Wendy's Wanderings
April 12, 2018
Cruising into Spring
Cruise control, autopilot, muscle memory—we often do things in our lives and yards without barely a thought. There are gardening chores or tasks that we do because we always have done it that way. This spring season take a look at your gardening habits and think which ones you can change to be more Florida-Friendly and have a positive impact on your environment.
Here are three common cruise-control landscaping practices that should be given more thought in my neighborhood and maybe in yours too.
- Getting the lawn sprayed because “it is time.” If you have a lawn service, many times they sell you a pesticide/herbicide package that is based on the calendar instead of what is actually happening in the yard. Scout your yard to see if you really need any pesticide applied, and choose the least toxic pesticide if one is needed at all.
- Bumping the turf irrigation up to two times a week because watering restrictions allow you to. Just because you can, does that mean you should? In many districts in Florida, watering restrictions go from one day a week to two days a week during daylight saving time. But if we have been getting sufficient rain and your landscape is lower maintenance, you may not need that extra water. Let the grass tell you when it is time to water. Look for folded leaf blades or an overall grayish color in the turf. Do mind the day of the week required in the restrictions.
- Bagging raked leaves and setting them out on the curb instead of composting them or using them for mulch. I see folks put hundreds of dollars of mulch (their own leaves) on the curb for pick up. If they were to mow over the leaves or grind them and spread the shredded leaves in their landscape beds, they would have the best mulch Mother Nature can provide. Using you own leaves reduces your carbon footprint and gives you a superior mulch than what you can purchase in the store.
Pump the brakes and turn off the cruise control so you can be mindful of the Florida-Friendly practices you can use in your landscape. Your landscape will thank you.
-- Wendy Wilber