From the Garden

[WLD]

You can request that your landscape service use only organic fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides. Or, do it yourself--Home Depot carries a full line of organics and they're not much more expensive that the chemical versions.

If you live in a neighborhood that will allow it, get rid of your turf grass and landscape with native plants. Youll need less (or no) fertizilier, herbicide, and pesticide and you will use less water for irrigation. (And, no mowing!)

The Florida County Extension Service has helpful info.

Good for you for growing your own veggies!

 

[Susan Horn]

You can request that your landscape service use only organic fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides. Or, do it yourself--Home Depot carries a full line of organics and they're not much more expensive that the chemical versions.

If you live in a neighborhood that will allow it, get rid of your turf grass and landscape with native plants. Youll need less (or no) fertizilier, herbicide, and pesticide and you will use less water for irrigation. (And, no mowing!)

The Florida County Extension Service has helpful info.

Good for you for growing your own veggies!

That is great advice for someone who owns their own property; I would add that edible landscaping is another fine option, and perennial peanut as a substitute for turfgrass has tested well in this area for heat and drought tolerance, while also fixing nitrogen (thus it will feed neighboring plants nitrogen, requiring less or no fertilizer).

But what about people who are renting, or live in condos?

 

[2bohemians]

New photos taken yesterday:

 

[Beach Runner]

Beautiful!

 

[Miss Kitty]

...some gorgeous shots! Thanks!

I have a gardening story. I finally bought some seasonal color (and a few perennials) and have been planting a bit since Saturday. I pulled some weeds in a bed by the pool and left them there over night. I have a Mr. and Mrs. Dove that visit daily and they are busy building a nest in the pecan tree with the dried out weeds! Made my day, even though it meant I couldn't get to the bed to plant early this morning! Welcome to the neighborhood, Doves!

So, I have a question...Molly needs to be furminated and I wonder if the doves would like the fur or if it would scare them away?

 

[Rita]

mk - i seem to recall birds picking up fancey's combed out hair.

 

[scooterbug44]

Molly's fur will keep away pests if you spread it in the garden - I would put it out in the gardens and let the doves get it from there so you don't potentially scare them off by putting the smell of a "predator" in their nest.

 

[Rita]

2bs - love your photos!

 

[Susan Horn]

You can put hair, drier lint, etc., in one of those mesh produce bags and hang it somewhere, and let the birds decide if they want to use it. From what I've seen, hair as a pest deterrent only lasts a short period anyway.

 

[2bohemians]

...some gorgeous shots! Thanks!

Well Thank You Miss Kitty

I have a gardening story. I finally bought some seasonal color (and a few perennials) and have been planting a bit since Saturday. I pulled some weeds in a bed by the pool and left them there over night. I have a Mr. and Mrs. Dove that visit daily and they are busy building a nest in the pecan tree with the dried out weeds! Made my day, even though it meant I couldn't get to the bed to plant early this morning! Welcome to the neighborhood, Doves!

So, I have a question...Molly needs to be furminated and I wonder if the doves would like the fur or if it would scare them away?

So, how is it working out. Have Mr. & Mrs Dove made a new home with the fur yet? We recently got about 8+ inches of hair cut and threw the trimmings around the yard for the squirrels and birds to use in their nests.