FL Landscape cheat sheet

Florida Chapter 482, Part II (F.S. 482.021 et seq.) governs landscape maintenance and pest control businesses; a commercial landscape maintenance license is required for hire in Florida (verify current statute text before citing).

Chapter 489, Part I governs contracting, including landscape and irrigation contracting scope; Chapter 489, Part II governs plumbing and irrigation specialty licensing (verify current statute text before citing).

A written contract should state scope, start and completion dates, payment schedule, change-order procedure, warranty, and who obtains permits; Florida's Homeowner Construction Recovery Fund and lien-notice rules affect payment terms.

Florida Construction Lien Law (Chapter 713): a Notice to Owner is generally required from subcontractors and material suppliers not in privity with the owner; a Claim of Lien must be recorded within 90 days of last furnishing labor, materials, or services (verify current statute text before citing).

Sales tax: Florida does not impose sales tax on separately stated professional services, but tangible personal property (plants, sod, mulch, hardscape materials) is taxable; verify current Florida Department of Revenue guidance before billing.

A change order should be written, signed, and priced before work proceeds; verbal changes should be documented in a confirming email within 24 hours to preserve the contract record.

Insurance basics: general liability (per-occurrence and aggregate limits), workers' compensation (required in Florida at thresholds of employees), commercial auto, and inland marine for equipment; certificates of insurance should name the client as additional insured where required.

Estimating overhead: overhead and profit are typically added as a percentage to direct costs (labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors); a common range is 15-25% overhead plus 10-15% profit, but the contractor must set rates from actual company data.

Bid documents should include a scope narrative, inclusions and exclusions, assumptions (existing irrigation condition, soil conditions, access), unit prices for extras, and a bid validity period.

Florida plant hardiness: most of the state is in USDA zones 8b-11a; coastal South Florida is zone 10b-11a, while the Panhandle reaches zone 8b. Select species matching the site's zone and cold tolerance.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping principle: right plant, right place. Match light (full sun, part shade, shade), soil moisture, salt tolerance, and mature size to the site before purchase.

Native and Florida-Friendly species commonly used: live oak (Quercus virginiana), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), coontie (Zamia integrifolia), firebush (Hamelia patens), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris).

Invasive exotic species to avoid: Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), and carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides).

Palm installation: plant at the same depth as the nursery container; do not bury the root initiation zone (the trunk base flare). Palms benefit from a wider planting hole and backfill with native soil, not amended soil, to encourage root spread.

Container stock should be inspected for circling roots; score or shave the root ball on woody species (not palms) to redirect roots outward. Plant in a hole 2-3 times the width of the root ball and no deeper than the root ball.

Water newly installed trees and shrubs at installation and regularly for the first 6-12 months; establishment watering is critical even for drought-tolerant species.

Proper spacing: use the mature canopy spread, not the nursery pot size, to calculate spacing; overplanting leads to competition, pruning costs, and disease pressure.

Florida irrigation design follows the Florida Irrigation Society (FIS) standards and local water-management district rules; check with the local water management district (e.g., SJRWMD, SFWMD, SWFWMD, NWFWMD, SRWMD) for current restrictions.

Typical sprinkler application rates: spray heads 1.5-2.0 in/hr, rotor heads 0.4-1.0 in/hr; run times must be calculated from the actual precipitation rate, not assumed.

Irrigation scheduling: apply 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water per application, 2-3 times per week in summer for established turf, and less frequently in cooler months; avoid daily light watering.

Florida-Friendly principle: water only when needed, and use a rain sensor (required on automatic irrigation systems in Florida) and a smart controller to skip cycles after rainfall.

Drip and micro-irrigation deliver water at the root zone with less evaporation and runoff; use pressure-compensating emitters and a filter to prevent clogging.

Backflow prevention: an approved backflow preventer (e.g., PVB or RPZ) is required on irrigation systems connected to potable water; test annually per local utility requirements.

Zone design: separate zones by plant water need (turf, beds, established vs. new plantings), sun exposure, and head type; do not mix spray and rotor heads on the same zone.

Check for broken heads, low-head drainage, and mismatched nozzles; a distribution uniformity (DU) below about 70% indicates the system needs adjustment or repair.

