Florida-friendly landscaping, like Xeriscaping before it, is a common sense approach to developing a yard that is easy on you and the environment. Water conservation is at the heart of the program, which is run through the University of Florida's Cooperative Extension Service. Here are nine principles of Florida friendly landscaping:

• The right plant in the right place. Ask questions about the plants you select for your yard. What kind of light does a plant require? What will its mature height be? What kind of soil does it need? And what plants are outlawed as invasive pests?
• Water efficiently. Is your irrigation system working properly? Are you watering the whole yard when only one portion needs irrigation? Group plants with similar water needs together so they can be watered at the same time.
• Limit the use of grass to areas where function dictates a need. Grass is the single largest consumer of water in the landscape. If you have small children who want to play in the yard, you need more grass than if your children are grown. In the latter case, beds of ground covers, perennials or shrubs may be a better choice than grass.
• Minimize storm water runoff. Does the topography of your yard send storm water into the municipal sewer line? Does it send it to your neighbor's yard? Is there a way to regrade and keep runoff on your property?
• Protect the waterfront. Don't use riprap unnecessarily if you are on a waterfront lot. A biological system can be constructed to filter impurities and keep soil in place without creating a dead zone.
• Manage yard pests. Keep an eye on pests and diseases, but expect a few chomped leaves. Learn to tolerate a little damage before reaching for chemicals. If you are a butterfly gardener, you know you can live with the bitten and chewed.
• Mulch. This is the best way to improve your soil, reduce weeds, moderate soil moisture and temperature.
• Fertilize appropriately. Look for signs that plants require fertilizer before piling it on. Learn to understand what leaves are telling you when the older leaves turn yellow or the leaf veins stay green but the area between turns yellow. Too much fertilizer makes plants vulnerable to disease and insects. Use slow-release fertilizer.
• Recycle yard wastes. Compost cooks in a matter of weeks in South Florida. You only need to chop leaves and stems into an appropriate size. Use a mulch mower. Buy a chipper and share it with the neighbors. Compost can turn into rich soil full of microorganisms that provides ready nutrients for plant roots.
• Plant for wildlife. Plant some trees and shrubs with fruits, berries and nuts to share the bounty.

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