Start with compost
Compost enhances soil texture, permeability, drainage, fertilizer, and water retention. Good compost provides nutrients and bacteria. These bacteria help plants get nutrition and avoid illnesses.
Use only organic fertilizers, and supplements
Seaweed includes trace nutrients and plant growth stimulators. Drench transplants to root. Tomato foliar feed promotes blooming and fruiting.
Mulch bare soil
Two to three inches of mulch prevents weeds, conserves moisture, controls soil temperature, and prevents disease. Avoid covering plant stems with mulch.
Choose native and well-adapted plants
Native plants use less water, are simpler to care for, and resist disease and insects. Reduce the lawn, particularly St. Augustine, and plant more trees, shrubs, hardy perennials
Water carefully
Planting native plants and mulching appropriately decreases landscape water use. Most established plants prefer deep, less frequent watering.
Control weeds organically
Poor soil favors most weeds. Adding compost and improving soil texture and fertility helps prevent weeds. Additionally, mulching bare soil prevents weed growth.
Preserve beneficial organisms
Avoid chemical fertilizers and insecticides, including organic ones, and use them sparingly. Start with early detection and ID, then use the least hazardous technique.