A new ethic is emerging among Florida homeowners who seek to redefine an environmentally friendly image of their home and landscaping in their efforts toward “going green.”
It may surprise you to know that your yard is the first line of defense for Florida’s fragile environment. The health of Florida’s rivers, lakes and aquifers depends in part on how you landscape and maintain your yard, and you don’t even have to live on the water to make a difference.
The reason? When rain falls on yards, roads and parking lots, then washes into our waters, it carries pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, soil and petroleum products.
When runoff contains nitrogen from fertilizers, algae can become so abundant that sea grasses are smothered, oxygen is depleted and fish kills may result. Toxic substances, such as common landscape and household pesticides, can damage reproduction in marine life.
But all is not doom and gloom. The idea is to bring awareness to cooperate with local, natural conditions, rather than to battle elements.
More people are conserving water and energy inside and outside the home. Interest is growing in environmentally friendly landscaping with native and other beneficial trees, shrubs and ground coverings.
"Native plants offer breeding grounds for other creatures and also helps Florida to keep looking like Florida, not North Carolina," said David Schroeder of Evolving Landscapes in DeLand, where they also teach homeowners how to conserve water, nurture native plants, restore habitat and attract butterflies.
"I also encourage my clients to use appropriate native plants which can greatly reduce their water usage. Some native plants do no require watering after about two years," said Schroeder.
"We will come in and completely eliminate lawns that require tons of pesticides and fertilizers, and replace them with butterfly gardens, fish ponds, vegetable beds, outdoor livings rooms, fire pits, walking paths -- general wild life gardens," said Schroeder.
Here are some guidelines for designing a landscape featuring safer alternative to chemicals that blend beauty and environmental benefits:
Choose plants with low maintenance, less water or electricity to run a pump and those that require little or nor fertilizer or pesticide. Plant selection will often determine how long your landscape will last. For example, fast-growing plants often have a shorter lifespan than slower growing species.
Plants already on your property, particularly native plants, are well-suited to the site and should be retained. Avoid disturbing the root of these plants or driving over them with heavy vehicles. Saving existing plants reduces costs and leaves valuable wildlife habitat undisturbed.
Select drought-resistant plants that are right for your soil if your don’t want to continue irrigating.
Limit the number of showy plants that require high water and maintenance, and place them where they will have the most visual impact.
More Info:
For more local ideas, contact Karen Stauderman, residential horticulture extension agent for Volusia County, with any questions. DeLand: 386-822-5778; Daytona Beach: 386-257-6012; New Smyrna Beach: 386-423-3368; or post your questions to our new gardening blog on MyTopiaCafe.com.
To reach David Schroeder of Evolving Landscapes in DeLand, call 386-490-3956.
Garden Workshops
Free workshops will be offered on March 24, presented by the Volusia County Extension Office, on "Rain Barrels, Gardens and Plants – Keep you water to yourself!" at the Volusia County Agricultural Center, 3100 East New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32724.
9-10 a.m.: Rain Gardens – An Easy project!
What they are, and why do them? What to do with your wet gardens. Speaker: Karyn Hoffman, West Volusia Audubon Society
10–11 a.m.: Ideal Plants for Rain Gardens Using Florida Friendly Plants. Speaker: Kevin Bagwell, Full Moon Natives, Port Orange
11 a.m.–noon: Building your own Rain Barrel: How to build a Rain Barrel and make it work for you! Speaker: Howard Jeffries, Volusia County Master Gardener
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