The extension office in most Florida counties participates in the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program.
My next goal is to have the garden certified as a Florida Backyard Wildlife Habitat, which is more complicated since there are forms to complete, a property survey -- with bird feeders, native trees, shrubs, and the like, all marked out -- to submit. Plus it will cost a whopping $5 for the sign.
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Congratulations!
It's hardly a surprise. I was just saying to my friend Hector, "Hector," I says, "my wife she's certifiable."
Hector says, "Yeah, and she's a hell of a good gardener too."
just found out today is Peace Day.I thought it was just so to celebrate your garden today. Congratulations.
Thanks, guys!
Congrats! I love programs like this!
We have our Texas Parks & Wildlife program and the National Wildlife Federations has one as well. That Gold Label is something to be proud of. Will any of your neighbors want to do this now? Wouldn't that be cool?
David & Melanie/ Tropical Texana/
Congratulations Penny! One day I shall look into the program here. I think programs like this help us all to become more responsible and intentional gardeners. ( I still have some wedelia growing that I think would keep me from gold seal status.)
@Melanie/David. Thanks! I'm sure each state offers something on these lines through one agency or another. One friend in the neighborhood has already noticed it and I think has been inspired.
@Nana: I don't think the Wedelia is too much of a problem. (It's not on the most invasive plants list, is it?). I had oyster plants, which I was advised to remove and have done so, but I still got the award. It seems that not having an irrigation system, meaning I drag a hose around, was the deciding factor between silver or gold.
--Penny
A word from Betty spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Betty!
Congratulations, Penny!!! What a wonderful accomplishment! I was going to say that I was not certified, though my husband says I am certifiable. However, it seems someone has beat me to the punch. As for Wedelia, oh my, that is unbelievably invasive here in my neck of the woods. I have a lot of oyster plants in my garden, but I don't believe they are the invasive kind.
Hey, FG. Well, the first comment was from my husband...
The invasive list may be very specific to a region, so perhaps oyster plant isn't a problem on the Gulf Coast side. Wedelia is everywhere here, too. In fact, just this afternoon I was looking at a vacant double lot that's turned into a meadow of sorts and it's covered with wedelia and Spanish needles and it looked so beautiful ...
--Penny
OMGosh! That comment from your husband is too funny. Dropped by from another Florida gardening blog as I am in Florida as well. Congrats!!
Hello, Thanks for dropping by. Please come back often. :-) I will be looking at your blog, too.
Yes, my husband certainly has his moments...
Hey Penny,
Congratulations! This is a great program encouraging gardeners with some easy guidelines for success.
Such a coincidence. I just printed off the application for applying for this yesterday. I'm at the extension office all the time so it stands to reason I should participate in this program. Plus the fact I'm volunteering to be on the team that verifies yards in our county.
My automatic irrigation will keep me from getting the gold seal. I use it responsibly so I wouldn't give it up in my large lot for a gold seal anyway.
But the rest of the qualifications are checked off... now if I'll just remember to fax it.
Good for you!
Meems
I love programs like this. Congrats on getting your garden certified.
Thanks, MBT. I think programs like this are so important, both for the gardener and for inspiring others. And it's nice to be appreciated, even though I hadn't been trying to get the certification; it just turned out that everything I had already done qualified me. Further, this blog automatically goes to my Facebook page where one of my local friends has been inspired to check the program out.
@Meems: Could you certify your own yard, then?? Congrats in anticipation! Have you looked into the wildlife habitat certification, too? You should be able to qualify for that just as easily, although the paperwork is more complex.
--Penny
Hi Penny, Congrats on your certification. It seems like more and more gardeners are creating Florida-friendly yards and that's fantastic. We live in such a beautiful place, and it's wonderful that people are more aware and appreciative of our environment.
Thanks, Susan. Do you have this certification? I'm sure you would easily qualify if you don't.
Penny,
I have to get my yard certified before I can help certify. Makes sense. So I mailed my ap today.
Yes, I've looked into the wildlife certification but in our county it is a bit disorganized at the moment. Looking into helping getting it back on track. Should be fun.
Meems
Meems, I wish you success on both counts. :-)
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