Florida Yard Recognition in Sarasota County

What is a Florida Yard?

With a Florida Yard you win and so does Florida’s environment.  You don’t waste water, fertilizer, or pesticides, and Florida’s lakes, rivers, bays and wildlife are protected for generations to come.  To help you create a Florida Yard, please consult the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook. You may also pick up a hard copy at our office.

If you feel your yard is a Florida Yard, you may be able to receive Florida Yard Recognition.  Please fill out the Checklist and return it to us.  Our office will assign a Master Gardener Yard Advisor to contact you and verify your ability to obtain this status.  If your landscape is acceptable for Florida Yard Recognition, the Yard Advisor will provide you with a Florida Yard sign.  

Certain conditions apply concerning the status of Florida Yard recognition:

• Qualifying Landscapes must be free of locally-banned invasive exotic plants (Melaleuca, Australian Pine, Brazilian Pepper, Chinese Tallow, Carrotwood, Beach Naupaka) and state-banned aquatic species (such as Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce and Hydrilla).
• Florida Yard recognition must meet the standards of the community in which they are located (specifically, deed restrictions and homeowner association rules)
• Additionally, yards that receive recognition should be attractive to the general public.  Please remember that part of the Florida-Friendly Landscapingâ„¢ Program is designed to promote responsible landscape and irrigation design, installation and management. 
• This is better accomplished through attractive landscapes which would be found acceptable to your neighbors. These landscapes should not be sprayed with pesticides or herbicides on a preventative basis. 
• Irrigated lawns should be minimized as much as possible within deed restrictions.

Should you have any questions, please contact

Annemarie Post, Extension Agent
Florida-Friendly Landscapingâ„¢ Program Coordinator

The Sarasota County Florida-Friendly Landscaping Homeowner Coordinator position is funded through a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District

UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension

6700 Clark Rd., Twin Lakes Park, Sarasota,

Phone: (941) 861-9807, FAX (941) 861-9886