Gardening

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ACTIONS NOW WILL BENEFIT OUR GRANDCHILDREN

By Rosemary Eiden

When a handful of people and myself started the Wild Ones Native Plant Enthusiasts group back in the 90’s we had no idea of all the benefits it would bring to us. Many of our home landscapes were converted and many birds, butterflies, owls, and up the food chain animals came to our yards. With a little education we could then help others with their garden endeavors.

When I left the northern group we had 300 members. I am learning that there are people equally enthusiastic about natives here in Florida. So far in Del Tura, 5 have converted parts of their yards into native landscapes. We are all thrilled about the responses from the wildlife. We are very happy that we are contributing to their success.

It’s a small effort for the greater good. But don’t just take my word for it. Guru, Doug Tallamy has come out with a new book, Nature’s

Best Hope: A New Approach To Conservation

That Starts In Your Yard. Doug Tallamy is a leading authority on native plants. You can get the audio book right from our Lee County Library system or from Amazon for $12.00.

He says, “Earth’s resources are not infinite” and “Actions now will benefit our grandchildren.” These are powerful words and I am sure you have heard them before but the truth is if we don’t start now then when? Do we have that much more time to procrastinate? Right on page 51 he has actualexamples of how to shrink the lawn. On page 205 he has examples of what each of us can do.

I am 71 years old and with the help of my husband we were able to convert our back yard into a native planting. My time on this planet is getting shorter and if I can still do something now I will.

We started our native garden in December of 2019. Initially we put down black cloth over the lawn to make it go away, then we bought plants and took our time putting them all in. In 2 weeks we were done. Then we used pine needles raked up from our yard and the neighbors yard for mulch. With all the summer Florida rain it is now all grown in. Easy!

We are looking out at the Beautyberry bushes outside our window and are noticing that all the berries have been consumed by the Mockingbirds and Jays. How delightful. We have done our job!

When the next generation comes down to Florida looking to buy a home they will be pleased that right out the back they can enjoy nature.

Del Tura Garden Club News…

Members will be at ‘Junk in the Trunk’ with baked goods. All proceeds will go to benefit the model native garden.

The bench under the giant fig tree was dedicated to the ‘Deltura Garden Club’ on November 2nd. Native Florida seed was planted behind the bench.

Chat for the garden club is on Facebook Deltura Garden Club.

Free Landscape Consulting by Rosemary Eiden rosi5632@att.net 813-220-9269

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Island Visitor Publishing, LLC • December 2020 • 941.349.0194 • www.DELTURA-HOA.com

Investment Lessons from 2020

As the year draws to a close, it’s fair to say that we’ve all learned something about the social, political, physical and environmental forces that have affected everyone. And, in some ways, our lives will be changed, perhaps permanently. But as an investor, what lessons can you learn from 2020? Here are some to consider: • The markets look ahead. Here’s something many investors discovered in 2020: Investment prices don’t always move in the same direction as the overall economy. This might not have seemed apparent right after the COVID-19 pandemic struck in mid-February, as the overall economy and the stock market took big hits. But just about five weeks later, the markets began a rally that lasted several months. During this time, the economy also recovered somewhat, but still remains on weak footing. What can explain this discrepancy between the markets and economic activity? Essentially, economic numbers, such as the unemployment rate and gross domestic product (GDP), reflect what’s happening today, but the markets are always looking toward tomorrow, which means they are anticipating a stronger economic recovery and the results that come with it, such as greater corporate earnings in 2021. No one can say for sure what the future holds, but you can usually know the market’s opinion by its performance. • Opportunities will always exist for investors. Although the coronavirus seems unprecedented, the equity markets have rebounded from many crises before it. From war to global financial meltdowns, the market has seen it all. But even at the height of these events, when the markets might be most affected, individual segments or industries can do well. For example, in the current environment, when many people have been forced to work and shop from home, and get their entertainment online, it’s probably not surprising that some parts of the technology sector have seen their economic activity grow, along with their stock prices. Here’s the key point: Investment opportunities always exist, especially in times of market stress – and smart investors will find them and incorporate them into their portfolios in a way that’s appropriate for their goals and risk tolerance. • Patience and discipline can pay dividends. As mentioned above, the stock market dropped sharply in the weeks immediately following the pandemic, but then gained steadily for months afterward. Investors who tried to “cut losses” and exited the market likely did so at the wrong time and missed out on the beginning of the upturn. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon – investors who overreact to market declines often find themselves on the investment sidelines just when a new rally begins. Rather than being reactive in this way, you may be better off sticking with a long-term investment strategy, and buying and selling investments only when it makes sense for your situation, such as when you need to diversify your portfolio. For many reasons, it’s unlikely that we’ll see anything exactly like 2020 again. But some of the investment lessons we learned are applicable in every year – so keep them in mind for 2021 and beyond.