Lee County Extension
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
- Rain barrels and Rain Gardens: A Guide for Harvesting Rain Water - Please write us for a complete copy at Lee County Extension Office, 3406 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916.
- Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Irrigation for Florida-Friendly Landscaping Ordinances
- Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Fertilization for Florida-Friendly Landscaping Ordinances
- Frequently Asked Questions about Florida-Friendly Landscaping
- Do I need a Landscape Designer or Architect to design my yard?
- Does my yard have to be planted with all native plants?
- I have a big lawn, is that OK?
- How much does it cost to have my yard certified?
- Are the yard police going to fine me if I do something wrong?
- What if my yard doesn’t achieve the required points for yard certification?
- Can I have my yard designed by someone for free?
Q. Do I need a Landscape
Designer or Architect to design my yard?
A. It is not necessary to hire somebody to design your yard. A little planning and a site evaluation
will enable you to create your paradise
Q. Does my yard have to be planted
with all native plants?
A. A Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Certified Yard can have a variety of plants in it including
ornamental trees or palms, shrubs, flowering perennials, fruit trees, herbs as long
as they are
planted in the right place for their cultural needs.
Q. I have a big lawn, is that OK?
A. Turfgrass (lawns) are very good groundcovers for kids to play on, dogs to romp through,
high foot traffic areas, swales and a place for the occasional car to park on. Note, it serves a
function, if it is there to just mow, you might consider a lower maintenance groundcover.
Good maintenance is essential
Q. How much does it cost to have
my yard certified?
A. There is no charge for yard certification, only a commitment from the individual to follow
Florida friendly maintenance guidelines.
Q. Are the yard police
going to fine me if I do something wrong?
A. The evaluations are conducted by Yard Advisors/Master Gardener Volunteers who are not
regulatory inspectors. There will be no fines.
Q. What if my yard
doesn’t achieve the required points for yard certification?
A. No worries, the volunteers will explain ways to improve your landscape practices and get
you on track to achieve certification the next time. You make the changes and reschedule a site evaluation
Q. Can I have my yard designed by someone
for free?
A. Unfortunately, we do not have the staff to provide this service. We also are NOT licensed to
do landscape designs drawn to scale, with numbers of specific pot sizes, plant costs and irrigation
systems drawn out. What we can provide are suggestions for putting the right plant in the right place
and which plants can be grouped together according to their cultural needs.
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