Plan before You Plant, Waiting for Rain…

Here in Miami Dade County we are in the midst of a drier than normal dry season with temperatures running above average, although on April Fools Day a small cool front brought welcome but temporary lower temperatures and a very small amount of rain.

With many of us working from home, taking a break in our home gardens is restorative. You may notice more now that you have “eyes on” plants and may feel the urge to plant something new. You may want to take more interest in your personal green space. That’s a good thing, with some reservations.
Unfortunately, venturing out to buy plants at this time is not recommended as it is not essential. Right now, you can do something most seldom do, create a plan. Evaluate your garden, select the plants you want to install and develop a to-do list. Once we have the all clear for COVID-19 and our Rainy Seasons begins you’ll be ready to plant.

Note that the rainy season normally starts May 15th and runs thru October 15th. We receive 70% of our annual 62 to 65 inches of rain during the rainy season.

Extension has publications on how to plan your landscape and lists of plants by area for Florida on our Electronic Data Information System-EDIS, Gardening Solutions and our home website for Miami-Dade County. First make sure you understand how to create a Florida Friendly Landscape by reading the 9 Principles of the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Pattern Book: Sample plant lists and designs for four Florida regions: USDA Hardiness Zones 10A, 10B, and 11, South Florida
Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
In addition, be sure check out this website for native plants:
The Institute for Regional Conservation allows you to search for plants by zip code. Be sure to explore its other features and information.

This will get you started, nothing better than starting new good habits that will benefit our environment while we wait out this global crisis.
Email us while we are working out of office with any questions.
Be safe, stay well everyone.

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Barbara McAdam, Urban Horticulture Program Specialist, A.S. for Miami-Dade County
Posted: April 3, 2020


Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Tags: Florida Friendly Plants, Water Conservation


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