The Laker/Lutz News

Tampa Bay Water

Mask ruling has no immediate impact in Pasco schools

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Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper has deemed unconstitutional the state’s order to ban local school districts from imposing mandatory facemasks.

Cooper explained his decision in a two-hour announcement from the bench on Aug. 27.

Cooper ruled that school districts can impose mandatory mask mandates, and if challenged, must be granted due process to demonstrate their mask requirement is reasonable.

Taryn Fenske, communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis, issued this reaction to the ruling: “It’s not surprising that Judge Cooper would rule against parent’s rights and their ability to make the best educational and medical decisions for their family, but instead rule in favor of elected politicians.

“This ruling was made with incoherent justifications, not based in science and facts – frankly not even remotely focused on the merits of the case presented. We are used to the Leon County Circuit Court not following the law and getting reversed on appeal, which is exactly what happened last year in the school reopening case. We will continue to defend the law and parent’s rights in Florida, and will immediately appeal the ruling to the First District Court of Appeals, where we are confident we will prevail on the merits of the case.”

Locally, Judge Cooper’s ruling will have no immediate impact in the Hillsborough or Pasco public school districts.

Hillsborough already has adopted a temporary facemask mandate in its schools which remains in effect through Sept. 17.

The Hillsborough board took that action, despite the governor’s executive order, and subsequent actions taken by the Florida Board of Education and the Florida Department of Education.

DeSantis has stood firm in his position that parents — not local school boards — have the authority to determine whether a student wears a mask in school.

Hillsborough school board members took emergency action to impose a temporary mandatory mask order, with a medical opt-out provision.

In doing so, they joined a number of school districts that defied that order and faced potential financial sanctions.

Cooper enjoined the state from imposing those penalties.

Shortly after Cooper’s ruling, Pasco County Schools issued this statement: “We are aware that Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper has determined that Governor DeSantis’ order banning mask mandates is unconstitutional. At this time the ruling has no impact on Pasco County Schools’ mask-optional policy.

“The Governor’s order remains in effect until the final order is submitted. At that time, the Governor is expected to appeal the decision.

“To summarize: Today’s ruling has no immediate impact on Pasco County Schools. Masks remain optional for students and staff.”

So far this school year, Pasco County Schools has had a combined total of 2,481 student and staff cases, as of the evening of Aug. 27.

As of the same date, that figure stood at a combined total of 5,500 for students and staff in Hillsborough County Schools.

In other pandemic news, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval on Aug. 23 of the Pfizer vaccine for those age 16 and older. The vaccine has emergency use authorization for those age 12 and older.

Experts have said the FDA’s approval could encourage people with vaccine hesitancy to go ahead and get vaccinated.

The pronouncement also could prompt more employers to require employees to get vaccinated.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has announced that city employees have until Sept. 30 to become vaccinated. Those who do not will need to wear an N95 mask and show weekly results from a COVID test.

Pasco County has decided to use a different approach. It is offering $500 in premium pay to every employee who becomes fully vaccinated by Nov. 1.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated to lessen the chance of becoming infected. While people may become infected, medical experts and scientists have said they are at much lesser risk of hospitalization or death.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 transmission rate remains high in Florida. Experts attribute that to the infectious delta variant of the disease, which they say is highly contagious.

In the week between Aug. 20 to Aug. 26, Florida recorded 151,749 new COVID-19 cases, with a positivity rate of 16.8%, according to the Florida Department of Health’s website.

Pasco County had 4,433 new cases, with a positivity rate of 21.2%.

Hillsborough County had 11,800 new cases, with a positivity rate of 18.9%.

AdventHealth West Florida Division continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases at its facilities across West Florida and continues to experience a peak of COVID-19 patients, according to an Aug. 27 news release. To date, more than 600 COVID-positive patients are currently hospitalized in the West Florida Division’s 10 hospitals.

AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Zephyrhills have paused all non-time sensitive and non-emergent procedures.

