Dear residents, We’d like to welcome you to our first news article of 2022. As we commence what we Floridians consider the peak of our winter season, January and February, our team is mindful of the threats this time of the year poses to the plants when servicing your properties to prevent plant and turf …
INTRODUCTION Ornamental grasses create interest and excitement in the landscape with their unique characteristics. The availability of many species and cultivars makes these plants very versatile, with many potential uses in the landscape. The diversity of grasses leads to many questions concerning the proper selection and use of ornamental grasses. The following information should assist …
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SELECTION AND USE OF ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Read More »
INTRODUCTION As urban communities grow, design and management strategies for new developments become critical factors that determine impacts on natural resources. How can we accommodate growth and yet conserve natural resources, such as biodiversity, water, and energy? In this document, we focus on conserving biodiversity when land is subdivided. The term biological diversity or biodiversity refers to …
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION: CONSTRUCTION PHASE—NATIVE LANDSCAPING PALETTE Read More »
INTRODUCTION Over the past 20–30 years, awareness and use of native plants has steadily increased. In 2005, sales of Florida native plants were estimated at $316 million, which represented about 11% of total sales (4). However, the use of native plants has been and continues to be a somewhat controversial matter. The goal of this …
INTRODUCTION A Florida-Friendly landscape is attractive, functional, and ecologically sound. Its creation and maintenance can be accomplished by using the landscape practices listed below. They are grouped according to how much money or labor they take to accomplish from easiest (Tier One) to most expensive and/or labor intensive (Tier Three). Even a simple practice—like raising …
CHECKLIST OF FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ PRACTICES Read More »
For many homeowners the concept of a sustainable landscape is a yard that needs little water or maintenance to survive. A common image of such a yard typically includes a small lawn, few ornamental plants, a large natural area, and/or a fair amount of rocks and gravel or other hard surfaces. Unfortunately this image often …
DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE HOME LANDSCAPE Read More »
INTRODUCTION Residential energy use comprises about 26% of all the energy used in the state of Florida (Florida Energy Office 1992). In south Florida, about 35% of this annual residential energy expenditure is for cooling the home during Florida’s 5- to 7-month-long summer, and about 10% is used for heating in winter (Cook 1993). As …
ENVIROSCAPING TO CONSERVE ENERGY: TREES FOR SOUTH FLORIDA Read More »
Homeowner Associations (HOAs) were established to protect property values by controlling the appearance of homes and the landscape of front yards and common areas. The Community Associations Institute estimates that over sixty million people now live in neighborhoods governed by HOAs. By regulating types of plants and amount of turf, HOA boards are responsible for …
INTRODUCTION The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) program promotes a number of environmentally friendly landscaping practices intended to protect natural resources. These practices implement the nine basic principles of FFL that, taken individually or collectively, reduce landscape maintenance and resource requirements. These nine principles are right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage …
ESTIMATED WATER SAVINGS POTENTIAL OF FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING ACTIVITIES Read More »
These days, water quality and quantity are important issues that are on everyone’s mind. These Frequently Asked Questions address common concerns related to water, irrigation, fertilizers, best management practices (BMPs), and landscapes and their maintenance. These FAQs draw on extensive UF/IFAS research, and were created to help guide government officials in developing local regulations based …
