As the Spring season sets in, it’s difficult to comprehend how much the landscape has changed in Florida from Spring of 2024. Floods, hurricane force winds, and Snow? The impact of the record weather year in 2024 has left many Floridians starting over, not just on their homes and businesses, but the landscapes that surround them. With insurance and construction labor experiencing record demands, many residents will be on a long waiting list for their home projects to see progress. There is one part of the recovery process Floridians can start now, but given the drastic changes to much of our environment, it would be wise to read this article first before suiting up to resuscitate the local flora.
The devastating floods and sand that ravaged the coast of Florida literally changed the biology of the sand along our beaches. Winds toppled and twisted trees that had stood for lifetimes. The frost then rolled in to finish off any of the lower shrubs that had survived. The tropical oasis many Floridan’s across the state have grown accustom to are not only gone, but the environment of shade or rich soils which nurtured their growth is gone as well. In many parts of Florida, we are starting from zero. Landscapes that were in shady tree hammocks are now taking the full punishment our heavy Florida sun has to offer. Soils that had been building with amendments for years were flooded and potentially leached out the built-up nutrients, while also changing the PH of the soil. So here we are starting fresh. For some gardeners that is a regular feeling every spring after sacrificing last year’s spring projects and mistakes to die in the heat of summer. For many however, this is unfamiliar territory and an entirely different garden must now grow where the old one died.
With experienced gardeners looking to make a fresh start in the aftermath of mother nature’s house cleaning and novice gardeners just looking to try again, there has never been a better time to follow the Florida Friendly Landscaping 9 principles.
These principles are pretty self-explanatory unless you struggle with knowing the right plant for the right place. That’s where the SJWMD waterwise plant database becomes your secret weapon. This site gives even a novice gardener the ability to search for plants that fit a height or light criteria. Being able to break down what plants will work within the conditions of your landscape take the options from an entire garden center down to a small list of plants that can be sought out and purchased with confidence.
The physical act of working our landscapes back into shape is healthy and therapeutic for us. Getting back to caring for our personal spaces is going to be, in many cases, the first steps to recovery. With that thought in mind, that recovered space will be much more impactful if it is a success verses a failure after planting. The tips listed above are a starting point, an opportunity to level the playing field for success, however the real answer is to consult a professional.
Gardening therapy studied by Yoshifumi Miyazaki and…”Juyoung Lee, then also of Chiba University, found that leisurely forest walks, compared to urban walks, delivered a 12 percent decrease in cortisol levels. But that wasn’t all; they recorded a 7 percent decrease in sympathetic nerve activity, a 1.4 percent decrease in blood pressure, and a 6 percent decrease in heart rate. On psychology questionnaires, they also report better moods and lowered anxiety.” (The Nature Fix, by Florence Wiliams Pages 22-23)
There are organizations creating professionals who are trained experts in building Florida Friendly Landscape and water efficient landscapes. One such organization, the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) is the nation’s largest state nursery and landscape association. Upon visiting their website you can look up local nurseries and individuals who hold certifications. Many companies now offer consulting where an individual can pay to receive expert advice, but then go home and do the work themselves, saving money while confidently installing a new landscape. Using a few of these tools is wise however, the need to employ expert advice and installation on landscapes is becoming massively important in Florida.
With the growth Floridan’s have seen it is becoming very clear in counties across the state that responsible development that utilize appropriate infill and land management practices are the only way forward as we assess the resources available to the state. Water clearly is the resource that drives agriculture and tourism, the two primary revenue streams for the state. Despite the citrus industry taking a big hit over recent years, agriculture is still the number one revenue source, generating over 31 billion dollars in output sales every year for Florida. Clearly the resources to rebuild our landscape responsibly is something we can do in house. Utilizing practices and guidelines like Florida Water Star.
Benefits of a Florida Water Star Home:
- Spend up to $530 less on utilities each year.
- Use up to 48,000 gallons of water less each year.
- Peace of mind with a low maintenance landscape and high-quality irrigation system.
This is the absolute optimal opportunity for residents to rebuild the landscapes of their townships and homes in a way that is efficient, environmentally friendly, saves money and resources over time. The professionals who have proven their expertise through examination via FNGLA membership and certifications is the team to carry that torch for our state. It’s tempting to hire someone who gives the lowest quote, and you might save today. However, two or three years from now when the product installed is failing and you’re looking at not only having to replace the product again, but also heightened water bills, you’ll regret not consulting a professional and installing a landscape that looked better as time went on. Consider those health benefits of gardening and the value it would bring to your life. Consider the out-of-pocket expense year over year to keep up high maintenance watering schedules. Look at the value a mature landscape brings to a home, these long-term aspects more than compensate for an additional expense this year to consult with a certified professional. Additional benefits include improved soil health over time. Many areas with new construction have builders fill dirt, not soil in the yard. Following Florida Friendly Landscape design and Florida Water Star design lead to creating improved soils which retain water and help with flooding and runoff that create issues in our ponds, rivers, and bays. Good plantings lead to improved soil health and healthy soils can hold thousands of gallons of water which recharge our aquifers and prevent nutrient runoff that hurt our watersheds.
Florida has been through the ringer, increase in development, storm damage, and irresponsible stewardship of the lands. This year, the Spring of 2025, with such a blank canvas that we have been given, it seems time to make a change. A change for a more resilient Florida, a healthier Florida, meaning people and land, and a change for our future. Let’s show a sign of solidarity by putting in a landscape this year that will last for many more years to come. We hope to see you in the yard, working from a blue print or the input of a certified professional so we can all enjoy the natural beauty of our state for many more years to come.
-Written by John Taylor
The Veranda View 