In Jo's Yard - 32 Irrigation

November 2018 - We need rain.   September 2019 – We need rain.  It seems Florida is constantly in a drought.  Since I moved here in 2016, I have yet to experience the “daily 3pm rain showers”.  The best time to water plants is early morning before the sun rises or evening after sunset, so that the water has a chance to soak into the soil keeping it moist as long as possible.  In fact, according to The Villages Water Wisdom site, watering may only occur BEFORE 10AM or AFTER 4PM, and for less than one hour per zone.  http://www.thevillageswaterwisdom.com/lake-county-irrigation-schedule/

When my yard was first planted, I set my irrigation for three times a week, 30 minutes.  Now that it is one year old (September 2019), I set the irrigation schedule for two times a week, 10 minutes.  Native plants have evolved over time to adjust to the soil and moisture in their natural habitats.  So planting a healthy diversity of native plants will help reduce irrigation water needs.  Of course, keep in mind “Right Plant, Right Place”. My irrigation water use for the first 9 months of 2019 is down 38% from the first 9 months of 2018, so I feel I’m on the right track. 

Roger comes with his drone and takes aerial photos!  I’m disappointed that the yard doesn’t look more green from above.  But it does look more interesting to me, with the different beds and the walking path.  Close up, the Tropical Sage is still full of blooms, and it looks great with the flags that I have out for Veterans’ Day.  The Blanket Flowers have hundreds of blooms!  It’s getting “there”.  


                                              Aerial view November 2018

                      Celebrating Veterans’ Day (photo of flags & tropical sage)

In Jo's Yard - 31 Gusty Winds

It’s a November afternoon (2018) and I am looking forward to some rain.  Around 4pm it is getting darker, so I open the shades in my Florida Room.  The rain comes and I watch it pour like a mini-Niagra Falls off my roof on to the patio at the back of the house.  Watching it makes me think I need to see about getting a rain barrel.  I look out to the front yard.  Oh my gosh, the wind has blown over my wooden glider – and that is quite sturdy!  Luckily the flatwood plum tree behind it appears to be unharmed.  The next morning I go out to assess the damage.  I manage to right the glider and confirm that the flatwood plum has just a small broken branch or two, and no damage to the trunk or bark that would encourage pests.  The bee balm is also undamaged. 

I walk around the entire yard.  The occasional torn leaf, but no real damage.  The small blazing star liastra which was upright is now horizontal on the ground, but still has the lavender flowers and the long one that was always lying in a circle / halo is the same.  All the trees and shrubs appear good.  The muhly grass is still lovely blowing in the breeze.  I spot one blanket flower bush which is windblown to the side.  Once again I will hold out hope that the rain lilies will appear in 2-4 days!  (spoiler alert – they STILL did not come)

Wind has blown the glider over and pushed aside some blanket flower plants. 

In Jo's Yard - 30 Enjoying My Surroundings

It’s a Fall morning, and I am weeding around the yard. I see at least 5 different butterflies, but can only identify the Monarch and Gulf Fritillary butterflies.  There is a pale yellow one that maybe is a skipper or a sulphur.   There is a small one that looks black - maybe a Florida Duskywing?  One has pale beige wings when closed but bright orange pattern when open, but smaller than monarch - A Florida LeafWing?  I try identifying them from a couple of websites:    http://wildlife.floridanatureguide.com/butterflies/florida-butterflies/      or    https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly-search/


I catch sight of a sparrow sitting in the Simpson Stopper!  Gradually the wildlife is coming back to the area after all the consruction.  In the evening, I take time to sit on my glider in the front yard.  I have a view of the wildflower garden, right in front of me, the trellis to my left and I can look to right and see the lamp post garden, and across the driveway, the bed with Muhly grass, Wild Lime Tree and Pinelands lantana.  


I have an ancient cat (22 in May 2019), who enjoyed some outdoor living in his life up North.  Here in Florida, if he comes outside with me, he is on a leash.  However, he does not seem to appreciate the yard – he just wants to go back into air conditioned comfort.


