Page 48

19085CD

Free subscription to Guide for Real Florida Gardeners at www.PlantRealFlorida.org CLEAN WATER AND YOUR LANDSCAPE WHY? WHAT'S IN THE WATER? A lot of bad stuff, including whatever we sprinkle, spray or dust on our landscapes. Rainwater falls, seeps into the ground or starts moving across the land. Native plants filter some pollutants but too much water keeps moving, picking up more bad stuff as it goes. It moves underground into our aquifers or drains into the nearest body of water. Those of us fortunate to live directly on a stream, lake, river or the ocean certainly have a special responsibility. But each of us, no matter where we live, impacts water quality through the choices we make. Floridians Al and Beth Vazquez became concerned a few years ago when, as paddlers, they began noticing diminishing springs, creeks and river flows all over Florida. Their home is on a man-made canal that exits to the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County. Part of a homeowner assocation, they and their neighbors pride themselves on the appearance of their landcapes. But Al and Beth realized the landscapes and their maintenance, with fertilizers, pesticides and lawn clippings blown into the water, were unhealthy. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ADDRESS N' MAIL The Vazquez family decided they had to do something. They started by turning off the irrigation in the backyard to see what would happen. The turfgrass died. The trees and some shrubs survived. They replaced the grass with salt and drought-tolerant native groundcovers like Seaside Ambrosia (Ambrosia hispida), native ferns, Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) and Purslane (Sesuvium species). Al said “It's amazing what we see in the yard now that we never saw before,” referring to butterflies and birds. Beth, who worried at the outset about how it would look, said “It’s so much more enjoyable and costs a lot less.” Guests comment on “how interesting it looks because it’s not just a field of green grass.” Beth is encouraged that when they see it, visitors say “I could do this.” Al and Beth both agree: “We just wish we had done this 20 years ago.” They’re transforming their front yard now. Use this guide to start your own transformation. Algae blooms happen because too many “nutrients” (e.g., fertilizer) enter our waterways. These blooms endanger humans, fish, birds and other animals. After happily killing the turf in their frontyard, Al and Beth Vazquez invited neighbors to a “Lawn Wake,” an open-yard event to publicize the benefits of Florida-Friendly yards. Refreshments were served and tours were provided. Headstones marked the passing of their lawnmower, fertilizer spreader and sprinklers. Vazquez backyard is on a man-made canal in a homeowner association. St. Petersburg canalfront home features variety of native groundcovers and shrubs. Cascading over the seawall is Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum), which just loves getting sloshed with brackish water. Statewide, Floridians are seeing more dangerous algae blooms, fish kills, diseased dolphins and cautions about eating the fish we catch or swimming in the water. What you plant, matters FANN PO BOX 972 MELBOURNE FL 32902-0972 www.PlantRealFlorida.org PHOTOS, TOP: TAKEBACKOURWATER.ORG, OTHERS: CMD


19085CD
To see the actual publication please follow the link above