Arcadia Landscape Design Guide
                     EDUCATIONAL GUIDE  |  ARCADIA, FLORIDA  |  DESOTO COUNTY
The Arcadia Homeowner’s Guide to
Landscape Design Services
Planning a Yard That Suits Southwest Florida
About the Business
Tom Larsen Landscapes is a landscape designer and property services business in Arcadia, Florida, serving residential and
commercial properties. With a history of dependable service and a growing local reputation for quality work, the business helps
customers create and maintain attractive, functional outdoor spaces, from routine maintenance to larger property improvement
projects. Its approach centers on reliable solutions, attention to detail, and customer-focused service, delivered with trusted
workmanship and personalized care. The skilled team is committed to customer satisfaction through quality work and dependable
service, and the business is a name that local customers rely on for quality results.
Services
• Professional landscaping and landscape design • Parking lot maintenance
• Lawn care and maintenance • Janitorial services
• Patio construction • Insulation
• Tree services • Airbnb services
• Excavation • Residential and commercial properties
Contact Details
Business Tom Larsen Landscapes (Landscape Designer, Arcadia, FL)
Address 5793 SW Hwy 17, Arcadia, FL 34266, United States
Phone (334) 739-3409
Email [email protected]
Google Maps Open the business listing on Google Maps
Hours Monday to Saturday, 7 AM–6 PM
What’s Inside
Page 2 What landscape design services include, who prepares what under Florida law, and how to read an Arcadia property
Page 3 Choosing plants and materials the Florida-Friendly way, comparing design elements, and sequencing a project
Page 4 Water, fertilizer and digging rules to confirm locally, plus questions to ask before comparing proposals
Page 5 Common mistakes, a final checklist, sources and further reading
This guide is general educational information for homeowners. Rules, restrictions and agency procedures change, so readers should confirm
current requirements with the City of Arcadia, DeSoto County, and the agencies named in the Sources list.
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The Arcadia Homeowner's Guide to Landscape Design Services: Planning a Yard That Suits Southwest Florida Tom Larsen Landscapes
1. What Landscape Design Services Include
A well-planned yard starts long before the first plant goes in the ground. Landscape design services usually combine site
observation, a drawn plan, plant and material selection, and a sequence for installation. Knowing the stages lets homeowners in
Arcadia and across DeSoto County compare proposals from any landscaper or design professional on equal terms.
Table 1. The typical design process
Stage What happens What the homeowner should receive
1. Discovery Goals, how the space will be used, style preferences and a A written summary of goals and priorities.
working budget range are discussed.
2. Site assessment Measurements, sun and shade, soil, drainage, utilities and A base map or detailed site notes.
existing plants are recorded.
3. Concept plan Zones for lawn, beds, paths, patio and seating are laid out. A scaled sketch or plan showing each zone.
4. Planting and Plants are matched to conditions; mulch, edging, stone and soil A plant schedule (name, size, quantity) and a
materials plan amendments are specified. materials list.
5. Construction Drainage, irrigation, structures and any electrical work are Details prepared or approved by the proper
details detailed. licensed professionals.
6. Installation and Hardscape and planting are installed; new plants are watered A written care plan for the first months.
establishment until established.
Good to know: design plans and construction documents are different things
Florida’s statute on landscape architecture defines “landscape design” as consultation for, and preparation of, planting plans
drawn for compensation, including specifications for plants, soil amendments, mulches, edging and gravel. The same section
says such plans may only recommend the conceptual placement of structures and other tangible objects, and that construction
documents, details and specifications for those objects and for irrigation systems are to be designed or approved by licensed
professionals as required by law. Homeowners can use this distinction to ask who is responsible for each part of a project.
2. Reading the Property: Site Factors in Arcadia
Good landscape design services begin with what the site already offers. Florida soils are naturally sandy and low in organic
matter, which means water and nutrients move through them quickly. A soil test reports pH and nutrient levels and, through the
UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory, includes fertilizer recommendations. The table lists the factors worth recording before
any plan is drawn.
Table 2. Site factors to record before design begins
Site factor Why it matters How to check
Soil Sandy, low-organic soils leach nutrients and dry quickly; pH Submit a sample for a UF/IFAS soil test through the
affects nutrient availability. county Extension office.
Sun and shade Plant performance depends on matching light to the plant. Note light at morning, midday and late afternoon, in
more than one season.
