Get Ready for Rain!

It’s late spring and we are on the cusp of the of the rainy season. Now is a good time to check your irrigation system to make sure your timer is programmed correctly. Watering restrictions are currently in place, so it’s important to have the correct time and date for your system.

Watering Restriction Info

Most digital timers are very intuitive, so programming them is easier.  If you have any doubts, checking your owner’s manual. 

Digital Timer

Mechanical timers have most people screaming for help when it comes to programming. This timer even looks scary! But don’t worry we’re here to help! The Urban Conservation Unit (UCU) has developed a short educational video to help you better understand how this mechanical timer works. 

With the rainy season approaching, it’s a good idea to have a rain shut - off device on your irrigation system to avoid overwatering your landscape. If you have a rain shut-off device on your irrigation system (like a rain sensor or a soil moisture sensor), make sure it is functioning properly before the storms roll in! Don’t be that house in the neighborhood watering after a down pour!

make sure your rain sensor or a soil moisture is properly functioning

Lastly, It’s always a great time to have your irrigation system evaluated for leaks, uniformity and inefficiencies.

the UCU doing what we do best, irrigation assessments

Did you know that homeowners in Miami-Dade County can receive a free irrigation evaluation with possible rebates for improving sprinkler system efficiency? If that’s you, contact Jesus Lomeli @ 305-248-3311 ext. 246 or for more details go to Efficient Irrigation Rebates.

Earth Month April Begins in MARCH!

I once wished that every day could be as full of wonderful events as Earth Day............................
and also I am reminded of these words to the wise "be careful what you wish for"! Below please find a list of some of my favorite events of March & April and some of the places we will be.

Come visit, learn and have fun!

Link to the Baynanza site to see events through out March and April and also select your beach or bay clean up site and organize your clean up team. Last day to register your team is March 29th.








March 22nd World Water Day  Visit the UN International World Water Day website dedicated to "focusing attention on freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources". Now you can view World Water Day events through out the world!


Native Plant Day March 23rd. Click here to link to the list of talks and demonstrations. Interested in learning more about the beautiful birds that visit your yard every winter, come early, 8:00 a.m. and take a guided tour of Bill Sadowski Park. P.S. This is a great event to shop new native plants for your garden.

Fix-a-Leak Week   March 18 -24, 2013
We revisit Lowes Home Improvement Store in Miami Lakes to
teach Rain Barrel/Water Conservation, Right Plant, Right Place on March 23rd. Folks also have an opportunity to create their own rain barrel to take home. Learn how to fix a leaking faucet or toilet and how to use the WaterSense label  identify the most water efficient product.



7th Annual Tree Summit March 27th.  Visit  Million Trees Miami for details on this annual event, view the Miami Dade County Street Tree Master Plan, view the number of trees planted to date and more and learn how you can join the effort!

EEP/ Environmental Education Providers of Miami 
April 3rd meeting at Citizens for a Better South Florida
EEP "is a consortium of local not-for profit organizations, government agencies, universities, public school educators and
administrators from Miami-Dade County who share a common interest in providing environmental education to the community of Miami-Dade County".

Citizens for a Better South Florida  "is dedicated to grass-roots, community-based environmental education that inspires citizens to become good stewards of South Florida’s environment.  Programming is developed for hands-on learning and promotes citizen-led action".



Rain Barrel/Water Conservation Workshop April 6th 
Each year we schedule Rain Barrels/Water Conservation Workshops at locations throughout Miami-Dade County. Folks have an opportunity to create their own rain barrel to take home and exchange their old shower heads and light bulbs for new water and energy efficient shower heads and light bulbs.. Our April workshop collaborates with Miami Dade County Public Libraries to bring this workshop to the community of Kendall at the Kendall Regional Library.

Dry Dry Season

The month of February has begun with cooler temperatures providing a  welcome respite, however much needed rain preceding these cool fronts has been scant. A simple walk around your yard will reveal we are experiencing  drier than normal conditions.  Drier conditions combined with warmer than usual temperatures  in January and December have some landscape plants occasionally showing a bit of stress. Changing weather patterns have made it more important than ever to select plants for your home landscape that are suitable for our conditions to create a Florida-Friendly Landscape that can be sustained thru our dry season (with only the occasional need for irrigation).


