Outdoor Sustainability

garden

Simple changes outside your home can save money, reduce maintenance and help protect Clearwater's natural resources. Whether you have a yard, patio, balcony or shared garden, you can grow food, compost, make better use of rain and choose plants suited to Florida's climate. 

Benefits of Outdoor Sustainability 

Sustainable outdoor practices can help you: 

  • Reduce food and yard waste sent to the landfill

  • Improve soil and plant health 

  • Use drinking water more efficiently and reduce runoff 

  • Lower fertilizer, pesticide and maintenance needs 

  • Support wildlife, community connections and access to gardening 

Explore the sections below to get started. 

Grow & Connect: Community Gardens

Grow & Connect: Community Gardens

  • Provide space to garden for people with limited yards 

  • Support local food access, healthy eating and time outdoors 

  • Build community connections and shared skills 

Many urban and suburban areas have limited space for individual gardens; community gardens provide a functional and educational space for residents to enjoy the benefits of gardening without the barriers of limited space or access.  

There are many different types of community gardens, including allotment style (individuals have designated plots) and communal gardens (everyone shares the work and harvest). They can be themed, such as a focus on organic gardening or native plant cultivation, and many gardens offer volunteer opportunities.  

The success of community gardens hinge on understanding five key concepts: soil science, integrated pest management (IPM), season extension, water conservation and food preservation.  


  • Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Ask your fellow gardeners about what soil composition, nutrients and organic matter has worked the best for them!  

  • IPM focuses on preventing and managing pests in environmentally responsible ways through regular monitoring, proper plant care, and encouraging beneficial insects.  

  • Understanding planting seasons and using season-extension techniques can help gardens remain productive for longer periods throughout the year.  

  • Efficient watering practices reduce water waste and help gardens thrive, especially during hot or dry weather.  Community gardens often produce more food than can be used immediately. Learning food preservation techniques allows gardeners to enjoy their harvest beyond the growing season.  


If you are thinking about starting a community garden, below are some links to information to get you started.  

Start or Join a Community Garden 

To find an existing garden, use the American Community Gardening Association Find a Garden map or ask neighborhood and community organizations about local opportunities. 

Before starting a new community garden in Clearwater: 



Simple Dos and Don’ts to get you started  


  • Do: Respect the space, start small, maintain your spot, limit pesticides or herbicides, be aware of any rules relating to power tools or plant restrictions, clean your plot at the end of the season, complete application process with Planning & Development Department!  

  • Don’t: Plant tall plants that could significantly shade neighboring plots, plant things with creeping vines, mess with another’s plot, harvest someone else’s produce, bring pets into the garden  


Please note: The city of Clearwater does not offer community garden grant funding. 

 

Build Soil & Reduce Waste: Composting

Composting turns food scraps and yard waste into healthy soil for gardens and landscaped areas. It can improve soil structure and moisture retention, support healthier plants and reduce the amount of organic material sent to the landfill. 

Choose a Composting Method 

  • Backyard pile: A simple, low-cost option for homes with yard space. 

  • Bin or tumbler: Contains materials and can make compost easier to manage. 

  • Worm bin: A compact option for patios, balconies and small homes. 

Composting | Greensboro, NC

 

Composting Basics 

Successful compost needs a mix of nitrogen-rich "greens" and carbon-rich "browns": 

  • Greens: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and fresh plant material 

  • Browns: Dry leaves, small twigs and shredded paper or cardboard 

Keep compost damp, cover food scraps with dry material and turn it occasionally to add air. 

Leave out meat, fish, dairy products, fats and oils, pet waste, treated wood, diseased plants, weeds that have gone to seed, plastic and other noncompostable materials. 

Learn more: UF/IFAS Composting for the Home Gardener. 

Please note: The city of Clearwater does not offer a compost bin giveaway program. 

 

 

Collect & Manage Rain: Rain Barrels & Rain Gardens

Rain barrels and rain gardens help keep rain on your property, but they work differently. Rain barrels store roof runoff for later outdoor use. Rain gardens temporarily hold runoff so it can soak into the ground and filter through soil and plants. 

Rain Gardens - Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners

Rain Barrels 

Rain barrels connect to gutter downspouts and collect water from roofs. 

Benefits of Rain Barrels 

  • Provide water for lawns, ornamental plants and other nonedible areas Reduce drinking water use while capturing runoff near downspouts 

Use a Rain Barrel Safely 

  • Use a food-grade barrel on a stable base, with a cover and tightly screened opening 

  • Direct overflow away from your foundation and neighboring properties 

  • Check the barrel and overflow regularly, especially before heavy rain 

Rain barrel water is not safe to drink or cook with. Because roof runoff can pick up contaminants, use untreated rain barrel water on lawns, ornamental plants and other nonedible areas rather than edible crops. 

Please note: The city of Clearwater does not currently offer a rain barrel rebate or giveaway program. 

Rain Gardens 

Rain gardens are shallow, planted areas that collect runoff from roofs, driveways or other hard surfaces. They slow the flow of water, reduce erosion and help filter pollutants before water reaches local waterways.

Tips for a Rain Garden 

  • Choose a low area that receives runoff, but keep the garden at least 10 feet from your house and 25 feet from septic systems or wells 

  • Use native or Florida-Friendly plants suited to the sunlight, space and changing moisture conditions Keep the garden shallow and make sure it can drain between storms; call 811 before digging 

Learn more: UF/IFAS Rain Gardens. 

 

 

Plant for Florida & Protect Pollinators: Florida-Friendly Landscaping & Pollinator Gardens

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a research-based approach to creating attractive landscapes that conserve water, reduce pollution and support wildlife. It starts with choosing the right plant for the right place. 

Florida-Friendly Basics 

  • Match plants to sunlight, soil, moisture and mature size 

  • Group plants with similar water needs and water only when needed 

  • Use mulch to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature and reduce weeds 

  • Fertilize appropriately and manage pests with the least toxic treatment needed 

Florida Native Plants 

Florida native plants can provide food and shelter for wildlife. When matched to your yard, they may need less supplemental water and fertilizer once established. Explore UF/IFAS Florida Native Plants for plant information and ideas. 

Pollinator Gardens 

Pollinator gardens provide nectar, pollen, host plants and shelter for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. They can be created in a yard, raised bed or container garden. 

Tips for a Pollinator Garden 

  • Choose plants suited to the site and include flowers that bloom at different times 

  • Group similar plants together so pollinators can find them more easily 

  • Provide both nectar plants for adult pollinators and host plants for caterpillars 

  • Avoid pesticides when possible and treat only affected plants when treatment is needed 

Explore more ideas: Resilient Clearwater: Plants and Trees, Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles and UF/IFAS Gardening for Bees. 

 

 

 

Need Local Gardening Help? 

UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County offers research-based guidance, classes and local help for lawns, gardens and landscapes. 

 

 

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