Tips to Having a Beautiful Landscape in Florida

A beautiful Florida landscape can be achieved by following some basic guidelines, some of which you may find surprising. Florida is a large state; the southern part of the state is 400 miles closer to the tropics than the northern areas. Therefore, landscaping tips will vary in some ways depending on which part of the state you live in. Southwest Florida’s climate is considered tropical or tropical–savannah. In this article I will focus on the south Florida region.

Below are some pointers for south Floridians who want a beautiful, lush, and durable landscape.

If your shrubs need frequent pruning, you have probably planted the wrong shrubs. Constant pruning can cause permanent damage.
Do not over-fertilize a lawn. Once a year is the maximum. And do not fertilize plants when they are dormant – this too can cause harm.
Reduce the amount of lawn. It’s better to fill an area with shrubs and trees. Use mulch to enrich the soil. This will result in less watering and less use of pesticides. A good rue is to use 2 to 3 inches layer of mulch which will help limit weeds and erosion. But, remember, just as not using mulch is a mistake, overusing it can cause damage.
Diversify your landscape. Overuse of one plant will attract more pests and disease.
Don’t over water. A good guide is to place a standard size, empty coffee can on the lawn. When it fills one quarter of the way, turn off your sprinklers. Also, if your plants do need watering, water at the right time of day. Do so in the morning when evaporation rates are lowest.
When a tree reaches seven years of age, it no longer needs watering.
In terms of aesthetics, create a focal point to draw the viewers gaze, like a uniquely colored plant, which can help bring your landscaping together. Also, adding movement, such as plants that blow in the breeze, will help to draw birds and butterflies.
Another word about all-important watering: Use drip or micro-irrigation systems to save water. Additionally, these systems deliver water to the root of the plant, so less is lost to the atmosphere.
Remove weeds. Weeds use water just like your lovely plants do. Removing them means more water for your plants.
While too much grass in south Florida is not advised, keep your lawnmower blades sharp. This will cause less trauma to grass blades and make the grass more resistant to disease.
Lastly, check the boxes concerning laws and regulations. For example, your municipality may have rules regarding the amount of water usage permitted for garden maintenance. And check with your HOA before making changes to your landscape. HOAs often have review boards which can regulate what types of plants and shrubbery are permitted.