Florida Yard

What is a Water-Wise yard?

Right plant - right place

Stormwater runoff prevention

Efficient irrigation

9 Florida-friendly Landscaping Principles

(from the University of Florida, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program)

Right Plant, Right Place

Reduce the need for water, fertilizer, pesticides and pruning by using plants suited to the site conditions in your yard.

• Determine how much grass you need for children, pets and other recreation.

• Group plants according to their maintenance needs. For example, group plants with low-water needs separately from lawn areas.

• Use low-maintenance ground covers, shrubs, mulch and other porous surfaces where possible.

• Reduce yard waste by choosing plants that will not require frequent pruning when they reach maturity.

• Save energy by using trees and shrubs to shade the air conditioning compressor, and the eastern and western walls of your home.

• Help stop the spread of invasive exotic plants by removing them from your yard. (Examples: Melaleuca, Brazilian Pepper, Australian Pine and Chinese Tallow)

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Water Efficiently

A truly efficient way to use water in the landscape is to design and maintain a yard that thrives predominantly on rainfall once plants are established.

• Water your lawn and other plants only when they show signs of stress; ensure you comply with local water use restrictions.

• Mow lawns high to encourage a deeper, more drought and pest tolerant root system.

• Cut no more than 1/3 the height of the grass blades with each mowing.

• Design or modify your sprinkler system to water lawn areas separately from plant beds, which usually require less water.

• Use low volume irrigation such as a drip or micro-spray system to water plant and flower beds more efficiently.

• Calibrate your sprinklers to apply 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water per application.

• Put a rain gauge in your yard to track rain fall and avoid unnecessary watering.

• Connect an automatic rain shut-off device to your sprinkler system.

• Set the shut-off device to 1/2 inch so it will override your system's timer when enough rain has fallen.

• Call the Tampa Water Department at 274-8121 for a free in-ground sprinkler system evaluation to help determine how much water your grass and plants really need and to insure your system is applying water efficiently. 

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Stormwater Runoff

Because water can wash off our yards, it is important to reduce the amount of pollutants on our property.

• Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer and soil from driveways and streets back onto the lawn.

• Remove trash from street gutters before it gets washed into storm drains.

• Clean up oil spills and leaks on the driveway. Use cat litter to absorb oil.

• Pick up after pets. this will help reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution entering storm drain systems.

Reduce pollution of bays, rivers, and lakes by keeping rain and sprinkler water on our yards, and out of storm drains.

• Direct downspouts and gutters to drain onto the lawn, plant beds or containment areas.

• Use porous surfaces for walkways. patios and driveways.

• Create swales (low areas) or terracing to catch, hold, and filter stormwater.

• Collect and store rain from your roof in a rain barrel or cistern.

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On the Waterfront

Waterfront property owners realize the special contribution our bays and waterways make to their quality of life. They also understand how fragile these natural treasures can be.

• Protect your native shoreline plants. Never prune mangroves or remove any vegetation without first seeking proper permits and guidelines.

• Establish a 10-30 foot "no fertilizer, no pesticide" zone along your shoreline.

• Remove invasive exotic aquatic plants by cutting, pulling, or raking.

• Plant a buffer zone of low-maintenance plants between your lawn and shoreline to absorb nutrients and provide wildlife habitat.

• Where feasible, plant native aquatic vegetation in front of your seawall or along your shoreline.

• Decrease wave action and increase habitat by placing clean native limestone rock in front of your seawall.

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Manage Yard Pests

It is unrealistic, and even unwise to strive for an insect, disease, and weed-free yard. Instead:

• Avoid routine applications of pesticides.

• Check plants regularly for signs of problems.

• Pruning off infected areas, hand-removing insects, and selecting the right plant for the right place are effective.

• Treat only affected areas rather than spraying your entire lawn or yard.

• Use environmentally friendly pest controls such as horticultural oils, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) and insecticidal soaps.

• Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering; excessive growth makes plants more attractive to pests.

• Learn to identify beneficial insects.

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Mulch

Mulch helps to control weeds and reduce erosion, water loss, and stormwater runoff. It also improves soil structure and fertility. Mulch can replace turf or ground covers in areas that are shaded or difficult to mow.

• Keep 2-3 inches of mulch over the roots of trees, shrubs, and plant beds.

• Replenish mulch once or twice a year, as needed to maintain a 2-3 inch depth.

• Create self-mulching areas under trees where leaves can remain on the ground.

• Avoid using cypress mulch.

• Choose recycled mulch or by-product alternatives (i.e. Melaleuca, leaves, Pine needles, or bark).

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Fertilize Appropriately

Many trees and landscape plants demand little to no fertilizer once established and mature. When applied improperly, excess fertilizers can run off yards into waterways or leach into aquifers, polluting drinking water.

• Fertilize only as needed to maintain the health of lawns and landscape plants.

• Use slow-release fertilizers with micro-nutrients. Buy fertilizers that contain 30% or more nitrogen in slow-release forms.

• Use iron (ferrous sulfate or chelated iron) instead of nitrogen to make your lawn green in the summer.

• Do not exceed the rate of 1 pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application.

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Recycle

Recycling can promote soil fertility, improve soil structure, texture, and water holding capacity, and help to loosen and aerate compacted soil.

• Leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle nitrogen.

• Use fallen leaves and pine needles as mulch under trees and shrubs.

• Create and maintain a compost pile with kitchen scraps and yard waste (no animal products please).

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Wildlife

Providing food, water, and shelter can increase the number and diversity of wildlife in your yard.

• Plant vines, shrubs and trees that provide cover, nesting areas, and food.

• Provide a water source, such as a bird bath or a small pond.

• Provide wildlife shelters such as a bat house, bird house, brush pile or a dead tree.

• Identify five kinds of wildlife in your yard.

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