Should I Mow the Weeds?

Unless you irrigate, there's not much to mow in South Florida during the winter/spring dry season.  The dust swirls around the mower like a miniature sandstorm in the desert!  But then, there's the weeds that pop up loud and proud in the middle of my otherwise dry flat landscape.  Should I mow them?  Should I pull them?  (I don't use weed killer or weed/feed products)

This year, I'm doing what I've loathed in the past...I'm leaving them to grow. 

 

The roadside in front of my house...a sea of flea bane!

Some of my neighbors with lovely manicured landscapes may be cursing me for it,

but I'm enjoying the influx of birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators 

that feed on the nectar, fruit and seeds. 

A favorite "weed" is the Blue Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium atlanticum. 

No way I'm mowing this beautiful bloom!

In the past, I've mowed and pulled the Spanish Needle, Bidens alba, with a vengeance. 

However, I leave it now not only for the pollinators,

but for my sweet bunnies who provide me with golden "bunny blessings" (fertilizer). 

It's one of their favorite foods...and it's FREE!

It's also a Florida native, relative to the aster, and serious butterfly attractor.

 

This pretty Tickseed, Coreopsis lanceolata, will not be mowed. 

I'm happy this grows wild on my property.

The most abundant currently is the common Flea bane, Erigeron annuus. 

Contrary to it's name, it does not repel fleas or insects. 

I've decided they're nicer to look at than the dry dusty ground underneath,

so they're staying for now.

Tassel Weed is usually the first to go...

although the little tassels are cute little pom pons waving in the breeze. 

Fortunately for the Tassel Weed, it's another favorite munchy of my bunnies. 

However, once I see the colorful puffs, I pull them for the bunny buffet.

 

The Mexican Clover, Richardia grandiflora, is mowed

but prolifically bounces back so I have no remorse.

 

Pretty little pea flowers pop up as ground cover.

 

I always find it interesting to hear who mows and who doesn't, along with their reasons.  I also enjoy hearing who purchases these "weeds" and plants them in their garden beds. 

As any gardener knows, a weed is simply an unwanted plant!

 

The Welcome Mat

Welcome!  Come this way.  Enjoy the surrounding paradise!

This is what I want my entry and garden paths to say to everyone as they enter, pass through, and meander about.  Hopefully I am achieving this goal as the landscape changes and takes shape.  I'm pleased with the front entry to date.  Initially nonexistent...

The day we moved in, December 2010

 

...the entry, or lack of, was completely undefined

and left visitors wondering which way to go. 

We created a pathway that fit our style and that of the surrounding landscape.

 

 

The rustic steps match the home and organic feel of the property. 

Informal structure, if you will. 

We cut out garden space surrounding the steps

to add interest and soften the edges. 

Since this area receives dappled sun throughout the day,

I wanted to brighten the space with year-round color.  

I decided on low maintenance variegated Liriope. 

 

 

Stromanthe sanguinea adds color as it alternates with the Liriope.

 

 

The dappled light displays the colors nicely without overwhelming.

 

 

Copperleaf, or Acalypha godseffiana,

was added to the top of the path on both sides

to accentuate the actual entrance of our home.

 

 

The bright colors and oddly shaped leaves create

additional interest and an airy, zen feeling.

 

 

Queen Emma Crinum Lily was added at the base

of an existing Slash Pine tree to add balance and beauty.

 

 

The finished entry as it looks today.

 

 

The view from the front patio is beautiful and peaceful

as the morning light dances about the garden.

 

Stay tuned as more spaces take shape and mature into places of peace and tranquility.

 

Sunday Review

The garden has been resting, but activity begins with a bit of rain and warm temperatures. Look what's blooming:

Bougainvillea, a Florida favorite, is blooming in abundance. I've always had purple, but rooted a cutting of the bright red/fuchsia for this property.  The light, bright color will add interest in the dappled light around the pond.

The Hawaiian Ti plants are in bloom.  Their leaves are usually the show so the small blooms are an added bonus.

Spathiphyllum has over 40 varieties. The one I purchased at last fall's high school plant sale has recently sent out some new "rat tails", although they haven't bloomed yet.

Another new addition, the sweet almond, seems to enjoy the comfortable 75-80 degree afternoons.  It produces the most amazing almond fragrance!

Several Bromeliads are in currently in bloom.

Vriesa erythrodactylon has been in fiery bloom for months.  