The hospital chain also has limited visitors at numerous locations, including these in and near The Laker/Lutz coverage area: Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Tampa and Carrollwood. Specifics are available by visiting each hospital’s website.

In other COVID-19 related news, Hillsborough County has issued a news release to inform its water customers that they may notice a temporary change in the taste and odor of their drinking water.

Tampa Bay Water temporarily changed its water treatment process beginning Aug. 26 at its Lithia Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Facility, due to a lack of liquid oxygen deliveries to the facility.

Water provided to Hillsborough County Public Utilities customers will continue to meet all local, state, and federal regulations for drinking water, the news release said.

While consumers may notice a change in taste and odor, the treatment change will not alter the quality of the drinking water, according to the news release.

There is a delivery driver shortage caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the need for available supplies to be diverted to local hospitals, the release explained.

“In addition, Tampa Bay Water is adjusting the regional blend of water sources to accommodate the change in available deliveries of liquid oxygen in the taste and odor,” the release said.

COVID Statistics: Week of Aug. 20 to Aug. 26

Florida
New cases: 151,749
Positivity: 16.8%

Pasco County
New cases: 4,433
Positivity rate: 21.2%

Hillsborough County
New cases: 11,800
Positivity rate: 18.9%

School cases
Cumulative cases, 2021-2022 school year*

Pasco County  Schools
2,350 student cases; 491 staff cases

Hillsborough County
4,563 student cases; 947 staff cases

*As of the evening of Aug. 27

Published September 01, 2021

Portion of Starkey Park Equestrian Trail temporarily closed

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A portion of the Starkey Park Equestrian Trail is closed, while a project is done by Tampa Bay Water to improve water levels and ecological function at Bonnet Lake.

Construction crews will install a 12-inch pipe to divert water from Grassy Prairie to Bonnet Lake. While that work is done, a portion of the trail will be closed to keep trail users safe.

The trail will remain open to the north and south of the construction area, and will be accessible to trail users. Signs will be placed at trail closure locations with a map to help trail users navigate the closure area.

The closed portion is expected to reopen in February 2019.

Residents can follow the project’s progress by monitoring Tampa Bay Water’s Twitter and Facebook feeds for updates. For specific concerns or questions, call the dedicated construction hotline at (866) 463-6426.

Published October 31, 2018

Hurry, entries due soon for this year’s Water Wise awards

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Does your yard have what it takes to be a winner of a Water Wise Award?

The University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences Pasco County Office Extension and Tampa Bay Water would like to recognize attractive, yet water-efficient landscapes.

Your yard could be a contender for a Water Wise Award if you already follow these simple steps:

  • Put the right plant in the right place
  • Fertilize and mulch appropriately
  • Attract wildlife
  • Manage yard pests responsibly
  • Recycle yard waste
  • Reduce storm water runoff
  • Protect the waterfront

Water is a precious resource that some take for granted.

This is an example of a landscape that uses a variety of techniques that creates an attractive appearance, while using water wisely.
(Courtesy of Jim Moll)

In Pasco County, the UF/IFAS Extension Office has a Florida Friendly Program Manager and Program Coordinator funded by a partnership with Tampa Bay Water.

One of the efforts of our partnership is to recognize landscapes that are attractive and utilize water efficiently — whether the landscape is at a home, business, industry or government location.

How do you know if you are water efficient?

For some gardeners, this may be a very simple question to answer, if you only use rain, or harvest rainwater and store it in rain barrels, or you use an irrigation system only when necessary during drought.

Sometimes, though, it is too dry and you might need to irrigate.

You can quickly figure out your indoor water use with this simple formula: For each person living in the home, assume 2,000 gallons of water is used, per person, per month.

Additional usage is likely to be used outdoors.

Efficient landscape watering uses about 460 gallons for every 1,000 square feet of irrigated landscape. So, a 5,000-square-foot yard would need about 2,300 gallons per irrigation event.

