Cynthia Glover Photo
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program recognizes landscapes that use sustainable landscaping practices. Florida-Friendly landscapes minimize the use of potable water for irrigation, avoid the runoff of excess fertilizers and pesticides from the landscape and provide habitats for wildlife. They can take any form, from more traditional to more natural. It’s how the landscape is designed and maintained that ultimately determines if it’s Florida-Friendly.
Florida-Friendly Landscape Recognition
By LYNN BARBER
Do you want to make your neighbors green with envy because of the beauty of your landscape? Here’s how…the University of Florida’s Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) program provides recognition to homeowners, businesses and governmental entities that use environmentally friendly gardening and landscape maintenance practices. Florida-Friendly Landscapes incorporate the nine FFL principles, which include Right Plant-Right Place, Water Efficiently, Fertilize Appropriately, Mulch, Attract Wildlife, Manage Yard Pests Responsibly, Recycle, Reduce Stormwater Runoff and Protect the Waterfront.
There is no one cookie-cutter landscape design to achieve Florida-Friendly Landscape Recognition status. Some landscapes are manicured, some more natural and others are quite nonconventional. Landscape plants should be appropriate for our zone, which in Hillsborough County is 9B. Landscape maintenance is evaluated to determine if it is Florida-Friendly. Exotic invasive plants should not be used. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Assessment of Non-Native Plants can be found at https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/. This assessment lists plants that have been determined to be invasive and should not be part of your landscape.
All landscapes are evaluated, and the initial evaluation is completed by the homeowner, commercial or new construction entities who thoroughly complete the forms at https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/landscape-recognition/. Landscape Advisors, Urban Horticulture staff/agents, review the completed, submitted checklist, schedule a meeting with the property owner, evaluate the landscape and provide feedback using the same checklist that was completed by the owner. Having all parties walk the landscape together provides a great educational opportunity to discuss landscape issues and potential solutions. To receive recognition, landscapes must meet the minimum requirements for each principle.
What’s in this for you? How about a lovely sign that promotes your landscape as Florida-Friendly Recognized, one that helps beautify your neighborhood while preserving Florida’s natural resources? The education provided during the on-site evaluation, when implemented, can help you save time, money and resources in your landscape. If you live in a deed restricted community, follow the landscaping modification procedures in your restrictions before making changes. For assistance with horticultural questions, call 813-744-5519, or visit us at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. See the calendar of events for upcoming horticulture related programming, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/upcoming-events/. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat. Contact Jacqlyn Rivas rivasj@hcflgov.net or me at labarber@ufl.edu.
