The Florida Meadow Manual: Creating and Maintaining Resilient Green Spaces

Learn how to transform turfgrass lawns and open spaces into biodiverse meadows with this practical and inspiring step-by-step guide

Today’s homeowners and landscapers are increasingly seeking to make a positive impact on the environment through the natural spaces they create. For Florida residents looking for alternatives to traditional turfgrass lawns, The Florida Meadow Manual is a timely guide. Meadows—diverse plant communities of native grasses and wildflowers—require fewer resources than lawns and provide critical habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.

This book provides clear, step-by-step instructions for transforming yards, parks, and other open spaces into thriving biodiverse ecosystems. Drawing on the expertise of seasoned professionals and real-world case studies from urban and rural settings across the state, this book details the full process of creating a meadow, from site assessment and plant selection to installation and long-term maintenance. Readers will find guidance on design principles that balance ecological function with visual appeal, as well as practical strategies for managing weeds, planning mowing schedules, and addressing invasive species. Color illustrations and sample design plans showcase successful projects and offer inspiration.

Blending ecological insight and hands-on advice, The Florida Meadow Manual is the perfect resource for home gardeners, land managers, and planning professionals. By making the principles behind meadow creation understandable and actionable, this book empowers readers to contribute meaningfully to Florida’s environmental resilience—one meadow at a time.

Isabella Guttuso Browne is a coordinator with the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning at the University of Florida, where she works to integrate green infrastructure design and planning practices into land use and conservation efforts across the state.