Many Pasco County residents have created interesting and relaxing landscapes that use even less water than the 460 gallons per 1000 square feet.

Residents deserve to be recognized for water savings. They also can serve as examples to others through demonstrating ways to balance attractive design, right plants in the right place, beautiful landscaping elements, and water efficiency.

Please take a few moments to submit your landscape for an evaluation, by simply going to TampaBayWaterWise.org. The deadline for submissions is June 30.

You can learn more about Florida Friendly LandscapingTM by attending one of the many gardening classes offered by the Pasco County Extension Office by going to our website http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/ or https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Jim Moll is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Manager at UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension.

Published June 27, 2018

We’re on the lookout for water-wise landscapes

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Pasco County Extension and Tampa Bay Water are looking for yards that demonstrate practices that reduce the waste of water, while still presenting a lovely oasis.
(Courtesy of Whitney C. Elmore)

The Pasco County Extension Office and Tampa Bay Water are looking for attractive landscapes with irrigation systems or techniques that minimize water waste and represent the best in Florida-Friendly Landscaping.

We would love to present your outdoor oasis for relaxation and a haven for wildlife as a powerful environmentally friendly example of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping is a concept based on the use of low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices.

  • Using the right plant, in the right place
  • Watering efficiently
  • Fertilizing appropriately
  • Mulching appropriately
  • Attracting wildlife
  • Managing yard pests responsibly
  • Recycling yard waste
  • Reducing stormwater runoff
  • Protecting the waterfront

When planning, establishing, and maintaining a Florida-Friendly Landscape, the appropriate use of each of these principles can produce a beautiful landscape that’s low maintenance, cost efficient and environmentally friendly.

A Florida-Friendly yard is a win for everyone and for the environment, as it helps to conserve and protect our water.

Many Pasco residents already incorporate these practices into their landscapes. Some have done so without expending much time, effort or money.

By using these principles, many Pasco County residents have produced relaxing outdoor spaces — worthy of gracing the front page of a lawn and garden magazine.

When the right plant is planted in the right place, it can thrive without excessive watering. You can use micro-irrigation to deliver water where it is needed, and use mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
(Courtesy of the University of Florida)

In Pasco County, the UF/IFAS Extension Office has a Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Manager and Program Coordinator, funded by our partners at Tampa Bay Water.

As part of Tampa Bay Water’s efforts to conserve water, they offer the Water Wise Awards each year to recognize attractive, water-conserving landscapes at homes, businesses, industry and government.

In conjunction with our UF/IFAS Pasco Extension professionals, a winner is selected during landscape evaluations, and that winner is acknowledged with a beautiful, handmade mosaic stepping stone and recognition from the Pasco Board of County Commissioners.

If you would like to submit your landscape for an evaluation, simply go to TampaBayWaterWise.org, and click on the entry link.

The deadline for Water Wise Award applications is June 30, 2017.

It’s quick, simple, and a fun way to recognize the work that you’ve done to create your personal oasis.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Want to know more about gardening?
Check out these workshops:

                      

#101 Propagation From Seeds
June 3, 10 a.m., Pasco Extension Office 36702 State Road 52, Dade City: Learn how to create an attractive and productive garden at this free workshop. Learn how to successfully germinate seeds. Registration is required. (The same workshop is also being offered June 8 at 2 p.m., at Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road in Holiday).

Bonsai: The Art & Technique
June 6, 6:30 p.m., Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson: Free seminar focuses on an introduction to the art of bonsai, a unique combination of horticulture and art. Registration is required.

Colorful Container Gardening
June 10, 9 a.m., Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes: Learn how to plant flowers, foliage and herbs in containers at this free workshop. Registration is required.

Attracting Pollinators to your Garden
June 10, 10 a.m., Zephyrhills Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills: Learn what elements are needed in the home garden to attract butterflies and hummingbirds at this free seminar. Registration is required.

