Vol. 114 (2001): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Garden And Landscape

Creating your Florida yard: A horticulture course for home owners

Peggy Dessaint
Manatee County Cooperative Extension Service
front cover of vol 114, 2001

Published 2001-12-01

Abstract

"Creating Your Florida Yard" is an 18-hour horticulture course for homeowners who want low-maintenance yards in an environmentally diverse coastal county. The target audience is owners of single family homes. Principles of Environmental Landscape Management are used as guidelines throughout the course. Over the 6-week period, participants learn basic steps of landscape design through classroom activities, landscape tours and home assignments. They develop a plot plan of their own yard and make a site evaluation. They learn how to select and use plant materials best suited for their sites and personal needs. During the last class, they have the opportunity to review their plans one-on-one with Extension staff and volunteers. Educational materials include publications from the University of Florida and hand-outs developed specifically for the course. The class has been offered seven times since the fall of 1997 with over 400 participants. Follow-up surveys have shown significant landscape practice changes.