LONGWOOD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) –

Some neighbors want a Longwood man to clean up his yard. But he says it’s a garden and has every right to keep it.

Sean Law loves his garden. He has all sorts of fruits and vegetables growing in his back and front yard.

“We have to grow gardens and food everywhere on the Earth, not just in or outside of city limits,” said Sean Law who refuses to mow his lawn.

He says it’s nature’s beauty to have overgrown lawns and dead trees. He’s using a state ordinance called “Florida Friendly Landscaping” to defend his garden.

“The city says I’m violating city code, they can’t say that we don’t like the way it looks because that’s a violation of your first amendment and yard displays upheld it,” said Law.

Longwood commissioners disagree.

“He’s arguing that doing nothing is Florida Friendly whereas real Florida Friendly Landscaping is manicured bushes, pathways, things to conserve water and attract wildlife while at the same time controlling pests,” said Longwood Deputy Mayor Joe Durso.

Neighbors are furious.

“If he wishes to live that way which is his choice go to an area that accepts that. That means you go out to ranch land,” said a neighbor Kathy Ettman.

“We have all kinds of weird animals, rodents and stuff, and bugs. I have bugs that I’ve never seen before come in my house,” said Bobbie Corbitt who lives right next door to Law.

Law says it’s not his fault.

“There are ants in the world. I’m not God I didn’t put ants in the world,” he said.

“We’re constantly coming out giving code violations and there’s just a refusal to comply with city code,” said Longwood Police Officer Kevin Tuck.

Sean Law fought back. He went to the district court to fight the city to let him keep his Florida friendly landscaping. He lost so he appealed. He lost again. Now he’s filed a case with the Florida Supreme Court.

“We’ll see if they accept the case or not,” said Law.

Law says he will continue to grow his pineapples, sugar canes, and bananas despite what his neighbors have to say.

“I don’t blame the people because people are tricked by the TV no offense to you guys,” state Law.

Longwood Commissioners will discuss the extent of the case this Monday and will take further action.

Using her wealth of knowledge and love of gardening, Mountain Ranch resident Judy Dean has designed the grounds of Calaveras County Water District’s new headquarters for free.

Dean said her design was a “public-spirited” service.

“I can contribute by giving an idea of what to plant without wasting money,” she said.

On her 8-acre property, Dean has planted about 700 varieties of historic roses, various cacti and succulents, and hundreds of rhododendrons, antique camellias, irises and lilacs. She has studied landscaping for more than 25 years and owns more than 3,000 books on plants.

“She knows plants’ names better than peoples’ names,” said her husband Bob Dean, a CCWD board director, who recommended his wife as the grounds’ landscape architect.

Jeff Meyer, CCWD’s director of financial planning, said the county required a landscaping plan for the district’s new building.

“We want to be responsible and cost-effective,” he said.

When the water district put out a request for bids, it received one response of more than $50,000, Bob Dean said. As an alternative, he offered his wife’s services. He estimated the total expense of the landscaping will cost about 20 percent of the offered bid, “hopefully less.”

Since Judy Dean took on the landscaping, the project has morphed into something of a community effort. Calaveras Tree Nursery offered a significant discount of about 40 percent off the native oaks purchased and Carson Hill Rock Products donated the decorative and structural rocks for the grounds.

In the spring, CCWD will host a plant sale for the Sierra Foothills Chapter of the Native Plants Society. Dean said she wants to collaborate with the Calaveras Master Gardeners, a group that has a demonstration garden and plant sales in San Andreas.

Beyond the events, Mitch Dion, general manager of CCWD, said he hopes the site can be an everyday educational facility.

“Long-term, people can see how native plants work in landscaping,” he said.

Bob Dean said this was an ideal opportunity to act upon the 2009 Water Legislation, which mandated urban water suppliers to reduce statewide per capita water consumption by 20 percent by 2020.

As such, Judy Dean was intentional in her design. She incorporated a wide palate of drought-tolerant and cold-hardy plants. Almost all of the 280 varieties of trees and plants will be drought-tolerant, and 100 of them will be native to the area.

Dean compared landscaping the grounds to completing a crossword puzzle.

“You’re matching the plants to the site,” she said.

