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THE FLORIDA FRIENDLY YARD CHECKLIST
The Florida Friendly Yard Checklist is a companion to
The Florida
Yardstick Workbook. Indicate the actions which apply to your yard
and tally the points for each section in the spaces provided. When
you have 36 points submit the form or print it and mail it to the Polk
County Extension Service at PO Box 9005 Drawer HS03, Bartow, FL
33831-9005. If you do not qualify, call the Florida Yards and
Neighborhoods Coordinator to learn what you can do in your landscape to
make the necessary changes. |
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Please note that some actions are mandatory for
certification as noted below.
Collect at least 36 inches on this Yardstick
Checklist
Receive full points for practices marked
with 2 asterisks**
Receive partial credit for practices marked with 1 asterisk*
Comply with all existing codes and laws |
Points |
Water Efficiently
Mow lawns high to encourage a deeper, more drought and pest tolerant
root system.**
Irrigate lawn and landscape only when they wilt. Apply 1/2 to 3/4
inches of water per application.
Calibrate irrigation/sprinkler system to apply 1/2 to 3/4 inches of
water per application.**
Put a rain gauge in your yard to track irrigation amounts.**
Install a rain shut-off device for in-ground irrigation systems.**
Make sure irrigation system waters lawn areas separately from plant
beds.
Use drip or micro-irrigation in plant and flower beds.
Design and maintain a landscape that exists predominantly on rainfall
once plants are established. |
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
6
|
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Total points for Watering Efficiently |
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Mulch
Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch over tree roots, shrubs and
plant beds, leaving a 2 inch space between the plant base and the
mulch.*
Create self-mulching areas under trees where leaves can remain as they
fall.
Use by-product mulches such as pine bark or straw, melaleuca or recycled
mulches.
Replenish mulch once or twice a year to maintain 2-3 inch depth. |
2
1
1
1 |
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Total points for Mulching |
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Recycle
Whenever possible, recycle grass clippings by allowing them to remain on
the lawn.
Use leaves and pine needles found in your yard as mulch.
Create and maintain a compost pile with yard clippings, leaves, kitchen
scraps, etc. |
2
2
3 |
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Total points for Recycling |
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Provide for Wildlife
Plant vines, shrubs and trees that provide cover, nesting areas or food
sources for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Provide a water source, such as a bird bath or small pond for wildlife.
Provide wildlife shelters such as a bat house, bird house, brush pile,
etc.
Identify five kinds of wildlife (insects, reptiles, birds, etc.) that
live in your yard. |
3
1
1
2 |
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Total points for Providing for Wildlife |
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Controlling Yard Pests
Responsibly
Treat only affected plants or lawn areas with pesticide
applications. Avoid indiscriminate spraying.**
Check your landscape every 1-2 weeks for signs of problems.
Learn to identify 5 beneficial insects that provide natural control of
harmful pests.
Use environmentally friendly pesticides such as horticultural oils and
insecticidal soaps.
Use non-chemical approaches to pest control, such as pruning off
affected areas, hand removing insects, etc. whenever possible. |
3
2
2
2
3 |
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Total points for Controlling Yard Pests Responsibly |
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Right Plant, Right Place
Ensure that your landscape does not contain plants identified by legal
code as invasive exotics, such as Brazilian Pepper, Melaleuca (Punk
Tree), Australian Pine and Chinese Tallow.**
Replace problem-prone plants with low maintenance native or non-native
species.
Group plants according to their water and maintenance needs.
Determine how much grass you need for children, pets and
recreation. Replace the rest with low maintenance ground covers,
shrubs, mulch or other porous surfaces.
Use trees and shrubs to shade eastern and western walls of home and air
conditioner compressor.
Use deciduous trees on southern exposures to allow the sun to passively
heat your home in winter.
Reduce yard waste by choosing plants that will not require frequent
pruning at maturity.
Preserve native plants when building on a new site. Maintain a
protective "do not disturb" barrier under the dripline of
trees. |
2
2
2
3
1
1
1
3 |
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Total points for Right Plant, Right Place |
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Fertilizing Appropriately
Fertilize as needed to maintain quality of lawns and landscape plants.*
Use natural organic or other slow release fertilizers.*
Use iron instead of nitrogen to make your lawn green during the summer. |
2
2
1 |
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Total points for Fertilizing Appropriately |
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Preventing Stormwater
Runoff
Direct downspouts and gutters to drain onto the lawn, plant beds or
containment areas.*
Plant groundcovers or use mulch on thinly vegetated areas to decrease
erosion.*
Use mulch, bricks, flagstones, gravel or other porous surfaces on
walkways, patios or drives.
Collect and use rainwater to irrigate plants.
Create swales or terracing to catch and filter stormwater.
Pick up after pets to reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution in
stormdrain systems.
Clean up oil spills and leaks using cat litter on driveways.
Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer and soil from the driveway onto the
lawn. Remove trash from street gutters. |
1
2
1
2
3
1
2
2 |
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Total points for Preventing Stormwater Runoff |
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Protect the Waterfront
Remove invasive exotic aquatic plants by cutting, pulling or
raking. Remove dead plant material from water after using
herbicides to reduce pollution.
Establish a border of low maintenance plants between your lawn and
shoreline/seawall to absorb nutrients and to provide wildlife habitat.
Establish a 10-30 foot "no fertilizer" zone along your
shoreline.
Where feasible, plant native vegetation in the littoral zone in front of
your seawall or along shoreline.
Decrease wave action and increase habitat by placing clean, native
limestone rock in front of your seawall. |
2
2
2
4
3 |
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Total points for Protecting the Waterfront |
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TOTAL POINTS FOR CHECKLIST |
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Congratulations if you have scored at least 36 points! You have qualified to have a Florida Friendly Certified
Yard. Please submit the form and a Florida Yards and Neighborhoods
Advisor will contact you regarding certification.
First Name: Last Name:
Address:
City:
Zip Code:
County:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Submit completed form |