Florida Friendly Landscaping
Landscaping for beauty and water savings
Have your soil analyzed
Contact the Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office for an analysis of soil from different areas of your yard. Knowing the acidity or alkalinity level in your soil helps you select plants that work best in your yard.
Plan your landscape for beauty and saving water
Determine:
- Sunny and shady areas
- Wet and dry areas
- Use for various sections of the yard
- Size of mature plants
Choose the proper plants for low watering needs
Use native plants, as they are accustomed to the climate and require very little care or watering.
Group all plants by their requirements:
- Sun
- Shade
- Soil type
- Water
- Cold
Use grass wisely
- It's your yard's biggest water user
- Save grass for areas where children or pets play
Irrigate efficiently
- Apply the right amount of water at the right time
- Turf areas and planting beds should always be in separate irrigation zones
Mulch
A 3-inch layer of mulch, such as wood chips:
- Holds moisture in the soil
- Adds nutrients
- Reduces weed growth
- Slows erosion
- Keeps soil cool
Maintain your yard
- Florida Friendly landscaping reduces maintenance needs but won't eliminate them
- Mow, weed, prune and fertilize as needed
Note: Avoid utility service lines
- Do not plant large trees under power lines
- Do not plant trees and shrubs on top of underground utility lines
- Call Sunshine State One Call at 811 48 hours before you dig
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