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Keys Landscaping Tips

Select plants that can take the Florida Keys growing conditions of limited available water, salty winds, salt intrusion into the root zone, high pH soils, and year round pest problems.

Invasive exotic plants grow like weeds in the landscape.  They are prolific seed producers or shade out natural habitats.  Remove plants that are taking over your landscape such as:  Florida Holly, Lead Tree and Australian Pine.

Plant a variety of native trees, shrubs and ground covers provides more cover and feeding opportunities for birds, butterflies and caterpillars.

Choose a slow release granular fertilizer that is formulated for the Keys alkaline soils and apply enough to feed the plants but not pollute our nearshore waters.

Your fertilizing goals are to feed your plants to grow more or larger blooms, faster growth, greener leaves or more fruit.

Apply wood mulches around shrubs, planted beds and covering bare ground can improve the soil fertility, keep moisture near the plant roots, inhibit weed growth and reduce "weed whacker" damage.

Identify the inset to determine if the inset is harmful (eating your plant) or helpful (eating harmful insects).  If no helpful insects are present try:  a stream of strong water to knock the off or insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils.

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