Easy to Grow Native Plants & Their Pollinators
June 20, 2 p.m., New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel: Learn about native plants that are easy to grow and find out about these plant’s pollinators, too, at this free workshop. Registration is required.

Registration for workshops can be made through EventBrite. Search under the name of the seminar, it should pop up.

Published May 10, 2017

Festivities set to honor Earth Day

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Finding ways to celebrate Mother Earth and to recycle, upcycle and preserve its precious resources are the themes of Earth Day celebrations planned around the region.

One of the largest area events planned for Earth Day, known as Earth Day Tampa Bay, got its start as EcoFest at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz.

One shopper can collect 500 bags in a year, according to this depiction of the concept that was seen walking around at last year’s Earth Day Tampa Bay, also known as EcoFest, at Lowry Park.
(Courtesy of Learning Gate Community School)

Now, in its eighth year, the event has become Tampa’s signature Earth Day event, and it has grown into a collaboration between Learning Gate, the University of South Florida Office of Student Affairs and the City of Tampa.

The event is set to take place at the Lowry Park Zoo Bandshell area, at 7525 N. Boulevard, in Tampa, on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Thousands of people typically attend the event to learn the latest in earth-friendly practices and products, and to check out the fun activities offered for kids.

The event celebrates the principles of sustainability: Ecology, Equity and Economy. This year’s sponsors are Tampa Bay Water and Tampa Electric Co.

Planned highlights include a parkour agility course created by a participant in American Ninja Warrior, a kid-friendly Yoga Zone with classes, crafts, games and other fun activities.

Costumed superheroes will be roaming around; bands will be performing, and there will be plenty of chances to pick up some pointers on sustainable living.

Michele Northrup, organizer of the event, has been involved since the beginning.

“It’s going to be exciting this year,” said Northrup, noting “we have over 138 vendors.

“We have sustainability experts … We’ll have hybrid and electric vehicles. We have one vendor … who will demonstrate wind power,” she said.

The Owl Sanctuary will be bringing the beautiful owls that it protects, Northrup said.

There also will be interactive booths and chances for people to purchase everything from local honey to handmade soap to all sorts of other eco-friendly items, she said.

While EcoFest is expected to draw thousands to Lowry Park, Pasco County also is hosting an Earth Day celebration.

The family friendly event will take place at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. It is scheduled for April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re excited that the event will actually fall on Earth Day this year,” Lottie Kelley, event chair for Earth Day, said in a release. “This year, we’re adding the Suncoast Trail Earth Day Ride and Rick’s Raptor Rescue,” she said.

Other planned activities include:

  • Children’s crafts and education displays
  • An Interactive Water Ventures Learning Lab
  • A Florida native plants sale
  • Pet adoptions
  • A ladybug release
  • Upcycle vendors
  • An appearance by Spike, the 10-foot alligator from Croc Encounters
  • Household hazardous waste collection
  • Electronics recycling
  • A pill take-back program (for unwanted or expired medications)

Concessions will be sold by Mary Giella Elementary School as a PTA fundraiser.

Also, the University of Florida’s IFAS/Extension will offer two workshops: Rain Water Harvesting at 10 a.m., and Composting at 12:30 p.m. Preregistration is required for both workshops. Sign up online at Pasco.IFAS.ufl.edu/events_calendar.shtml.

To sign up, click on April and scroll down to event 1 of 2.

For more information about the festival, contact Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King at (727) 856-7252 or kking@@pascocountyfl.net.

Published April 29, 2017

Reclaimed water gets go-ahead

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Pasco County commissioners have approved a $13 million reclaimed water project, with a 25-year lease agreement.

Construction costs for the project will be shared with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which is providing about $7 million, including an estimated $5 million for construction.

The goals for the project are to provide the county with up to 5 million gallons of reclaimed water a day, restore natural habitats harmed by well field pumping, and to recharge the Floridan aquifer.

Pasco’s residences and golf courses are among targeted beneficiaries of the reclaimed water project.

The new facility will be built on about 237 acres of the 4G Ranch, a working cattle farm of about 2,905 acres, off State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes.

The total lease costs are estimated at about $2.3 million for 25 years, but the lease can be extended for three 10-year periods.

Lease payments of about $40,000 will be paid in 2016, according to the agreement between Pasco and landowner, William Ted Phillips Sr.

Phillips is also chairman of Phillips & Jordan, the company hired for the project’s construction phase.

Four commissioners voted to support the project and lease agreement, but Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano dissented. He argued that more should be done to review alternate sites for the project, including at least one property in the Hudson area.

Mariano also said leasing land, as opposed to owning it, might not be the best financial choice long-term.

“We need to look at all the options,” he said.

Construction on a series of manmade wetlands is expected to begin in 2016, with initial testing and start date for the system in 2018.

Reclaimed water for the wetlands will be delivered and treated via a network of pipes, a pumping station and an existing reclaimed water main near the 4G Ranch.

The location of the property, between the Cross Bar well fields and the Cypress Creek well fields, is critical, said Michael Carballa, the county’s utilities engineer director.

“For decades, pumping (of water) has caused degradation to surface waters of natural habitat in these lands and areas,” Carballa said.

In some areas, such as Big Fish Lake near Masaryktown, Tampa Bay Water is paying to drill wells to draw water out of the aquifer to augment surface waters, he said. “Projects like this take a product that we essentially don’t use as much as we should and put it to a better use.”

Some concerns were voiced, however.

Owners of the Barthle Brothers Ranch, adjacent to the reclaimed water project, are worried about how reclaimed water operations could affect their land.

Larry Barthle, a third-generation rancher, said the family supports the project and favors reclaimed water, but has some concerns.

The language in the agreement is too vague in describing protections against negative impacts to surrounding lands, including flooding, Barthle said.

“What does adverse water mean?” Barthle said.

Mike Hancock, from Swiftmud’s Water Resources division, told commissioners that additional monitoring wells could be installed on Barthle’s property or “wherever it’s needed.”

With the county’s increasing growth, Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said, “This is a model project. I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

As the county grows, the project might be expanded.

“If the project were successful, we’d like nothing better than to replicate it,” said Carballa.

Published June 1, 2016

Garden club seeks moratorium on fracking

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The Dade City Garden Club is pushing for a resolution that urges state lawmakers to enact a statewide ban on hydraulic fracking.

Pasco County commissioners will vote on the matter, likely on Nov. 17, but the resolution to ban fracking also will include a request for a study commission to look at the pros and cons of the controversial practice.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano is the resolution’s sponsor.

During fracking, chemically treated, high-pressure water is pumped into a drilled pipeline to break apart rock formations to extract oil or natural gas.

An opt-out clause is recommended in the resolution to give counties the right to ban fracking even if there’s no statewide ban.

“We do want to have some local control,” Mariano said.

Jack Mariano
Commissioner Jack Mariano

In October, a similar resolution was pulled from the commissioners’ agenda. It was tweaked in the interim with the addition of more specific language regarding sinkholes, the chemicals used in fracking, water quality, and the addition of the study commission.

State legislators are expected to take up the issue during the 2016 session, which begins in January. A bill already is winding its way through subcommittees in Tallahassee.

The bill designates the state’s Department of Environmental Protection as the agency that would investigate and issue permits for fracking.

“That’s the scary part,” said Mariano.

Under the proposed bill, permits may be issued for construction of fracking structures a mile or more from the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, bays, estuaries, or fresh water lakes, streams and rivers. And the state environmental protection agency must be satisfied of adequate protection of natural resources in the event of an accident or blowout.

Supporters of fracking say natural gas is a cleaner source of fuel than coal, and extraction through fracking has fewer safety issues. Opponents say the practice is environmentally harmful, leading to water contamination, public health threats and sinkholes.

