Tag Archives: water

Water-Wise Plants in The Villages

Posted on by rhondacarrier

Hawthorn We were in The Villages, FL last weekend. I’m always amazed at the beauty of the plants along roadsides and around commercial areas, but over the last year I’ve noticed a definite change in the types of plants used. Increasingly, public area plants have been converted to those that require less water.

The Home & Garden section of The Villages’ Daily Sun newspaper (4/3/2010) described water-wise practices The Villages management is following. The article defined water-wise plants as “those that can take water one day a week”.

The article suggested that if residents of The Villages watch the changes in the public areas, that it will help residents to select appropriate water-wise plants for their yards. Water-wise plants recommended are Indian hawthorn (see photo), Parson’s juniper, dwarf Walter’s viburnum, and variegated Dianella, also known as blueberry flax lily. Liriope is a good grass to use as a border plant.

The article emphasized that water-wise plants need regular watering until they are established, but most will survive on rainfall alone, except in drought years when additional irrigation by watering systems is needed.

I find it encouraging that such a large management corporation is making an effort to be water-wise, although I’m sure one of the main factors is that it reduces their budget for water just as it reduces the water budget for residents of The Villages.

Digging Gently

Posted on by rhondacarrier

Tree Roots: Then and Now

I dig gently and hoe softly. Why? To avoid tree roots.

I was taught (and have taught) that tree roots are arranged like the diagram on the left. Current research shows that trees roots actually grow like the diagram on the right. Wow. Big difference.

Trees may have a few large roots that extend deep into the soil, but their function is to anchor the tree. The water, nutrients and oxygen needed by the tree are in the top few inches of the soil. According to US/IFS, “Realize that while most tree roots are in the top two feet of soil, those that feed the tree are in the top few inches”.

Who cares where the roots are? I am trying to develop a pleasant landscape for my house, but every time I try to plant something, every time I dig more than a few inches, I run into tree roots. “On average, tree roots spread close to 3 times the spread of the branches, so that a tree with an 8-foot branch crown spread would have a 24-foot root spread diameter.” Southern magnolia trees like the one in my backyard, may have roots that extend “3.8 times the dripline“. It is a challenge to dig a small hole for an annual, or to try to remove weeds,  My yard is a massive network of tree roots from my trees and those of my neighbors with a thin layer of soil on top, so I dig gently and hoe softly to avoid damaging the roots.

Note: Diagram from UF/IFAS Okeechobee Extension Service who got it from Houston Area Urban Forestry Council

Dead Fish and Algal Blooms

Posted on by rhondacarrier

We enjoy watching the carp as well as the ducks and anhinga on the nearby pond. I wonder who maintains the pond? There is a fence around it, so I couldn’t get in to remove the dead fish killed by the freeze last January. A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times expressed concern that an algal bloom could develop in Tampa Bay because of the dead and decaying fish. That could happen in this contained pond also. There is another possible freeze tonight. I hope we don’t lose any more fish.

Fish Kill

Florida Friendly Garden

Posted on by rhondacarrier

9 Principals of a Florida Friendly Yard

  1. Put the right plant in the right place.
  2. Water efficiently.
  3. Reduce storm water runoff.
  4. Use mulch.
  5. Recycle.
  6. User fertilizer appropriately.
  7. Provide for wildlife.
  8. Manage yard pests.
  9. Protect the waterfront.

My goal is to have a Florida friendly garden, but how am I doing?

I’m trying to put the right plants in the right place, but I’m just beginning to learn which plants are right for the soil type, shade/sun in my yard, and the climate of Florida. I have only put in a few plants so far, not enough to have made many mistakes. My front yard is mainly covered in mulch, and I haven’t done anything to the large empty back yard. Small palm sprouts are peeking through the ground, but I don’t want a yard full of volunteer palms, so I need a plan. I observe neighborhood gardens, talk to people, and watch when various plants are on sale at the garden centers to become more knowledgable about Florida friendly plants and environment.

I have an irrigation system, but the control panel was not working when we moved in and it is still not repaired. My goal is to establish plants that only need natural water. I have controlled watering so far using a hose for new plants that I have put in. I will probably install rain barrels to help manage water and runoff more efficiently.

I’m using mulch, but not the recommended organic mulch (pine bark, pine straw/needles, Eucalyptus, Malaleuca, recycled mulch, unfinished compost or Cypress) so I will have to reconsider my current products. (I found out later that the mulch is Eucalyptus and Cypress.) I don’t have a compost center set up yet either. I’m hoping to include worms in a composting system.

I follow directions for fertilizing the few plants that I have. I’m very concerned about excess fertilizer in the ground water, so I am being very careful not to use too much.

I am not providing for wildlife yet, although I have plans for a butterfly garden. I am trying to avoid using chemicals, so I am digging up those pesky weeds that were the only ground cover in the yard, but I haven’t had to manage any pests other than a few ants in the house.

My favorite Japanese gardens are over 800 years old and are still being modified and improved each year. I’ll take time to try to learn what I need to know to plan a successful Florida friendly garden.