Program Shows Off Plants

Visitors learned how to make their yard "Florida friendly" at Rotary Park's Eco Friendly Gardening Program on July 22.

The program was hosted by Kraig Hankins, environmental biologist with the city's Public Works department. He spoke to participants about the best way to use their yard in the Florida climate.

Hankins used the Florida Yards and Neighborhood program from the University of Florida as a guideline. The program defines a Florida-friendly yard as one that uses less water, fertilizer and pesticide and relies on native plants and ground cover, which require less maintenance.

"It makes a lot of sense," Hankins said. "A lot of research behind it from Gainesville."

There are nine steps to a Florida-friendly yard, Hankins said, and each landscape is unique. A yard can be a neatly manicured haven or a wild kingdom of native plants and shrubs.

"It's a behavioral thing, not necessarily what plants you use, it's how you work in your yard," Hankins told the class.

Most participants came to the program to learn about local plants and low-maintenance gardening.

"We want to set up a low-maintenance native landscaping," said Richard Podkowik.

He came to the class to find out how to do it. He said the information helped.

About halfway through the program the group went outside to learn more about the native plants on Rotary Park's grounds.

Armed with bug spray, jokes and funny stories, Hankins showed participants a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees. He explained the benefits of each one the group came across.

Back inside the environmental center, Hankins talked about the environmental benefits of using native plants in your home's landscape. They use less fertilizer and pesticides because they are accustomed to living in the area.

Sandi Gibson attended the program to learn more about native plants that she can add to her yard.

"I'm interested in not having all these fertilizers and the pesticides and ruining the environment," Gibson said.

She said she learned a lot about plants she does not have in her garden. She already uses native plants in her home's landscape.

Hankins said to start small when you start working with adding natives to your yard.

"It's easy to get overwhelmed," Hankins said. "It's nice to take an area and work from that."

Rotary Park offers many programs about native gardening and its environmental benefits.

"A lot of people are involved with this (native planting)," Hankins said. "They're knowledgeable and willing to share."

For more information about Rotary Park programs, call 549-4604 or visit capeparks.com.

If you're interested in making your yard "Florida friendly" visit floridayards.org.




Steps to Making Your Yard Florida Friendly

1. Right plant, right place

2. Water efficiency

3. Fertilize appropriately

4. Mulch

5. Attract wildlife

6. Manage yard pests responsibly

7. Recycle yard waste

8. Reduce storm-water runoff

9. Protect the waterfront

Source: University of Florida's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.