How to reduce water use in your landscape
“A drought-tolerant yard is not a thirsty yard you water less. It is a yard that was never thirsty to begin with.”
Water is one of the biggest ongoing costs — and biggest sources of waste — in a Florida landscape. The encouraging news is that cutting your water use rarely means a browner, sadder yard. Done right, it means a healthier one, because most landscapes are watered far more than they need.
Here are the changes that make the biggest difference, roughly in order of impact.
Plant for drought from the start
The most effective water-saving move happens before you turn on a hose: choosing plants that do not need much. Florida natives and drought-tolerant species thrive on our rainfall once established, which can take entire zones of your yard off irrigation for good.
Group plants by water need (hydrozoning)
When thirsty and tough plants share a bed, you end up overwatering everything to keep the needy one alive. Group plants with similar needs together so each area gets only what it requires. It is one of the simplest, highest-impact habits in Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
Stop watering your whole yard to the schedule of its thirstiest plant.
Water deeply, early, and less often
Shallow daily watering grows shallow, weak roots. Water deeply and infrequently to push roots down, and do it in the early morning to minimize evaporation. Most established landscapes need far fewer cycles than their timers are set to.
Check your irrigation controller and rain sensor seasonally — a stuck schedule quietly wastes thousands of gallons.
Mulch and shrink the lawn
A two-to-three inch mulch layer dramatically slows evaporation and keeps roots cool. And since turfgrass is usually the thirstiest thing in the yard, replacing under-used lawn with beds and groundcovers cuts both your water bill and your mowing.
Want help choosing drought-tolerant plants for your conditions? Come see us at the nursery or explore our design and installation services.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best drought-tolerant plants for South Florida?
Many Florida natives — firebush, muhly grass, coontie, saw palmetto, and tropical sage among them — are excellent once established. We stock a wide selection and can match them to your yard.
When is the best time of day to water?
Early morning. It minimizes evaporation and reduces the disease risk that comes with watering in the evening.
How much can I really save?
It varies, but reducing lawn, hydrozoning, and right-timing irrigation often cut landscape water use substantially while keeping plants healthier.
Build a yard that barely needs the hose.
We'll help you choose drought-tolerant plants and design a landscape that thrives on Florida's rainfall.