Top 5 Tips For Florida-Friendly Landscape Care

It might not seem all that complicated, keeping a Florida landscape happy and healthy. But when you consider the intense heat, the periods of a torrential downpour, and the hurricane season that all Floridians know and love, it’s really not as easy as anticipated to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. Forget growing those beautiful plants you love that require tons of shade, cool weather, and zero humidity – Florida has different plans for you and your landscape. 

But, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a beautiful Florida Landscape – you just need to put some Florida-friendly practices in place in order to keep your lawn, garden, and property looking beautiful.

Landcrafters has been in the Florida landscaping biz for over twenty years (that’s a lot of Florida-specific experience), and we’re here to bring you a few of our favorite, and most beneficial, Florida Friendly landscaping tips to help you (and your lawn) succeed! 

Know When (and How) to Water 

People assume that because it’s hot in Florida, that automatically means it’s a drought-type climate. That’s the worst thing you can assume about your landscape, though! Often, Florida weather can be incredibly unpredictable, making it tough to tell when to water. Sure, maybe it won’t rain for a few days in a row, but then it might absolutely downpour for weeks at a time (especially in the summer).

The best way to combat this is to stop looking to make a watering schedule and start listening to the weather and your plants. Take a daily walk around your landscape. Do you see plants wilting? It might take time to adjust your watering schedule. Are you drowning your plants with too much regular irrigation? It might be time to adjust.

The Right Plant in the Right Place Makes all the Difference 

Florida requires plants that do well in extreme temperatures and are durable enough to put up with irregular watering from the weather. For Florida-friendly landscaping, look for low maintenance plants that not only look amazing, but won’t be a huge hassle to care for – especially during hurricane season.

If you absolutely insist on having a plant or tree somewhere that could be hazardous during the hurricane season, consider the location. Try to place all potentially dangerous trees and plants a good distance from your house, cars, and family – the last thing you want is for your giant, prized tree to come crashing through your home.

Consider the soil you have, too. Group plants that have greater irrigation needs in one spot so you can focus your watering efforts in a singular area. 

Mulch is Your New Best Friend 

Weeds are a problem everywhere, but they’re especially a problem in Florida. With ideal weeds-growing and cultivating conditions, you’ll undoubtedly face weeds issues if you’re not doing everything in your power to prevent and maintain them. That’s where mulch comes in.

For Florida-friendly landscaping, consider using mulch to help control weeds, retain soil moisture and help moderate soil temperatures. Not only will this tip keep your landscape looking neat and tidy, but it’s also an ideal, Florida-friendly choice for hard-to-mow areas and shady spots as it can work to improve the soil as it decomposes naturally. With mulch, you’ll mow less, cut down on watering, and improve your soil, as well as keep your landscape looking neat and tidy. What more could you want for your Florida lawn? 

Yard Pests are Going to Happen, Handle it Right 

The neat thing about planting in Florida is that, if you’re doing it correctly, you can establish dozens of distinct native plants that are going to be tolerant to yard pests. Like the “right plant in the right place” tip we gave you earlier, you can minimize issues if you’re choosing healthy, pest-resistant, native plants for your landscaping (and putting them in the right spots).

If you do end up with pests, though, make sure that you’re handling them quickly and effectively. Be proactive. Scout your landscape frequently to detect pest problems early. Ensure you’re going through your plants and picking off the insects that might be troublesome, as well as getting rid of infected portions of your plants. If you’re forced to use a pesticide, consider using horticultural oils and low toxicity products and to only treat affected plants.

Get Rid of Your Stormwater Runoff 

Because Florida is constantly getting drenched with rain (seriously, come visit during the summer), you need to pay extra attention to the rainwater runoff. We suggest building out a Florida-friendly yard that allows for rainwater to soak into the ground and stay on site, which helps to protect our waterways from water pollution.

We suggest using porous materials like pavers and mulch (see, isn’t mulch great?) to line your sidewalks and driveways in order to keep rainwater in. Consider using turfgrass and groundcover to your advantage, too. They can help to capture rainwater and even filter out pollutants! 

Want a Landscaping Expert’s Help in Tampa Bay?

With over two decades of experience under our belt, it’s safe to say that we’ve got our Florida-friendly landscaping practices down to a science. We have a passion for helping you craft your ideal, lush, Florida lawn, and we want to do our best to get you there.

Get in touch with us today so we can provide you with the advice, inspiration, or answers you need! Give us a call for a no obligation quote and get ready for stunning landscape!