Deadline June 30 to apply for 2013 Community Water-Wise Awards

Does your yard have what it takes to be recognized as our community’s most Water-Wise? If so, you have until June 30 to prove it by entering the 2013 Community Water-Wise Awards.

For 15 years, the Community Water-Wise Awards program has recognized attractive, water-conserving landscapes at homes, businesses, industries or governments that represent the beauty and resiliency of our natural environment. Winning landscapes have balanced attractive design with Florida-Friendly Landscaping, as well as irrigation systems or techniques that minimize water waste.

To see how Wise your yard is, first fill out a free application at www.tampabaywaterwise.org by June 30. An on-site evaluation will follow to judge: Retention Of Existing Trees And Vegetation Landscape Design And Plant Selection Stormwater Runoff Prevention Efficient Irrigation Overall Aesthetic Appeal

If you aren’t ready to enter for this year’s 2013 Community Water-Wise Awards program but want help planning your Florida-Friendly yard, Hillsborough County Extension Service offers these resources:

• Learn details on the overall Community Water-Wise Awards program by visiting www.tampabaywaterwise.org
• Access the database of hundreds of types of trees, shrubs, flowers, vines and plants that are recognized as Florida-friendly to build an online list for your landscape at floridayards.org/fyplants.
• Design your own low-impact, Florida-friendly yard online with the Florida-Friendly Interactive Yard tool at floridayards.org/interactive.
• Don’t do it alone! To get more information about landscaping in the Tampa Bay region, visit floridayards.org and click on ‘Ask an Expert’ in the top-right corner to have your questions answered by a Florida-friendly landscaping and gardening expert.
• Call Virginia Overstreet, Water-Wise Program Coordinator, or Lynn Barber, Florida-Friendly Landscaping expert, Hillsborough County Extension Services, at 813-744-5519.