Taking that simple walk around your yard at least weekly is recommended to monitor for problems as well as to enjoy what is blooming! Amaryllis, red cloak, magenta firespike, lacy white blooms of  begonia Odorata Alba, and an older cultivar of a rhizomatous pink begonia are all in glorious bloom in my yard. Also a clump of common yellow Oncidium sphacelatum planted in a decaying royal palm trunk is beginning to send out long stalks that will soon be full of flowers.
If you do find a plant maybe not looking too well, call us and we will help you identify the problem be it pest, disease or cultural care and advise how best to resolve.

Only a few plants in my garden have shown signs of stress, one in particular, an Australian Trailing Violet  needs a moist environment and is easily tended for with rain water from my rain barrel. Coleus are also occasionally showing wilt at the end of a warm, dry day and may need a sip from the watering can as well.

Why do you need less water in the winter dry season? Shorter days= less sunlight = slower growth combined with normally cooler temperatures = less stress. Less sunlight, cooler temperatures and normal amounts of dry season rainfall are usually just right for South Florida Low Maintenance Landscape Plants. 

Weather events of the past year have many folks taking a closer look at the science supporting climate change. Visit EPA's website  for information and a basic look at issues and possible solutions. We may need to further adjust our plant palette as conditions change-we will be here to help!

Happy New Year 2013 from the FYN team!

I am Guillermo Salazar, FYN Agent in Miami-Dade County. This year like every year the FYN team has been working in bringing new exciting water and environmental conservation programs for our residents in Miami-Dade. As part of our Florida Yards & Neighborhoods series  this season we have scheduled several rain barrel workshops, outdoor tabling events and several interesting classes and so much more!  

We gear the new year with two very interesting FYN classes “Urban Florida Friendly landscape Design” on January 15, 2013 6:30 p.m. at Miami Beach Regional Library developed  for people that love nature and plants and want to bring them into their home but might have no space or space constraints, little or no irrigation whatsoever and need some ideas. This program will teach you how to do efficient container gardening , design with low maintenance and water intake plant material, appropriate plant selection and the use of low volume irrigation in prior to achieve your own little private paradise. 

Two additional classes in “Florida Friendly Landscaping” were created to be a part of Baynanza 2013 in partnership with Miami Dade County. These classes would be a wonderful opportunity to learn and go over the 9 Florida Friendly landscaping principles. 



 Whether you are new to Florida or have lived here all of your life, learn how to protect Florida's environment and save water. Get started in your own back yard by implementing these valuable principles and learn to landscape and garden the Florida way - the smart way to grow! Florida Friendly Landscaping classes will take place on March 9 and March23, 2013 at the Deering Estate at Cutler both sessions starting at 10:00 a.m. and as an added bonus both classes will end with the amazing opportunity to acquire your own rain barrel available for purchase. Registration is required for both events for the free class and for rain barrel purchase.

 

Tin Box: Recognized as FFL

On Thursday, September 27th 2012 we received our Florida Water Star and Florida Friendly Landscape certifications from our rater, Lorna Bravo.

To read full blog article click here:
tin box: certified

Keep your Landscape Green and Florida’s Water Clean

Extension to host Workshop on Green Industry Best Management Practices

The Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a Green Industries Best Management Practices (GIBMP) workshop on Thursday, October 18, 2012, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., at the John D. Campbell Agricultural Center Auditorium located in Homestead, Florida.

The GIBMP workshop is designed to provide training to individuals working in lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal ground areas.  The best management practices are focused on reducing non-point pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application. 

Did you know that the State of Florida will be requiring a training certificate in order to apply fertilizers effective Jan 1, 2014?  This new law targets those who apply such products for hire, not homeowners.  The goal is to protect water resources that may be impaired by improper use of such products.  

You can stay ahead of the game and get your certification now by attending the Green Industry Best Management Practices class provided by the Miami-Dade Extension Service In addition, CEU’s will be available for FDACS, ISA, and FNG. 

The workshop registration fee is $20.  Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance.  You can also register by calling (305)-248-3311, ext. 225.

WHO:            Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service

WHAT:          Workshop: Best Management Industry Practices Workshop

WHEN:         Thursday, October 18, 2012

                      8:15 a.m.

WHERE:       John D. Campbell Agricultural Center Auditorium 
                     18710 SW 288^th Street

                     Homestead, Florida