Florida soils are often sandy, low in organic matter, and have low cation exchange capacity (CEC); they leach nutrients quickly, so split fertilizer applications and use slow-release formulations.

Soil pH in Florida is commonly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7.0) in upland sands, but calcareous (high pH) soils occur in coastal and limestone areas; pH affects nutrient availability, especially iron and manganese.

The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping recommendation is to fertilize turfgrass only when needed, using a soil test and a slow-release nitrogen source; avoid fertilizing during the summer rainy season when leaching is highest.

Fertilizer label analysis: N-P-K percentages by weight; a 50-lb bag of 16-4-8 contains 8 lb N, 2 lb P2O5, and 4 lb K2O.

Florida law (F.S. 576.011 et seq. and related rules) requires urban turf fertilizer to contain at least 50% slow-release nitrogen and prohibits application of nitrogen and phosphorus during the summer rainy season (June 1-Sept 30) in many counties; verify local ordinance.

Iron deficiency (interveinal chlorosis on new growth) is common in Florida on high-pH soils; chelated iron (EDDHA) is more effective than ferrous sulfate at high pH.

Mulch: apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around trees and shrubs, keeping it pulled back from the trunk; mulch suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, and moderates soil temperature.

Soil testing: send samples to a certified lab (e.g., UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory) for pH, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients before making fertilizer decisions.

IPM hierarchy: cultural controls (right plant, right place, sanitation, proper irrigation), mechanical/physical controls, biological controls (natural enemies), and chemical controls as a last resort.

Scouting and thresholds: monitor weekly, identify pests to species, and treat only when pest populations exceed the threshold that justifies the cost and risk of treatment.

Common Florida turf pests: chinch bugs (St. Augustinegrass), mole crickets (bahiagrass), fall armyworm (newly sodded turf), and white grubs; each has specific treatment windows.

Common Florida landscape diseases: large patch (Rhizoctonia solani) in St. Augustinegrass, gray leaf spot (Pyricularia grisea) in St. Augustinegrass, take-all root rot (Gaeumannomyces graminis) in St. Augustinegrass, and Ganoderma butt rot in palms.

Lethal bronzing (formerly Texas Phoenix palm decline) and lethal yellowing are phytoplasma diseases of palms; early detection and removal of infected palms are key management tools.

Pesticide regulation: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licenses pesticide applicators; the Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) category requires a certified applicator and compliance with label directions under FIFRA.

Pollinator protection: avoid spraying open flowers, apply in early morning or evening when pollinators are less active, and follow label pollinator-protection language.

Biological control examples: beneficial nematodes for mole crickets, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars, and predatory mites for spider mites.

Grading: slope away from structures at a minimum of 2% (1/4 inch per foot) for the first 6-10 feet; provide positive drainage to swales, inlets, or retention areas.

Retention and detention: Florida stormwater rules require retention (no discharge) or detention (controlled discharge) for new development; the landscape contractor must maintain the design grades and outfall structures.

Paver installation: base course of compacted aggregate (typically 4-6 inches for pedestrian, 6-8 inches for vehicular), 1-inch sand setting bed, edge restraints, and geotextile fabric over subgrade.

Retaining walls: a segmental block wall should have a compacted granular base, geogrid reinforcement where designed, and drainage aggregate with a filter fabric and weep holes or drain pipe behind the wall.

Concrete flatwork: minimum 4 inches thick for pedestrian walks, 5-6 inches for vehicular areas, with control joints at 4-6 foot spacing for sidewalks and expansion joints at structures.

Florida-friendly hardscape: use permeable pavers or open-jointed pavers to reduce runoff, and direct downspouts and swales to landscape areas rather than to the storm sewer.

Erosion control: install silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances before disturbing soil; Florida's NPDES stormwater construction permit requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for sites disturbing one acre or more.

Trenching and utilities: call 811 (Sunshine 811 in Florida) before digging; hand-dig near marked utilities and maintain required clearances.

Pruning cuts: make a proper cut just outside the branch collar (the swollen area at the base of the branch); do not leave stubs or cut into the collar.

Three-cut method for large limbs: an undercut on the underside, a top cut further out to remove the weight, and a final cut at the collar to prevent bark tearing.

