Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Crapemyrtle Pruning

Gary W. Knox, Edward F. Gilman, Teagan Young, Ryan W. Klein, and Leynar Leyton

Pruning is one of the most controversial aspects of maintaining crapemyrtle. Traditionally, many crapemyrtles were routinely topped, leaving large branch and stem stubs. This practice has been called "crape murder" because most people dislike the winter appearance and many professionals believe the practice impacts crapemyrtle health and structural integrity. UF/IFAS research has clarified the effects of various crapemyrtle pruning practices that resulted in the recommendations in this publication.

4-H Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Leader Guide

John Pipoly, Angelina Toomey, Sarah Hensley, Esen Momol, Jennifer W. Marvin, and Kelly Perez

This curriculum addresses Florida’s unique environment and may be used alone or as a supplement to the 4-H Junior Master Gardener curriculum. Youth will learn nine basic principles of FFL, including water, soil, and vegetation conservation through landscape and gardening activities. This curriculum targets youth in grades 6 to 8 (ages 10 to 14) and contains both in-classroom and home activities that allow youth to understand and engage the world around them. 137 pp.

4-H Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Workbook

John Pipoly, Angelina Toomey, Sarah Hensley, Esen Momol, Jennifer W. Marvin, and Kelly Perez

This curriculum addresses Florida’s unique environment and may be used alone or as a supplement to the 4-H Junior Master Gardener curriculum. This curriculum targets youth in grades 6 to 8 (ages 10 to 14) and contains both in-classroom and home activities that allow youth to understand and engage the world around them, thereby helping them gain life skills in the areas of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. This is the student workbook; 48 pp.

Steps to a Florida-Friendly Landscape

Claire Lewis, Tom Wichman, and Sydney Park Brown

A Florida-Friendly landscape is attractive, functional, and ecologically sound. Its creation and maintenance can be accomplished by using the landscape practices listed in this article. They are grouped according to how much money or labor they take to accomplish from easiest (Tier One) to most expensive and/or labor intensive (Tier Three). Even a simple practice—like raising the height on your lawn mower—can have significant, positive impacts on the landscape and the environment. Helpful websites from the University of Florida/IFAS are also included in this publication. These resources provide even more tips and practices to incorporate Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Community ButterflyScaping: How to Move Beyond Butterfly Gardening to Create a Large-Scale Butterfly Habitat

Kathy C. Malone, Wendy Wilber, Gail Hansen, Jaret Daniels, Claudia Larsen, and Esen A. Momol

Concepts for Sustainable Landscape Mosaics

Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, and Sandra Wilson

This new 9-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is for Florida homeowners, residential and commercial property managers, and landscape architects interested in creating aesthetically pleasing landscapes and to help individuals choose the right plant for the right place. Written by Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, and Sandra Wilson.

Design Strategies for a Sustainable Home Landscape

Gail Hansen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guidelines for Community Associations: Considerations for Selecting a Landscape Contractor and Writing an Effective Landscaping Contract

Adam Dale, Claire Lewis, Esen Momol, Don Rainey, John Bossart, C. J. Bain, Jen Marvin, Lynn Barber, Norman Leppla, Gary Knox, and Thomas T. Ankersen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Urban Water

Guidelines for Hiring a Florida-Friendly Landscape Professional

Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, Tom Wichmann, Elisha Cash, Jennifer Marvin, Michelle Atkinson, Julie McConnell, Kristina McIntyre, Chris Marble, Bryan Unruh, Lynn Barber, Stacie Greco, Ben Bolusky, Merry Mott, Deirdre Irwin, Betsy McGill, Cheryl Harris, E

Many residents evaluate their landscape professionals on price alone; however, quality landscaping is an investment in your property. Knowing what to look for in a landscape professional will help you get the most for your investment, ensure your yard reaches its greatest potential and protect Florida’s water and other natural resources. This new 7-page document, published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, is intended to provide guidance to residents and entities such as HOA community associations when hiring a landscape professional.

Perceptions of Florida-Friendly Landscapes: Linking Visual Quality and Environmental Health through Landscape Codes

Gail Hansen, Laura A. Warner, Paul Monaghan, Emily Ott, Tim Fogarty, Claire Lewis, and Esen A. Momol

Questions and Answers: 2009 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation

Esen Momol, Jane Tolbert, Marina D'Abreau, Terril Nell, Gail Hansen, Gary Knox, Michael Thomas, Kristine Jones, Jim Spratt, Claire Lewis, and Kathy Malone

Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Jason Kruse, Bryan Unruh, Jennifer Marvin, Tom Wichman, Lynn Barber, Norma Samuel, John Bossart, Claire Lewis, and Esen Momol

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.

Ten Strategies for Working With Your Home Owner Association to Convert to a Florida-Friendly Yard

Gail Hansen and Claire Lewis

Twenty-Two Ideas for a Low-Care, Low-Cost Landscape

Gail Hansen