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Welcome to Florida Yards and Neighborhoods |
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If you have been wondering how you can have a good-looking, low maintenance landscape that is friendly to our unique Hernando County environment, you’ve come to the right place. The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program provides local advice and solutions to landscape problems, water conservation and environmental stewardship. These include gardening challenges that arise from drought, cold damage and misinformation from other sources. By following the principles and recommendations of the Florida yards and neighborhoods program, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year, while employing highly effective methods of pest reduction, effective fertilization and pruning that will keep your yard the envy of the neighborhood. The FYN program also works with communities, builders and schools in the quest to spread the conservation message and enlist our residents in the battle to save Hernando County’s environment. All of the plant and environmental information taught through the FYN program comes from research done by the University of Florida, so you can be assured that the recommendations you receive are local, up to date and correct.
 Facts on Water
Approximately 30% of irrigation water is wasted due to inefficient design and maintenance.
40% to 50% of potable water goes to irrigating landscapes.
Nearly 97% of the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable; 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers; only 1% can be used for all agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community and personal needs. |
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John's Blog |
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Just because spring is past doesn’t mean that you can’t think about landscape changes or additions to your yard now. In fact, the regular rains of late summer, combined with the cooler temperatures of the coming fall will make perfect growing conditions for non cold-sensitive plants. When planting in the spring, most plants will require frequent irrigation to survive in the dry and stressful conditions. Consider planting your bedding and foundation plants now, and take advantage of the free watering to lower your labor and water bills. For more information about selecting appropriate plants for your location and site, contact John Korycki at the Extension Office for a free consultation.
Click here for the Florida-Friendly Handbook
Click here for The Florida-Friendly Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design
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Learn How to Construct A Rain Barrel |
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Florida-Friendly Gardening Class Brochure |
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Summertime Rains |
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Easy ways to make the most of the summertime rains:
* Replenish your mulch to a depth of 2 to 4 inches thick. A layer of organic mulch will help to reduce evaporation from the soil while adding nutrient holding matter to the soil through decomposition.
* Install a rain barrel or cistern to capture and save rainwater for later irrigation of the landscape.
* Switch your irrigation time clock to manual mode during the rainy season. With an average week delivering multiple rain events, more water coming from your irrigation system can overwhelm the lawn, leading to weed and fungal lawn problems.
* Reduce stormwater runoff when you can. Direct downspouts into mulched areas away from nonporous surfaces, and consider building a rain garden to retain runoff and add interest to your landscape. For more information about rain gardens and their construction visit this link. |
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Contain the Rain! |
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If you have been wondering how you can have a good-looking, low maintenance landscape that is friendly to our unique Hernando County environment, you’ve come to the right place. The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program provides local advice and solutions to landscape problems, water conservation and environmental stewardship. These include gardening challenges that arise from drought, cold damage and misinformation from other sources. By following the principles and recommendations of the Florida yards and neighborhoods program, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year, while employing highly effective methods of pest reduction, effective fertilization and pruning that will keep your yard the envy of the neighborhood. The FYN program also works with communities, builders and schools in the quest to spread the conservation message and enlist our residents in the battle to save Hernando County’s environment. All of the plant and environmental information taught through the FYN program comes from research done by the University of Florida, so you can be assured that the recommendations you receive are local, up to date and correct.
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Summer Fall Class Schedule 2010
