Sustainable Residential Landscapes in Florida: A controlled Comparison of Traditional versus Florida-

Friendly Landscaping™

Dr. Taylor Clem, Dr. Gail M. Hansen, Dr. Esen Momol, Dr. Michael D. Dukes, Dr. Jason Kruse, Chris Harchick, and Dr. John Bossart

Photo courtesy of Michael Gutierrez

Quantify differences in water use and maintenance inputs between traditional Florida landscapes (TFL) and Florida-Friendly Landscapes (FFL).

Presenter

Presentation Notes

July 27, 2013 – May 17, 2017 Three Plot Replicates, divided into a TFL and FFL Plantable Area on ¼ acre plot (4900sqft). TFLs: 75% Turfgrass (1838 ft^2), 25% Ornamental Beds (613 ft^2) FFLs: 25% Turfgrass (613 ft^2), 75% Ornamental Beds (1838 ft^2) # & Type of Plants Identical

Traditional Florida Landscapeso 75% Turfgrass (1838 sqft)o 25% Ornamental Beds (612 sqft)

Florida-Friendly Landscapeso 75% Turfgrass (1838 sqft)o 25% Ornamental Beds (612 sqft)

Construction Photo #1, Clearing (June 2013)

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Planting and Irrigation, July 2013

Maintenance: Followed UF/IFASRecommendationso Fertilizingo Leaf Blowingo Herbicide Applicationso Edgingo Pruningo Hand Weedingo Mowing

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Irrigation Establishment (July 27, 2013 – June 20th, 2014) Post-Establishment (June 20th, 2014 – May 17, 2017)

Establishment Post-Establishment Total ConsumptionTFL 92367 232100 321467FFL 28004 37335 65339

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Average Irrigation, Water Consumption

(30.3%) (16.1%) (20.1%)

MSMT In-Line Drip Microspray TotalEstablishment 18155 3852 5997 28004Post-Establishment 37151 97 87 37335Total 55306 3950 6084 65340

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Water Consumption Avg in FFL, by Irrigation Type

Fertilizing LeafBlowing

HerbicideApplicati

onEdging Pruning Hand

Weeding Mowing

TFL Avg 0.2 0.7 1.4 2.3 2.5 2.9 8.6FFL Avg 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.7 3.2 8.8 3

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TIME,

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Average Labor Hours Logged

FFLs significantly decrease water requirements. Overall maintenance time is approximately the same;

type of labor varies, mowing vs weeding.

Landscape Photo