S2 Ep2227: SUNKEN GARDENS Jennifer Tyson Previews Upcoming Events

Waterwise Gardening and Rainwater TalkHi, this is Jennifer Tyson, Education Coordinator at St Pete’s Sunken Gardens at 1825 4th St N. The dog days of summer are here, and in Florida that means stress on plants in Florida gardens – and stressed out Florida gardeners! The good news? Hot, sunny days during a record-breaking drought don’t have to parch your plants too badly if you grow like a true Floridian. Enjoying native and Florida-friendly plants that are drought tolerant is easier than you think. Native plants have evolved to sustain or even thrive in our dry periods and provide color and support for pollinators all year long. The cheerful dune sunflower and native grasses under our mid-century neon sign are a beautiful example and are blooming now. All are invited to learn how to incorporate 20 Easy-to-Grow wildflowers for Florida Gardens into an outdoor space, even a container garden, this Saturday, July 18, from 11am-noon. Participants will take home free seeds and a companion publication for the talk, created by the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Even drought tolerant plants aren’t drought proof, but that’s where rain barrels come in to save the day. Capturing precious rainwater is as easy as placing one underneath an area of your roof that is missing a gutter. We use Bti granules to eliminate mosquito larvae in standing water, which is perfect for rain barrels. This naturally occurring bacteria targets mosquito larvae and is not harmful to humans or other wildlife. Sunken Gardens guests can learn various ways to harness rainwater on Friday, July 24, from 11 am – noon when Melissa West of UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension will discuss how to set up rain barrels for use in landscapes and more. Both talks are free with gardens admission or membership and held in our air-conditioned Garden Room. No preregistration required. Stay tuned for more news and gardening tips from Sunken Gardens! See you at the magical land of flowers, flamingos, and more very soon!