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Nine Florida-Friendly landscaping principles The University of Florida established nine Florida-Friendly landscape principles to guide the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program. In this section of the website we will go over all the principles so that we can incorporate them in your design Number 1: Right plant, right place When deciding what plants tu use in your landscape remember to note the following items. 1. Type of soil - ph level, material (sand or clay) 2. Sunlight - direct sun, partial shade, complete shade. 3. Water conditions and water requirements - is the area a dry spot without irrigation or a swampy wet area. All of these should be taken into consideration when choosing your plants. You will want to group plants together according to thier similiar needs. Group sun-loving drought resistant plants together, it will help to reduce your irrigation needs. As a general rule you want to limit the number of plants in your landscape that require large amounts of water or fertilizer. Grass areas should be kept to a minimum, keep only what you need for your own personal enjoyment. Planted beds and mulch areas require less water than grass areas. Take a look around your landscape and identify all of your existing plant material and remove invasive exotic plants that steal water and nutrition from Florida-Friendly plnats. Number 2: Water efficiently On average more than 50% of the water use in our homes is used outdoors. Watering efficientlycan both save you money and conserve water. Remember these tips: 1. Water your landscape only when it starts to show signs of stress. 2. Measure rainfall, either by a gauge or moisture sensor, knowing that your alndscape recieved an ample amount of water due to rain will help you keep your irrigation system shut off. 3. Install drip or micro irrigation in your plant beds thesetypes of systems use water more efficiently than spray head systems. 4. Install an automatic rain shutoff device to avoid watering in the rain. 5. Stop over watering, you are not helping your lawn by over watering it.Over watered lawns tend to have short roots that make it harder for your lawn to survive pest attacks, disease, and periods of drought. 6. Whenever possible collect rain water to use to water your plants. Number 3: Fertilize appropriately By over fertilizing our landscapes, fertilizer seeps past the root zone and enters the aquifer, excess fertilizer runs off into bodies of water. Plants, animals, and humans depend on clean water for survival. Follow these tips to help prevent water pollution: 1. Fertilize your landscape only to maintain health, do not exceed recommended amounts, over fertilizing will not help poor growth due to shade, disease, or pests. 2.Use slow release fertilizers, these fertilizers make nutrients available to the plants for longer periods of time and are kinder to the environment. 3. Use iron instead of nitrogen to "green-up" your lawn. 4. Hold off on fertilizing if heavy rains are expected and don't over irrigate after applying. rains and over irrigating will only carry excess fertilzer in run off to bodies of water. Number 4: Mulch Mulch will keep weeds down, retain soil moisture, and reduce erosion and storm water run off. Follow these tips when mulching: 1. Replace grass with mulch in areas that are shaded or hard to mow, this will cut down your mowing time. 2. Apply mulch twice a year to keep level between 2-3 inches. 3. keep mulch 2 inches from the base of plants to help prevent disease. 4. allow fallen tree leaves to stay under a tree to create a self mulching area. 5. Use recycled or by-product mulch like leaves, pine needles or pine bark. 6. If you are using cypress mulch look for cypress mulch that is not harvested from Florida wetlands. Number 5: Attract wildlife Attacting wildlife to your landscape such as butterflies and beneficial insects is possibleif you provide food, water ,and cover. Follow these tips: 1. Plant vines, shrubs and trees to create cover, nesting areas, and food. 2. provide a water source such as a birdbath or small pond. 3. Provide a wildlife shelter such as a bat house, bird house, or small brush pile. 4. To protect the health of the wildlife in your landscape limit the use of pesticides to spot treating areas that need attention. Number 6: Manage yard pests responsibly For the most part when it comes to pest management nature takes care of itself.Misuse of pesticides in your landscape can lead to runoff into bodies of water and harm beneficial insects.Follow these tips when managing your landscape: 1. learn to identify beneficial insects and leave them alone. 2. Check plants regularly and prune off infected areas of the plant and pick off insects when possible. 3. Spot treat with pesticides don onot blanket your entire landscape with pesticides. 4. Use less toxic pesticides such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps. 5. Always read and follow pesticide labels. Number 7: Recycle It is always important to recycle your yard waste back into your landscape, this practice will help to improve the fertility and water holding ability of your soil. Follow these tips: 1. Leave grass clippings on your lawnto recycle nitrogen, and help reduce the quantity being landfilled. 2. Use fallen leaves and pine needles as mulch under trees and shrubs. 3. Create and maintain a compost pile with yard waste and kitchen scraps(no animal products) compost is a great natural fertlizer and mulch. Number 8: reduce storm water run-off Runoff from storm water can carry pollutants to bodies of water, follow these tips: 1.Direct downspouts and gutters into your lawn, plant beds, rain barrels,cisterns or containment areas. 2. Use porous surfaces like mulch, bricks, and gravel for walkways, patios, and driveways. 3. Sweep grass clippings and fertilizer back into your lawn so that they are not carried into storm drains. 4. Clean up oil spills. 5. Pick up pet waste to help reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution. 6. Remove trash from street gutters before it gets washed into storm drains. 7. Use swales to hold water and filter water. Number 9: Protect the waterfront Waterfront properties contribute to the quality of life in Florida. Waterfront owners can help to protect these fragile treasures by following these tips: 1. Never prune or remove mangroves or other vegitation wothout first seeking the proper permits and guidelines. 2. establish a 10 - 30 foot no fertilizer no pesticides zone along the shoreline. 3. Remove invasive exotic plants by pulling not cutting or raking. 4. Plant a buffer zone of low maintenance plants between the shore and your lawn to absorb nutrients and to provide wildlife habitats. Central Florida Landscaping and Maintenance, inc. would be happy to meet with you at your home or place of business to discuss implementing a Florida-Friendly landscape program that fits your needs. Please feel free to call us at 407.366.4666 or at any of the emails listed on our contact page. These principles have been established by the University of Florida.
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