Florida rule of thumb: prune trees and shrubs lightly and frequently rather than severely; never remove more than about 25-30% of the live canopy in a single pruning.

Palms should have only dead or dying fronds removed; do not remove green fronds (they are the palm's food factory), and never prune a palm into a 'hurricane cut' that removes green fronds.

Pruning timing: prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom; avoid heavy pruning in late summer and fall when new growth may be damaged by cold.

Turf mowing: follow the one-third rule, removing no more than one-third of the leaf blade per mowing; mow St. Augustinegrass at 3.5-4 inches and bahiagrass at 3-4 inches.

Edging and bed maintenance: maintain a clean edge between turf and beds, and refresh mulch to 2-3 inches without mounding against trunks.

Irrigation audits: check heads for misdirection, broken nozzles, and overspray onto hardscape; adjust or replace as part of routine maintenance.

The nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles: right plant right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, mulch, attract wildlife, manage yard pests responsibly, recycle yard waste, reduce stormwater runoff, and protect the waterfront.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping is a UF/IFAS Extension program; it is not a regulatory mandate, but many local governments and HOAs reference it in codes and covenants.

Reduce stormwater runoff: use permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and swales; keep grass clippings and fertilizer off driveways and streets to prevent nutrient loading of water bodies.

Protect the waterfront: maintain a 10-30 foot vegetated buffer along shorelines, avoid mowing to the water's edge, and use no-fertilizer zones near water.

Fertilizer blackout: many Florida counties prohibit nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application during the summer rainy season (June 1-Sept 30); check the local ordinance before scheduling applications.

Yard waste recycling: compost leaves and clippings on site or use municipal yard-waste collection; do not blow clippings into storm drains or water bodies.

Water conservation: use rain barrels or cisterns for irrigation, and choose drought-tolerant native species to reduce irrigation demand.

Pollinator and wildlife habitat: include flowering plants with staggered bloom times, leave some bare ground for ground-nesting bees, and provide a water source.

OSHA general industry and construction standards apply to landscape work; 29 CFR 1926 covers construction, including excavation, ladders, and PPE.

Personal protective equipment: safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection when using equipment above 85 dBA, gloves, sturdy boots, and high-visibility vests near traffic.

Chainsaw safety: use chaps, a face shield, and hearing protection; never cut above shoulder height, and be aware of kickback from the upper tip of the bar.

Mower safety: disengage blades and shut off the engine before clearing clogs or making adjustments; never remove discharge guards; keep bystanders away from the discharge side.

Heat illness in Florida: acclimatize new workers, provide water and shade, schedule heavy work for cooler hours, and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Pesticide safety: read the label, wear the required PPE, observe the restricted-entry interval (REI), and follow the pre-harvest interval (PHI) for edible crops.

Trailer and vehicle safety: secure equipment with rated straps, check lights and tires, and follow Florida towing weight and brake requirements.

Excavation safety: call 811 before digging, and use protective systems (sloping, shoring, or trench boxes) for trenches 5 feet or deeper.

Scale: read the plan scale (e.g., 1 inch = 20 feet) and use an engineer's scale; verify the scale against a known dimension before measuring.

Plan symbols: learn the legend for plant symbols, irrigation symbols (spray, rotor, drip, valve, backflow), hardscape materials, and grading contours.

Contour lines: closely spaced contours indicate steep slopes; contour interval is the vertical distance between lines, and flow direction is perpendicular to contours.

Takeoff: measure quantities from the plan (area, linear feet, counts), add waste factors (typically 5-10% for plants and hardscape, 10-15% for sod), and price labor separately.

Labor estimating: use production rates (units per crew-hour) from company history, then multiply by crew cost per hour and add burden (taxes, insurance, benefits).

Bid structure: direct costs (labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors) plus overhead and profit; include a contingency and clearly state exclusions and assumptions.

Unit pricing: provide unit prices for extras and changes so the client can evaluate change orders without renegotiating the whole contract.

Plan review checklist: verify dimensions, grades, utility conflicts, plant sizes and quantities, irrigation coverage, and compliance with local codes and HOA requirements before bidding.