She said the natural surroundings of oaks and grasses influenced her design. And the building itself, with its clean lines and neutral colors, suits the environment.

“Our job, as we see it, is to soften it and give it some dimension, volume, height,” she said of the “cracker flat” building. “It’s good to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape.”

Dean said there were a few key elements in her strategy: staying low-maintenance, working with the existing views, and protecting and enhancing architectural features.

She avoided plants with invasive roots, rolling seeds and oozy fruits.

“You don’t want a mess to clean up,” she said. “You want something easy to control.”

The plants and trees will need to be watered every couple weeks for two years, she said. After that, she said they may only need to be watered a couple times every summer. The grounds will be drip irrigated and will incorporate both deciduous and evergreen trees.

“There will be assorted things to catch your eye in every season,” she said.

For example, in the shady picnic-lunch area behind the building, Dean hopes to plant Japanese maples, which will bloom orange and yellow in the spring and change color throughout the year.

She said seasonable and daily variations are not the only shifts in plants’ appearance. As the plants grow, their relationships to each other and the building change.

“Gardening is a movable artistic experience,” she said. “Plants and rocks are endlessly entertaining.”

Dean said this has been an enjoyable project for her because it is a new challenge. Whereas her gardens at home evolved over time, the CCWD grounds were planned ahead of time with acute attention to detail.

“It exercises my mind,” she said. “The more I do, the more I learn for myself and I can integrate it together.”

Dion hopes the lesson of water-wise gardening can extend to the community.

“The goal is to demonstrate on a backyard-sized scale,” Dion said. “We are going into a drought, gang. What do you do? You go native.”

Created: 01/01/2014 7:04 AM WHEC.com

By: Networx

Winter is my favorite time of year to hunker down and dream up my future landscaping plans. It’s the new year, which means I’m filled with resolve, excitement, and lots of ambition. And although it may be cold and dark outside, I know that in a few months the sunny days will return, and we’ll all be shuffling outside onto our San Diego patios for another glorious spring and summer.

Taking a little time right now to plot your garden projects is the best way to make it easier on yourself come planting season. With a solid plan in place you can hit the ground running, which means you’ll be grilling, playing, relaxing, and just generally enjoying that brand new landscaping, before you know it.

So if you’re looking to give your outdoor space a little facelift this year, then check out these hot new trends in garden and patio design, as forecast for 2014 by some of the nation’s top landscaping experts.

1. Sustainability Is Here To Stay

It’s been gaining popularity and it’s still going strong! Sustainability is the future, and in terms of your yard that means native and drought-tolerant plants over traditional lawns or turfgrass, and generally a more low-maintenance approach to landscaping. Done right, with a mixture of native flowers and hardy shrubs, this low-impact landscaping is as aesthetic and economical as it is environmental.

2. The More Edible, The Better

Farmer’s Markets are swell and all, but there’s nothing that quite compares to eating food so fresh it’s still warm from the sun. Keep things pretty with a mix of both ornamentals and edibles, interspersing vegetal and decorative species. This way, you’ll be able to forage amongst the flowers! And around the front, banish the boring grass — fruit, herb, and even vegetable gardens are all considered acceptable in a modern suburban front yard.

3. Create A Compost Corner

Composting — the process of turning kitchen scraps and other organic matter into usable, mineral-rich garden dirt — is one of the fastest-growing gardening trends for the new year. According to some experts, “composting is the new recycling.”

4. Native Rules!

Native plants are ideal because they’re so easy to maintain once they’ve been established, and these low-maintenance yards are one of the hottest trends in the coming year. Native plants are great for attracting local pollinators like butterflies, birds, and bees, and they’re already equipped to handle the surrounding climate. They’re ready to take on anything Mother Nature might throw their way, which makes things a whole lot easier for you.

5. Grow Your Own Booze

Cocktail culture is certainly en vogue, and so is growing your own fruit and herbs for said cocktails. However, that’s the entry-level stuff left to amateurs. The true enthusiasts are taking it all the way: growing hops to brew their own beer, and tending grapes to make their own wine. They call them “fermentation gardens,” and they’re all the rage!

