350
Today is the day-Oct. 24, 2009. The time for all good nations to come to the aid of their globe.
This is an accumulative effort of people all over the world to take a stand for a safe climate future! The Science of 350- Scientists say that 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity, and we are at 387. They are asking everyone worldwide to do something that emphasizes the number, 350, to help create a positive change on this date. For those with computers, try www.350.org
The local Native Plant Society is having a Plant Sale today, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manatee Park, 10901 Palm Beach Blvd. Along with a thousand of locally grown native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and butterfly garden plants, they are offering 350 oak trees for $3.50. Even this size of an oak tree can help toward reducing our carbon foot print, and they keep growing and will do much more in the future.
Manatee Park is a wonderful place to see all these local native plants in their surroundings. You can see the different native plant communities, where the right plant in the right place is displayed. The butterfly garden along the walk by the water attracts many butterflies. Kayaks can be rented. There is a gift shop with all kinds of items pertaining to nature. A lovely walk in the park is educational and relaxing.
What are native plants and why should we plant them? Many years ago, Florida was under water, so what came here by natural means, such as wind, air, birds, animals and survived, this started our vegetative patch. Florida botanists classify anything growing here before the Spanish Colonists arrive, the mid-sixteenth century, as Native plants. Before man contaminated our environment. Before civilization brought in its own ideas of plantings. It could be called the survival of the fittest that acclimated to our land and climate, and grew compatibly together. They are the trick to a low cost, low maintenance, successful, gardening. With lower watering needs, and less fertilization needs (I didn’t say, none), native plants can adjust to becoming successful gardens. Civilization has taken a toll on our natural areas, disturbing wildlife and brought a concern about the high water needs to support and grow, exotics. We need to replace our lost ozone layers and utilize the oxygen giving trees and plants that grow here naturally.
Florida has the third largest number of Native plant species in the United States. California and Hawaii outnumber us. Exotics have been brought in, and some fast growing ones shade and endanger our slow growing natives. They become invasive. Many are beautiful, but their watering and fertilizing needs endanger our waterways. You don’t need to live on a canal or lakeside, excessive fertilizer washes down into our swales and then our storm sewers, and takes off to the rivers and pollutes our drinkable water reservoirs. All this having been said, I still believe there is a place for tame exotics, like hibiscus. The recommendation is that we keep them in the same area to have their water and fertilizer jointly shared. Natives and some exotics can co-exist.
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods recommend the Nine Principles of Florida-friendly Yards.
1) Right Plant, Right Place: Plants selected to suit a specific site will require minimal amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
2) Water Efficiently: Irrigate only when your lawn needs water. Efficient watering is the key to a healthy yard and conservation of limited resources.
3) Fertilize Appropriately: Less is often best. Over-use of fertilizers can be hazardous to your yard and environment.
4)Mulch: Maintain 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds.
5) Attract Wildlife: Plants in your yard that provide food, water, and shelter can conserve Florida’s diverse wildlife.
6) Manage Yard Pests Responsibly: Universe use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.
7) Recycle: Grass clippings, leaves, and yard trimmings composted and recycled on site provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.
8) Reduce Stormwater Runoff: Water running off your yard can carry pollutants, such as fertilizer, pesticides, soil and debris that can harm water quality. Reduction of this runoff will help prevent pollution.
9) 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.
Invest in your future planet, ease your gardening woes, try these tricks and treat yourself. Happy October.
Joyce Comingore – Master Gardener; Past-President of the James E Hendry Chapter of the AHS and National Board member of the American Hibiscus Society; member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.