Keep Your Garden Green During Periods of Drought

1. Have your soil analyzed to determine the level of acidity or alkalinity. Then you will know which plants are most suitable for your yard. You can buy a soil analysis kit and do it your self or call your county extension service to perform the soil analysis: Duval County, 387-8850; Clay County, 284-6355; Nassau County, 879-1019; St. Johns County, 824-4564

2. Plan your landscape. Decide where to place plants by mature size, and how you will use the areas of your yard. Where do you want grass? paths? play areas?

3. Choose the right spot for plants. Consider the mature plant's size, sun and shade needs, and tolerance for cold and salt. Try using Florida native plants because they have adapted to the Florida environment and many are drought tolerant. Learn the water requirements of plants and choose only a few that require constant moisture.
   • See a list of Florida native plants.
   • See a list of drought tolerant plants.

4. Use grass sparingly. A lawn is usually a landscape's greatest user of water. Consider using ground covers or mulching some areas. Do not over fertilize your lawn. If you do fertilize, use a slow release nitrogen product.

5. Practice water conservation. Group plants according to their water needs. Those requiring lots of water should be planted in the same area. Water plants only when they are dry. Water lawns only when the grass blades appear to fold. Watering deeply about once a week is better than shallow watering more often. Do watering early in the morning before sunrise to minimize evaporation. Do not water between 10am and 4pm.
   Use a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Sweep walks and driveways rather than hose them clean.

6. Mulch flower beds, trees and shrubs. Mulch helps to conserve water and keeps plants moist. Use an organic mulch such as pine needles, wood shavings, bark chips or leaves rather than gravel or rocks, which do not hold moisture and radiate heat around plants.

7. Maintain your yard. Mow, weed, and prune. Healthy plants require fewer chemicals and you create less polluted water run off. Mow the grass with the lawn mower blade at its highest setting. Taller grass sends down longer roots to find moisture. Don't remove short grass clippings. They hold in moisture. Thick patches of grass clippings should be removed since they may restrict water flow to the grass.