Florida Yards & Neighborhoods

9 Principles of FYN

  • Right Plant, Right Place (943KB pdf) Choosing low maintenance plants and planting them in areas that already have the light, soil, and water conditions your plant requires conserves water, reduces the amount of chemicals near your home and in our threatened waterways, and saves time and money by having healthier plants that need less fertilizer, pesticides, water, and pruning.
  • Water Efficiently (689KB pdf) A yard that thrives mainly on rainfall once plants are established conserves Florida's dwindling water resources (as well as saves time by reducing maintenance).
  • Fertilize Appropriately (965KB pdf) Using fertilizer appropriately reduces potential pest problems and maintenance requirements.  Unnecessary fertilizer can burn root systems, make plants more susceptible to pests, and pollute our water supply.
  • Mulch (515KB pdf) Using mulch controls weeds and reduces erosion, water loss, and stormwater runoff.
  • Attract Wildlife (401KB pdf) Selecting plants that provide needed food sources and habitat for wildlife not only preserves Florida's distinctive biodiversity, but also makes your yard come alive with birds, butterflies, and other animals unique to Florida.
  • Manage Yard Pests Responsibly (1MB pdf) Managing insects, diseases, weeds, and other pests using Integrated Pest Management methods allows you to reach optimum health in your landscape and minimizes the risk of pesticide contamination in your yard and in Florida's water supply.
  • Recycle Yard Waste (1.1MB pdf) Re-using natural yard materials enriches your soil and saves money by reducing the need to buy many yard products such as mulches and fertilizers.
  • Reduce Stormwater Runoff (587KB pdf) Reducing stormwater runoff keeps pollutants out of waterways and conserves water in your yard.
  • Protect the Waterfront (673KB pdf) Protecting the delicate waterfront preserves our waterways as well as our native plants and wildlife.

Timely Tips

Plants in the Florida Keys

 


Shrubs in Pots

Kim Gabel 
Environmental Horticulture Agent

How To's
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