                                                      My 22 year old cat on a leash

In Jo's Yard - 29 Resources

I thought I would put all the resources I’ve referenced or used in one place for you.  

Amanda Martin, Grounded Solutions – Landscape consultation & design company

http://groundedsol.com/

Green Isle Gardens – Nursery focusing on Florida Native plants & wildflowers

http://www.greenislegardens.com/

Florida Native Plant Society – promotes the preservation, conservation & restoration of native plants & naïve plant communities in Florida

https://www.fnps.org/

Florida Native Plant Society The Villages' Chapter - Mission - The Villages become renowned for its extensive use of native plants and award winning native plant landscapes      http://thevillages.fnpschapters.org/

Creative Garden Structures – helps you create sustainable landscapes and backyard habitats; maintenance of native yards; beautiful custom made garden seating / trellis / shed and more

https://www.creativegardenstructures.com/

University of Florida / IFAS Extension – Find information on Native plants, grasses, trees, shrubs.  How to grow and maintain.

https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/native-plants/

The Villages’ Architectural Review Committee (if you live in The Villages, FL) – maintain the high quality and consistency of the aesthetics and design of the residences and home sites found throughout The Villages.

https://www.districtgov.org/committees/arc.aspx

Identify weeds by state: I am determined to avoid pesticides.  Preen is a manufacturer of lawn care products, but on their site, you can search by state & they have clear photos of the culprits! https://www.preen.com/weeds/fl 

   

Identify birds and birdsongs:  The Cornell Lab or Ornithology

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Identify Florida butterflies: http://wildlife.floridanatureguide.com/butterflies/florida-butterflies/

In Jo's Yard - 28 One-Year After Conversion

Well, in real time, my front yard reached the one-year mark July 6, 2019 and the backyard on September 10, 2019.  So I thought I would show you some before / beginning / after photos.  Despite my complaining about the weeds, I am loving my Florida Native Yard!  


                           May 2018 – Before                                          November 2018 - After
                                            Just to see the change in overall "pattern"    

           


August 2018 – front yard, frog fruit just coming in, the trellis is bare, backyard not planted yet

July 2019 – frog fruit coming in; back yard planted; trellis covered in Coral Honeysuckle

August 2018 – side yard of Pinelands Lantana, Wild Lime Tree, Muhly Grass, 
and frog fruit just starting 

July 2019 - same side yard

Oct 2018 - Muhly Grass in bloom

                               August 2018 – trellis with 2 small Coral Honeysuckle plants

             July 2019 – Trellis covered with Coral Honeysuckle, a favorite of the hummingbirds  

August 2018 - Facing the street (standing in front of the trellis)

July 2019 - Facing the street – addition of pavers with my glider, bird bath, Simpson Stopper on right

September 2018 - Backyard from Privet Senna corner – twinflower, swamp twinflower, tropical sage, wild petunias, compact firebush, corky stem passion vine, beautyberry, coontie, frog fruit

   July 2019 – Backyard – a new prickly pear cactus, gift from a neighbor (at corner of the house)

2018 Sept. – Privet Senna corner with Muhly Grass, Privet Senna, Narrowleaf Ironweed and Rosinflower 

2019 July – Privet Senna corner with Privet Senna, Narrowleaf Ironweed and Rosinflower  (the Muhly grass is still there, behind the tall Privet Senna)

                               2018 September -  Lamp post garden, blanket flowers, red pentas

                                                    2018 October - Lamp post garden  

2018 November - Lamp post garden on foggy November morning – one of my favorite photos

                                2018 December - Goldenasters brightening winter days

2018 – July – Sky Blue Clustervine, just planted       2018 – November – Sky Blue Clustervine
                                                                                                        Honeybees love it!                                                   


2019 – August – Sky Blue Clustervine – lush greenery, but flowers are expected in late Fall