Getting the scoop about the soil pH will save plants, trees, and money

If you haven't met Walter Goodrich, let me introduce you to a hard-working and knowledgeable Wildewood 2A neighbor and friend to the Grounds Committee. Walter dug, and Mike and Lois bagged and marked by location twelve different soil samples. 

Then the samples were delivered to the UF - IFAS Manatee County office for testing.

A week later we met with Susan Griffith, a landscape-friendly faculty specialist at the UF-IFAS Extension office in Manatee County. She and her staff reported the soil as basic high alkaline. 

How high? Between 7 and 9.  

So what does that mean and why do we care about the makeup of our soil?

Maybe you've heard the phrase "right plant, right place." This means that achieving a natural, healthy balance in the landscape starts with matching plants to the right light, drainage, surroundings, and soil.

Soil?

Susan explained: "Amending will not change a soil pH." 

What? We can't amend our favorite plants into place? What about fertilizing? Pesticides and herbicides—don't they help a plant thrive? 

"Well, they'll work temporarily. But you'll need to keep it up. That means a long-term commitment to chemical amendments." The Committee cares about levels of chemicals in the pond, seepage into groundwater, and effects on humans, wildlife, and pets. 

A plant that likes acidic soil needs acidic soil to thrive. Same with alkaline.

Did you hope for a southern magnolia tree? Wrong pH. I know. I know. 

The Committee really, really wants to make informed recommendations about planting the right plant in the right place for the sake of the plant, habitat, and our joy of living in such beauty. Ph is just one of the many aspects of central Florida wetlands (yes, Wildewood is a wetland) we are learning about from our professional educators.

And now, with this new-to-us information, we realize our choices and recommendations to the Board can save money.

How? For example, the wrong tree, in the wrong place = $ to plant it + $ to amend and irrigate more frequently + $ for future residents to remove and then grind the stump when it gets sick or does not grow well + $ to start over and plant the right tree in the right place.

Being attentive to HOW we work together

Wildewood Springs neighbors Michaelene Laliberte and Lois Goodrich with Susan Griffith (University of Florida extension office in Palmetto, FL). 

March 28, 2017

The Board approved the Grounds Committee Charter and applauded the committee's goal to use these principles to guide its work.

After we wrote our Committee Charter, we agreed to give attention to how we work together. The following principles were inspired by Margaret Wheatley and written in 2002 by Adena Brook Community neighbors (Columbus, OH) who wanted to restore a ravine-habitat and park that abutted their properties. 

The Wildewood Grounds Committee chose to adopt them.

CARING PRINCIPLES - WORKING WITH EACH OTHER

We care about the habitat and all living beings residing here.

We show our care through action.

We base our actions on a breadth of information and guidance from professionals.

We are an agent of change through service guided by kindness, cooperation, and persistence.

We talk with respect for all and listen to all points of view.

We rely on creativity, generosity, and commitment.

We treat people and the environment with the same care and respect.

We focus on what is possible.

We work towards yes.

We keep track of what we do.

We use a trust-based model of relating to one another.

We work cooperatively rather than confrontationally with others.

We are patient and persistent with people and processes.

We lead in a way that welcomes others in.

We believe our capacity to be helpful grows as we widen the circle of inclusion.

We work with our children and grandchildren in mind.

(These principles are inspired by the work and writings of Margaret Wheatley to help leaders in how they work with each other and their communities. Turning to One Another, Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future.)

UPDATE: the Wildewood IIA board members continue this work, 2023