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Wrapping Up Gardening 2004 In My Backyard

© Teresa Watkins

Recapping a year of 2004 gardening articles is a challenge but recapping a year starting my writing four months into the year means I'm already handicapped. Then to top it off, I was in a mood to write about boring state-wide environmental issues, tropical gardening suggestions for Floridians, and if you are still aren't excited, let's just throw in hurricane issues, like no electricity - not only one hurricane but four hurricanes! How are you supposed to enjoy gardening and write when everything is either covered up or blown away? With the devastating tragedy of Southeast Asia's tsunami's, I now say "bring on the hurricanes." I can handle the violent storms with all the experiences I have had but the only thing left for me to discover now is to see if I am up to Red's challenge.

Starting my articles for Suite101 in April 2004, I wanted to encourage garden readers, not only Florida residents, to understand the water issues facing the world today, so I began writing on Florida-friendly landscaping. We can have beautiful gardens, conserve water and protect our precious resources from non-source water pollution. Potable water resources are not only a state issue, but also a national and global issue. The opening article provides the foundation for the 9-part series of gardening principles that are not only educational for the Sunshine State resident or the new snowbird, but for each individual interested in protecting the earth.

How do you know what shrubs, trees, and flowers you should have in your landscape and what questions do you ask before you purchase? Planning before planting. is Part 2 and is always the right way to grow and I gave you all the information you should know before you dig a single shovel of dirt from a hole.

You wouldn't think the beautiful sunshine, nice tropical temperatures, and 3.3 million acres of colorful grass selections it would be a problem, but for so many of our new residents, turf maintenance can be very frustrating, especially if you don't know the basics. Find out how it's not easy being green in the Part 3 of my series, Florida-friendly landscaping.

April showers bring May flowers, so of course, I offer my favorite suggestions of annuals, perennials, and ornamental shrubs for the subtropical landscape. There were so many to pick from how could I just give you a few to pick from? Growing brilliant flowers and voluptuous plants can be decadent and addictive in Florida, so I tell you about what I have growing in my own yard. I enjoy blooming color, including roses and seasonal foliage interests, with relatively few pests all year round. If you desire a flora kaleidoscope for your yard, check out my my Florida beauties.

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