This Week’s Hot Topics
- Governing Board Water Conservation Workshop on Nov. 9.
- New water conservation cost-share program information available.
- Watering restrictions changed Nov. 1 to one day per week.
- Water supply planning meetings to be held throughout the region.
• • • Please also visit • • •
What’s new on sjrwmd.com.
Visit
“Get the facts”
to get details on
issues in the news.
Current topic:
“Governing Board Water Conservation Workshop on Nov. 9”
Follow us on
Keep up to date on District
news and publications.
Access our feeds below.
Waterwise Florida Landscapes
Plan and design
The first step of design is to identify growing conditions and any vegetation or structures already in place. Next, decide how the property will be used. Be sure to check city and county landscaping codes for restrictions in your community. Also, some neighborhood associations have landscape specifications in the deed restrictions.
Inventory the site, identifying
- Growing conditions
- Hardiness zone (for cold and heat)
- Direction/aspect (north, south, east, west)
- Areas that are sunny or shady throughout the day and the seasons
- Areas that drain well or that collect water
- Existing vegetation (Is it healthy? Is it native? Is it appropriate for site conditions?)
- Hardscape (walkway, driveway, pool, fence)
- Views and adjacent features (Frame a pleasing view, or screen an undesirable view. Watch out for underground utilities and overhead power lines.)
Know how it grows
Understanding a site's growing conditions is the most important factor in choosing plants. Regional growing zones in Florida range from 8a to 11.
Within a regional growing zone, climatic variations can be influenced by specific site conditions such as shade or direct sun. These specific site conditions are referred to as microclimates. There may be dry areas and moist or wet areas on the same property. All of these conditions must be assessed to match them with the plants that will do well in each.
Sunny and shady areas will vary, depending on the time of day and the season. For example, a plant may get more sun in winter than in summer due to the changed angle of the sun or because a deciduous tree has lost its leaves and no longer provides shade. The south side of a building has more sun than the north side, so heat-sensitive plants can be placed on the north side of a building where it's cooler. More cold-sensitive plants can be placed on the south side of a building for protection from winter's north wind.
How will you use it?
The next step in the planning process is to determine what functions you want the landscape to serve.
Answer these questions:
- How will you use your yard?
- What are the best places for entries, walkways, sitting areas and play areas?
- Where do you want to frame existing views or to establish privacy?
- Where do you want to create views or accent areas?
Start with the plat (map, or plan) of your property, or draw your site to scale (e.g., 1 half inch = 1 foot). Computer software and lined/grid paper are readily available at computer or office supply stores. Put existing plants and site conditions on the master drawing. Make multiple copies so you can sketch in different ideas, or lay tracing paper over your master drawing to try out different ideas.
On your drawing, arrange plants to create and define spaces, direct or screen views, and influence direction of movement. Plants can modify climate — a shade tree cools and protects, creating microclimates that determine the kinds of plants that can live in that shade. Take out the tree and you change the microclimate — different plants can now live in that space.
Your plant choices can also attract and support wildlife and beneficial insects. Plants can be specifically selected as nectar and larval food plants for butterflies and caterpillars or as food and nesting habitat for birds, or to add vibrant beauty to the landscape.
Take your time and learn as much as possible about the area to be landscaped. A year of observation is recommended to study, reflect on and tune in to seasonal changes and other variables that exist in the area.
The eye of the beholder
When combining plants, the most important considerations are mature size and how the plants look and exist together. Experiment with how different combinations look together, considering color, shape, texture and mature size.
Plants combined in groups of odd numbers often look better than plants combined in groups of even numbers. Use repetitive elements -- the same color in different shapes, for example. Other aesthetic uses for plants are to complement, soften, frame or emphasize elements within the landscape or architectural features of a building.
Plan for different seasons of the year to ensure year-round interest through blooms, color, foliage and shapes in the landscape. And, because landscapes are forever changing, plan accordingly. While waiting for that young live oak to grow into a dominant landscape element, plant sunny areas with annuals or perennials that will eventually be shaded out by the growing oak.
Civil rights statement • Site topics • Site map • Search sjrwmd.com
webmaster@sjrwmd.com