Drainage Standing water harms many plants and can affect patios, Observe low spots and runoff paths after a heavy
paths and foundations. rain.
Water source Well, utility or reclaimed supply affects irrigation planning and Ask the water provider; review current district
which restrictions apply. measures.
Utilities and Buried lines and recorded easements limit where digging, Request locates at least two full business days
easements planting and building can happen. before digging; review the property survey.
Property rules HOA covenants, city codes and county zoning can limit Confirm in writing with the HOA and the local
fences, structures and tree removal. planning or building office.
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The Arcadia Homeowner's Guide to Landscape Design Services: Planning a Yard That Suits Southwest Florida Tom Larsen Landscapes
3. Choosing Plants and Materials the Florida-Friendly Way
The University of Florida’s IFAS Extension describes Florida-Friendly Landscaping as a set of nine principles for landscapes that
conserve water, reduce pollution and need less upkeep. The first, “right plant, right place,” means matching plants to a site’s soil,
light, water and climate; a plant that is native to Florida does not automatically thrive in every part of it. Garden services and
garden maintenance are easier when this step is done well, because plants that suit the site generally need less irrigation,
fertilizer and pesticide.
Table 3. The nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles at a glance
1. Right Plant, Right Place 2. Water Efficiently 3. Fertilize Appropriately
Match plants to soil, light, water and climate. Group plants with similar water needs and Follow UF/IFAS recommended rates and
zone irrigation to match. timing.
4. Mulch 5. Attract Wildlife 6. Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
Keep a 2- to 3-inch layer on plant beds. Provide habitat within the landscape. Choose pest-resistant plants and scout
often.
7. Recycle Yard Waste 8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff 9. Protect the Waterfront
Reuse clippings and leaves rather than Retain rainfall and irrigation water on the Help preserve waterways, plants and
discarding them. property. wildlife.
Comparing Common Design Elements
Table 4. Planning and upkeep considerations by element
Element Planning considerations Ongoing care
Lawn and turf Choose turfgrass suited to the light and soil; define a clean mowing Mowing, irrigation within local limits, and
edge; avoid narrow strips that are hard to irrigate. fertilizer timed to local rules.
Planting beds Group plants by light and water needs; allow for mature size so beds do Mulch refreshed to a 2- to 3-inch depth,
not crowd paths or walls. pruning and pest scouting.
Patio and pavers Base preparation, slope for drainage and distance from utilities drive Cleaning, checking joints and watching for
long-term results. Patio construction and paver construction can require settling or water pooling.
permits or setbacks that vary locally.
Landscape Outdoor landscape lighting is easier to plan after the hardscape layout Cleaning fixtures, replacing lamps and
lighting so cable routes avoid future digging. Electrical work can fall under checking cables and connections.
licensed trades.
Trees Plan for the mature canopy and root space; keep clear of sidewalks, Structural pruning and periodic health
overhead lines and structures. checks by a qualified professional.
A Common Installation Sequence
Projects usually go more smoothly when work follows a logical order, so earlier work is not dug up or damaged by later work. A
typical sequence is shown below; the right order for a given yard depends on its conditions.
Phase Work Reason for the order
1 Utility locates, grading and drainage corrections Sets the ground levels everything else depends on.
2 Hardscape: patio, paver paths, edging, structures Heavy equipment and excavation come before delicate plantings.
3 Irrigation and lighting rough-in Pipe and cable are buried before beds and turf are finished.
4 Trees and large shrubs Large root balls are placed before smaller plants fill in around them.
5 Beds, groundcovers and mulch Planted after large items are in place and the irrigation is tested.
6 Turf and final cleanup Sod or seed goes in last to avoid damage from other trades.
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The Arcadia Homeowner's Guide to Landscape Design Services: Planning a Yard That Suits Southwest Florida Tom Larsen Landscapes
4. Water, Fertilizer and Local Rules to Confirm
Several rules that affect landscaping services change over time or differ by city and county. The table summarizes what the cited
agencies state, and names who to confirm with before work begins.
Table 5. Rules and practices that affect a landscape project
Topic What the sources say Confirm with
Lawn watering The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s year-round measures SWFWMD; City of Arcadia; DeSoto
generally limit lawn watering to no more than twice per week unless a city or County
county sets a different or stricter schedule. The district can also declare water
shortage orders that cut allowed days and hours.
Rain sensors Florida law requires automatic landscape irrigation systems to include Irrigation professional; test the device
technology, such as a rain sensor, that interrupts operation when moisture is each season
sufficient.
