In 2010 we moved from a beachside condominium to a suburban split plan home on 0.2 acres. Initially the property had all ornamental plants in poor condition as it had been unoccupied for several years.
The vegetation at the front of the home consisted of:
- dead azalea hedge,
- 7 sable palms,
- 3 sago palms,
- 2 cedars framing the garage door,
- an overgrown bird of paradise.
- Another row of dead azaleas across the back property line,
- a stand of 'mondo-grass',
- a 50' short-leaf pine
- 2 sable palms,
- Several unidentified stumps
In the last 6 years we have made these changes:
Front yard:
- Removed all dead azaleas, the sago palms, the cedars, and the giant bird of paradise.
- Created a paver patio at the entry
- Created a bordered area along the front of the home which is planted with pineapples, and papaya.
- Repaired the island around 2 of the sable palms and planted with pineapple and sugar apple (sweet sop).
- Added 6' privacy fence.
- Removed all the dead azaleas,
- Cut down the pine tree, and removed the stump.
- Cut down the backyard sable palms,
- Removed the mondo-grass.
- Added these plants: Dragon fruit cactus, ginger, 4 types of bananas, a mango tree, a Haas avocado tree, a lime tree, a honeybell orange tree, muscadine grape vines, a barbados cherry, choya, mulberry, sugar cane, and several papaya trees.
- Added a number of 25 gallon planters with small trees include: sugar apple, olive, coconut palm, and pecan.
- Smaller pots/planters include pineapple, rosemary, soursop (guanabana..sp?), passion fruit, cranberry hibiscus.
- Created three 5' x 5' raised beds that we plant with seasonal vegetables: broccoli, collards, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, garlic, onions, eggplant, okra, seminole pumpkin, watermelon, and others.
- Multiple DIYS SIP (Sub-Irrigation Planters) and 25 Gal planters with Figs, parsley, mint, okra, summer squash, onions, and sweet potato.
constructing SIP supports along south side of house.
Small aquaponic system.
Revamp the gutter rain collection barrels at all downspouts.
