There is truly nothing quite as pleasing as a beautifully landscaped house. Choosing to landscape your yard is a great decision and adds value to your home. However, landscaping in Central Florida presents its own unique challenges.  You might be asking yourself some of the following questions:

• How does the climate and weather in Florida affect my yard?
• What will grow here in Central Florida?
• What plants are budget friendly?
• Where do I even begin?​

Natural green thumb or not, you can create a front yard in Central Florida that is both beautiful and sustainable. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

Budget-friendly landscaping options should always include perennials. Perennials are plants that flourish long-term. Florida native perennials that are good for the residential landscaper include the Florida boxwood shrub, yellow elder flower, silver buttonwood hedge, firebush shrub, Dwarf Podocarpus, bay cedar shrub, and the Live Oak tree.  These are all affordable plants that would thrive in the Florida sun. ​

One of the best ways to design a small yard is to omit the lawn entirely. No more lawn mowing. This can be done through landscaping flower beds. Flower beds add great texture and depth to your front yard. They are also great for reducing surface area. The issue for many front yards, is the constant need for upkeep and maintenance. By making the decision to garden a large part of your yard, you are saving yourself money and upkeep down the line. Using the space in your yard to fill with beautiful plants and flowers will have your lawn mower thanking you for giving it a break! Flower beds will transform your front yard from being an ordinary plot of green land to a land full of color. That’s why it’s very important to pick the right plants that would work for your yard. Some flowers that will flourish in Central Florida include: Lantanas, Tickseed, Petunia, Buttercup, and Blue Daze. These are great flowers to choose from because of their hardiness and ability to bloom year round. They are also very durable and Florida-friendly. ​
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1. Before digging, call 1-800-432-4770 for a free underground utility check. Accidentally cutting an underground utility is costly and potentially dangerous. Also check to see where your septic system is if you have one. Avoid planting near it.

2. Location. To cool your house, choose to plant trees to shade the eastern, southern, and western exposed walls of your house. Small trees can be  planted 10’ – 16’ from the house. Large trees can be planted 16’ – 22’ from the house.

3. Look up. Don’t plant under utility lines unless the mature size of your plant will be shorter than the height of the line.
      
4. Do your homework. Call the local county extension office for recommended trees for your site and needs.

     a. Buy quality plants.
     b. Buy trees with only 1 trunk except for small trees such as crape myrtles.
     c. Don’t buy pot-bound plants.
     d. Make sure that your choices are not on the prohibited plant list for the county.
     e. Palm trees don’t provide much shade. Use them in groups or in narrow areas.

5. Digging the hole. Hire a tree hole digger if needed. Make sure the planting hole is no deeper than the size of the pot and 2 – 3 times wider than the root ball of the plant.

Planting and maintenance is critical to the health of your plants.

6. Planting.
     a. Never handle the plant by the trunk. Carry it by the pot.
     b. After removing the pot, gently loosen roots and cut circling roots. If pot-bound, make several 1 – 2 inch deep slices down the sides of the root ball.
     c. Position the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface.
     d. If the tree is balled and in natural burlap, remove the top 1/3 of the burlap after planting the tree in the hole. If the root ball is wrapped in synthetic burlap, remove all of it after setting the tree in the hole. Remove any twine or rope that is around the trunk.
     e. Fill the hole with soil that was removed to make the planting hole. Do not add any other materials (such as organic matter, potting soil, fertilizer, etc.) to the soil. They are not needed.
     f. When the hole is half full of soil, saturate with water to remove air pockets, then fill the hole until it’s even with the ground level.
     g. Build a 3” high circular berm around the outer edge of the planting hole.

7. Watering. Water deeply and thoroughly.

8. Mulch. Use an organic mulch such as eucalyptus, Enviro-Mulch (melaleuca), or pine bark, two to three inches deep over the entire planting area. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from the trunk.

9. Tree staking. Stake the tree only if needed. If it is top heavy, unstable, or in a windy location, stake the tree. Remove the stakes 1 year after planting.

Tree Maintenance

10. Watering schedule. For well-drained soils after planting -
      Month 1: Water daily, making sure entire root ball is saturated
      Month 2: Water 3 times a week, making sure entire root ball is saturated
      Month 3: Water 2 times a week, making sure entire root ball is saturated
      
            OR

     a. For large trees continue to water once per week for 1 – 2 years.
     b. Less water may be required in winter.
     c. For soils that are not well- drained, water less frequently. Use your best judgment.
     d. The root ball should be kept moist but not wet.

11. Fertilization schedule.
     a. Broadcast the fertilizer under the drip line of the tree canopy but not close to the trunk.
     b. Six months after planting, apply a light feeding with a balanced, complete slow-release fertilizer.
     c. After the first year, fertilize three times per year (spring, summer, and early fall).
    d. Some palms have special fertilizer requirements.

12. Pruning.
      a. Don’t prune until 1 year after planting unless to remove dead or damaged limbs.
      b. Never hat-rack or top trees. It’s illegal and harmful to the long-term health of the tree. The tree will also be susceptible to damage from high winds. Instead, thin out the canopy to allow wind to blow through.
      c. Trim branches properly (not flush cut).
      d. Don’t apply tree wound paints.

13. Never injure the trunk with weed-eaters or lawnmowers .
14. Don’t plant flowering plants that need watering under trees.