Fertilizer The district itself sets no fertilizer restrictions, but many counties and cities do. A City of Arcadia; DeSoto County;
seasonal blackout on nitrogen and phosphorus, commonly June 1 to September UF/IFAS Extension
30, applies where adopted.
Digging Notice to Sunshine 811 is required at least two full business days before digging; Sunshine 811
locate marks are valid for 30 calendar days.
Licensing State licenses can be verified through the Department of Business and DBPR; local building department
Professional Regulation; licensed contractors must include their license number
in advertising.
Permits and Structures, electrical work, tree removal and drainage changes may need City and county building and zoning
HOA permits or association approval. offices; HOA
Before the first shovel: utility locates
Fences, trees, patios, lighting cable and irrigation lines all involve digging. Florida’s one-call center, Sunshine 811, notifies
member utilities, which then mark their lines for free; the center itself does not mark them. Digging within 24 inches of either side
of a marked facility, the tolerance zone, calls for extra care.
5. How to Compare Landscape Proposals
Table 6. Questions to ask before choosing a landscaper or designer
Question Why it matters What a clear answer looks like
Which parts of the work need a Irrigation, electrical and structural work can require License numbers that can be checked on
license, and who holds it? licensed professionals. the DBPR site.
Is the scope in writing, with a plant Prevents substitutions and misunderstandings. Itemized scope with species, sizes,
list? quantities and drawings.
How will the site be prepared? Grading, drainage, soil and base preparation decide Described steps, not a single lump-sum
long-term results. line.
How are new plants established? Plants in the right place need little irrigation once A written watering and care schedule.
established, but not before.
What warranty applies, and what Terms vary widely between providers. Written duration, conditions and
does it exclude? exclusions.
How are payments scheduled? Payments tied to progress keep both sides aligned. Milestones linked to completed work.
Who calls 811 and handles permits? Responsibility should be clear before digging starts. Named in the contract.
What landscape maintenance A design assumes certain mowing, pruning and A written maintenance outline.
services are expected afterward? irrigation upkeep.
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The Arcadia Homeowner's Guide to Landscape Design Services: Planning a Yard That Suits Southwest Florida Tom Larsen Landscapes
6. Common Mistakes
• Choosing plants for appearance alone and ignoring mature size, light and water needs.
• Skipping the soil test and fertilizing by guesswork.
• Digging before utilities have been located and marked.
• Placing thirsty and drought-tolerant plants on the same irrigation zone.
• Treating a concept sketch as a construction document for structures, irrigation or electrical work.
• Piling mulch deeper than the recommended 2 to 3 inches.
• Accepting a verbal scope or an unverified license.
7. Final Checklist
Soil tested and results reviewed with the county Extension Irrigation zones match plant needs; rain sensor tested
office
Sun, shade and drainage mapped, including after heavy rain Fertilizer timing checked against current local rules
Utility locates requested through 811 before any digging Licenses verified on the DBPR site for regulated work
HOA, zoning and permit requirements confirmed in writing Written scope, plant schedule, payments and warranty in the
contract
Plant list checked for mature size and water needs Establishment watering and maintenance plan written down
Sources and Further Reading
• Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes, Section 481.303, “Definitions” (Chapter 481, Part II, Landscape Architecture).
• University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program: “The Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping” and
related program pages.
• UF/IFAS Extension, Ask IFAS publication EP624 on assessing and improving soil health in Florida landscapes.
• UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory, University of Florida (Gainesville): soil testing services and sample submission through county
Extension offices.
• Southwest Florida Water Management District. “District Water Restrictions” (year-round water conservation measures and water shortage
orders).
• Southwest Florida Water Management District. “Fertilizer Restrictions by County.”
• Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes, Section 373.62, “Water conservation; automatic sprinkler systems.”
• Sunshine 811, Florida’s one-call center. “When Can I Dig?” and homeowner safe-digging guidance.
• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. License verification and unlicensed-activity resources for consumers.
Further reading (name only): the DeSoto County UF/IFAS Extension office; the City of Arcadia and DeSoto County building and zoning
departments; the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the exact address.
Publisher information. Tom Larsen Landscapes | 5793 SW Hwy 17, Arcadia, FL 34266 | (334) 739-3409 | [email protected] |
Monday to Saturday, 7 AM–6 PM | Google Maps listing
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