Overall, the focus in landscaping design has switched from a fussy, overdone ideal, to a more simplified, authentic, and freeform feel. It’s a return to basics with an emphasis on elegance, wilderness, and quality over quantity. And, bonus points if your gardens produce something edible or drinkable as well.

So, are you ready to welcome the outdoor seasons? Start planning!

Sayward Rebhal writes for Networx.com.

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Here comes 2014 and we are ready! This year’s Water Wise events focus on healthy, happy plants. As you read the schedule, you will see some intriguing new topics along with some old favorites. We also want to hear from you, and Like us on Facebook. Find our Facebook page from the hotlink on our website, waterwise.arizona.edu. You can also call us with questions and comments at 458-8278 x 2141.  We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Unless otherwise noted, all presentations will be at UA Sierra Vista campus, 1140 N. Colombo Ave, Sierra Vista, Groth Hall in the Public Meeting Room, and are free.

This Saturday, January 4: Artful and Eco-friendly Gardens, 9-10:30 a.m.

Greg Corman, Gardening Insights, Inc.

Come learn how you can create beautiful and easy-care gardens that incorporate art, wildlife habitat, and native plants. Native bee houses will be for sale after the talk.

February 1: Prune for Plant Health and Vigor, 9-11:00 a.m.

Bill Cook, Program Coordinator, UA Cochise County Cooperative Extension

Keep your plants healthy by knowing what and how to prune correctly. Bring pruning tools to sharpen. This is an outside demonstration, dress for weather.  

 March 1: Basics of Drip Irrigation, 9-11:30 a.m.

Dr. Stephen Poe, UA Extension Specialist

Need a little irrigation help? Come learn about drip irrigation systems and how to water plants.

 April 5: WAM! April is “Water Awareness Month”

Water Expo at The Mall at Sierra Vista, and WATER (bi)CYCLE ride around the fitness loop!

Family fun bicycle ride starts at The Mall and goes from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For more information, contact Water Wise.

May 3: Happy, Healthy Plants through Integrated Pest Management, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Dr. Shaku Nair, UA Maricopa Ag Center

Come learn to apply IPM principles in the landscape to create a better, safer and healthier environment in a cost-effective manner.

June 7: Success with Succulents, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Mark Sitter, B B Cactus, Tucson 

Come learn about the variety of succulents you can plant in your yard and how to care for them.  Plants will be for sale after the talk.

July 12: Rainwater Harvesting Open Houses. Are you collecting rain? Come get ideas from local residential and commercial rainwater harvesting systems during open house hours. Contact Water Wise for maps and details.

 August 9: Attracting Pollinators with Native Plants, 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Karen LeMay, Cochise County Master Gardener

Landscaping with native plants is a sure-fire way to have watchable wildlife. Come see how easy it is to do! Spadefoot Nursery will have plants for sale after the talk.

August 23: 17th Annual Water Wise/Master Gardener Xeriscape Tour. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Several beautiful low-water landscapes in the Sierra Vista area will be open to the public for this self-guided tour. Contact Water Wise for maps and details.

October: Well Owners Workshop. Details to be announced. Stay tuned!

 November 1: Septic Care, 9-11:30 a.m.

Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe, UA Water Quality Specialist

Proper care for a septic system will help prolong the life of the system — and protect well water quality.

***

 Water Wise is a University of Arizona Cochise County Cooperative Extension program whose Partners are Cochise County, the City of Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, the Upper San Pedro Partnership, and Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

If you find a correction for this story, please contact our editorial department

Posted Jan. 2, 2014 @ 10:30 am

The snow that fell on New Year’s Day is just an appetizer for a blast of bitterly cold weather that is about to hit the region. Residents woke up Thursday morning to between 2 and 4 inches of snow to sweep off of driveways and sidewalks plus a wind chill reading that was in the negative. By the time Monday hits, however, those weather conditions will be balmy in comparison.

The results are in for the “Voice of the Citizen” Budgeting for Public Safety initiative and four projects – one in each city sector – will receive city funding.

Outgoing Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards has announced in a news release that up to $200,000 – up to $50,000 per city quadrant – will be spent on projects that were wholly created and developed by Rochester citizens.

