Author: Laura Lee Rose

Summertime, and whether you are working or vacationing there is probably a water element on the schedule. We spend a lot of resources seeking water. Adult humans need to drink at least 8 cups of water a day, but that would be increased to one gallon for men and ¾ gallon for women who are active. Water is essential to all life.

There are so many alternatives to lawn that are available, and they can add beauty and environmental services. Lawn or turf can be expensive to grow and maintain. There are areas in the yard that are too shady, sloped or have poor drainage. Most of our warm season grasses require full/part sun, regular irrigation, and well drained soils.

What a joy to grow plants with attractive foliage, flowers and fruit, but doubly useful to grow those plants as food! Ornamentals are just good looking, but if they can be baked in a pie or eaten in a salad, all the better.

Non-native or exotic invasive plants are species that were introduced to an area and, having no natural predators, displace native species.

Trees native to the southeastern United States provide the essentials for wildlife – food, cover, affordable housing, nesting materials – and they promote species diversity. They also give wonderful interest and texture to home landscapes.

In the colder months of the year we can enjoy the evergreen shrubs and trees in our landscapes and muted colors of sky, grass and clouds. The marsh is golden, and fields of wildflowers and grasses are tan and brown.

This is the time for planting shrubs and trees in the landscape. A little planning will help a lot. You should know the site requirements for the selections you are using, and that includes the size and shape of the plants at maturity and the spacing between them. Site requirements include soil pH, moisture, light and drainage.

Weeds are very successful strategists. They have developed ways to grow in poor soil, low light and varying amounts of moisture. I respect any plant that comes up through the cracks in the sidewalk.

When the temperatures rise in the South there is only one place to be – in the shade. Since plants can’t get up and go to the shade, some of them would prefer being planted there in the first place.

Using containers is a great way to grow edibles if you have limited space. Keep in mind that containers may need more watering than an “in ground” garden. Window boxes and large pots are ideal for growing mini gardens of vegetables and herbs.