Heat Stress & Tampa Bay: Signs Commercial Landscapes Need to Watch Out For

Florida is home to lush, vibrant landscapes and thriving lawns. By all accounts, it is a temperate wonderland overflowing with gorgeous plant life and natural tourist attractions (beaches and palm trees, anyone?).

Lurking behind those well-manicured commercial landscapes, however, is a serious concern—heat stress. Florida may feature luscious landscapes, but it is also a state that can be hot and dry. Without proper care and maintenance, the result of these climate factors can be profound.

Read on to learn how to recognize heat stress, as well as how to prevent and treat it.

What Causes Heat Stress

Known as The Sunshine State, Florida is no stranger to intense sun, especially during the long summer days. When the words heat stress are mentioned, the sun is the first and most obvious suspect. As it turns out, the sun is the primary culprit causing heat stress to devastate commercial landscapes.

It is not, however, the only factor that can wreak havoc on your business property. If your landscape has subpar or mismanaged drainage or watering, heat stress is far more likely to take hold and rapidly advance. As such, it is important to take a comprehensive approach to preventing and combatting heat stress, especially if you notice the signs already affecting your commercial landscape.

Heat Stress Signs and Symptoms

It is easy to recognize heat stress when it is impacting your commercial landscape. The signs are what you would expect from a condition caused by heat and dryness. Brown patches, discoloration, slowed or absent growth, and wilting are all telltale signs that heat stress is harming your property.

Once you spot the signs of heat stress, it is important to ensure they are not being caused by something else. For example, brown patches can signify a variety of conditions. Working with a professional landscaping company is the best way to certify that the underlying cause is, in fact, heat stress.

How to Prevent and Treat Heat Stress

Thankfully, heat stress is avoidable and relatively simple to treat, especially if it is caught early. All it takes is a bit of planning, thoughtfulness, and adjustment to your commercial landscape maintenance strategy.

Watering is the primary and most essential factor in preventing and treating landscape heat stress. A proper system and schedule are vital. Make sure your irrigation system is functioning properly and operating at the correct time of the day—ideally early in the morning. This allows the water to absorb into the soil without being evaporated by the aggressive Florida sun.

Underwatering and watering at the wrong time of day can lead to heat stress, but it is important to not overwater, as well. While it may seem like a preferred alternative to heat stress, overwatering can promote disease and attract insects that may devastate your landscape.

If your commercial landscape is already suffering from heat stress, try to avoid foot traffic in browning areas. Additionally, consider holding off on mowing the affected areas until the lawn has recovered and is not as sensitive to damage.

Whether your commercial landscape is showing signs of heat stress, or you wish to avoid the issue from ever arising, working with a professional landscaping company is the best way to develop a comprehensive maintenance strategy unique to your property. Landcrafters has over two decades of experience helping commercial landscapes in Tampa Bay thrive even in the midst of Florida’s most brutal summers.

Be sure to reach out to us with any questions or to discuss your commercial property. You can also visit our blog, which is packed with valuable landscaping tips and tricks, all available for free!