Have a Florida-Friendly Lawn Year-Round

To keep your lawn green and help protect our waterways, following the fertilizer ordinance is a great start. You can also implement Florida-friendly landscaping techniques, including planting native plants, using mulch and compost, and irrigating efficiently.

Plant Native Plants

A great way to create a beautiful and environmentally friendly lawn is to incorporate native plants which are adapted to the local climate and require less maintenance, saving you time and money. Incorporating native trees, shrubs, and flowers will also attract wildlife and bring more biodiversity to your yard. Below are examples of plants and trees native to South Florida:

 

Live Oak	Bald Cypress
Southern Magnolia	Gumbo Limbo

 

Care for your Lawn Naturally

To care for your lawn naturally, use compost and mulch to improve the health of the soil. Compost and mulch also can help reduce weeds and conserve water by adding organic matter to the ground.

Not sure what to do with your lawn clippings? Add them to your compost.

Additionally, you can leave your lawn clippings on your lawn. They will decompose and release nutrients and organic matter back into the soil, serving as a natural fertilizer – and saving you the time and money of applying chemical fertilizers.

Practice Water Conservation

Water conservation in lawn care is a simple practice we can all adopt to help protect the environment and ensure that our water sources remain healthy and abundant. 

1. Use a drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots of your plants.
2. Water your garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and there's less evaporation.
3. Use mulch in your garden to help retain moisture in the soil.
4. Plant your garden in raised beds or containers so you can easily direct water to the plants that need it.
5. Follow local water restrictions and use water-efficient methods such as a soaker hose or a rain barrel to water your garden, Miami-Dade County residents who complete a free rain barrel workshop and purchase and install a rain barrel are eligible to receive a rebate.