I realize I'm in the minority by saying this, but. . .

1)"mulch, mulch, mulch"-- It's not that I don't like mulch. I use it in some areas. But for me mulch has its down side. It can cause allergy problems (mold spores). Wood chips often lead to stink horns. The bags of leaves picked up on the curb often have weed seeds or invasives (air potato tubers), pesticides, herbicides, and who knows what else. Mulch can mat, form a water impermeable layer, and create run off. It can temporarily remove nitrogen from the soil. It promotes shallow root systems. I could go on and on.

I'm trying to use more "living mulches"--groundcovers that grow so thick they smother weeds.

2) "Get rid of the lawn." It depends on the lawn. Bahia grass is drought tolerant, uses little fertilizer, and very useful for certain areas.

3) "Build the soil"--almost impossible if you live in the central Florida sand hills. You can create a layer of decent soil on top of the sand if you constantly add organic matter, or you can ammend the sand for a temporary improvement, but it will disappear fast here. I once read in an old Daytona beach Gardening book: "You can't change the basic nature of soil here." I've found this to be true.

Bill

1) Drinking beer while gardening may impair your sensibility. BAH_thaschts inshane!

2) Gardening nude can be hazardous to your healthy---not that I tried it, but if ya wear gloves you should be ok, Right??

Cindee
Suggestion #2 The mosquitoes are gonna love you. But, if you use enough Suggestion #1 I don't guess you'll notice. LOL

Cindee, you are a role model for us all

Castorp is so right about mulching promotes shallow root systems and if you are in (semi or) arid conditions this might be dangerous for the trees. I did this and some drought tolerant started suffering right after I mulched them because this new dense shallow system started to die right away since it's supposed to stand drought but these roots were very thirsty so I had to water and water (no more drought tolerant it is). Ended taking out the mulch from this tree and is doing great now!!!.

There're are some trees that don't send roots to the mulch, though.

I ignore the often repeated advice to keep mulch away from the trunks/stems of plants. That is B.S! I use thick layers of mulch, right up against the plant/s. It has never caused a problem. Except for the weeds that want to take over... They are slow to grow and easy to remove.

I highly recommend bringing a glass of good wine with you when you go outside. It makes meandering very pleasant, and things look better.. Especially with that lovely orange light of sundown.. Ahhh. My goodness, the garden looks nice!

Lisa

Cheers, Lisa!! I agree about the mulching too close to the trunks, I do ignore that too because I found that the soil close to tree trunks gets caked and thick if not protected by moist mulch. So, except for small think trunk trees, I give the a few inches to get their roots going and then just fill in mulch all the way.

Kate-I love being a role model!!! WOW do I get a tiara???

(BTW-check out conversations if you folks like to cook-I posted an easy delicious recipe)

LOL! This is GREAT!

When I first started to garden, in Florida, I ignored much advice. Here's the list...all things shared by very knowledgeable and well-meaning gardening friends...

1) grow the right plant in the right place! "You mean...impatiens will need tons of water in full sun?" or "What do you mean Majesty Palm likes shade and moist soil and fertilizer...gardenia too???"

2) Bring your orchids in when the temperature gets below 50--some of my orchids survided freezes by being under very hardy evergreen shrubs, but I noticed that the next year that I protected my orchids on those bitterly cold nights the better they grew when summer came!

3) Use succulents, hoyas, haworthias, and agaves in hanging baskets--oh I wish I had listened sooner because of how well those all did the next year when the droughts came!

4) Mona Lavender Plectranthus, dry soil, and full sun do not mix...

5) Amend, amend, amend...boy do these things disappear quick! But I found that the plants loved the aged pine straw that I would keep adding...and the black cow...etc

6) Plant things that will only require supplemental watering rarely...especially when you already work at a garden center and need time to just sit back and appreciate what YOU have at HOME (and you've watered an acre's worth of plants twice a day in summer!)

7) Wear sunscreen

8) Start small...but dream big!

9) Plant shade trees first...and a variety of them!

10. Be careful when planting palms that are not guaranteed to grow in your zone.

11. What do you mean Hibiscus, plumeria, and ixora are tender in zone 9???

12. Even though bromeliads are tough...still cover them when freezes are on the way! Trust me...

13. Don't be afraid of crape myrtles because they aren't evergreen...there are red varieties that are more stunning than the freeze-prone poincianas that everyone wants (also they do lose their leaves too!)

14. A Queen Palm in the front yard won't shade anything!

I could go on for hours!

I'm with you on the "Stay out of th wet garden," thing. That's when it's coolest, I find that things I plant during a gentle rain do the vey best of all, and if I can't enjoy my garden in the dewy morning, what good is it?

I have so much dirt in my house from walking through the gardens that I could build a new flower bed with what I sweep up... I love being bare foot in the flowers :)

Cindee, you are a riot! Thanks for the first laugh of the day. ;o)

I ignored being told I would get fruit from my seed grown avacoda and I am glad. It does bear fruit.

Too funny Cindee. Marcia got a crown for being the coleus queen. Maybe she'll let you borrow it.
Nancy

Katkin-glad you got a chuckle! You know me, I am convinced that I am old enough to say and think whatever I want. It's a priveledge that comes with age!!

Gee Nancy, I don't get my own crown??? lol!
x :c)

I tend to ignore it when a tag says "full sun". For me, that means it will do even better in partial shade.

Ok Cindy... I guess gardening in the buff is OK if you wear gloves... if the gloves are strategically placed, that is... ;-)

Move over Coleus Queen!!!!!! bah!

Cindee a.k.a. Role Model!

p.s. niki-what do you mean "strategically placed"? I wouldn't think of bare hands!!

Hi
One piece of advice i was given unsolicited . "You can't keep a water garden in s florida. You'll be up to your armpits in alligators snakes and mosquitoes. Another was "No tropical fish can survive outdoors >
Neither one was even partially true. Glad I ignore them as I still love the water garden.. I can't overwater lol gary

I was told when we first moved here that I wasn't going to grow tomatoes that tasted like they do in New Hampshire. I guess I fooled him...silly man he didn't know the power of the Florida Gardening Forum! haha