tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post1843422745436598869..comments2024-03-04T04:51:33.598-05:00Comments on Bay-Friendly Landscaping: Nature's Calendar on a Fast TrackNanette O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-66838736084050338112012-02-02T09:34:20.417-05:002012-02-02T09:34:20.417-05:00Of course, Susan! I'd be flattered to be inclu...Of course, Susan! I'd be flattered to be included.<br /><br />Feel free to include me and use any photos you'd like, I'm all for promoting the recognition program.<br /><br />As to how/ why we conducted what I call our "Extreme Yard Makeover" here goes:<br /><br />After the severe freezes of January 2010, our yard -- like many -- looked like a bomb had exploded in it. We decided there would never be a better time to start all over. We knew we wanted to get rid of ALL our grass, and install a landscape that conserved water, retained all stormwater, and used a combination of native and Florida-adapted landscape plants.<br /><br />Our overall goal was to create a beautiful, grass-free landscape that was lower-maintenance, so we'd have more time for FUN.<br /><br />We hired a landscape designer with extensive knowledge of Florida-Friendly principles and design. She listened to what we wanted and came up with a design we loved. We opted to do all the work of installing the new landscape to save money. My husband and I then spent weekends for the next 2.5 months digging up old plants; killing our grass; smoothing out all the hills and valleys in our yard with a Bobcat; hauling mulch, shell and pea gravel; planting our new landscape beds and making our walkways.<br /><br />Only one of the existing plants -- a large bird of paradise -- was allowed to stay. Every other plant was removed and replaced!<br /><br />Although it was more work than we thought, we have never regretted a minute of it. We love our new landscape. The diversity of plants make it so much more interesting than it was before. It is MUCH less work than our old yard. My husband -- who hates yard work and couldn't tell a weed from a gardenia in our old yard -- now knows the name of every single plant in our redesigned garden and loves to take people on tours of it.<br /><br />OK, I know that is way too much info so just use whatever you'd like, Susan, and thanks so much for asking me to be part of your Blog.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-34667477069246026252012-02-01T20:38:42.046-05:002012-02-01T20:38:42.046-05:00Hey Nanette...I'm doing a post on the Florida-...Hey Nanette...I'm doing a post on the Florida-Friendly Landscaping recognition program and would like to mention you and your blog in the article if you are agreeable. I would also like to post the photo you have of the sign in your front yard if that's okay. I'll definitely credit the photo as yours. If you're interested would you mind giving me a few words on how you made the transition in your garden. Thanks!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01106128705768954876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-68797259543262931902012-01-31T11:14:44.150-05:002012-01-31T11:14:44.150-05:00Hi Chris:
I too hope our early warm weather doesn...Hi Chris:<br /><br />I too hope our early warm weather doesn't foreshadow a bad hurricane season. With an 86-year-old all-wood house, I always breathe a big sigh of relief in November when hurricane season ends!<br /><br />Love to have you at the Nature's Notebook workshop. If you plan to come, just make sure to register online at www.tbep.org so I have enough materials and snacks for all.:-)Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-75633669810111589462012-01-30T18:17:51.319-05:002012-01-30T18:17:51.319-05:00I,too,have enjoyed this winter weather.I,m hoping ...I,too,have enjoyed this winter weather.I,m hoping it doesn't mean a bad year for the "h" word...hurricanes...<br />I',really interested in the program you wrote about.If I can,I'd like to participate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08302610545871593886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-59967676050791266662012-01-29T16:14:20.587-05:002012-01-29T16:14:20.587-05:00Meems, I agree that this weather has been extraord...Meems, I agree that this weather has been extraordinary. I hope it doesn't mean we are headed for a sweltering Spring! I am really happy with the way my landscape handles both cold and heat. As average temperatures creep up with time, I think water-thrifty gardens will become even more relevant.<br /><br />Nature's Notebook is a lot of fun, NanaK. Filling out the data sheets makes me even more attuned to life in my garden.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-62650439727203049022012-01-28T19:02:55.965-05:002012-01-28T19:02:55.965-05:00Very beautiful pictures. The Nature's Noteboo...Very beautiful pictures. The Nature's Notebook sounds interesting.....NanaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02425496284594894548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-47590937366684328442012-01-28T07:33:05.220-05:002012-01-28T07:33:05.220-05:00Beautiful photos, Nanette. I've thoroughly enj...Beautiful photos, Nanette. I've thoroughly enjoyed the 'change' this winter since it's been a mild one. It's hard to believe we are almost into spring... my hope is that it stays like this through those months, too. Wouldn't it be nice if we could order-up the weather! It comes and goes in cycles and balances out eventually. My garden and the wildlife seem to adjust with the ebbs and flows.Meemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-1161612690718581842012-01-24T08:10:05.609-05:002012-01-24T08:10:05.609-05:00Thank you, Susan! I love passionvine but I have to...Thank you, Susan! I love passionvine but I have to keep a vigilant eye on it to make sure it doesn't take over the entire yard! It is certainly getting a head start this year with our warm winter. I'm amazed at the number of plants that are still blooming and growing in January.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-39602429027251021942012-01-23T19:22:09.970-05:002012-01-23T19:22:09.970-05:00Your photos are stunning. Love the red passion flo...Your photos are stunning. Love the red passion flower. It has definitely been a wonderful winter. Hope we make it through a few more weeks.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01106128705768954876noreply@blogger.com