month so help out our hard working friends by establishing a pollinator garden. Pollinators need your help! There is increasing evidence that many pollinators are in decline.  However, there are some simple things you can do at home to encourage pollinator diversity and abundance.

Plant a Pollinator Garden. The most obvious need for pollinating species is a diversity of nectar and pollen sources.  Consider the following when choosing plants for your garden:

• Choose plants that flower at different times of the year to provide nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season
• Plant in clumps, rather than single plants, to better attract pollinators
• Provide a variety of flower colors and shapes to attract different pollinators.  
• Whenever possible, choose native plants.  Native plants will attract more native pollinators and can serve as larval host plants for some species of pollinators. 

To create a design that will invite your favorite pollinators to your garden look at this chart.


Avoid or Limit Pesticide Use. Pesticides can kill more than the target pest. Some pesticide residues can kill pollinators for several days after the pesticide is applied. Pesticides can also kill natural predators, which can lead to even worse pest problems. Consider the following when managing pests in your garden:

• Try removing individual pests by hand if possible (wearing garden gloves)
• Encourage native predators with a diverse garden habitat
• Expect and accept a little bit of pest activity
• If you must use a pesticide, choose one that is the least toxic to non-pest species, does not persist on vegetation, and apply it in the evening when most pollinators are not as active. Read and follow label directions carefully.

Florida-Friendly Fence Plants

Click here and go to page 22

Looking for Florida-Friendly fence plants to create a screen?  Above is an excerpt from our Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Pattern Book.  The link shows a sample plan that offers variety creating a great screen and diversity in your yard.  The back of this book lists plant material that will thrive in Manatee County.  Attention needs to be paid to the light conditions, soil types and watering needs of each plant to match it to your site conditions.

Avoid the monoculture.  Planting a screen that consists of only one variety can cost you in the end.   Using one plant variety to create a hedge has been popular because it can provide even growth and a straight line
to guide pruning.  A monoculture hedge does have a few problems. What if an insect or disease strikes your hedge? All of your shrubs could be lost or you could end up with random large dead holes


A better alternative is to plant a hedge using a variety of large and small shrubs and trees. Generally, something that requires screening will need it the year round, so evergreens naturally predominate in any list of screening plants. But don’t be afraid to add a deciduous plant. A few deciduous plants can provide wonderful color. When choosing plants for screening, check the available space carefully and know the mature height and width of the plant. Be sure that the plants you choose will fit in the allotted space without an undue amount of maintenance. If you have to frequently prune your plants to keep them in check, it’s more than likely you used the wrong plant for that location. Also, when mixing several different types of plants, be sure to choose ones with similar growth and water requirements.

Put some fireworks in your yard

Put some fireworks in your yard this 4th of July.  Red, white and blues gardens can be achieved with a number of plants here in Florida.

Scarlet Salvia, Saphire Salvia, Dusty Miller

Blue Iris

White Penta

Red Penta

Blue Plumbago

White Plumbago

Powder Puff

These plants can give you a POP of color to enjoy while you are celebrating this 4th of July.

Install Now, Harvest Later

Now is a great time to install a rain barrel.  I know, it's dry and we need rain.  However, it is a great time to clean out those gutters and install so that when the rains finally get here you are prepared.  Rain barrels are available for $16.75 and you can attend a workshop on how to install and maintain one for free.  Register at http://combo71611-eorg.eventbrite.com/ for the July 16th workshop.

Composting Toilet

In planning a trip to a Florida spring I found advertised "composting toilets". I teach both worm and landscape composting but am unfamiliar with human waste composting so I decided to do a little research.  Maybe we need to add a new class!

Composting toilets are toilet systems which treat human waste by composting and dehydration to produce a useable end-product that is a valuable soil additive. They come in a variety of models and brand names as well as different shapes and designs to enhance the natural composting process. They use little or no water, are not connected to expensive sewage systems, cause no environmental damage and produce a valuable resource for gardening.  Sounding good so far.

Some disadvantages are:
• Maintenance of composting toilet systems requires more responsibility and commitment by users and owners than conventional wastewater systems.
• Removing the finished end-product is an unpleasant job if the composting toilet system is not properly installed or maintained.
• Composting toilet systems must be used in conjunction with a graywater system in most circumstances.
• Smaller units may have limited capacity for accepting peak loads.  Wait, what?  Okay, size matters!


I now find myself looking forward to visiting a toilet.  My August blog will definitely include a report from the John.

I am not sure the residents of Manatee County are ready for a full class on this type of composting although it does have some great environmental advantages, maybe we'll mention it in our other composting classes.

