FL Landscape key terms

A surety guarantee submitted with a bid stating that the bidder will enter the contract at the offered price and furnish required performance and payment bonds if awarded the work.

A surety instrument protecting the owner if the contractor fails to complete the work as contracted; the surety may complete the project or pay the cost of completion up to the bond amount.

A percentage of each progress payment withheld by the owner until the project is substantially complete or the contract specifies release, serving as leverage for correction of defective work.

A written, signed modification to the contract that adjusts scope, price, or schedule; without one, extra work is generally uncompensated and disputed.

A documented list of incomplete or deficient items identified at substantial completion that the contractor must correct before final payment and retainage release.

The stage at which the work is sufficiently finished for its intended use, triggering warranty start, retainage release, and the owner's acceptance of the project.

The systematic measurement of materials and labor from plans and specifications, such as square feet of sod or cubic yards of mulch, forming the basis of an estimate.

A stated cost per measured unit, such as per square foot of paver or per plant installed, used to price variable quantities and to value added or deleted work.

A planned allowance added to an estimate to cover uncertain quantities, unforeseen site conditions, or price escalation, typically expressed as a percentage of direct costs.

The ratio relating a drawn distance to actual distance on a plan, such as 1 inch equals 20 feet, used to measure lengths and areas accurately.

A surveyed ground or finished-surface elevation marked at a specific point on a grading plan, often shown with a decimal value and a symbol.

A line on a plan connecting points of equal elevation; spacing indicates slope steepness, with closely spaced lines showing steeper grades.

A shallow, vegetated depression designed to convey and infiltrate stormwater slowly across a site rather than concentrating flow in a pipe or ditch.

A constructed mound of soil used to screen views, deflect runoff, or add vertical interest; it must be stabilized and graded so water drains away from structures.

The reshaping of site soils to establish elevations and slopes that direct water away from buildings and toward intended drainage features.

The native or compacted soil beneath a pavement, paver, or hardscape base; its preparation and compaction determine long-term structural performance.

A compacted layer of aggregate placed over subgrade to distribute loads and provide a stable, drainable foundation for pavers or concrete.

Mechanical densification of soil by removing air voids, increasing bearing strength and reducing settlement; achieved in lifts with proper moisture content.

The speed at which water moves through soil, expressed in inches per hour; it governs drainfield sizing and the suitability of infiltration-based stormwater practices.

The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil, which control water holding, drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a 0 to 14 scale; it strongly influences nutrient availability and which plants can thrive in a given site.

The soil's capacity to hold positively charged nutrient ions on clay and organic matter surfaces, a key indicator of fertility and fertilizer retention.

The downward movement of water through soil that carries dissolved nutrients and salts below the root zone, reducing fertilizer efficiency and potentially affecting groundwater.

A fertilizer whose nutrients become available gradually through coating, chemical form, or particle size, reducing leaching and burn risk compared with highly soluble products.

The guaranteed percentage of nitrogen, available phosphate, and soluble potash stated on a fertilizer label as N-P-K, always in that order.

An essential element needed by plants in very small amounts, such as iron, manganese, zinc, or boron; deficiency often appears as interveinal chlorosis on new growth.

The combined loss of water from soil evaporation and plant transpiration; used to schedule irrigation based on actual plant water demand rather than a fixed clock.

A group of heads operated together by one valve, ideally containing plants with similar water needs and matched precipitation rates for uniform application.

Placing sprinkler heads so each throws water to the next head, providing overlapping coverage and uniform distribution; spacing should not exceed the manufacturer's rated throw.

A design principle in which all heads on a zone apply water at the same rate regardless of arc, preventing wet and dry spots under a single schedule.

A low-volume system delivering water slowly to the root zone through emitters or tubing, reducing evaporation, runoff, and foliar disease compared with overhead spray.

A device that interrupts the irrigation controller after measurable rainfall, preventing unnecessary watering and runoff; required on many Florida systems and must be kept functional.

Voluntary, science-based practices for fertilizer and irrigation use adopted to protect water quality, including correct timing, rates, and application methods.

A nine-principle approach emphasizing right plant right place, water efficiency, appropriate fertilizer use, mulch, wildlife habitat, and reduced stormwater runoff.

Selecting species matched to a site's light, soil, water, and space conditions so plants thrive with minimal irrigation, pruning, and pesticide inputs.

A geographic rating of expected minimum winter temperature used to judge whether a plant will survive cold in a given area; most of Florida falls in zones 8 through 11.

Localized conditions of light, temperature, wind, and moisture that differ from the surrounding area, such as a warm south-facing wall or a shaded courtyard.

A standardized rating of plant quality and size based on factors such as caliper, height, branching, and root health, used to specify acceptable material in contracts.

The mass of roots and attached soil lifted with a field-grown plant; its size and condition at planting strongly affect establishment and survival.

A layer of organic or inorganic material spread over soil to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, moderate temperature, and reduce erosion, kept clear of plant stems and trunks.

A decision framework combining scouting, thresholds, cultural and biological controls, and targeted pesticides only when monitoring shows they are needed.

The pest population level at which the cost of control is justified by the damage prevented; below it, treatment is not economically warranted.

Regular systematic inspection of plants to detect pests, diseases, and beneficial insects early, recording counts and locations to guide treatment decisions.

Managing pests by encouraging or releasing natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, ideally supported by habitat and reduced broad-spectrum pesticide use.

The legally binding directions and restrictions for a pesticide, including rates, target sites, protective equipment, and reentry intervals; use inconsistent with the label is a violation.

The word on a pesticide label, such as Caution, Warning, or Danger, indicating the relative acute hazard of the product and driving handling precautions.

The minimum time that must pass after a pesticide application before workers may enter the treated area without protective equipment.

Gear such as gloves, eye protection, boots, and respirators required by the label or employer to reduce exposure to chemicals, dust, noise, and physical hazards.

A procedure for isolating energy sources and applying locks and tags before servicing equipment, preventing unexpected startup or release of stored energy.

A reinforced frame on a tractor or loader that protects the operator in a tip-over; it must be used with a seat belt to be effective.

Pruning young trees to establish a single leader, well-spaced scaffold branches, and strong attachments, reducing future hazard and maintenance needs.

A cut made just outside the branch collar without leaving a stub or damaging the collar, allowing the tree to seal the wound efficiently.

Pruning that reduces a tree's height or spread by cutting back to lateral branches large enough to assume the terminal role, preserving form and vigor.

Temporary storage of runoff in basins or vegetated areas that release it slowly, reducing peak flows and pollutant loads to waterways.

A manufactured or natural unit laid over a compacted base and bedding layer, typically with joints for drainage, allowing individual units to be replaced.