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.

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.

Rainy Day Water Trivia

One inch of rain on one acre of land yeilds 27,154 gallons of water!

This may sound like a lot of water but to put it into perspective, it takes

• 300 milllion gallons of water to produce a single day's supply of US newsprint
• 39,090 gallons to manufacture a new car
• 1,851 gallons to refine a barrel of crude oil
• 62,600 gallons to produce a ton of steel

A great way to conserve water is to capture rainfall.  Cisterns and rain barrels can recycle the rain into your landscape when dryer times are present.  For information on rain barrels including workshop information visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/fyn/rain-barrel.shtml

Watch the Weather - Wait to Water Your Yard!

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/watch-weather/

During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need only about ¾ inch of water every 3 to 5 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed.

Take full advantage of the rain

• Make sure gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawn.
• Install a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater.

 Attend a rain barrel workshop to learn more. To register click here.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Our summer afternoon showers, rain events, have begun.  What does this mean to you? 

• Your rain barrel is filling or full, good news!  Now is a great time to add another rain barrel to your collection.  If you are not currently using a rain barrel you can sign up for an upcoming workshop at http://manateefyn.eventbrite.com/
• It's time to check your irrigation timer!  You may be able to turn it off.  For more info check out http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/watch-weather/
• Consider a Rain Garden.  Find out how to include a rain garden into your landscape at http://buildgreen.ufl.edu/Fact_sheet_Bioretention_Basins_Rain_Gardens.pdf

Earth Day Count Down - Day 1

Earth Day is April 22nd!  We will be counting down with a tip a day to help you make your April a little greener.

#1 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.

Water Conservation & Native Plant Sale

Saturday, March 20th from 9 am to 2 pm join us at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive North, for a Water Conservation Program & Native Plant Sale.  For a $15 fee you will receive a 55-gallon rain barrel complete with all hardware, an A/C condensate drip hose, an indigenous plant , a hose repair kit and other water-saving devices.  Please call 941-778-4619 to register.

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.

Recycle the Rain - Reduce Stormwater Runoff

One way to reduce stormwater runoff is to recycle the rain in a rain barrel.

Watch a video here to learn one method of setting up a collection system. You can get very creative with not only the decoration of your barrel but also the movement of the water. Some use pumps or elaporate plumbing to route the water where it is needed.

Rain Barrel workshops are offered monthly at the Manatee County Extension Office. To inquire or register for this series contact the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension office at 941-722-4524 or email michelleatkinson@ufl.edu

Another way to reduce stormwater runoff is to install a rain garden. A rain garden is a shallow, constructed depression that is planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. It is designed to receive runoff from impervious, hard surfaces such as parking lots, roads and roofs, while also collecting rainwater from pervious surfaces like lawns. Rain gardens slow down the flow from these surfaces, hold the water for a short period of time, and allow it to naturally infiltrate into the soil. This infiltration reduces the amount of runoff, and the native plants, mulch and soil in a rain garden combine with natural physical, chemical and biological processes to filter out stormwater pollutants.

Porous surfaces should be used whenever possible for traffic areas such as driveways, walkways, and patios. Materials such as gravel, mulch and pervious concrete will allow rainwater to seep into the ground. A positive byproduct will be that the porous surfaces will act as a filter if any runoff is captured.

Recycling the Rain is a great way to conserve water. Have fun and go wild developing your own systems. Please share your photos and stories with me.

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

Rain Barrel & Compost Combo Class

Saturday, July 18th 9:00am - 12:00pm

Cost $50

To sign up visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/class_registration/class-registration-form.shtml

or call (941) 722-4524

Take home a Rain Barrel and a Compost Bin and the know how to use them both!

Most of us take water for granted until it doesn't rain for a month or two and the city asks you to stop watering your lawn and garden. One of the best ways to help guard against this is by recycling rainwater. There are many ways to collect and recycle rainwater but one of the best and most cost effective is to setup a simple rain barrel.

Did you know you can have finished compost in just 3 to 4 weeks? By combining the right ingredients, your compost pile will not only heat up to 140 degrees (F) or more, but it will "cook down" to a fluffy material that is ready to use in the garden.