Green 'no-mow zones' in Manatee save money

MANATEE -- Florida friendly landscape surrounds the north side of the Central Library in downtown Bradenton where grass was once planted.

In an effort to go green and save money, the Central Library is one of seven certified "no-mow zones" in Manatee County. The county is working on certifying three additional no-mow zones through the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.

The seven certified sites: State Road 64 boat ramp, Braden River Library, Animal Services, Manatee Public Beach, Central Library, Property Appraiser's Office and Coquina Beach.

"The evaluation is based on of course the climate, the location and the irrigation system that is involved and the plant species," said Carmine DeMilio, operations manager in the Property Management Department.

Two years ago, the Property Management Department, which is responsible for mowing most county facilities and parks, began the initiative to create the no-mow zones.

"We no longer have to mow because we have plant material there," DeMilio said.

Cost savings include fewer hours of labor, lower fuel expenses and less water, DeMilio said.

"It is aesthetically pleasing," he said, adding no fertilization is needed.

Charlie Bishop, Property Management Department director, said no-mow zones allow for reallocation of the workforce.

"Instead of doing repetitive, weekly 52 week out of the year mowing, we are allowed now to have them do other things," Bishop said. "We are working to identify more sites."

As new facilities go up in Manatee County such as the Central Energy Plant, the county is demanding no-mow zones, said Maggie Daniell, senior fiscal manager in the Property Management Department.

"It's cost savings from the time you implement," she said.

DeMilio said the return on investment is ideal.

"Your investment is Florida friendly native plants and, once that's established, you are done. Your investment is done," he said.

No-mow zones require minimal maintenance, DeMilio said.

"During the growth stage, you will go in a couple times a year to do some weeding," he said. "Once it's all established, it just looks beautiful and there is no maintenance."

To save more money, the county recently started using the Smart Irrigation App developed by the University of Florida. Bishop said Manatee County is using the app "as a beta test."

"It assists you with your proper irrigation," DeMilio said. "We've utilized it in a couple of our parks so far. It gives you real-time alerts on phone or iPad letting you know that there is inclement weather coming."

The app is used in Tom Bennett Park and John H. Marble Park.

"It's been successful," DeMilio said. "It's only been working at two parks so far, but we are continuing to collect data at other locations and we will implement those parks as well. We see a significant savings in water."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Green 'no-mow zones' in Manatee save money ."