Graphic by The Gabber Newspaper
Rainy season is approaching, which makes it the perfect time for planting. What should I plant? Consider native plants. They are often drought resistant, pest resistant, and reseed themselves! What could be better? Nothing!
This type of drought is bound to become more common which means you may want to replace your lawn with a native ground cover that won’t need as much water or mowing. It may be best to start with a small area to ensure it meets your needs and expectations. This could be great as water restrictions become more common, and the price of water increases. Even if you have a well, you are drawing from our groundwater and amplifying drought conditions.
Native Plants for Your Yard
Now for some lovely vines and flowering shrubs and lots of perennials — so many things to choose from. You might want to consider using a local native plant landscape professional to ensure four-season interest, optimal floral quality, and companion plantings. It will make the bees and other creatures so happy, and the plants will look great while requiring less care.
You might want to let your neighbors know what you are doing, so they don’t complain if it looks messy during the transition. Who wants to spend all their time watering, weeding, and pruning anyway? Palms can also be included where you don’t want so many falling leaves. However, those leaves are great for mulch which will also improve your soil and garden.
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Read Neighbor to Neighbor: What To Know About Trees in Gulfport
What To Know About Plants in Your Area
Remember, you can get free trees from the City to complete your garden — every third Saturday at Clymer Park from 9-11 a.m. The Gulfport Environmental Team writes information for each tree given away to make sure you know how and where to plant it and how to care for it.
Along with that, the University of Florida IFAS Extension (ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants) is an online resource and has a book that you can get online for about $20 that describes many of the native and Florida friendly plants with their requirements — sun, soil, water, etc. Just like trees, you want the right plant in the right place.
Additionally, there are several native nurseries in the area and a few are right in our neighbors’ yards. Contact me for more resources on buying natives. You can also get cuttings and baby reseeded plants from your friends and neighbors — for free.
Hurricane Protections
During hurricane season, native plants thrive in flood conditions and can help protect your home. You can also protect your home by implementing hurricane protections on your roof.
If you need a new roof, look into hurricane straps or clips. They make your roof more secure in a storm and will save you money on your homeowner insurance. It is much less expensive if you get them at the time you are reroofing, but they can be put on afterwards as well. Roofing companies often won’t tell you about them, so be sure to ask!
Please let me know what questions you may have and if you would find this interesting. Reach out at any time at april@thegabber.com.
About Neighbor to Neighbor
April Thanos served on Gulfport City Council as the Ward I representative. Her views are hers alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, owners, or advertisers. You can reach April at any time at april@thegabber.com. The Gabber Newspaper may use any emails sent to that address in our Voices column; if you do not want your email used, please let her know in the email.
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