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Last week we discussed tips for plant selection and care; in Part II, we review environmental tips for Florida-Friendly Landscaping.  

After you've made your plant selections, installed your plants, watered efficiently and mulched to conserve water...don't forget about our Florida wildlife.

Attract Wildlife

Friendly visitors, like butterflies and beneficial insects, will enjoy your landscape if you provide food, water and cover.  Attract wildlife by following these tips:

  • Plant vines, shrubs and trees to create cover, nesting areas and food. 
  • Provide a water source such as a birdbath or a small pond. 
  • Provide wildlife shelters such as a bat house, birdhouse or brush pile. 
  • Protect the health of wildlife visitors. Limit pesticide use by spot-treating only the areas that need attention.

   

Manage Yard Pests Responsibly

When it comes to pest management, nature takes care of itself! Misused pesticides in your yard can run off into water ways and harm beneficial insects.  Follow these tips when managing yard pests:

  • Learn to identify beneficial insects and let them do the work for you. 
  • Be tolerant!  Low levels of pests will do minimal damage.  
  • Check plants regularly and prune off a plant’s infected areas or pick off insects when possible. 
  • Use pesticides only to spot-treat affected plants and lawn areas. A void blanket applications. 
  • Choose the least-toxic pesticides such as horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps and Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). 
  • Read and follow pesticide labels carefully for safe use and disposal.

   

Recycle

Recycling your yard waste back onto your lawn and landscape can improve the fertility and water-holding ability of the soil and help aerate soil that has become compacted.

  • There’s no need to bag or rake lawn clippings.  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 yard waste and kitchen scraps (no animal products).  Compost is a great natural fertilizer and mulch.

   

Reduce Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants, pesticides and excess fertilizers into bays, rivers and lakes. Remember that what goes in your storm drain can find its way into our water sources.  Follow these tips to help reduce stormwater runoff from your yard:

Direct downspouts and gutters into your lawn, plant beds, rain barrels, cisterns or containment areas. 

Use mulch, bricks, gravel or other porous surfaces for walkways, patios and driveways. 

Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer and soil onto the lawn so they don’t get washed into storm drains. 

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

Pick up pet waste to help reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution. 

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

Use swales (low areas) to hold and filter water.

   

And finally, Protect the Waterfront

Bays and waterways contribute to the quality of life in Florida. Waterfront owners can help protect these fragile natural treasures by following these tips:

  • 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 to provide wildlife habitat.

Make your association common areas, or commercial & rental properties stand out by allowing Hara Management, Inc. to assist you with sourcing all of your landscaping needs. Call them today at (407) 628-1086 or pay a visit to their website to learn more about HMI.

Resources: The University of Florida established nine Florida-friendly landscaping principles to guide Florida Yards & Neighborhoods programs offered through county Extension Service offices. On the web at: www.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/ and http://floridayards.org/

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