Restoring Ecosystems

Lakefront restoration is an effort that will restore or recreate an ecosystem of abundant natives on a residential or commercial shoreline.  Replacing the chemically-controlled non-native weeds that encroach and take over with appropriate wetland natives that keep weeds under control is not a cheap project but in the long run, will be more cost-effective and healthier for the environment than spraying chemicals regularly.  Native habitats also provide resources for food and nesting areas to attract more birds and wildlife.


Assess the lakefront site for surrounding ecosystems will help determine what native plants belong and if broadening the area to replant natives would be beneficial.

With my current landscape design project for a new home construction, the adjacent marsh area was seceding into an upland pine area because a small stream had been blocked by the previous owner's attempts to put a back entrance road into the property. In the future months, I am encouraging the new owners to unblock the stream and install a large cement drain pipe to allow water runoff from the road to flow down the hillside. As seasonal hurricane and summer rains begin, the stormwater runoff will enter into the marsh area, keeping the soils too wet for pines to establish.


Check out the before and installation photographs on my Facebook page.  I will post photographs of the lakefront after establishment.

In Your Backyard: Lots of Things To Do

If you didn't get to participate in any Earth Day events, there's still plenty to do:

This Friday, April 30th is National “Save the Frogs” Day, highlighting awareness of our amphibian friends and their habitats.

The Lake County Water Authority is hosting a wetland walk at Sawgrass Island Preserve for the public. It is limited to 15, RSVP 343-3777, ext. 0.

The Hike will start at 9:00 am in the northern parking area. Participants will visit the Preserve's seasonal wetlands dipping for salamanders and frogs. The biologist will talk about the native wildlife, importance of wetlands and the uplands that protect these fragile habitats. The 1,200-acre Sawgrass Island Preserve was purchased by LCWA in 1994 to protect the 600+ acre marsh at the north shore of Lake Yale.

I will be at EPCOT on Sunday, May 9th for the International Flower and Garden Festival to provide garden advice for your backyard. Looking forward to talking to Florida residents. I'll be posting photographs of all the great flower containers, topiaries, and scenery. It should be wonderful weather, come out and see me!

See previous year's International Flower and Garden Festival photographs at EPCOT.

The Lake County Water Authority's tour of their one year old NURF facility was incredible. It's amazing to see how the alum cleans up the polluted water of Lake Apopka that comes into the Beauclair Canal. If you didn't get a chance to visit, here are some of the highlights:




NURF Tour -April 22 -2010

Today's topics:

With the warmer temperatures we are now seeing an increase of flea infestations, not only on our pets but in our yards. Even homeowners that don't have pets can see flea issues due to rodents like squirrels, mice, and citrus rats. What should you do so you don't have to "flea your premises?"

Name these lovely native wildflowers that is blooming freely along the backroads of Lake County?




Answer: Fringed Bluestar (Amsonia ciliata) and Florida Greeneyes (Berlandia betonicifolia)

Good for you if you got them right! Excellent if you have seen them!