COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation

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Native Plants vs Exotics OPERATION HABITAT HOSTS “PLANTATION TOUR OF GARDENS” WHAT DO YOU DO ON A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY? How about going on a garden tour! As it happens, the very first Plantation Tour of Gardens was held in March of this year, under blue skies and warm breezes. Visitors were treated to a special view of four Plantation residential gardens – all were past Broward County Emerald Award winners, as well as certified NWF backyard wildlife habitats. Operation Habitat team members and other volunteers, along with Plantation and Broward County staff served together to help others understand the connection between using native, exotic, and droughtresistant plants to curb the need for irrigation; as well as the benefits of eco- friendly landscaping principles utilizing rain barrels, compost, and leaf litter – all the while showcasing appealing gardens that are attractive to both people and wildlife. WHY NATIVES? Florida native plants are generally described as those species that existed here naturally before human impact. Over the millennia plants, trees, and insects have lived together in a symbiotic relationship. For example, native plants support insects that are essential to feed baby birds, and provide nectar for butterflies – native plants come into bloom at precisely the right season to nurture our little critters. Non-native exotic plants on the other hand were bred and selected specifically for their ornamental beauty as well as to discourage insects. It is no surprise then that when selecting plants and trees for our suburban gardens if we only focus on beauty and ignore the real reason that plants, trees and wildlife co-exist, we may inadvertently be unraveling that delicate web of the food-chain between wildlife and plants and humans. The alarming decline in the honey bee population for instance (reports are above 40 percent) has fingers pointing blame at herbicide and pesticide use as well as genetically modified plants. Biologists are very concerned – after all, bees are responsible for pollinating many of the plants we as humans rely on for food. We simply do not know where the tipping point is. Best to err on the side of mostly native plants, with a complimentary dose of ornamentals and drought resistant landscape materials to add spice. DID YOU KNOW? It has been reported that some 40 million acres of forest have been converted to non-native turf-grass lawns which require an exorbitant amount of water, dangerous pesticides, and fertilizers to keep up appearances. WHAT’S A PERSON TO DO? Vow to gradually reduce the amount of yard devoted to turf-grass and convert it to a pleasing mix of pretty native and drought resistant landscape material. And just for fun, you can take the opportunity to enjoy a Tour of Gardens next spring! The Grass is Greener ...IF YOU WATER CORRECTLY ____________________________________ Information provided by the Broward County Environmental Protection & Growth Management Department, Natural Resources Planning & Management Division While Bermuda, St. Augustine, Bahia, Centipede, Paspalum, and Zoysia for the most part sound like exotic getaways, chances are that if you live in South Florida you won’t need to travel far to visit any of them because one or more are probably growing right outside your front door. These grass species are commonly found on athletic fields, golf courses, parks and playgrounds, and of course, on the lawns around our homes. Like all plants, they need water to survive, but finding a balance between over- and under-watering has proven to be challenging for most residents. What do you envision the “perfect lawn” to look like? Many people would say a thick, green, lush, level, and weed-free mat, like that which is typically found on a golf course. In actuality however, this look is often achieved by mowing the grass too short and by the excess application of pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and most importantly water. Did you know that 25-50 percent of a household’s water consumption is used for irrigation? And even if you draw your irrigation water from a canal or well, you are still using water that can help meet our potable water needs. Overirrigating your lawn, no matter what the source, favors the growth of water-loving weeds and pests and also creates runoff, which may carry fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides into nearby waterways and onto the ocean or Everglades. So, what is the trick to maintaining a healthy lawn that can meet current water restrictions, withstand droughts, and look great? The answer is to “listen to your lawn” and water your grass only when it is absolutely needed. Signs that indicate that it’s time to irrigate include grass has a dull bluish-gray color, footprints remain visible in the grass, leaf blades are folded in half on at least a third of the lawn and the soil from the root zone is dry and crumbly. Using these indicators to tell you when to irrigate will result in making your lawn more drought resistant and heartier by forcing the roots to dig deeper in search of water. Other benefits of irrigating more efficiently are the dollars you’ll save on your water bill and the energy you’ll save from not needing to run irrigation pumps as frequently. The cost of water will likely increase in the future, and increased irrigation efficiency will keep your monthly household bills lower and may delay the need to construct expensive new water infrastructure. As always, irrigate in accordance with applicable water restrictions, which require residences and businesses with odd-number street addresses to water lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays, only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Residences and businesses with an even-numbered street address may water on Thursdays and/or Sundays only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Additional watering days are allowed for new landscaping. For more information, visit the City’s website at Plantation.org. Plantation Quarterly Fall 2011 15
BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! Plantation Volunteer Fire Association’s 55 th Annual Barbecue SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM at Pine Island Park Q CHICKEN & RIBS with Former Mayor Veltri’s Secret Sauce! Q BOUNCE HOUSES Q CARNIVAL GAMES Q DEMONSTRATIONS Q LIVE MUSIC Q RAFFLES & PRIZES AND JUST PLAIN FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Watch for your ticket purchase letter in the mail... or buy tickets from the Fire Department in October. Call 954-797-2150. PLANT AFFAIR Saturday & Sunday Oct. 22 & 23 SATURDAY: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM SUNDAY: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PLANTATION HERITAGE PARK 1100 SOUTH FIG TREE LANE South Florida grown plants: ferns, bromeliads, bougainvillaea, flowering trees, palms, bonsai, orchids. A large variety of vendors. Garden & orchid supplies, patio items & more! Master Gardeners available to answer questions. Sponsored by: GFWC Plantation Woman’s Club, TM Ralph Funeral Homes, American Heritage School, Waste Management and the Plantation Historical Society. Adult park admission: $ 1 50 PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE PLANTATION HISTORICAL MUSEUM A Family Halloween & Safety Festival GAMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES SATURDAY – OCTOBER 22 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Plantation Community Center at Kennedy Park 5555 Palm Tree Road u Costume contest for all ages u Children’s carnival u Police & safety exhibits u Inflatables & face painting u Raffles & door prizes u A very spooky Haunted House (not recommended for children under 6 yrs.) u Food & drink u Free candy & Halloween bags for children $3 per person Plantation Quarterly is printed on recycled paper. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE. Flip the magazine over for the Recreation Quarterly. 16 Plantation Quarterly Fall 2011
Page 1 and 2: Plantation AN OFFICIAL CITY OF PLAN
Page 3 and 4: Sponsored by the City of Plantation
Page 5 and 6: Tennis and Pool Camp for ages 6 to
Page 7 and 8: “Race to Read”@ the Library wit
Page 9 and 10: City Prepares FOR THE BIG ONE! FIRE
Page 11 and 12: Identity Theft HOW TO PROTECT YOUR
Page 13 and 14: WHAT’S HAPPENING IN Plantation Sc
Page 15: Plantation Business ACCESS TO CAPIT

COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation

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