Weekend Plans? Get Out and Enjoy our Wetlands

It is American Wetlands Month - Enjoy some this weekend!

Plant ID & Nature Tour - DeSoto Memorial/Riverview Preserve

May 14, 2011

Stroll through DeSoto National Memorial and Riverview Pointe Preserve with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn more about Florida's native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat.  This program is suitable for all ages. 

This tour is FREE and will take place from 9:00 - 11:00am.  Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524 to register.

Plant ID & Nature Tour - Robinson Preserve

May 15, 2011

Stroll through Robinson Preserve's salt marshes with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn more about Florida's native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat.  This program is suitable for all ages. 

This tour is FREE and will take place from 9:00 - 11:00am.  Call the Master Gardeners at (941) 722-4524 to register.

May is American Wetlands Month

Emerson Point

Identify your watershed and find the wetlands in your neighborhood. Learn more about them and share what you learn with someone you know! Encourage neighbors, developers, and state and local governments to protect the functions and values of wetlands in your watershed.

Although wetlands are best known for being home to water lilies, turtles, frogs, snakes, alligators, and crocodiles, they also provide important habitat for waterfowl, fish, and mammals. Migrating birds use wetlands to rest and feed during their cross-continental journeys and as nesting sites when they are at home. As a result, wetland loss has a serious impact on these species. Habitat degradation since the 1970s has been a leading cause of species extinction.

Wetland functions include water quality improvement, floodwater storage, fish and wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and biological productivity. The value of a wetland is an estimate of the importance or worth of one or more of its functions to society. For example, a value can be determined by the revenue generated from the sale of fish that depend on the wetland, by the tourist dollars associated with the wetland, or by public support for protecting fish and wildlife.

Visit http://wetlandextension.ifas.ufl.edu/ or  http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/outreach/facts_contents.cfm for more info.

Explore some of Manatee County wetlands at 
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/edwardchance-gilley.html
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/terraceia.html
http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/natural-resources/resource-management/preserves.html.        

Snow Effects Downtown

The white fluff floating in the breeze as you drive on US 41 through downtown Bradenton belongs to the Silk Floss Tree Chorisia speciosa.

Silk Floss Flower

Silk Floss Tree seed in the floss

Trunk of the Silk Floss Tree

As you wait for the traffic light to turn green you can let your imagination take you to colder climates with snowy days.  Just don't stay away too long or car horns may bring you back to reality. 

Earth Day Is Here!!! Happy Day.

 Green Up Your Day!

History of Earth Day
Find a Recycling Center

Earth Day Count Down - 1day to go

Compost it! 

Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives. Earth Machine compost bins with compost class available to Manatee County Residents for $40. Visit http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/ to register for a class or go to http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/fyn/CompostInformation.shtml for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - 2 days to go

Recycle the rain!

Harvesting rainwater using a rain barrel helps supplement irrigation for a small cost. Storing rainwater also helps reduce stormwater runoff, which can lead to reduced levels of pesticides and fertilizers in our water. Visit http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/ to register for a class or go to http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/fyn/rain-barrel.shtml for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - 3 days to go

Shower power! 

A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are. Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent.  Exchange your high volume showerhead for a low flow (2 gallons per minute) showerhead at the Manatee County Utility Complex, Bldg 4412, 4410 66^th Street West, Bradenton. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/thepowerof10/ to find out your water usage using the water calculator

Earth Day Count Down - 4 days to go

Be sensible! 

The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact only one percent of all water on the planet is available for humans. Buy fixtures and products that are water efficient – you can use less water to get the same job done just as well. When you go shopping, look for the WaterSense label to find water efficient products. Visit http://www.h2ouse.org/index.cfm for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - 5 days to go

Reduce your carbon footprint! 

Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Save up errands and shopping trips so you need to drive fewer times. If you commute to work, ask if you can work from home at least some days, and you'll reduce air pollution and traffic congestion - and save money. Visit http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/road.html for more information

Earth Day Count Down - 6 days to go

Make it a full load!

Run your dishwasher only when it's full. Don't pre-rinse dishes - tests show pre-rinsing doesn't improve dishwasher cleaning, and you'll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. When you buy a new dishwasher, look for one that saves water. Water-efficient models use only about only about 4 gallons per wash. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/florida_water_star_gold/ for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - 7 days to go

Read the label!

You might not realize it, but on a pesticide container, the label is the law. Pesticide product labels provide critical safety information for handling and use. Pesticides are powerful substances, but when used according to the label they are safe and effective. So … always use pesticides safely, at home or in the field. Always read the label. Visit http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/label/ for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - 8 days to go

Don't let pet waste run off!

