A collaborative research team led by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is looking below ground to find new ways to conserve water use in residential landscapes. The Doing It Right (DIRT) project is evaluating how soil conditions, compost amendments and drought-tolerant plant selections influence irrigation needs in newly built residential communities.
Researchers established 72 test plots using soils collected from new construction sites across Central Florida. Each plot was planted with an assortment of drought-tolerant ornamental plants and an irrigation system representative of those used in new residential developments. Half of the plots received compost amendments, while the remaining plots were left untreated. After the plants are established, irrigation will be reduced while researchers monitor plant health, growth and water requirements.
The project is a collaboration among multiple entities including CLUE, UF/IFAS, the Nature Conservancy-Florida Chapter and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscapers Association: FNGLA.
