8. STORM WATER RUNOFF

There are some practical solutions that help to reduce harmful contaminants from leaching into waterways in storm water runoff:

Buffer zone: If you have waterfront property it is important to create a buffer zone of approximately 10” to 20” where no pesticides are applied. Low maintenance plants and shrubs should be planted here and beds should be well mulched to prevent soil erosion.

Driveway: Using pebbles or crushed shell on driveways and pathways helps to absorb excess water that would simply run off tarmac.

Swales: Creating swales, or low-lying areas in your yard where rainwater can collect will help to reduce the amount of runoff.

Pets: Picking up pet refuse helps to prevent contaminants seeping into water sources. Animal waste contains several types of pollutants including bacterial pathogens, ammonia and naturally toxic material.

Gutters and drains: Ensure that gutters and drains are directed towards lawns, plant beds or a rain barrel so that excess amounts of water are not channeled directly onto roads.

Trash: Pick up any trash that has collected on the road before it gets washed into drains.

Right Plant, Right Place Important to the success of a Florida-friendly yard is planting the right plant, in the right place. For example, group plants that require more sunlight together.


Water Efficiency Planting Florida-friendly plants helps to conserving precious water resources. There are some other innovative ways in which we can help to conserve and reuse the water that falls in our yard!


Fertilize Appropriately Pollution from fertilizers and pesticides in storm water run off from yards, contributes to excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphates in our waterways, often resulting in harmful algal blooms.


Mulch Mulch is natural organic material that is laid down in your yard to help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing. It’s decomposition helps to greatly enrich topsoil.


Attracting Wildlife Many of Florida’s birds and butterflies are intricately connected to the native flora. Including Florida native plants in your yard will most definitely attract them to come and visit!


Managing Pesticides Responsibly While there are some plants that are difficult to manage without pesticides and herbicides, most Florida native plants do not need applications of either.


Recycle Much of what is in our yard can be recycled and put to good use! Here is an innovative way in which to use up branches from a nuisance exotic tree.



Storm Water Runoff Tropical summer rains produce torrents of water that flow through urban neighborhoods absorbing chemicals from yards and driveways along the way. This toxic runoff pollutes all waterways, and needs to be reduced.


Protect the Waterfront Many homes in Florida are situated on a lake, canal, wetland or the ocean. Certain kinds of vegetation can help to minimize the effects of storm water runoff while providing important habitat for birds and small aquatic animals.


Benefits of a Florida-friendly Yard There are numerous benefits to planting Florida-friendly plants in your yard, from saving money to minimizing the amount of time spent on maintenance; not to mention the beauty of the birds and butterflies that come to visit!