The Dade City Garden Club earlier this year went on record against fracking, mirroring a decision by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc., made in January.

“Water quality has long been a concern of garden clubs, said Pat Carver, environmental chairwoman of the garden club, and also water and wetlands District 8 chairwoman.

She cites studies that have shown about 20 percent of the wastewater in fracking migrates underground, and can pollute wells and aquifers.

A bill last year for an outright ban on fracking didn’t make it out of committee, Carver said.

“We hope to see the bill again come up and be heard,” she said.

Carver said Pasco commissioners were shown a video on fracking prior to the anticipated vote on the initial resolution, which was later pulled.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she needed more information.

“My issue is, I’ve heard from one side. I’ve not heard from the other side,” she said. “I’d want to be more educated before I did something.”

The issue is catching the attention of county residents, also.

“I continue to get calls and letters from concerned constituents about fracking,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader, who serves as chairman of Tampa Bay Water. The regional nonprofit supplies Tampa Bay area municipalities with drinking water.

He noted that the water board recently approved a similar resolution.

“I don’t see what the harm would be in having a resolution,” Schrader said.

Published November 11, 2015

Turn your yard trash into landscape treasure

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Composting is a wonderful way to turn yard trash into a landscaping treasure. Composting doesn’t need to be difficult. It can be as simple as taking fallen leaves and using them in the landscape beds, instead of purchasing mulch. Over time, the leaves will decompose resulting in organic matter that is full of nutrients and beneficial in maintaining healthy plants.

Compost offers many benefits for your lawn and garden.

There are different ways to create compost to help your landscape thrive. This is one example of a composting bin. (Courtesy of Jim Moll)
There are different ways to create compost to help your landscape thrive. This is one example of a composting bin.
(Courtesy of Jim Moll)

Compost helps condition sandy soils, helping them retain moisture and plant nutrients, and compost helps improve drainage in clay soils.

Compost supports beneficial living soil organisms, like worms.

And, a lesser-known benefit may be the reduction of a soil-borne fungal infection, called take-all root rot in turf grass.

Composting systems can be divided into three categories: stationary bin, tumbling bin, and the no bin or heap-method.

The heap method has no cost, as no equipment is needed. Compostable materials are simply placed into a heap with material added, as it accumulates.

Stationary bins can be as simple as recycled wooden pallets wired together to create a bin, or they can be heavy gauge wire mesh, plastic, or even made from cement blocks. With some stationary bin systems, you can add a second or even a third bin next to the first bin to transform the single bin into a multi-bin system which makes turning the decomposing organic matter easier. Some offer lids and/or fine wire mesh to keep out animals.

A food-grade 55-gallon barrel with air holes made along the sides of the drum and a stand with a pipe that fits into the center of the barrel makes a great tumbling bin. The barrel can be tipped end-over-end easily, which aerates the material, speeding up the decomposition process.

There are many ready-made tumbling bins.

Which type is better? Each type has pros and cons. Some tumbling bins are costly, many stationary bins have a fairly limited capacity, and other bins, such as those made from cement block, are permanent fixtures in your landscape.

What can be composted?

It may be easier to say what cannot be composted: no meat, grease, bones, diseased plants or weedy plants that have seeds/fruits, pet or human waste.

Most anything that is plant-based can be composted. For example leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds (including the paper filter), sawdust from nontreated wood, and even newspapers can be composted.

Particle size plays a role in how quickly something will decompose, so some items will decompose more quickly than others.

Very small particles, like sawdust, will break down more slowly, due to packing, which slows oxygen moving between particles.

Oxygen is essential for the microbes to survive and decompose organic matter. If the particle size is large, like a tree branch, corn stalks, etc., it will take the microbes a long time to break down the material.

Also, there is something called the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, known as the C to N ratio. This might sound technical, but it’s really not.

Carbon materials are also called “browns” and are usually woody by nature and take more time to decompose.

