You may have noticed that we made some changes in our common area landscaping this spring. This seems like a good time to catch you up on what has been going on.

At the entrance, the lilies of the Nile (Agapanthus) are in full bloom, and the knockout roses are already blooming a second time since winter’s end. Both of these plants, added last year, are perennials and survived the winter well. The annual beds (currently featuring marigolds) are changed by Nanak’s, our landscape maintenance firm, four times a year. If you are looking for ideas on what might work well in your garden seasonally, checking out what Nanak’s installs offers some possibilities.

Hard to believe, but Turnberry is getting old! One consequence: our neighborhood is beginning to see the decline of some of the original shrubs the developer planted about 10 years ago. This spring we removed the struggling Walter’s vibernum along the pond bank between Turnberry I and II, and in several areas, the hawthorns have passed their peak and are no longer thriving. As we remove plants, and as appropriate, we are creating new beds. On the entry side into the neighborhood we have planted flax lilies and lorapetulum. There are also new beds at the pool area (featuring the same plants) and an additional bed of ginger by the pool house.

Along the pond bank between Turnberry I and Turnberry II we recently removed four wax myrtles. These native trees, like the hawthorns, were near the end of their life span. Their brittle limbs had been routinely breaking off resulting in poor tree health, creating a safety issue for the neighborhood, and adding debris to the waterway. While the bank looks bare currently, soon we will be planting additional crepe myrtles to match those young trees we planted further down the bank last season.

The new ligustrum at the utility station should grow sufficiently by the end of the season to mask the chain link fence.

Bulbine have been planted at the pool and in the common area on Paradise Pond to replace those plants that were killed by the winter freezes.

We replaced damaged sod by the basketball court and added stepping stones to the parking lot in an attempt to reduce foot traffic on the grass. So far, it appears those who use the court have been conscientious about using the foot path, and the new grass is growing well.

We will update you as there are additional developments.

  10 Ways to be "Florida Friendly" 

1. Use a rain gauge. Lawns need 1" water per week in warm months and ½" in the cool season.
2. Do not set your sprinkler system on automatic unless you will be away. Water only as needed.
3. Check your irrigation system rain cut-off controller. The cork inside dries out and usually needs to be replaced yearly.
4. Use only slow release fertilizers. Check labels for less than 15% slow release nitrogen.
5. Put out a bird, bat or toad house. Provide a source of fresh water for wildlife.
6. Use only by-product mulches like pine bark, pine straw, malaleuca, tree trimmings or leaves. Stay away from cypress which is produced by total tree destruction.
7. Do not treat areas within 10 feet of a pond with fertilizer or pesticide.
8. Keep hard surfaces like driveways and walks clear of leaves, fertilizers and any liquid spills. They funnel to storm drains and then to larger water bodies.
9. Mow your lawn high. Too short means shallow roots and results in greater water need.
10. Use the least toxic and, if available, environmentally friendly methods to treat pest problems like plant diseases, caterpillars and grasshoppers.