You can help reduce polluted storm water runoff by just picking up your pet's poop and dispose of it properly. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria or organic material to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies. So remember - always scoop the poop! Visit http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html and http://sarasotabay.org/nar-poochesfortheplanet.html for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 9

Don't be a drip - fix that leak!

Take the Water Conservation Pledge

 
Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures. If you're not sure you have a leak, check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak. Visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/what_you_can_do.html for more information

Earth Day Count Down - Day 10

Make your home an Energy Star!

When you do home maintenance, also do a home energy audit to find out how you can save money by making your home more energy efficiency. And if every American home replaced just one conventional light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year. Visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 11

Make it a full load!

The average washing machine uses 40.9 gallons of water per load. If you buy a a new washer, shop for a high-efficiency washer that needs less than 28 gallons of water per load. To achieve even greater savings, wash only full loads of laundry or be sure to choose the appropriate load size on the washing machine. Visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/what_you_can_do.html for more information.

April is Water Conservation Month.  Take the pledge at http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/waterpledge/ 

Earth Day Count Down - Day 12

Don't trash it - reuse it!

Be creative as you look for new ways to reduce the amount or kinds of household waste. Give cardboard tubes to pet hamsters or gerbils. Plant seeds in an egg carton. Make a flower pot out of a plastic ice cream tub. By thinking creatively, you will often find new uses for common items and new ways to recycle and reduce waste. Visit http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/catbook/tip12.htm for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 13

eCycle it!

Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to an electronics recycling center. Reusing and recycling materials like copper, gold, and others saves natural resources and reduces mining and processing. eCycling also helps avoid land, air, and water pollution by capturing and reusing hazardous substances such as lead or chromium. Visit http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/utilities/recycling/recycling-materials-pickup.html to find out how to dispose of your e-scrap.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 14

Just bag it! 

Help protect the environment when you shop. Keep reusable bags on your car seat or near your door so they are easy to grab when you go. And you can even combine shopping bags - just tell the cashier that you don't need a bag, then put all your purchases together in one bag… just be sure to hang on to your receipts! Visit http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pubs/shopping.htm for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 15

Wait for the storm to pass! 

Don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money – can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers, lakes, and bays, and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds. Check the weather forecast before you head out, and wait for the storm to pass. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/fertilizing/ or http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/handbook/Fertilize_Appropriately_vSept09.pdf for information on Florida-Friendly Fertilizing.

 

Earth Day Count Down - Day 16

Travel green! 

Look for hotels that encourage guests to use less water or energy. Hang up your towels to dry so you can use them again. Use the sheets more than a night or two. When you go out, look for local foods and souvenirs to reduce transportation. Before you go, unplug your computer, DVD player, and other electronics, and turn down your thermostat. Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/waterchamp/to find Water Champ Lodging or http://www.epa.gov/region1/communities/traveltips.html for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 17

Choose Florida-Friendly!

Landscaping the Florida-Friendly way means using low maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. Learn how you can have a beautiful landscape that could save you time, energy and money while protecting our future. Environmental protection begins in your yard. Visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/ffl/index.shtml for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 18

Give it to the worms!

 

Vermi-composting, or worm composting, allows you to compost your food waste faster than you ever imagined, while producing a high quality compost and/or compost tea. Best of all, it's self-contained and nearly odorless! Visit http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/ to register for a class or go to http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/waste/composting.html for more information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 19

#19 Get Outside!
Getting outside is a fun, easy and low-cost way to spend time with your friends and family. The preserves of Manatee County offer a wonderful variety of animals and plants. Take a tour on foot or kayak. For more information go http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/natural-resources/resource-management/preserves.html or http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/ for regional information.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 20

#20 Buy Local!
Local food production can be thought of in concentric circles that start with growing food at home. The next ring out might be food grown in our immediate community - then state, region, and country. Buying local goes for more than just food, buying local saves on transportation costs and has a positive impact on our carbon footprint. For more information visit  http://farmlink.org/ to find local food & farms or the Bradenton Farmers Market.

