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Jo's Garden Getting Certified MG Joanne "Jo" East created a certified Florida Yard meeting the requirements of the Florida Yards & Neighborhood program. To qualify, applicants must receive at least 36 points (inches on the "yardstick") for Florida friendly gardening practices.
Joanne puts the "right plant in the right spot" to reduce requirements for water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc. She uses shrubs to shade her air conditioner to reduce energy needs, and planted trees and shrubs to shade the sunny side of the house. She removed Chinese tallowtrees which are invasive. In Pasco, Florida yards can't be certified if they have melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, Australian pine or tallowtree.
Joanne has three compost bins to recycle kitchen scraps and other yard waste. Larger limbs and prunings get "chipped" before being composted. Using compost and manure reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Joanne uses slow release fertilizer for her roses, and occasionally "greens" things up with an application of iron.
 Complete points must be given for the following: no prohibited invasive plants, calibrate
sprinklers, mow high and leave grass clippings in place, have an automatic rain shut-off (on automatic irrigation systems), and protect native shoreline plants (for those living on waterfronts).
Gardeners can ask for a Florida Yards checklist and apply for certification by contacting Pasco County Extension Office, 36702 State Road 52, Dade City, FL 33525-5198. (352) 521-4288, (727) 847-8177, (813) 996-7341, ext. 4288. Every county has an extension office. 
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She has concentrated thirsty plants in an "oasis," and planted natives and other hardier plants where they can survive on existing rainfall. In fact, she
has found that most of the plants in her landscape can survive on rainfall once they're established, except during extended periods of drought. Joanne counts on hoses when she absolutely has to water, and eight rain barrels augment her watering needs. She has replaced large sections of turf with heavily mulched beds, and never irrigates the lawn.
Grass clippings are left in place after mowing, and pine needles and oak leaves self-mulch in shady areas.
Joanne encourages beneficial insects and butterflies by avoiding pesticides, and using IPM methods to control pests (her husband's bees also appreciate this!).
Shallow swales slow or direct stormwater run-off to a man made pond, and permeable surfaces on paths and the drive further allow water to sink into the ground, and help prevent run-off from contaminating waterways.
An area on the back of the property has been left in a "wild" state to provide habitat for animals. There are a number of fruiting shrubs and trees that the butterflies, wasps, birds, raccoons, and squirrels enjoy: loquat, fig, elderberry, raspberry, beautyberry, persimmon, scuppernong, black cherry, and others. Red-headed woodpeckers visit a black mulberry every day while it's fruiting!
Several water features in the garden, two fountains, a birdbath, and the pond (above), provide water for birds, butterflies, deer and other visitors. Herons, cranes, storks, otters, foxes, and even a bobcat have been spotted by the pond, and along the brushy margin at the back of the property.
Many hummingbird and butterfly plants, both larval and nectar, grow along the pergola including passionflower, pipevine, milkweed, coral vine, three different roses, trumpet vine, akebia, sky vine, golden dewdrop, lilies, four o'clocks, and native shrubs and wildflowers like white plumbago, firebush, Florida petunia, and lion's ear.
Jo's garden earned 66 points to qualify as a certified Florida yard, but only 36 points are required. Simpler landscapes can easily qualify. Partial points can be given in most areas. There are nine areas of concern:
