Just thought we would share a couple of photos from the garden.

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How wonderful! Especially love the pic of the sun flower. Our squash are producing nicely right now, but no ripe tomatoes yet. Plum tree has lots of green fruit, which is a pleasant surprise as we planted it only last year!

Beautiful! We have sunflowers, blueberries, squash, peppers, yardlong beans and a few tomatoes with more on the way. Several kinds of new greens we're trying, that are supposed to be able to take the heat. And trying okra for the first time ever, didn't know how many plants to plant, I think we have about half a dozen... I love eating homegrown goodies!

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Susan Horn
www.artisan-builds.com

I am sad. The landscape company sprayed my container vegetable garden with herbicide and now the beautiful tomatos, squash, cucumbers, and bell peppers I had so looked forward to are contaminated and dangerous; the plants that did not die must be completely destroyed according to the Poison Control and Environmental Protection folks. They also sprayed the seeds that were on the ground under the birdfeeder and so far at least one mourning dove has died.

I am angry, sad, and frustrated that a professional landscape company would do such a thing. Has anyone else experienced this?

It is horrifying to think what might have happened if a child or anyone had eaten one of these vegetables before I was told what had been done to the garden.

I think many people may be unaware of the poisonous chemicals that are being used here every day by the landscaping companies that are hired to care for the grounds.

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

that is too bad. i would definitely contact them and ask why that happened? that doesn't even sound right. i would be furious.

beautiful pics 2bohs.

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The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. - Albert Einstein

No need to contact them; they told me what happened, and have said they will reimburse for damages;

that is fine, but nothing can replace the joy I was expecting from the home grown vegetables (and I think it is too late to do another crop) and of course the bird is dead--and probably more that I don't know about...and the frustration of knowing that this could happen from people who are supposed to be professionals and take some pride in their work...is just infuriating. It wasn't an accident, it was pure negligence, according to the company. And, then to find out the danger of the chemicals. It is frightening.

There is much more to the story, but not appropriate for here. Just felt sad reading this thread knowing how well my garden was doing....

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

What are they doing spraying stuff that harmful in the first place?

Not only could it have serious health problems for the animals and humans in your yard, but that is going straight into our water!!!!

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The enemy is ignorance.

Scooterbug,

Apparently the spraying of really wicked stuff like that is quite commonplace. I don't understand it either, but it is quite prevalent. Seems insane to me that we allow this to be done since it affects the air and water that we all breathe and drink. What can we do to end the insanity?

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Susan Horn
www.artisan-builds.com

We could sick the hysterical mom brigade on them. Start a rumor that it causes ADD and poor SAT scores if you live or play where they use pesticides. (It probably does anyway).

Or, everyone can tell their landscapers etc. that they won't use their services if they use those products.

And require any lawn, greenspace, or garden treated with those chemicals to have a prominently displayed "skull and crossbones" on it!

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The enemy is ignorance.

How terrible for you!! I hope you had a good talk with them on the difference between a weed and a tomato plant

G

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You can request that your landscape service use only organic fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides. Or, do it yourself--Home Depot carries a full line of organics and they're not much more expensive that the chemical versions.

If you live in a neighborhood that will allow it, get rid of your turf grass and landscape with native plants. Youll need less (or no) fertizilier, herbicide, and pesticide and you will use less water for irrigation. (And, no mowing!)

The Florida County Extension Service has helpful info.

Good for you for growing your own veggies!

That is great advice for someone who owns their own property; I would add that edible landscaping is another fine option, and perennial peanut as a substitute for turfgrass has tested well in this area for heat and drought tolerance, while also fixing nitrogen (thus it will feed neighboring plants nitrogen, requiring less or no fertilizer).

But what about people who are renting, or live in condos?

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Susan Horn
www.artisan-builds.com

New photos taken yesterday:

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Beautiful!

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...some gorgeous shots! Thanks!

I have a gardening story. I finally bought some seasonal color (and a few perennials) and have been planting a bit since Saturday. I pulled some weeds in a bed by the pool and left them there over night. I have a Mr. and Mrs. Dove that visit daily and they are busy building a nest in the pecan tree with the dried out weeds! Made my day, even though it meant I couldn't get to the bed to plant early this morning! Welcome to the neighborhood, Doves!

So, I have a question...Molly needs to be furminated and I wonder if the doves would like the fur or if it would scare them away?

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The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.

mk - i seem to recall birds picking up fancey's combed out hair.

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"Peace .... starts with the person who attempts to diffuse the tension and backs away from the inflammatory rhetoric."

Molly's fur will keep away pests if you spread it in the garden - I would put it out in the gardens and let the doves get it from there so you don't potentially scare them off by putting the smell of a "predator" in their nest.

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The enemy is ignorance.

2bs - love your photos!

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"Peace .... starts with the person who attempts to diffuse the tension and backs away from the inflammatory rhetoric."

You can put hair, drier lint, etc., in one of those mesh produce bags and hang it somewhere, and let the birds decide if they want to use it. From what I've seen, hair as a pest deterrent only lasts a short period anyway.

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Susan Horn
www.artisan-builds.com

Well Thank You Miss Kitty


So, how is it working out. Have Mr. & Mrs Dove made a new home with the fur yet? We recently got about 8+ inches of hair cut and threw the trimmings around the yard for the squirrels and birds to use in their nests.

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Ok folks, what have you got going in your fall garden. I am so sad because all of my paw paws, poms and persimmons must be coming in back home in at my old place. I hope they are appreciated by the new owner.

So this is the time of year in Louisiana when I would buy satsumas! LOVE satsumas. Haven't seen any local citrus yet and this is FLORIDA! Do you guys get satsumas here? If so where do you buy them?

Also, who is growing poms and simmons? I would love to see what you have going.

Fall is such a great time for gardening. Here's a pic of satsumas



Thanks for any info
G

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I think Renee Savary had persimmons last year (Twin Oaks Farm). Yes, we usually get satsumas but I can't think where. I will let you know if I find them.

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Susan Horn
www.artisan-builds.com

There was a couple selling persimmons at the Seaside Farmer's Market recently - they had products made from persimmons - pear persimmon jelly, dried persimmon and pecan trail mix etc as well as fresh persimmons.

Dunno where to buy satsumas - I think I usually get mine off Dunelaker's mom's tree.

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The enemy is ignorance.

Thanks Susan and LUCKY you Scooter! I am jealous!!!!!

Keep me posted folks if you find bagged satsumas or know of any fresh ones for the picking!

G

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