For more information or to schedule a Florida Yards & Neighborhoods presentation, contact: Gabrielle Milch (407) 665-5575 or fyn@seminolecountyfl.gov.

Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping

1. Right Plant, Right Place

Why? Choosing low maintenance plants and planting them in areas that already have the light, soil, and water conditions your plant requires conserves water, reduces the amount of chemicals near your home and in our threatened waterways, and saves time and money by having healthier plants that need less fertilizer, pesticides, water, and pruning.

• Select drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants that correspond to your site's natural soil, light, and water conditions.
• Reduce yard waste by selecting plants that won't require frequent pruning.
• Help stop the spread of invasive plants by removing them from your yard.
• Plant natives.

2. Water Efficiently

Why? A yard that thrives mainly on rainfall once plants are established conserves Florida's dwindling water resources (and saves money on your water bill).

• Choose drought-tolerant plants for your landscape.
• Group plants with similar water needs together.
• Use low-volume irrigation such as a drip or micro-spray system in your plant beds.
• Design or modify your sprinkler system to water your lawn separately from plant beds.
• Water your lawn and plants only when they show signs of stress. Let your plants tell you when they need water.
• Put a rain gauge in your yard to track rainfall and avoid unnecessary watering.
• Connect an automatic rain shutoff device to your sprinkler system (required by Florida state law).
• Have a soil moisture sensor or other smart irrigation technology connected to your irrigation system.
• Mow lawns high to encourage a deeper, more drought- and pest-tolerant root system.

3. Fertilize Appropriately

Why? Using fertilizer appropriately reduces potential pest problems and maintenance requirements. Unnecessary fertilizer can burn root systems, make plants more susceptible to pests, and pollute our water supply.

• Fertilize only if needed.
• Use phosphorus-free fertilizer.
• Use compost and other soil amendments to improve soil health.
• Choose fertilizers that contain 30% or more slow-release nitrogen.
• If needed, use iron (ferrous sulfate or chelated iron) instead of nitrogen to make your lawn green in the summer.
• Use slow-release fertilizer not exceeding the rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square ft during each application.
• Don't use weed and feed products that contain both fertilizer and herbicide together.

4. Mulch Matters

Why? Using mulch controls weeds and reduces erosion, water loss, and stormwater runoff.

• Maintain 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the roots of trees, shrubs, and plant beds.
• Use mulch or groundcovers to replace grass in difficult-to-reach areas such as narrow strips between beds or in very shady spots.
• Create self-mulching areas under trees where fallen leaves remain on the ground.
• Choose recycled mulch or by-product alternatives (Melaleuca, leaves, pine needles, or bark), and avoid unsustainable cypress mulch.
• Leave at least 2 inches space around the base of trees and plants when applying mulch.

5. Attract Wildlife

Why? Selecting plants that provide needed food sources and habitat for wildlife not only preserves Florida's unique biodiversity, but also makes your yard come alive with birds, butterflies, and other animals unique to Florida.

• Plant native vines, shrubs, and trees that provide cover, nesting areas, and food.
• Provide a water source, such as a bird bath or small pond.
• Incorporate shelters like a birdhouse, bat house, brush pile, or snag (dead tree).

6. Manage Yard Pests Responsibly

Why? Managing insects, diseases, weeds, and other pests using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods allows you to reach optimum health in your landscape and minimizes the risk of pesticide contamination in your yard and in Florida's water supply.

• Choose pest resistant plants and keep them healthy.
• Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering, which can make plants more susceptible to pests and disease.
• Be willing to accept some pest damage.
• Avoid routine applications of pesticides. Apply pesticides only if and when needed.
• Treat only affected areas rather than spraying your entire lawn or yard.
• Check plants regularly for signs of pest problems. Early detection makes pest management much easier.
• Provide habitat for beneficial insects and remove pest insects by hand.
• Use environmentally friendly pest controls such as horticultural oils, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), and insecticidal soaps.

7. Recycle Yard Waste

Why? Re-using natural yard material enriches your soil and saves money by reducing the need to buy many yard products such as mulches and fertilizers.

• 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.

8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff

Why? Reducing stormwater runoff keeps pollutants out of waterways and conserves water in your yard.

• Direct downspouts and gutters to drain into the lawn, beds, or rain barrels and cisterns.
• Use gravel, pavers, crushed shell, or mulch for walkways, patios, and driveways to absorb water and prevent runoff.
• Create swales (low areas) or a rain garden to collect and filter rainwater.
• Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and soil off 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 with kitty litter and then sweep it into the trash.
• Pick up after your pets.

9. Protect the Waterfront

Why? Protecting the delicate waterfront preserves our waterways as well as our native plants and wildlife.

• Establish a fertilizer- and pesticide-free area along your shoreline of at least 10 feet.
• Remove invasive exotic plants from the water by cutting, pulling, or raking (check with your local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission office first to find out if you need a permit).
• Plant a buffer zone of low-maintenance plants between your lawn and the shoreline to absorb nutrients and provide a wildlife habitat.
• Plant native aquatic vegetation in front of your seawall or along your shoreline.
• When mowing lawn, orient the mower so that grass clippings are directed away from the waterbody.