HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda CAB 010208AGENDA
CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
COMMUNITY AESTHETICS BOARD
WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2008, AT 5:30 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. ROLL CALL:
Recwlar Members Alternates
Gail Vastola - Vice Chair (1St Alt.) - Donald Brown
David Anderson (2nd Alt.) - Donald Krzan
Terence Brady
Sherry Levy
Donna Wisneski - Acting Chair
Albert Jacob
Francis Heaslip
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
IV. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, MODIFICATIONS
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November & December 2007 - not
available at this time
VI. ITEMS BY COUNCIL LIAISON
VII. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
i. Arbor Day & Tree Day at the Greenmarket - January 18 & 20,
2008
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
i. Water conservation - irrigation
IX. NEW BUSINESS
X. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
XI. ADJOURNMENT
DRY DAYS AHEAD FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
Prepare Your Plants Now for Life with Less Water Later
Water managers throughout Florida are anticipating another dryer - than- nomial season this spring. Water is one of four components,
along with air, nutrients, and sunlight, necessary for vegetation survival. Plants flourish when the four components are provided in
sufficient amount and balance. They grow tall and produce abundant flowers, seeds, and fruits. When one of the four components is
lacking, such as water, plants can become stressed and enter into dormant states. Deciduous trees (those losing leaves in the winter)
will often prolong their dominant state until moisture conditions return to nominal. Fruits may not develop or may drop off early due to
lack of moisture. Following a few simple landscaping strategies may help your plants weather a drought successfully. For more
information on managing your landscape in drought conditions, visit our website (www.co.palm- beach.fl.us/erm) or the South Florida
Water Management website at www.sfwmd.gov.
By Jamie Coston
)w Your Plant's Need
r Water and Create
a Water Strategy
. Keep plants with like water
errands together in zones.
rovide each zone with water
elivered to the roots of the plants
)r maximwrr efficiency.
. Avoid broadcast or spray
rigation as this wastes water and
oes not put the water where it is
eeded - deep in the root zone.
rstall micro- irYigation systems,
.,gate a seeping system, or hand
ater for a deep penetrating water
Water during the early morning
allow time for water to soak in
thout encouraging fungus.
Reduce waterschedules
idually to prepare the
getation for dryer conditions.
i abrupt reduction in watering
Prepare Vegetated
Areas to be Watered
Effectively
1. Eliminate the plants competing
with your trees and shrubs for
scarce water supplies. Remove
undesirable vegetation, weeds, or
weak and diseased landscaping.
2. Condition soils year round by
turning in organics from your
compost pile. If you don't have a
compost pile you can use store -
bought mulches.
3. Provide three inches of top
mulch around plants to prevent
evaporation of water from roots.
Do not lay mulch directly against
the plant stem/trunk as this can
encourage fungus and rot. Leave
a circle of bare dirt around the
plant base.
4. Place potted plants in the
shade to prevent water loss
through warming of the containers
and roots.
Maintain Plants with
Simple Drought -Wise
Practices
1. Do not fertilize plants during a
drought as this will stress the plant
when it tries to grow without
sufficient water.
2. Avoid pesticide use if possible
as the chemicals require water for
application and utilization.
3. Raise the blade height on your
mower to encourage deep grass
roots. Reduce the frequency of
mowing and trimming.
4. if you must prune, use a sharp
instrument to reduce tearing,
allowing the plant to heal without
excessive moisture loss. If your
plants begin to decline, trim stems
to slow transpiration but leave
enough leaf area to support plant
health.
5. Remove dropped fruits to
discourage fungus and disease.