The Southwest quadrant winner was the Jobs for Life career and community education program.

The program will provide job referrals and mentors for 30 adults and tutoring for 60 youth in science, technology, engineering and math This includes seminars on block club leadership, civic engagement, financial literacy and home buying, as well as a youth disaster recovery workshop that teaches skills in disaster preparation.

The winning Southeast quadrant program includes civic engagement opportunities like traffic calming discussions and implementations, neighborhood enhancement projects such as mini-Clean Sweeps, gardens, landscaping and community collaboration events such movie nights, health fairs and holiday celebrations.

In the Northwest quadrant, a Crime Prevention through Environmental Design project won. Funding for this project is slated to include tactics to encourage pedestrian traffic and discourage loitering, street drug sales and gambling. These would be high visibility pedestrian crossing signs, increased brightness of street lighting in select areas, outdoor café seating for rotating use among the quadrant’s restaurants, stores and delis, sidewalk plantings and hanging baskets and vacant storefront art.

The Northeast quadrant winner was the GIS Scholars Program. Voice of the Citizen funding will allow the program to add 5 to 10 more students to take part in after-school training in the operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.

The students will create a mapping project designed to assist with crime prevention in selected areas. They will also collect data and identify crime rates through the mapping technology. The students will also create maps to plot variables surrounding crime such as property ownership, poverty, proximity to services and others. They will publish and share their results.

The two-week Voice of the Citizen voting period ended on Monday, Dec. 16 with a total of 840 votes cast.

The winning projects are scheduled to proceed to the implementation phase in January.

GMCLENDN@DemocratandChronicle.com

Dylan’s parents, Mark Redwine and Elaine (now Elaine Hatfield), were divorced, and she lives in the Colorado Springs area. Dylan, by court order, was to spend the 2012 Thanksgiving break at his father’s house three miles north of Vallecito Reservoir. He arrived Nov. 18.

Caledon Enterprise

Creating a habitat for bees and butterflies in your backyard is easier than you think. Not only will you be helping our tiny insect friends as they go about their essential business of pollination, but your children will love learning about all the different types of butterflies that make their home in Canada. Here are some ideas:

Native bees and butterflies will be attracted to native plants. Think coneflowers and columbine, black-eyed Susan, phlox, asters, and daisies. Monarda—also known as bee balm—is a particular favourite, and you can’t go wrong with a wildflower garden featuring Queen Anne’s lace, milkweed, goldenrod, and thistle.

Pick plants with flowers in bees’ favourite shades. Bees love flowers in blues, purples, yellows and white. They’re happy with purple coneflowers and hydrangeas, but will also sample from your herb and vegetable garden—from lavender and oregano and even tomatillo plants once they start flowering.

Support butterflies at every stage of their development: Here, you’ll need two types of plants—host plants for butterfly larvae and nectar plants for food. Different types of butterflies prefer different types of plants. For example, Monarchs will feed from nectar plants including lilac and milkweed, and prefer plants in the milkweed and cosmos families for laying eggs. Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, on the other hand, lay their eggs in willow, alder or apple trees and choose lilacs and bee balm as nectar plants.

Be sure to visit Greenside Gardens ’n More for all your landscaping needs. In addition to a garden centre stocked with a huge variety of perennials, trees and shrubs, Greenside Gardens ’n More offers mulch, soil, stone and aggregates, as well as lawn maintenance and landscaping services. Contact them today at 905-794-1140 or visit www.greensidegardensnmore.com for more information.

Posted: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 6:00 am

Leave real Christmas trees for curb pick-up

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Item

The city of Sumter will begin picking up Christmas trees on Thursday and transporting them to Dillon Park for the annual Grinding of the Greens. Trees will be picked up from city residents’ curbs through Thursday, Jan. 9. County residents can take their trees to any of the Sumter County recycling centers.

Public works officials advise that only real trees will be accepted, and they should have all ornaments, lights and tinsel removed.

On Saturday, Jan. 11, the trees will be ground into mulch, and from 7 until 10 a.m. that day, residents can take their trucks and containers to the park to get all the free mulch they can carry for use in their gardens and landscaping.

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Tuesday, December 31, 2013 6:00 am.