1. Tropical Oasis: Create a lush tropical oasis around your pool by incorporating large palm trees, colorful tropical flowers, and dense foliage. For additional planting options, consider our list of tropical plants. Add an outdoor kitchen, bar, lounge chairs, and hammock for a relaxing getaway vibe.

 2. Contemporary Minimalism: Opt for a clean and sophisticated look using sleek, modern, and sustainable materials such as concrete, steel, and glass. Incorporate clean lines, geometric shapes, minimalist plantings, hardscaping, firepit, and artificial turf for a contemporary feel and low-maintenance sustainability.

 3. Waterfalls, ponds, and water features: Install a stunning waterfall, pond, or cascading water feature next to your pool to add the soothing sound of running water and a sense of tranquility and natural beauty. Combine it with rocks, boulders, and lush greenery for a more naturalistic setting. Stacked slate urns, spheres, and walls are available in various sizes with pumps, underground reservoirs, and lighting options in pondless configurations with remote controls.

 4. Mediterranean Retreat: Create a Mediterranean-inspired poolside retreat using terracotta tiles, colorful tiles, and rustic elements. Incorporate Mediterranean garden plants like agapanthus, agave, bougainvillea, lavender, oleander, olive trees, and yucca for an authentic touch.

5. Zen Garden: Design a peaceful and zen-like atmosphere around your pool by incorporating elements like bamboo, stones, bridges, sculptures, and water features. Add Japanese maple trees, bonsai,
camellias, farfugium, ornamental grasses, mosses, and sedum for an atmosphere and a calming effect. Adding a koi pond provides instant authenticity to the zen garden.

We base our prepared pool landscaping designs on your preferences and style in association with the existing architecture and design elements. Homeowners often want a hybrid pool landscape design incorporating elements from various styles and design ideas. Book a consultation with a Rockway landscape architect or designer to take your design ideas through to completion.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

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While it originated in drier regions, xeriscaping offers significant benefits in Florida’s climate. Here, it’s known as “Florida Friendly Landscaping” and emphasizes responsible management of all natural resources.

Creating a Xeriscaped Paradise

A well-designed xeriscape reflects the natural environment. Unlike a mountain landscape, a Florida xeriscape thrives on humidity and low-water use plants near buildings. This approach minimizes fungal issues common in our humid climate.

The beauty of xeriscaping is its versatility. It can be adapted to any style, from a wildflower meadow to a formal garden. When done right, it can be just as lush and visually appealing as a traditional landscape, but with the added benefit of water conservation and potentially unique plant varieties.

Getting Started with Xeriscaping

Whether you’re starting fresh or revamping your existing landscape, here are some key steps:

1. Seek Professional Help: Consult a landscape architect or designer familiar with Florida Friendly Landscaping practices.
2. Know Your Soil: Conduct a soil test and follow recommendations for amendments. Free testing is available through your local extension office.
3. Choose the Right Plants: Select plants suited to your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and water needs.
4. Optimize Irrigation: Have your irrigation system inspected and adjusted for efficient water use.
5. Plant Smart: Group plants with similar water requirements and mulch appropriately to retain moisture.
6. Maintain Wisely: Proper maintenance ensures your plants thrive. Consider professional maintenance services.

By following these steps and considering future weather patterns, you can create a beautiful, sustainable xeriscape that flourishes in Florida’s unique climate.

Additional Tips:

• Look for plants labeled as “drought-tolerant.”
• Plants need time to establish, so proper planting is crucial.

With a little planning and the help of professionals, you can transform your landscape into a water-wise paradise.

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

The post Xeriscaping: A Sustainable Approach to Florida Landscapes appeared first on Rockaway Sustainable Landscaping.

Step 1: Secure Loose Items
The strong winds associated with hurricanes can quickly turn unsecured items into dangerous projectiles. Secure or store outdoor furniture, toys, gardening tools, and other loose items the wind could pick up.

Step 2: Trim Trees and Shrubs
Regularly maintaining and trimming your trees can prevent damage caused by broken branches during a hurricane. Also, consider removing dead or dying trees that could fall on your home or property.

Step 3: Clean Gutters and Drains
Ensure gutters and storm drains are clear of debris and in proper working condition to allow water to flow freely and reduce the risk of flooding. If your landscape does not typically drain properly, contact a qualified company to provide all-season drainage solutions. Click HERE to learn more about Rockaway Drainage & Stormwater Solutions.

Step 4: Consider Flood Resistant Landscaping
Using flood-resistant plants and proper grading techniques can help prevent soil erosion and reduce the impact of flooding. “The role of plants in proper stormwater management is receiving more attention than ever before,” according to Turf Magazine. “Engineering and landscape design are becoming powerful partners in creating effective drainage that also fights pollution of our waterways.” Adding gravel is also suitable for erosion control around downspouts, pools, and driveways.

Step 5: Inspect Fencing
Inspect and repair weak areas of your fencing. Strong winds can knock down flimsy fences, creating more debris and potential damage. A strong fence can also protect from debris blowing into your landscape.

Step 6: Plan for Debris
Know your community’s trash pickup schedule and regulations for yard waste disposal. After a hurricane, cleaning up yard debris promptly is essential to prevent further damage. Click HERE for the normal City of Jacksonville residential waste collection days. Click HERE for information on St. Johns County residential waste collection days.

