Went to the Sarno landfill to obtain mulch (for gardening). They have on hand in massive piles of "Golden Mulch". This mulch is has been ground to a fine texture. Have gotten this premium mulch at the Cocoa facility some years ago. It's well worth the effort to obtain some. No cost and make as many trips as you like. Directions: North on Wickham to Sarno. Take a left going past WalMart and the Consulate Nursing Facility for about 1/4 of a mile. Take the second entrance to the facility, stop at the gate house indicating that you would like to pick up some "Golden Mulch". They will give you the directions to continue straight and take a right at the stop sign. There will be an attendant to direct you to the "Golden Mulch" when the open area is reached. He has a small hut the size of 4 telephone booths. There are mountains of the 'coarse' mulch nearby sobe sure to get the fine-ground mulch. Take along a tool (pitchfork, spade, rake) to fill your containers since no tools or assistance is provided. I believe they will load up a pickup, open trailer of truck with machinery if you desire.
Robert Hokkanen (Flamingo) I also use as much golden mulch and fines as I can get free from the landfill, however, I called on Friday, the day I received your kind notice from Robert and was told that they did not have any golden mulch or fines available --- only the 'regular' mulch. I would recommend that folks call before going out. The number is 255-4365. Golden mulch is from selected pine and oak refuge. When mulch is not available from the landfill, I go next door to the Florida Recyclers and purchase mulch. They will load only truck beds or trailers and do not allow folks to fill containers. Price for gold mulch is around $20 depending on the quantity you purchase. They also sell composted soil ($8 - $15) which is what the plant nurseries use for potting soil. All in all, I prefer the golden mulch from the landfill the best --- when it is available!
Kathryn Merry
Landscaping In Florida
With Fire In Mind And Selecting And Maintaining
Firewise Plants For Landscaping
By Kathryn Merry (Hammock), Master Gardener
With the recent fires in neighboring communities and drought
conditions favoring fires, we all need to become more diligent in ensuring the
safety of the MelbourneVillage
parks, paths and fields (and our homes).The following information is available through the University
of Florida Horticultural Program
(UF/IFAS).I have condensed two articles
to give an overview but encourage you to read the entire text and evaluate your
landscaping and neighboring woodlands.
Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Selecting and
Maintaining Firewise Plants for Landscaping1http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR147.
For homeowners who live in an area with a medium to high
risk of wildfire, this document provides useful information for protecting your
property.Creating an area of defensible
space is one of the most important. Defensible space is defined as an area of
modified vegetation between natural areas (e.g., woodlands) and homes that
breaks up the continuity of plants and allows firefighters to protect the home
or, in the absence of firefighters, allows the home to better survive on its
own. Recommendations for defensible space suggest maintaining an area extending
at least 30 feet outward from a house with plants that are low in flammability
(referred to as firewise plants).In
summary, the most important characteristics of firewise plants are:
High
moisture content. The moisture content of leaves and branches is the
single most important factor influencing the flammability of individual
plants.
Broad
and thick leaves. Thin leaves or needles tend to dry out quickly and
ignite easily.
Low chemical content.
The presence of oils or other chemicals in the leaves and branches can
increase flammability.
Open
and loose branching patterns.
Deciduousness.
Deciduous plants are generally less flammable than evergreens.
Low amounts of dead
materials. The accumulation of dead leaves and branches on plants can
increase flammability.
To
maintain a firewise landscape, the following routine maintenance practices must
be conducted within the area of defensible space:
Maintain
vertical and horizontal separation between groups or islands of
landscape plants.
Prune shrubs and trees
periodically to reduce fuel volume, to maintain healthier plants, and
to prevent development of ladder fuels.
Remove dead leaves and
branches from standing vegetation and from the ground.
Remove
dead annual plants.
Water
plants adequately to maintain healthy plants and prevent drought
stress.
If each homeowner implemented just a few landscaping
techniques toward making their yards more defensible to reduce the
vulnerability of their home to wildfire the Village as a whole would better
survive should a wildfire be present.Take time to review these documents and to address your landscaping with
respect to reducing its vulnerability to wildfire.