In South Florida, tropical heat and water restrictions increase the challenges of maintaining a beautiful lawn. Having a lush green landscape is the desire of every homeowner. A flourishing lawn like this is easily obtained with the aid of professional landscapers. Of course, keeping your lawn in great shape going forward is a bit more difficult. Understanding the laws governing water use in the region and gaining the knowledge to help your plants thrive is crucial to the well-being of your lawn. Planning for South Florida weather can help you have a luxuriant lawn year-round.
Choose Heat Tolerant Grass and Native Plants
You’ll want to plant heat tolerant grass that can stand up to the heat of Florida summers. Grasses like Zoysia, Bahia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda are all heat tolerant and can flourish in Florida’s heat. In addition to heat tolerant Florida grasses, choosing the right plant species for your landscaping can make a big difference. Plants native to your region of Florida or those which can adapt to the Florida climate are excellent choices for your lawn. These plants will thrive with little intervention on your part.
Water Properly
Watering correctly is important in the maintaining the health of your plants. Knowing how much water your plants need, as well as the frequency is key. Understanding your plants’ needs will make taking care of them a breeze. Segregating your foliage according to their watering and sunlight needs will help you be more effective in caring for their unique needs.
Your grass will need more frequent watering especially during the hottest times of the year. Because in many areas, water restrictions come into play, you can use this to your advantage by watering deeply with less frequency which helps the grass’ roots grow stronger and be more tolerant to drought conditions.
When watering both grass and plants, watering in the morning is best. If you water during the hottest part of the day, water will evaporate. Watering at night can result in fungal issues. Watering your lawn twice weekly during the heat of summer and once weekly the rest of the year is usually sufficient for a healthy lawn.
Fertilizer and Sunlight
Your lawn needs nourishment and sunlight, in the same way it needs water to flourish. By caring for your soil, you care for your plants, who get their nourishment from the soil in which they are planted. For lawns, nourishment should come in the form of high nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and fall. It should be spread on dry grass and then watered. During seasonal droughts, no fertilizer should be applied to your lawn. Plants also need to be fed with the appropriate fertilizer.
Sunlight is also crucial. When you are planting, knowing what types of light your foliage needs will make your lawn easier to care for during the year. Some plants thrive in direct sunlight while others need shade or only a small amount of sunlight.
Mow Often and Take Charge of Weeds
As a Florida resident, you know your lawn needs to be mowed year-round. In the summer, your lawn may require mowing weekly (sometimes twice a week) while in the eh winter, you may be able to mow every few weeks. When mowing keep in mind that mowing only a third of the blade length is healthiest for your lawn. Controlling the weed population of your lawn is key to the health of your specific grass variety.
When you need assistance to keep your landscaping lush and healthy, call on the professionals at Xtreme Landscaping to help you maintain your beautiful lawn.