Remember, preparing your landscape for hurricane season is an ongoing task. Regular landscape maintenance goes a long way toward minimizing potential damage. Stay safe and stay prepared this hurricane season.

Additional Resources:

• The City of Jacksonville’s Preparedness Guide is available at JaxReady
• Jacksonville Beach Disaster Preparation Kits
• City of Atlantic Beach Emergency Preparedness
• Beaches Watch Hurricane Preparedness Presented by: Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach Emergency Management officials
• St. Johns County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
• St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management
• Also, consider our Landscape Hurricane Preparedness Article

We wish you well through hurricane season!

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.

The post Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season appeared first on Rockaway Sustainable Landscaping.

WATERING

As of August, 2011, the SJRWM District, Duval County, St. John’s County and the Beaches Municipalities all allow you to water your new landscape with an irrigation system every day for 30 days, and then every other day for the next 30 days as long as you do so between 4:00PM and 9:00AM. Hand watering and low volume watering (such as drip, micro-irrigation and soaker hoses) are permitted at any time. Watering is best done in the morning to avoid fungal problems.

In general, most plants need to be watered every day for 2-4 weeks after planting. A good general post-planting watering schedule is as follows: week 1 and 2 every day, week 3 and 4 every other day, week 5 and 6 every third day, then 2 times per week or what is allowed by law. Fall/Winter plantings usually don’t require as much water as summer plantings and can receive water in weeks 1 and 2 every other day, weeks 3 and 4 every third day, weeks 5 and 6 twice weekly then once weekly or what is allowed by law.

If you are going to rely on irrigation systems, please make sure all plants are receiving adequate cover-age. The spray/pop-up zones should be set for at least 15-25 minutes per cycle and rotor zones should be set for 45-60 minutes. These are guidelines. Both duration and frequency of watering depend on site specifics such as sun and wind exposure, current rainfall, weather patterns and whether the site is naturally wet or dry. We will be happy to help you determine adjustments. We also suggest that even those who rely on irrigation for most of their watering needs should try to hand water new plantings at least once or twice a week for the first month. This ensures that you will notice any decline, water deficiencies or stresses in the plant material before it is too late.

Large trees and shrubs (15 gal and over) should be given water by hand supplemental to the irrigation system. A good rule of thumb is to give the plant the amount of water equivalent to approximately half the pot size (i.e. 5-7 gal for a 15 gal tree). The need for this watering can also be met by installing a bubbler on individual trees, which can be done by Rockaway at your request for an additional charge.

Staking

If your plants/trees required support, Rockaway installed it at the time of planting. Most trees should remain staked for at least 6 months, depending on their size, rate of growth and the current season. Your Rockaway designer or installers will provide you with information regarding proper timing of removal, which is usually within 1 year.

Feeding

In general most plants benefit from regular applications of plant food. Feb/March, May and September are great months to feed most plants. Others require specific types of food in certain seasons or at regular intervals. For instance, citrus should be fed with citrus food at least four times a year between March and October, depending on the age of the tree. Azaleas, camellias and gardenias also benefit from specific foods with high acid content usually during the growing season. Rockaway uses compost and/or planting mix and organic fertilizer when planting. No additional fertilization should be needed within the first month. Roses are the only exception to this rule and will benefit from a liquid fertilization about two weeks after installation. We have separate care handouts for both citrus and roses.

Pruning

Most new plantings should not be pruned for at least one month after planting. Any exceptions to this will be discussed with you by your Rockaway designer or installer.

Cold tolerance

Rockaway tries to utilize only cold hardy plants in our installations. Sometimes to achieve the desired effect or due to client request, tropical or half hardy plants are used. These plants, such as crotons, hibiscus, and Ti plants, benefit from the application of frost cloth or blankets when the temperature is forecast to drop below 32 degrees for more than 4 hours. Young citrus trees also benefit from being covered during a freeze. Some plants, although hardy, do tend to get brown leaves after a frost. Commonly used plants that will die back and return after a hard freeze are variegated flax lily and variegated ginger. These plants should be trimmed back only after the last chance of frost has passed. If cut back too early, the plant can be stimulated to grow during one of our winter’s frequent mild spells, only to be hit by frost again—which can lead to death of the plant.

Gardening success depends on many factors and problems can arise unique to your situation. Guidelines can be open to interpretation. If you need additional information or assistance, please contact us at (904) 853-6572 ext. 310 and we would be happy to help.

Warranty Details

• Rockaway, Inc. also provides Maintenance Service plans on an on-going or as-needed basis. Plants installed and maintained by us are guaranteed for the duration of the contract. If installed but not maintained by us, plants are guaranteed at 50% cost for one year. Annuals and frost tender tropicals are excluded from this and Rockaway is not responsible for plants damaged due to an act of God.
• Additional labor not included with original invoice can be completed if time allows, at the current hourly rate. Any needed irrigation repairs or adjustments will be billed at our current hourly rate plus materials.
• Please call or email us immediately if plants are not performing to your expectations and begin to decline, so that we may inspect them in a timely fashion.
• Rockaway, Inc. is not responsible for private underground utilities (electrical, water, irrigation, gas etc). It is the customer’s responsibility to call 811 for locates.

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