Homeowner trades in grass for water-wise plants

By RAY WEISS Staff writer for News Journal

Peter Harraka is proud his front yard looks nothing like any other in the Sabal Creek subdivision of Port Orange.

Harraka

He’s through with St. Augustine grass and its expensive upkeep — the never-ending watering, fertilizing and spraying. Instead, Harraka replaced it all with a multi-colored assortment of Florida native plants, highlighted by rocks, mulch and a working fountain. The look is in stark contrast from the traditional greenery of almost 200 other houses.

Going natural wasn’t easy in a place that demands yard conformity and discourages independent expression.

But after bucking subdivision authority for a year, Harraka has received a reprieve. A new state law overrides any homeowner association or lower government rule that restricts what’s referred to as Florida friendly landscaping.

“Why can’t there be some character? Why do all these subdivisions have to look the same?” said Harraka, 56, who designs race car chassis and suspensions for a living. “I like being an individual. I can’t stand cookie-cutter stuff.”

The impact of the new law is difficult to predict, especially if water availability remains abundant and inexpensive. No one is expecting hordes of homeowners to rush out and rip out their St. Augustine lawns.

But Steve Kintner, a water-use expert for Volusia County, said the law for the first time gives homeowners the decision-making power to choose a landscape that requires less care.

“Fifty to 75 percent of water in Volusia County is used on the lawn. This (law) gives people more flexibility for reducing water usage,” he said. “Before, people would make the argument again and again they couldn’t get rid of their St. Augustine grass become of their homeowner’s association. Now there’s no excuse.”

Kintner said individuals and homeowner’s associations already have contacted him about adding some native plants to the overall landscaping mix. But he’s realistic that St. Augustine grass will remain No. 1 with most homeowners — for now.

Within the next decade, the look might change.

“The cost of water will force the issue,” Kintner said. “Water will not be cheap in Florida’s future.”

Kevin Bagwell owns Full Moon Natives, a Port Orange nursery that specializes in more than 100 species of native Florida wildflowers, grasses, groundcovers, trees and shrubs.

Unlike sod and pesticide companies, the new law might help his businesses. But he sees it as much more.

“More native plants means more diversity, including for wildlife. It’s a win, win for everyone,” Bagwell said. “In the long run, it will save money because there will be less water, fertilizer and pesticide use.”

But ultimately, Bagwell said the cost of water for lawn irrigation will determine how large and fast a transition to native foliage will be.

“If there’s not going to be a financial impact (on water), then they’re not going to change,” he said of homeowners. “But this law is a good start.”

Some homeowner’s associations are expected to fight change. But others are moving on.

At Cross Creek in DeLand, the lawn covenant “highly recommended” St. Augustine grass, said the residential group’s president, Ron Casey. And no one went against the rules, although a couple of homeowners over the years inquired about adding native plants.

“But now that the state overruled that, we want to be more pro-active,” he said, so residents can learn about the options. “We agreed to take a common area, a plot of land and do a demonstration area.”

A variety of native plants will be planted.

“We want to show people how they can be used and what they can do,” Casey said. “The hope is that they would enhance their yard, with highlights, not to tear it out.”

Karen Stauderman, an urban horticultural agent with Volusia County’s Agricultural Extension Office, said native plants can offer attractive alternatives to mandatory types of grass.

“A few developers have called about water-wise landscapes. They’re looking more that way,” she said. “They’re not talking just mulch. They’re talking landscaping, large palettes of beautiful plants.”

But even with the new law, neighborhood peer pressure still might prove intimidating to a homeowner willing to experiment.

“I think it’s going to make a change,” she said. “But I think it’s going to be slow change.”

Maybe not that slow if Peter Harraka in Sabal Creek can help.

He said several homeowner association members last week inspected his yard and approved.

“It really surprised me,” Harraka said. “They didn’t say one negative thing about it or ask for any changes.”

Harraka said going native made sense for several reasons: a more natural looking yard, saving money on watering and landscaping and cutting back on pesticides.

“People need to be challenged to do the right thing, not just for themselves,” he said. “The most important thing is to help our kids. What kind of future do we leave our kids?”