UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail: edayen@ufl.edu 

 February 15, 2006

Feature Article - for immediate release.

Does Your Yard Measure Up?

Yard Recognition Program Begins in Okeechobee Region

A group of Highlands County Master Gardeners recently took a field trip to Don Ingram’s yard in the Lake Placid area to see if it measures up to specification for a “Florida Friendly Yard”. 

There are several principles involve in evaluating a yard to determine its’ eligibility, such as whether it has an efficient irrigation system.  Don’s system was calibrated properly to apply no more than ¾ inch of water per application.  It also had an automatic rain shut-off device that stops irrigation when it rains.

Mulch was properly applied in a 2-3 inch layer over roots, shrubs and plant beds.  Grass clippings were being allowed to remain on the lawn.  His yard had plants, shrubs and trees that provided cover, nesting areas and food sources for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  He was treating only affected plant or lawn areas with pesticide applications thus avoiding indiscriminate spraying and utilizing environmentally friendly pesticides such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps. 

FYN Program Assistant Ed Ayen (left) presents Don Ingram of Lake Placid with a certificate recognizing his “Florida Friendly” Yard. This is the first Yard to be designated in the Okeechobee FYN regional program.

The landscape contained primarily low maintenance native species and no invasive exotics.  Fertilization is done as needed using low or no phosphorous slow release fertilizers.  Stormwater runoff was being utilized with gutters and downspouts draining the water onto lawn and plant bed areas.  Also, a rain barrel was being utilized.

The above were but a few of the principles assessed to determine eligibility.

Don’s yard passed with flying colors and he was awarded a certificate declaring his yard as “Florida Friendly”.   If you are interested in having a Florida Friendly Yard please contact Ed Ayen at the Highlands County Extension Service office. Phone: (863)402-6540 or email: edayen@ufl.edu . His office location is 4509 George Blvd. in  Sebring, FL 33875-5837.

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is being implemented through your local county extension service in Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades County and is partially funded from Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the U. S. EPA through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

More information is available on  the Okeechobee web page,  http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on Florida Friendly Yards, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  

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