Our yards are merely small models of the outside
environment. The water we use, the fertilizers we apply, and the
pesticides we spray have influences in and potentially outside our yards.
The plants we select may also contribute to how much we use the aforementioned
inputs. Our landscapes tend to change over time; especially as to what is
the best way to manage your yard. Does your yard need a Florida-
Friendly Landscaping™ makeover?
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program is an
overarching set of horticultural concepts that enhances the community as well
as protects the natural environment. An FFL yard uses the nine identified
principles that make up a no-nonsense landscape: efficient irrigation &
water conservation, mulching, recycle, attract wildlife, "right plant,
right place", integrated pest management, fertilizing properly, reducing
stormwater runoff, and shoreline stabilization. Again, many of these
concepts are just good common sense. Outdoor water conservation is a
basic especially now when local rainfall is limited. Water resources,
especially water used for irrigation, should be used intelligently and with
some knowledge of the plants we are growing. Use water only when your
lawn or landscape needs watering. Many lawn and landscapes get
over-watered making them less drought tolerant or prone to disease.
Keeping in mind local watering restrictions, many plants do well with about three-quarters
of an inch of water per application. Rain barrels are also good ways to
catch and hold water for later use. Hand-in-hand with proper watering
comes mulching. This technique uses various materials including organic
matter placed around plants to suppress weeds and conserve water.
Recycling in the landscape includes composting and
"grass-cycling". Composting takes various raw organic materials
allowing them to breakdown into a more stable, soil-like substance. Good
organic mulches include pine straw. shredded melaleuca (FloriMulch®) and pine
bark. Compost is great for mixing with and enhancing garden soil growing
vegetable and bedding plants. These mulches help retain soil moisture and
slowly-release nutrients. Grass-cycling involves returning the
nutrient-rich grass clippings back to the lawn to provide some of the
fertilizer turfgrass requires. Mow regularly so that no more than
one-third of the grass blade is removed at any one mowing. These grass
clippings will not contribute to thatch.
Attracting wildlife adds another great feature to our yards.
It may include something simply beautiful like attracting butterflies.
Selecting the right butterfly plants and adding a water feature will attract
these insects. Birds will also enjoy new water sources, new trees for
nesting areas and native wildlife food plants placed throughout the
landscape.
When we say "right plant, right place" we mean
sensible selection of plant material using knowledge of the plants and
preferred growing conditions. For example, a shade-loving plant like many
types of ferns may not do well in a full-sun site. A plant that requires
a somewhat drier environment may rot in a site regularly watered to excess. A
tree that may grow up to sixty-feet tall and over one-hundred feet wide would
not be a good choice planted right next to a house. Consider using
Florida native plants as well. Get to know your plant material and analyze your
site’s environmental conditions before you plant.
Integrated Pest Management or IPM is another important
component of a FFL yard. Instead of blindly applying a pesticide at an
unknown pest, it is much better, both economically and environmentally, to
identify the pest, determine if there are sufficient numbers to warrant a treatment,
and then select a treatment that is least-toxic or non-toxic with pesticides
used as a last resort. We are not looking at total pest elimination, just
suppression to acceptable levels.
Fertilizer is another landscape input that is often
misunderstood and misused. Slow-release fertilizer feeds plants over a
period of time and stays put longer. (Don’t forget our County
Fertilizer Ordinance - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/hort-fertilizer1.htm
) Fertilizers that are lower in Phosphorus are also recommended as our Florida
soils generally already have plenty of this nutrient. Try to select plants that
have low fertilizer needs. When you fertilize, water and manage pests
properly, the chances of residues contained in storm-water runoff are reduced
as well. Downspouts can direct water into planting areas instead of a
paved surface. Small berms and swales can divert water from running from
your yard. Last, but not least, protect the waterfront!
Whether you live on the harbor, river or a pond, use FFL principals to protect
these water resources.
In the same vein of FFL, I would also like to introduce our
new Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Horticulture Program Assistant, Tom
Becker. Tom has been involved with Horticultural Extension work for most
of his career ranging from Pennsylvania to Florida. His expertise is in
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and he has a wealth of information on plant
selection, water conservation, cultural practices and landscape
trouble-shooting, so please feel free to pick his brain! You
can contact Tom at our office at (941) 764-4351 or thomas.becker@charlottefl.com
. For more information on all types of gardening topics in
Southwest Florida, please call our Master Gardener volunteers for gardening
help on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at
764-4340. Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the
area. Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates
and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.
I also want to direct you to our “ Master Gardener Speaker’s
Bureau” at http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/2012%20Speakers%20Bureau%20Brochure.pdf
where subject matter presentations can be scheduled for your group or
organization.
Resource:
The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook (2009) The
University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS. - http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/materials/FYN-Handbook-v1-2012.pdf
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