A close-up botanical photograph showing Climbing aster (Symphyotrichum carolinianum). Captured in a tight macro shot, light purple and lavender ray florets radiate around a golden-yellow and reddish-brown center disk floret. The delicate, elongated petals curve gently outward against a softly blurred green foliage background under natural daylighting. — Climbing aster (Symphyotrichum carolinianum) Credit: Erik Agar / Shutterstock

Having a green thumb can pay off for Tampeños who convert their lawns to help with water conservation.

The City of Tampa says homeowners can collect up to $3,000 in rebates thanks to a green initiative from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program (FLIP). All they have to do is attend three workshops and convert up to 500 square feet of their lawns into Florida-friendly landscaping.

The reimbursement from the city matches the dollar and labor amount spent for residents who transform portions of their lawns by reducing the amount of turfgrass by incorporating plants and landscapes that require less irrigation. The program is meant to support a sustainable and eco-friendly environment for Florida homes.

In a press release from the City of Tampa, the rebate offered is paid out from water restriction fines collected over the past year.

“Tampa has year-round watering restrictions, with additional limitations in place during periods of drought. Using violation fees to fund the program helps reinvest those dollars into efforts that encourage more water-efficient landscapes. In the case of many Florida homeowners, irrigation accounts for 50% of their water use.”

The city said 25 participants are in the process of converting their lawns. A dozen have already completed the project so far. WVTV says one of the 12 checks issued to a South Tampa couple was for $1,654; $14,000 in total has been issued.

Residents are eligible for the rebate after completing three workshop programs by FLIP, which partnered with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Workshops include micro-irrigation & site selection, landscape design basics and plant selection & soil preparation.

The workshops start back up in 2027 at the Seffner UF/IFAS extension building at 5339 County Rd. 579. The $10 in-person workshop sessions are split between three Saturdays: March 13, April 17, May 22. According to the Hillsborough County website, registration is required and will be announced in the near future.

Start your rain garden now, we guess.

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