Earth Day Count Down - Day 21

 

#21 Water efficiently!
Typically, up to 50% of water used by households is used outdoors. Efficient watering will not only help you save money and conserve water, but can also create a healthier landscape. Manatee County offers irrigation rebates and evaluations to residents. For more information visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/water_wise/index.shtml

April is Water Conservation Month

April in Florida…
It’s an ideal time to enjoy a little fun in the sun and to remind Floridians about the importance of water conservation.
The state Legislature designated April as Water Conservation Month because April is in the dry season, typically the time when water needs are most acute and temperatures begin to climb. Although Florida receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall per year, 60 percent of that annual rainfall is from June through September.
If you haven’t thought about conserving water, now is a great time to start! On average, about 50 percent of home water use is for outdoor irrigation. One way to reduce your water consumption is by practicing Florida-friendly landscaping techniques. Florida-friendly landscaping, established by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, is a commonsense way to landscape that conserves water and protects the environment. Florida-friendly landscaping emphasizes the following nine principles:

• Right Plant, Right Place — Plants selected to suit a specific site will require minimal amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides. Group plants according to their maintenance needs.

• Water Efficiently — Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water. Efficient watering is the key to a healthy Florida yard and conservation of limited resources.

• Fertilize Appropriately — Less is often best. Over-utilization of fertilizers can be hazardous to your yard and the environment.

• Mulch — Maintaining a 3-inch layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and suppress weeds.

• Manage Yard Pests Responsibly — Unwise use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.

• Recycle — Grass clippings, leaves and yard trimmings recycled on site provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.

• Reduce Stormwater Runoff — Water running off your yard can carry pollutants such as soil, debris, fertilizer and pesticides that can adversely impact water quality. Reduction of this runoff will help prevent nonpoint-source pollution.

• Protect the Waterfront — Waterfront property, whether on a river, stream, pond, bay or beach, is very fragile and should be carefully protected to maintain freshwater and marine ecosystems.

• Attract Wildlife — Plants in your yard that provide food, water and shelter can sustain Florida’s diverse wildlife.

Incorporating these simple steps will not only save water, but will help protect the environment for future generations. For more information about how you can conserve water inside and outside your home, please visit the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s web site at WaterMatters.org.

Spring Irrigation Maintenance

Click on the photo above to view video.

Florida-Friendly Fertilizing

Sometimes Florida yards need fertilizer to help keep them healthy, but applying too much fertilizer, too often or at the wrong time can cause water pollution. 

Recent studies have shown that rising nitrate levels in many local water bodies can be traced to fertilizer. Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that is found in inorganic fertilizers. When fertilizer is needed and applied correctly, the lawn absorbs the nitrogen. However, fertilizers applied improperly can run off lawns and into local water bodies, harming water quality and threatening the plants and animals that depend on clean water for survival.

You can help protect water quality while having a beautiful lawn. Learn more with steps 1–5 or by ordering our free Do-It-Yourself Guide to Florida-Friendly Fertilizing. 

Fertilizer applications vary depending on grass species, your location in the state and your desired level of lawn care. For more detailed information, visit University of Florida/IFAS.

Know When to Apply Fertilizer

To prevent fertilizer from washing into water bodies, it’s important to know the right time to fertilize. Follow these tips before fertilizing:

• Consider the time of year, climate, soil type and, most important, type of grass and health or condition of the lawn before applying fertilizer.
• Fertilize only when the grass is actively growing. For instance, during the winter, grass is dormant in many areas of Florida; therefore, fertilizer is not necessary. Fertilizer applied when grass is not growing wastes your money and time, since it will not be beneficially used by the grass. Instead, it will leach through the soil or run off and pollute nearby water bodies.
• If your lawn has problem areas, find out if this is related to a pest, soil or environmental problem such as excess shade or the uneven distribution of irrigation water. These problems should be corrected and not just masked by fertilization.
• If your household uses reclaimed water, check with your utility to determine if your reclaimed water has nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are also in fertilizer. If so, you may not need to fertilize as much.
• Do not fertilize if rain is predicted in the next 24–36 hours or when a heavy rain, tropical storm, hurricane or flood is predicted.

For more information check out http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/yards/fertilizing/ 

To Flush or Not To Flush

Photo from Columbia News Service

Pharmaceuticals are now attracting attention as a potentially new class of water pollutants. Drugs such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, seizure medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds have been detected in varied water sources. 

Where do they come from? Pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and other medical facilities are obvious sources, but households also contribute a significant share. People often dispose of unused medicines by flushing them down toilets. These drugs can pass intact through conventional sewage treatment facilities, into waterways, lakes and even aquifers. Further, discarded pharmaceuticals often end up at dumps and land fills, posing a threat to underlying groundwater. For more info click here.

Manatee County Sheriff's office is now offering a safe way to dispose of your medication. The drop off location is the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office located at 600 301 Boulevard West, Bradenton.  The front desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   

Reduce your pollution by disposing of your medications properly!