FORT PIERCE FOLKS
GREG GARDNER PHOTOS
A scientist at heart, Annmarie Loveridge takes a break from tending the gardens of the Klein estate in White City. She takes care of several properties using
only natural fertilizers and usually brings her beagle, Grace, to roam the grounds.
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The PLANT GURU
BY GREG GARDNER
After 10 years as president of the Lakelas Mint Chapter
of the Florida Native Plant Society, Annmarie
Loveridge is hanging up her garden gloves and
pruning shears.
Known locally as the expert on native plants and their
care, Loveridge is a bit of a plant whisperer who can look
at a withering bush and know just what it needs to make a
comeback. These days she uses only natural fertilizers — no
Roundup, chemicals or plastic.
“I went through the DTs when I stopped using Roundup,”
she says jokingly, “but I just can’t breathe that anymore. I
have no respect for people who use it. A propane torch
works just as well. People who spray it don’t realize how the
wind carries it elsewhere. Roundup has been proven to be
dangerous.”
Loveridge has six clients, tending their gardens several
days a week, down from when she had 20 properties to
keep healthy. “I look for bugs and deficiencies,” she says. “A
broken plant has to be fixed right away. It will never look
as good as before it was broken, but it helps to get it back to
normalcy right away.”
Loveridge has some tips for gardeners to be eco-friendly
and save a lot of money at the same time. For instance, instead
of plastic tarp, use eight to 10 pieces of newspaper and
get it very wet before putting down the mulch. The worms
eat the newspaper and provide nutrients for plants.
Use only locally made fertilizers, and don’t apply them
during the rainy season or too close to nearby canals, lakes,
streams or rivers. There are local manufacturers in Martin,
St. Lucie and Indian River counties if you must use manufactured
fertilizers. Loveridge recommends instead getting free
coffee grounds from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, who will >>