I didn't know it produced small yellow blooms as well.

My Billbergeia bromeliad has finally bloomed after 2-1/2 years!

I recently planted a  Weeping Bottlebrush tree next to my pond ( Callistemon viminalis)

Although mine is still young and a bit unimpressive, 

it will grow to a lovely medium size with 

weeping branches and puffy red blooms that resemble a bottle brush.  

You can see a mature tree in bloom by clicking here.

Another new addition to the landscape is an unexpected coconut tree!

This is the first one in my yard!

Many orchids are in glorious bloom, like this peachy Cattleya.

And these candy stripe Phalaenopsis.

This Phal grows in the palm trees and blooms 3-4 times a year. 

And another Cattleya in bright purple...

This 'surprise' orchid showed up this year.  

It's a Zeuxine strateumatica, or lawn orchid, introduced from Asia.

And the reed orchids, Encyclia radicans!

The Dutchman's Pipe vine is blooming again!  I love the little beard.

This is one of the weirdest blooms...that's why I like it!!

This is such a beautiful time in South Florida, 

and this is truly my Garden in Paradise!  

For my friends still snowed in, spring is not far..

I hope these photos warm you a bit!

Fig & Fauna with Cannelle et Vanille

Don't you love those times when

you know you're in for a treat and nothing disappoints? 

I recently enjoyed a day like that at Fig & Fauna farm. 

In my very own neighborhood is this little gem of a farm

owned and worked by the most gracious family! 

 

 

Nothing short of paradise, Fig & Fauna Farm is everything a farm should be...

organic, self sufficient, bountiful, respectful, and peaceful. 

Everything here is treated in a respectful manner and serves a purpose(s).

The animals provide meat, eggs, milk, and fertilizer for the compost pile

 while also providing natural pest control and soil therapy / rejuvenation.

 

The cows were sweet and enjoyed the attention they received.

 

 

The pigs root about the soil, providing air and fertilizer to a previously sterile sand pit.

 

 

They're also very happy and like to play!

 

 

This rooster was beautiful and very protective of his girls -

a great asset in areas full of wildlife that would enjoy a hen for dinner!

 

 

Fresh eggs are abundant!

 

 

The goats are milked regularly...in between play time, of course! 

The goats also help protect the hens from fox, bobcat, raccoons and hawks.

 

 

These sweet baby bunnies produce amazing "Bunny Blessings",

or droppings that can be added directly to the garden.

 

 

The bunnies and chickens are kept in mobile pens

that are moved regularly permitting the animals

to feed on fresh grass and bugs while fertilizing the land. 

This also prohibits any one area from becoming smelly and depleted.

 

 

The most interesting part of the farm, for me, are the gardens! 

 

 

They are big, beautiful, bountiful and organic. 

 

 

That is pretty impressive in South Florida

where soil is actually sand, not fertile Midwestern dirt.

 

I've only been successful with

smaller plum or cherry tomatoes while in Florida. 

However, here is proof, just a mile from my home,

that large beefy tomatoes can be grown in this climate and soil!

 

The produce is luscious!

 

 

The garden is grown from heirloom seeds using open pollination.

 

 

Using beneficial bugs / insects in the garden

instead of pesticides

keeps the environment healthy and thriving!

 

Megan, aka Mrs. Fig & Fauna Farmer,

shows off a tomato horn worm covered with Braconid Wasp cocoons. 

The wasps use the horn worm as a nursery as well as a food source. 

Gross, but natural pest control at its best!

 

Finally, the farm tour was followed by a fabulous food demo

by Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille

and author of

Small Plates and Sweet Treats.

Now THIS was a treat!

 

Aran is a James Beard Award nominated food blogger,

stylist & photographer,

living in my community. 

How fortunate am I?!

 

 

Demonstrating proper technique...

 

 

a sharp blade is the key (and a dull one is her pet peeve!)

 

 

Beautiful organic food

 

 

and fresh produce

 

 

are the foundation of her creations.

 

 

The finished product...beautifully edible!

 

 

Of course we couldn't pass up a photo op with Aran! 

She sincerely is as sweet as her creations!

 

I'm elated to make new friends so close to home,

experience their passions,

and share a beautiful day! 

 

Be sure to check out Fig & Fauna and Cannelle et Vanille when you get a chance,

as well as Aran's new book, Small Plates and Sweet Treats.