Upcoming Events

Summer Sat. Series: Bring the family and discover interesting Florida facts, animals, plants and ways to be friendly to our environment. This event is outside please be prepared with a drink, hat and/or sunscreen.




Meet the Natives – June 26th – Rye Preserve
Rye Wilderness Preserve 905 Wilderness Trail  Parrish, FL 34219

Take a walk with one of our Master Gardeners to identify Florida native plants. Listen to stories about our native friends as you tour the preserve spying new species along the way. Pot and take home a native plant. Registration is required.

*No fee required. Please register at http://metthenatives062610.eventbrite.com/

Program Location Description: Rye Preserve is a 145 acre property located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam. The preserve features nature trails, horseback trails, picnic areas, a playground and a canoe/kayak launch.
The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. A variety of interesting creatures can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise, and Florida scrub-jay.
Rye Preserve is home to a piece of Manatee County's early pioneer history. Within the preserve visitors can view the Rye Family Cemetery, the last remaining reminder of the old Rye river community.

Other Series Titles:
Hippity Hoppity Frog Habitats- July 10th – Palma Sola Botanical Park http://froghabitats071010.eventbrite.com/


Wiggly Squiggly Worm Composting- August 14th - Manatee County Extension Office
http://wigglysquiggly081410.eventbrite.com/

Earth Day Count Down - Day 18

#18 Include some wildlife!
Landscaping to attract wildlife brings nature close by welcoming it into our backyards. Planting certain trees, shrubs, and flowers can create an inviting atmosphere for songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Another advantage of landscaping for wildlife is creating habitat for animals that have been displaced by community growth and development where space is limited. Visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/backyard-habitat/index.shtml for more information.

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

Aquascaping Your Stormwater Pond

Aquascaping is simply landscaping the shoreline of ponds with aquatic and wetland plants. Aquascaped ponds and lakes have fewer problems than those without aquascaping. Desirable vegetation will filter polluted runoff, trap sediments, control the growth of nuisance vegetation and help make the pond visually pleasing. Aquatic plants pump oxygen into the water and create habitats by providing cover and nurseries for fish and other organisms. More importantly, vegetated shorelines help improve water quality.

Choose desirable, low-maintenance plants to aquascape your stormwater pond. Not all plants are good for aquascaping, and the removal of prohibited or invasive plants can be difficult. Associations are advised to contact a reputable pond management company for most vegetation management programs. Well-managed stormwater ponds can serve as an amenity to a community and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife and vegetation.

A vegetated buffer of native plants along the fringe of the pond can be used to attract wading

birds, turtles, and other wildlife. Vegetation along the banks can also make the pond more attractive.

Aquatic plants are essential to the balance in the stormwater pond ecosystem. Certain plants protect pond slope by minimizing erosion, while floating plants and algae consume nutrients in the pond. However, without proper management, aquatic plants become unsightly and degrade the overall quality of the pond.

Should you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator in Manatee County at MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu. Check out WaterMatters.org for detailed stormwater pond information.

Florida Friendly Plant Spot Light - Wild Coffee

Wild Coffee is a native to Florida and considered a Florida Friendly Plant. Wild coffee is a moderately drought tolerant plant that will perform well in a partial shade or full shade location in the landscape. This 4- to 10-foot-tall plant may be used in the landscape as a specimen or foundation plant and is very effective when planted in mass. It stays relatively small in the sun and takes to clipping quite nicely. It makes a nice base or background plant for a shrub border. Birds and other wildlife are often associated with this plant for the fruit it produces.
This photo was taken yesterday as you can see the berries are just starting to change color attracting birds daily for this homeowner to enjoy!

Check out our upcoming classes.

Home Composting - Saturday, September 12th 9:00am - 10:15am
Rain Barrel Workshop - Saturday, September 12th 10:45-12:00pm
Smart Landscape, Planning and Care - Wednesday, September 16th 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Creating Wildlife Habitats in Your Backyard - Saturday, September 19th 9:00am - 10:30am
Step 2 of the Create Your Fabulous Florida Friendly Landscape -
Landscape Irrigation Simplified - Wednesday, September 24th 6:00pm - 9:00pm

**October 3rd** Blooming Success! Best Plants in Town! - Annual Master Gardener Plant Fair.

All above classes are the Manatee County Extension Office located at 1303 17th Street W. Palmetto. To register visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/class_registration/class-registration-form.shtml or call 941-722-4524.

Should you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator for Manatee County at MichelleAtkinson@ufl.edu.