Nice Closure To A Productive Week!

Above is one of our new signs that will be installed early next week in anticipation of the implementation of admissions. We have many new signs that will direct visitors to appropriate entrances and exits depending on what other events may be happening. We realize there will be some issues to deal with but have tried to prepare well for this shift in our entrance policies.

Great day today again in terms of weather and productivity. Marv and Terry transplanted an American smokebush (Cotinus obovatus) this morning that was removed from a different area on Wednesday by a tree spade. The guys are trying to finish their edging project today as well. Marianne and Janice have been out targeting some of our remaining garden clean-up. I've been finalizing information for our website regarding our seasonal plant collection and other collections. Dr. Gredler has been working on various projects and both Maury and Bob T. popped in as well. Larry, Janice and Bob will have plenty to do tomorrow and we're looking forward to our second Saturday (hopefully successful!) of our bagged compost sale. Nice shot to the left of Marv with his homemade coldframe. He had some pretty impressive tomatoes and tropicals in this frame and while having to do some shuffling around on the coldest nights, this demostrates a cost-effective way to get a jump start on spring with early starts and encouragement of select plants.


Consider adding a rain barrel to your home garden this year (see picture to the right). What a great way to conserve and utilize rainfall from an impervious surface (your roof) for the benefit of your garden. Some brief benefits of rain barrels can be seen at www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/rainbarrel/ and while not a new technology or idea, the merits of including something like this should be evident. I have one at home and use the collected water for all my container plantings. Save $ off your water bill and recycle water that would end up in storm sewers and possible be a contributor to erosion and other negative impacts. Our moss island is greening up nicely (see below) and you'll notice moss in your landscape green up well before your turf. What a great groundcover (in select instances!).