Easy and Affordable Florida Landscaping Tips
Your new home has beautiful Florida landscaping, but you can make it stand out by adding your own curb appeal. You don’t even have to have a green thumb if you use plants that are Florida-friendly. Here are ten Florida landscaping tips that are both easy and affordable.
1. Skip the Fertilizer
Rain can wash away your fertilizer. It becomes fertilizer pollution that is going into the:
- Bays
- Lagoons
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Oceans
Residents, tourists, and animals spend a lot of time in the water during the summer. There isn’t a need for fertilizer in most Florida cities because the soil already has plenty of phosphorous.
2. Use Iron and Micro-nutrients
The sun often makes lawns brown, dry, and patchy. Iron and micro-nutrient supplements help maintain green and healthy Florida landscaping. You can find these in most garden centers. The iron won’t cause excessive growth either. Therefore, you won’t have to spend hours this summer mowing in the heat.
3. Save Money with DIY Weed Killer
You can easily make your own weed killer. There are plenty of recipes on the internet. The most standard recipe for Florida landscaping weed killer, however, seems to be:
- 3 cups Vinegar
- ½ cup Salt
- 1 tbsp. Soap
4. Choose Sun-Friendly Plants
You should get plants that will need minimal tending to survive the hot summer. There are Florida-friendly plants that would work which don’t require as much water or fertilizer as others. This will give you more time for any summer activities you want to do. You can find Florida native plants that are very drought tolerant like:
- Beautyberries
- Palm trees
- Beach sunflowers
You can even find fruits and vegetables to grow, including:
- Citrus plants
- Cherry tomatoes
- Peppers
5. Don’t Over Plant
Try to keep in mind the size a plant will grow to when it matures. For beautiful Florida landscaping, you should leave enough space around every plant. It will:
- Make it easier for them to grow
- Prevent the yard from looking crowded
- Require less extensive pruning later on
6. Leave Grass Clippings
You should consider leaving the grass clippings after mowing the lawn. This is a natural fertilizer and can make your lawn grow lush and radiant. It’s also less cleanup for you to do.
7. Reduce Your Grass
One great Florida landscaping tip is to reduce how much grass you have in your yard. The less grass you have, the less you have to maintain it, leaving you with more time to have fun. You could make a walkway out of:
- Gravel
- Stones
- Reclaimed wood
Another option is to add some rock gardens and water features to your yard.
8. Plant Smaller, Slow-Growing Trees
Small trees are less expensive than larger trees. This means you can buy more of them for the same amount of money. Smaller and sturdier trees are also less likely to be hurt by the sun and storms. Some trees that are good in heat and grow beautiful flowers are:
- Twilight Crape Myrtle
- Dogwood
- Hydrangea
9. Recycle Alternative Materials
You can try using old bricks and stones to make:
- Pathways
- Benches
- Walls
- Pond edgings
Planters are made out of almost everything and can be pretty versatile. Another option is to use pallets or old barrels to make some unique planters.
10. Save and Trade
Did you end up growing too much fruit, vegetables, or plants? You can trade with your neighbor or start a local Food is Free Project. You can save on food and gardening this way. It also gives you the opportunity to connect with other people in your community.
You can enjoy the summer spend more quality time with your family and friends, with these Florida landscaping tips. The easy yard maintenance will leave you more time to do the things you love. If you are still looking for a home in Florida, give Affiliated Home Solutions a call. We’d love to help you find the home of your dreams.