Some Thoughts on Gardens, etc.

The Vernal Equinox is right around the corner, so it seems fitting to mention some garden stuff...

Try Cardboard and/or Paper under mulch... It provides a temporary weed barrier and decomposes with the mulch.  I remove packing tape and plastic of any sort first, so just tree-based stuff is left.

If you have used or extra drywall, try breaking it up and scattering around trees.  The gypsum in it is a good source of calcium.

We are fortunate to have pets to consume our food scraps.  If you don't, try to compost.  In Florida composting is easy...just throw everything in a pile.  Covering especially tasty scraps with mulch, leaves, or grass clippings helps to keep wildlife away.  Alternatives to the pile system include picking up a composting bin from the Solid Waste Authority, making a cylinder out of chicken wire or hardware cloth, and using a garbage can with the bottom cut out.  You'll find lots of earthworms in the soil under your compost piles.

Try scattering coffee grounds around the root zones of acid-loving plants.

So often what is good for your garden is also good for the earth.  Try to be aware of the possibilities around you.  With very little effort you can improve the health of your plants and soil, reduce the amount of fertilizer and other chemicals that you purchase, and substantially reduce the amount of stuff going to our landfills.