The Kerby's Nursery E-Newsletter
June 11, 2020
A Whopper of a Tale
by Joey Bokor
by Joey Bokor
All of the rain this weekend had me thinking of times that I got stuck in the rain. And as I rambled down that
path of various memories, I remembered a whopper of a fish tale. People love to tell stories about the fish they've
caught, exaggeration always included. This tale is not about a fish I caught, but definitely about a fish that got
away, and I promise it was a big one.
It starts on the Hillsborough River back in the late 90s. Kim and I were on an afternoon adventure paddling the river when rain clouds started to build up in the sky. We were a long way from where we had launched the canoe, so we dug in to try to paddle faster and get back before the rain and storms started.
We weren't out to fish, we were just paddling the river and enjoying some time together. I was in the back of the canoe and Kim was in the front. We were both pulling our paddles as hard and as fast as we could, when suddenly Kim's paddle hit something and before we even realized what had happened, her paddle launched an enormous gar out of the water. It flopped against the rail of the canoe and then smacked across my chest before quickly returning to the water. The whole event happened so fast that we were sort of in shock. Its sharp fins scratched my chest a little, but that was the only evidence that anything out of the ordinary had occurred. In a bit of disbelief, we returned to paddling and managed to find a covered area at the canoe launch to wait out the rest of the rainstorm.
The fish in my mind has become an enormous beast, but I'm sure it was just a little guy to have been flung up by a paddle stroke. But like all fish stories, it has grown over the years. Garden stories can be like fish tales sometimes too. How many times have you heard a fellow gardener boast about the size of the tomatoes or cucumbers just harvested from the garden? Plenty of times, I'm sure. With the start of the summer rainy season here, I hope you are creating some great garden stories of your own, that will get bigger and better each year.
It starts on the Hillsborough River back in the late 90s. Kim and I were on an afternoon adventure paddling the river when rain clouds started to build up in the sky. We were a long way from where we had launched the canoe, so we dug in to try to paddle faster and get back before the rain and storms started.
We weren't out to fish, we were just paddling the river and enjoying some time together. I was in the back of the canoe and Kim was in the front. We were both pulling our paddles as hard and as fast as we could, when suddenly Kim's paddle hit something and before we even realized what had happened, her paddle launched an enormous gar out of the water. It flopped against the rail of the canoe and then smacked across my chest before quickly returning to the water. The whole event happened so fast that we were sort of in shock. Its sharp fins scratched my chest a little, but that was the only evidence that anything out of the ordinary had occurred. In a bit of disbelief, we returned to paddling and managed to find a covered area at the canoe launch to wait out the rest of the rainstorm.
The fish in my mind has become an enormous beast, but I'm sure it was just a little guy to have been flung up by a paddle stroke. But like all fish stories, it has grown over the years. Garden stories can be like fish tales sometimes too. How many times have you heard a fellow gardener boast about the size of the tomatoes or cucumbers just harvested from the garden? Plenty of times, I'm sure. With the start of the summer rainy season here, I hope you are creating some great garden stories of your own, that will get bigger and better each year.
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Happy Gardening, The Kerby's Nursery Family 
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Colocasia and Alocasia - 20% Off
Colocasia and alocasias are collectively referred to as elephant ear plants. There are some cool varities with different leaf shapes and some color as well. One of our favorites is the Mickey Mouse Alocasia pictured here. This week only, all alocasia and colocasias are 20% off. Perfect for starting a rain garden.
Expires 6/17/2020
You live in Florida, so you know what happens in the summer: It rains just about every afternoon. But a little extra water shouldn't scare you,
in fact you can use it to make a beautiful and environmentally-friendly rain garden. Why Plant a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is an area in your yard that collects and naturally filters rain water before it enters the groundwater system. This helps keep some metals, fertilizers and pesticides from entering the groundwater. It also keeps some water out of the storm water system which runs right into rivers and the bay, and instead allows it to soak into the groundwater system. A rain garden can also be helpful in solving drainage issues. Have a wet area that always looks messy? Create a rain garden and you'll transform it into the focal point of your garden.
Steps for Planting a Rain Garden
1. Select plants that don't mind having wet feet. (A few of our favorites are below).
2. Dig the area out a little to create a place for the water to go. Remember you aren't creating a pond or a place for standing water, just an area that can catch the water so that it slowly drains.
3. Use decorative rocks and boulders to outline the area and help hold the water in the garden as it seeps into the soil.
4. Now plant the plants, and wait for a rainy day!
Great Plants for Rain Gardens - Milkweed, Mexican Petunia, Canna Lily, Alocasia, Colocasia, Muhly Grass, Holly Fern, Flamingo Flower, Shrimp Plant, African Iris, Wax Myrtle, Bald Cypress, Red Maple, and River Birch
Follow these steps to create a quick and easy rain garden. For more in-depth information, check out the IFAS handbook on rain gardens. What a great way to help the environment and create a unique garden at the same time.
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New Arrivals |
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Fiesta Hibiscus Dazzling Color 10" Pot - $19.99 |
Bougainvillea Sun and Heat Loving Color Prices and Sizes Vary |
Monarch's Promise Milkweed Unique, Variegated Milkweed 6" Pot - $8.99 |
Introducing
Dwell at Kerby's - The Houseplant Shop
Shop for planty gifts for your friends, family, or for yourself at our new online house plant shop. Currently, shipping is limited to Florida, Georgia and Alabama, but soon we'll be open to the entire country. Share your love of plants with someone today.
Follow Dwell at Kerby's on: Instagram or Facebook
Dwell at Kerby's - The Houseplant Shop
Shop for planty gifts for your friends, family, or for yourself at our new online house plant shop. Currently, shipping is limited to Florida, Georgia and Alabama, but soon we'll be open to the entire country. Share your love of plants with someone today.
Follow Dwell at Kerby's on: Instagram or Facebook