“Browns” include fallen leaves, woodchips, straw, sawdust from nontreated wood, and newspapers. Items high in nitrogen, also known as “greens,” help speed the decomposition of high carbon “brown” items.

“Greens” include untreated grass clippings, animal manure (i.e. horse, rabbit), vegetable scrapes, egg shells, citrus and coffee grounds.

Mixing “brown” items and “green” items will speed the decomposition process.

While mixing, add water if the items are dry; decomposition occurs more quickly if the items are just barely moist, but not wet. You may need to add water to your pile from time to time to keep it moist. During heavy rains, you might want to cover the bin/pile so your compost doesn’t become soggy.

How often should you turn the pile?

The more frequently you turn it and the hotter you keep the composting materials, the faster the breakdown of the material.

“Hot-composting” methods require frequent attention to the compost pile. The microbes in the compost will naturally cause the temperature to rise. The pile should be turned when the temperature reaches 140 degrees. Special compost thermometers can be purchased at garden centers and on the Internet.

Should the pile cool down to 100 degrees, it should be turned to encourage reheating or new compostable materials added to restart the heating of the compost pile.

Hot-composting methods can destroy most disease causing organisms and weed seeds. Some people will take a “less is more” approach to composting. This is a method where the items to be composted are placed into a bin or in a heap and left to decompose on their own without turning or paying much attention to the pile.

This “cold-composting” method takes time, typically requiring two or three years for the compost to fully decompose. While cold composting is easier, you are more likely to get insects and pests in your compost.

A couple of final tips: Place your bin in a location that is easy to access, and consider the shade for your comfort when you turn the compost or need to load it into a wheelbarrow for use in your landscape.

Also, you should check your homeowner’s association (HOA) rules. As long as you follow the rules of your HOA, most will allow a compost unit in the backyard.

Jim Moll is with the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension Office and is the Florida Friendly LandscapingTM Program coordinator, funded by Tampa Bay Water. For more information, call (352) 518-0470, and check for upcoming classes and workshops at http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu/events_calendar.shtml. To learn more about composting go to http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/compost-info/.

Published May 13, 2015

 

Tampa Bay Water funding nonprofit conservation projects

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Tampa Bay Water is offering $20,000 worth of mini-grants to help fund projects and events sponsored by local community groups, non-profit groups, schools and universities that help promote protection of the region’s drinking water sources.

The deadline to apply for the grant is Oct. 31. To qualify, applicants need to provide a plan for a project or event that is related to source water protection in the Tampa Bay Water service area. The program grants funds from $2,000 to $10,000 for community-based activities, including but not limited to, river cleanups, stormwater nature walks, and educational field trips.

“The mini-grant program helps those who are dedicated to protecting our region’s drinking water sources, and it ensures that our ecosystems remain healthy and functioning now and into the future,” said Paula Dye, mini-grant program manager for Tampa Bay Water, in a release. “

Last year, the agency awarded four $5,000 mini-grants that funded projects and events managed by Lowry Park Zoo, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Keep Pasco Beautiful and Friends of Brooker Creek.

Keep Pasco Beautiful ran a poster contest for elementary students that focused on educating them about the importance of protecting drinking water sources. Its Tampa Bay counterpart used its grant to fund its environmental program, which included interactive and educational presentations for elementary through high school students throughout Hillsborough County.

Lowry Park Zoo raised its outflow structure to reduce the amount of wastewater discharge during heavy rain events, playing a role in keeping a Hillsborough River tributary clean.

Friends of Brooker Creek built an exhibit at the Brooker Creek Preserve in Pinellas County. The hands-on exhibit illustrated the elements of the water cycle and how surface and groundwater flows move through the watershed.

Mini-grant applications will be reviewed, with winners notified before the end of 2014 for funds that will be available in 2015.

To apply, visit tinyurl.com/TBWMiniGrant. For information, call Paula Dye at (813) 996-7009.