All Bamboo is Not Created Equal !

I adore bamboo!

What says tropical and lush more than bamboo? However, anytime I have ever offered it up as a screening solution I have been greeted with "I don't want that stuff overtaking my yard."

Point Taken ! But there are more types of bamboo than can be imagined ( 1400 species that range in size from 2' - 100 ' tall )......What we have all been horrified by is the running bamboo which propagates by rhizomes that can spread over 20 ' from the source. Even if you are cursed with the rambling type there are techniques to actually contain it. *

But why bother doing prevention when there is another equally lush, beautiful and definitely more mannerly bamboo?If you don't know about it already, let me introduce you to clump bamboo. The picture above is of me standing in the midst of the younger of my two clumps. This variety quite simply each year sends out new shoots only inches from the main source. It would take 20 years for it to spread to a circle of 8-10 feet in diameter. I have found it to be an excellent screen for a flood light that cast unwanted light into our yard in the evenings.....

Like most gardeners I was terribly intimidated by the prospect of a bamboo that would take over my yard but my favorite gardening magazine Fine Gardening has contained several articles that encouraged me to take the plunge and am I glad I did. Having said this, please bare in mind that it is almost impossible to tell one type from another visually. So make sure when you buy it is from someone who knows their stuff or the plant bares a label from the grower stating it is a clumping variety. Gardening is a delightful journey that never ends..........

*For further information go to finegardening.com May/ June 2007 there is a very concise article about this subject and goes into detail how to contain the rambling variety . Go to ggreal.com and click on Gardening in the Coastal South for my list of great local gardening sources Please note because of technical trouble with this site you may have to copy and paste these websites in your browser......

WE ALL LOVE OUR PETS

.....BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS LOVE OTHER PEOPLES ANIMALS. June 30 our neighbors Edith and Bill Barnes were out walking their relatively small dogs when they were attacked by what we shall assume were strays. The two attack dogs were large, not on a leash or accompanied by their owners. Apparently, one of these dogs was a Rottweiler Mixed breed. (For complete details of the attack read Bills account in the comment section of our blog dated July 27)

The abbreviated version is that Bill was hurt and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. He has suffered from the attack and is still recovering. The good part is that as is characteristic of the folks that live in Fox Run two separate individuals were part of making sure a bad situation did not get any worse. And apparently someone called 911.

If you see a dog that is roaming without a lead or seems to be threatening anyone please call Animal Control . 595- 3075 / or 595-3080…these numbers are on the back of your Fox Run Directory. After hours this is handled by the Sheriffs Department. The only requirement is that you do leave your name, address and any information you know about a particular animal.

If animal control comes out and cannot ascertain a dogs owner, the dog will be picked up and taken to the Animal Shelter. If your animal is picked up you will be given a citation. If the animal does not have updated vaccinations and or not properly licensed this will also be a citation. This can become quite expensive to a pet owner. If multiple citations occur then your animal can be seized … which obviously no one wants.

Rick Beck, Vice President of the Home Owners Association, always counsels that when you have a problem with a neighbor please go to them first. And if this is possible I agree completely. However, large dogs on the roam are a hazard to us all. We have people of all ages in our community...and in all stages of health so we must be aware of potential threats that large dogs roaming present not just to us but everyone.

For further information please go to the link below ……………

http://myescambia.com/Bureaus/CommunityServices/PetOwners.html

7/18/2009
GREAT NEWS THIS HOME FINALLY CLOSED...... 10023 Hollowbrook Dr. 2071 sq ft 3/ 2
$116,500 This home originally came on the market in May '06.....Foreclosure / distress sale

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8/17/2009
10015 Hollowbrook Dr 2,052 sq ft 3/2 ( in-ground pool ) $178,000 DOM* 120

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9804 Huntsman Path 1,846 sq ft 3/2 $145,000 DOM * 113

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* Days On Market....