Page 5 - Aug 2020 Citrus
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Senior Voice of Citrus County - AUGUST 2020 • 5
FRANKLY SPEAKING Assistance for Citrus County
M y F la g Residents Facing Eviction
less than 80% of the average
Citrus County Housing
Services Eviction Prevention
Program continues to assist median income (see below).
of my home. The colors red, very low-income and low- (80%) Income Limits
white, and blue represent all of income residents impacted 1 Person $31,300
us - the red is for the rednecks, 2 Person $35,800
the white is for the white trash, by the Novel Coronavirus 3 Person $40,250
and the blue is for the blue (COVID-19). 4 Person $44,700
collars. Priority shall be on a first- 5 Person $48,300
My dog, on the other qualified, first served basis and 6 Person $51,900
hand, hates this noisy time. is limited to a one-time award. 7 Person $55,540
The cacophony of firecrackers Payments will be made directly 8 Person $59,050
and fireworks has her cowering to the landlord and a valid
under the furniture. lease must be in place.
• Must have a documented
One of my little neighbors had Funding for this program is loss of income related
an accident with a cherry bomb available through the State to COVID-19 that
By Frank Jolliff and blew part of his eyelid off. Housing Initiatives Partnership resulted in missed rental
The good news is that he was (SHIP) Program. A household
I wrote this column during the scheduled to be circumcised payments and in danger
weekend of the 4th of July. By the next day. They were able must meet the following of being evicted.
the way, do they have a 4th of to save some of that skin and criteria to qualify: For more information about
July in England? Think about rebuild his damaged eyelid but • Must be a Citrus County the Housing Services Eviction
it. now that poor kid is cockeyed. resident. Prevention Program, call
I love celebrating our birthday So be safe, wash your hands • Household income must be 352-527-7520.
by putting several flags in front and keep them in your pockets.
Combine Strategies to Control Garden Weeds
By Steven Davis, to application of more toxic plant for the location provides mulch, like pine bark nuggets
synthetics. Cultural and a competitive edge, filling the or pine straw, allows the
Florida-Friendly mechanical methods are weakness or void and reducing moisture to pass through the
Landscaping Coordinator, appropriate control practices the opportunity for weed mulch layer and enter the soil
Citrus County that need no real training, invasions. horizon. Fine textured mulches,
Department of Water unlike proper application of Mechanical removal of weeds, including shredded or chipped
Resources labelled herbicides. although gardeners’ least wood, tend to hold moisture in
the mulch, enabling weed seed
Synthetic herbicides are often First, consider sanitation. Prior favorite method, is essential to germinate and thrive in the
the first and only method to planting container plants in for control. Perennial weeds mulch layer. Many weed seeds
used by homeowners to the garden, remove all young are the most difficult to control require sunlight to germinate
control weeds in ornamental weeds from the container. and often migrate through and coarse mulches prevent
or vegetable gardens. But Many of these weeds will be vegetative rhizomes or stolons, light from penetrating to the
successful control of weeds in annual seed producing invaders. thus requiring more aggressive soil surface. Seed germination
gardens should rely on a more Removal of young weeds prior cultivation for control. can also occur in fine textured
integrated approach, rather than to the production of seed will Mulching aids in control of and stone aggregate mulches
a one-size-fits-all herbicide eliminate additional weeding weeds, but depth and product when introduced on top of the
application. A combination of later in the season, with annual selection are important. Two mulch by wind or water. Some
approaches including sanitation, and grassy weeds being the to three inches of mulch is mulch naturally produces bio-
appropriate mulching, organic primary target. recommended to keep moisture chemicals inhibiting weed seed
contact herbicides, and weed Weeds fill voids in lawns and in the soil horizon for use by
pulling should be used prior gardens. Selection of the right the plant. Coarse textured Continued on page 21
