ING
As A NEWbie MG - by Laura Mehr WEEK 4 BUGS !! and Palms—what an interesting week. All we could eat about BUGS and Palms. And of course after learning about the myriad conditions that infect palms, I started seeing the signs and symptoms everywhere I looked. Kate R did a tremendous job making the subject interesting and useful. I believe the class now knows enough basics, and where to look for what isn’t basic, that we could actually give some advice to a homeowner with a palm problem. A lunch break during a very very cold spell made my usual walk quite invigorating. Ms Natasha stayed warm under the blankets though. And the afternoon brought Dr Anita Neal – expert in entomology. And it was fascinating, the shear number of insects that exist here in Florida. And did you know that the insect kingdom is the largest part of the animal kingdom by far? With over 1.5 million species, and more being discovered frequently, they more than outnumber the puny human numbers. With less than 1% of the BUG population being considered pests, we could all begin to appreciate them as our friends. We all feel that the butterflies are our friends, but they have friends, and they have friends of friends, so they are all our biggest community of non human friends.
WEEK 5 To start, a review of pests and bugs, and then onto IPM (Integrated Pest Management). A way of decision making
about pest control that involves several layers of thinking, observing, and acting. Master gardeners call it a process, not a miracle. Operating on the less is more principle, IPM ultimately is far more advantageous for our environment than the usual kill ‘em/drench ‘em/spray ‘em/swat ‘em mindset. The most wonderful thing I learned about our friends the BUGS is that in the entire world, only 3% are considered pests. It’s great to know that no matter what bug like creature is walking through my living room, that he is my friend. Lunch and a walk and time with the furball known as Natasha. The afternoon session consisted of a lecture by Nicki Monroe, Environmental Horticultural Agent from Indian River County. She talked to us about the basics of Florida Friendly Landscape concepts and implementation. A wide ranging program that encourages homeowners and others to adapt their personal landscapes to our hot and alternately wet and dry conditions, by using plants and other landscaping methods that thrive in our state. There are 9 principals in the FFL program, and if a homeowner so chooses, they can apply to be a certified FFL yard. Next Thursday, which is week 6, when we will be half way through our MG training, we will visit the home of Maggie who has received her certification as a Florida Friendly Yard. And was in fact the state of Florida winner for the before and after section of the certification. More about that next month. Laura.
19