Rain Barrel - Just in Time!

At the Going Green Festival in Stuart this year (check out my 2010 Growing Green Festival post), I purchased my first

RAIN BARREL!!!

I'm really excited, as we're sincerely trying to do our part to live a greener, more sustainable lifestyle. I'm also in the process of becoming a certified Florida Friendly yard, so a rain barrel is an important component.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but I never considered a rain barrel before because I didn't live in a region that experienced drought or water restrictions. Since relocating to Florida, I've become much more aware of escalating climate issues that don't require an entire lifestyle change...just some common courtesy for mother nature.

We ordered our rain barrel from our local extension office and picked it up last week.  Yesterday, after visiting family departed, we installed the barrel.  My husband did the dirty work while I officially supervised, of course!  First we identified an appropriate location.  There's not a lot of "empty" space near the roofline so this corner seemed the best option. The house and the fence help stablize the barrel as well.

A hole is cut on top of the barrel for the downspout.  A "trap" is placed at the top or bottom of the downspout to keep the refuse out.  We put ours at the top, after diligently cleaning out the gutters.  My husband cut the downspout to size.  A flexible extension connects the downspout and the barrel.

The downspout is secured into the opening and gaps are filled to keep out mosquitoes.

We've been warned about the importance of a LEVEL foundation since a full barrel weighs around 400 lbs.

We finished just in time...it started to rain!  The barrel has been christened!! 

Growing Green Festival 2010

Fortunately, my friend at Central Florida Gardener informed us of the 1st annual Growing Green Festival this weekend in Stuart, FL.  I looked forward to it all week, and excitedly attended and participated with my family.  They actually enjoyed themselves...I'd call that a success!

There was a plethora of information presented in numerous forms including printed material, movies, seminars such as this one by the FAU extension office about rain barrels

and demonstrations.  This demonstration/discussion focused on green smoothies.  Taste testing was part of the demonstration, which was admittedly a highlight!! 

There were plants for sale incuding my favorites which were this HUGE kalanchoe,

Thai variety of Crown of Thorns, 

peppers, 

and ornamental peppers;

locally grown veggies (they were so pretty and fresh!);

organic fertilizer;

YUMMY food, and other products including rain barrels.

There was something for everyone including chalk art for the little ones.

Finally, I couldn't resist snapping some photos of the gorgeous blooms on display!

I learned a lot, collected an abundance of reading and resource material, and even ordered a rain barrel! I'm one step closer to reducing my carbon footprint, saving money, and supporting Florida's native environment!!

Making a Comeback!

It's a topic that won't go away...the cold snap that swept across Florida with little regard for the tender tropicals that are unaccustomed to such low temperatures for more than a couple of days at a time.  We don't want to think about the cold air, the frozen moisture covering our precious plants, or the dull shades of brown left behind in our typically colorful landscapes.  We've painstakingly cut back the obvious carnage and kept a hopeful, watchful eye for any sign of new growth. 

I was rewarded today as I strolled through my garden looking for new signs of life!  One of my bottle palms has opened a new green leaf!

This dwarf canna is sending up new shoots.

The mango tree not only came through the freeze unscathed, it is preparing to bloom!

And my beloved bananas are showing positive signs of recovery!!

In addition to the Orange Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Meyer Lemon, Ponderosa Lemon and Carolina Jasmine displaying full blooms, the navel oranges are almost ripe!

The Brown Turkey Fig is sending out new growth...

Both of the Coconut Palms are sending out new healthy leaves.

I scored with this new addition that I obtained today while out for a walk...it had been left out with the trash!  Lucky Day!!

This frost bitten crinum has two new pups along with a lovely flower bud!

And this other crinum is in full bloom!

I'm still holding out hope for this sad bottle palm...it's still sporting a little bit of green.

And this firebush made my day when I found the new growth!!  I thought it was lost for sure!!!  My friend, Florida Girl (Valley in Paradise) reassured me that it would probably be ok...and she was right!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

To top things off, I recieved my first Territorial Seed Company catalog in the mail today.  They have these fantastic fuschia "Gum Drop" and brilliant "Coral Reef" echinacea plants that I feel must become part of my landscape!  Amazing, aren't they?

Finally, take a moment to check your calendar...February 6th is the Growing Green Festival in Stuart, FL from 12 noon-5pm!  Central Florida Gardener writes, "This free indoor-outdoor event features presentations, activities, resources, living plants, great food, horse manure, live music and even an award-winning Sundance Film Festival movie about dirt (http://www.dirtthemovie.org/).


You can find all the details on Central Florida Gardener's blog: http://centralfloridagardener.blogspot.com/2010/01/growing-green-festival-buffy-at-green.html .

You can also click here for a festival flyer!
www.greenpathsflorida.org/GrowingGreenFestival6February.pdf
I'll definitely attend! Let me know if you're going!!