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Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Tips
Plant trees
Reestablishing a tree canopy is a great way to
begin your Florida Yard. Trees not only provide
shade and wildlife habitat, but they also help
reduce storm-water runoff. According to one
estimate, a 50-percent tree canopy can reduce runoff
by 25 percent. Trees also help remove pollutants
from the air and replace carbon dioxide with
purified oxygen. In addition, it is estimated that
tree shade on the west side of a home can reduce air
conditioning costs by 50 percent. If those reasons
don't suffice, consider that trees significantly
increase the value of a home and lot. The related
increase in resale value far outweighs the initial
cost of the trees. Some sources for advice on tree
selection and planting include: Cooperative
Extension Service, Florida Division of Forestry,
Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Yards &
Neighborhoods Program, and Global Re-LEAF.
What
to do about standing rainwater
Many
homeowners are concerned that allowing rainwater to
stand in their yards will provide a breeding site
for mosquitoes. This need not be an issue if the
water is gone within three days. If an area of your
landscape tends to flood for short periods and is
damaging certain plants, instead of draining the
site consider changing the plants to species more
tolerant of wet/dry extremes. You may have an
opportunity to create a seasonal wetland, which is a
type of freshwater wetland that has been lost to a
significant extent in parts of the region. Consult
the Cooperative Extension Service or local
government storm-water management department for
plant selection advice.
Compost without the extra work
Mulching
shrubbery beds with leaves and small cuttings
provides compost without the extra work of a compost
pile.
Caution about fast growth
Be
cautious about encouraging fast growth that can make
your plants pest and disease prone while requiring
frequent pruning. Fast-growing plants can also be
more prone to wind damage, and may have shorter
life-spans.
Sampling the soil at the root zone
If
the surface soil of your yard appears dry, that
doesn't mean the root zone is in the same arid
condition. A "coring tool" can pull up a soil sample
from below the soil surface, allowing you to see and
feel the moisture below. It can also reveal whether
you are watering so much that water is wasted below
the root zone. Using this tool can help you judge
when to turn off that automatic watering system.
Coring tools are available at irrigation supply
stores.
Establishing a new plant or group
of plants
There is an inexpensive product that may help you
establish a new plant or group of plants where an
automatic system is not available. Several
manufacturers make a hose from old tires that allows
water to seep through the rubber. The hose can lay
on top of the ground or can be slightly buried in
the soil or mulch. In our sandy soils, the water
will go virtually straight down, so the hose must be
placed near the plant's root zones. When the plant
is established and no longer needs frequent
watering, store the hose for later use.
How much water is your
irrigation system using
Use these simple instructions to determine how much
water your irrigation system is applying:
1. Set several flat-bottom cans or cups at various places within one watering zone.
2. Use a stick and rubber band to keep the containers upright.
3. Turn on the sprinklers for 15 minutes.
4. Pour the water from all containers into one container.
5. Measure the water depth with a ruler (to the nearest 1/8 inch).
6. Divide the measurement by the total number of containers.
That is the average amount of water applied in that zone in 15 minutes. In the future, irrigate the area only as long as it takes to apply 1/2- to 3/4-inch of water.
Sources of recycled mulch
Many of
these sources provide free material, and some will
even deliver bulk quantities. If several homeowners
team up, large amounts could be delivered to the
same neighborhood:
Local power companies
Landfills
Tree services
Try to get only mulch from trimming; mulch from stumps and roots can carry plant diseases. Check the phone book for commercial suppliers of mulch made from recycled materials. If you need lots of mulch for a new landscape, place an ad in the local newspaper so suppliers come to you.
Using a landscape maintenance or
pest control company
If you use a landscape maintenance or pest control
company, require your contractor to inspect for
pests frequently. Also, require advance notice and
your permission before any chemicals are applied in
your home or yard. Ask your contractor whether a
safer alternative can be used. Pay for knowledge,
not pesticides.
Posting a sign when applying
pesticides to landscape
As a courtesy to your neighbors, the Cooperative
Extension Service encourages you to post a sign if
you apply any pesticides to your lawn or landscape
plants. Florida also has a registry of persons
sensitive to pesticides who should be contacted
before pesticides are applied near their dwellings.
Some of these individuals may become dangerously ill
if they do not evacuate the area before chemicals
are applied. A posting sign and copy of the registry
can be obtained through the Cooperative Extension
Service.
Roaches can be controlled with
least-toxic alternatives
Cockroaches are usually tolerated when they are
outside the house, but they can be a common indoor
nuisance. Minor infestations of roaches can be
controlled with least-toxic alternatives if food is
not left out and water sources (wet dishes and
sinks, dripping faucets) are eliminated. Try placing
non-organic dusts, such as silica gel and boric
acid, in cracks and crevices. Traps also may be
purchased and placed indoors.
