It establishes whether pests and grubs will infest it, or your lawn can grow green and healthy. DoMyOwn's Herbicide Guides break down when, where, and how often to apply pre and post-emergent herbicides. The Scotts Lawn Care Program is the easiest way to grow a thicker, greener lawn with deeper roots and fewer weeds. We will show you how in this complete, season by season, guide. As we all know, it rains almost every afternoon during a Florida summer. Bahia grass is a popular grass in Florida because of its ability to grow in less fertile sandy soils. With a little planning and some simple tips, the outside of your home can be as inviting as the inside. Lawn Insect Control. Irrigate around sunrise. Florida Lawn Handbook. This narrow window of application timing is a potential disadvantage for many lawn care companies and homeowners, who often wait too late in the spring to apply the preemergence herbicide. If you’re in the Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL, metro area, here are four tips for ensuring that your Tampa Bay lawn always is appealing. General Recommendations for Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils. The University of Florida (UF), together with Florida A&M University (FAMU), administers the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Check your rain sensors frequently to make sure they are functioning correctly. The Florida Lawn Handbook, a guide to turfgrass best management practices for homeowners, can be found online and can be purchased from the IFAS Extension Bookstore or on Amazon.com. Shorter days, lower light intensity, and cooler temperatures result in slower-growing lawns. We aren’t always looking for complicated encyclopedia type guides, occasionally we just want simple lawn care tips and tricks to keep our yard looking as good as possible all year round.. We have taken advice from the experts, and whittled it down to a simple lawn care plan that is easy follow and doesn’t cost the world. Bahia grass forms an extensive root system making it very tolerant to drought conditions. In North and Central Florida, it's better to fertilize only during the growing season—during the spring, summer, and fall. Warm season grasses thrive in warm humid and warm arid areas of the country where the temperatures stay around 85 to 90 degrees during the majority of the growing season. Lawn Care Basics. That’s because our beautiful climate allows something to grow during every season. Landscaping in Florida is easy if you follow some easy to understand methods. Premium Lawn Care St. Augustine grass that is not properly maintained or is weakened by insects or disease can be invaded by grassy and broadleaf weeds. The Florida Lawn Handbook, a guide … Maintenance and Care Lawns not only increase the aesthetic and economic value of the landscape, they also provide space for outdoor activities, aid in erosion control, filter … Best Management Practices (BMPs) are techniques you can use to get the healthiest lawn possible. In most of Florida, this means applying ½ - ¾" of water during a single irrigation session. Lawn care tips aren’t enough if you don’t understand the landscape surrounding your home or business. Careful lawn maintence – including proper fertilization, mowing and irrigation – goes a long way, especially when done sustainably. Three different editions of the Gardening Calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida… Not only do lawns increase the value of a property, they also cool the air, combat glare and noise, and reduce soil erosion. A well-tended lawn can raise the value of a property and beautify a neighborhood. Products with low or no phosphorous are becoming more readily available, which is good for the Florida homeowner. There are do-it-yourself kits available from some lawn care services or lawn and garden shops. 01/25/2021 | Posted in Lawn & Shrub Care. In Florida's heat, yard maintenance can be a challenge. These freezing temperatures can even create frost on your grass and turn it brown. Summer lawn maintenance is about keeping on top of the work you did during spring and is really a time to enjoy the longer days in your garden as you relax, with friends and family.. Jobs For June. Everyone enjoys the look of a nice healthy lawn. Florida. Make your work more effective by choosing suitable plants and providing appropriate care. Versions of these EDIS publications were included in the third (2005) edition of the Florida Lawn Handbook, which is available for purchase at the UF/IFAS Extension bookstore. Turf Disease Treatment & Prevention. However, North Florida lawns … Winter Expect your warm-season grass to slow its growth. A healthy lawn has deep roots. Florida Lawn Care Guide Controlling Dollar Weed, Dandelions, Crabgrass and Other Weeds in Florida Turf Grasses Florida Lawn Insect Control and Turf Pest Prevention The Gardening Calendar gives Florida gardeners a monthly guide for what to plant and do in their gardens and includes links to useful gardening websites, all based on University of Florida research and expertise. As much as water and sunshine are required to maintain a healthy lawn, proper fertilization is also essential. Fertilize. Fertilizing Your Florida Lawn. When it comes to winter lawn care there’s generally not much to do. 1. Make sure not to water when rain is forecast in the next 24 hours! Not only can improper application hurt your lawn, it can contribute to nonpoint source pollution. Fertilizing appropriately is one of the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM principles — a set of guidelines that help protect natural resources while having a beautiful landscape. Store your unused fertilizer where it will stay dry. Summer lawn maintenance is about keeping on top of the work you did during spring and is really a time to enjoy the longer days in your garden as you relax, with friends and family.. Jobs For June. Improper application—applying fertilizer at the wrong time or applying too much fertilizer—can damage your lawn. Mow at the highest recommended height for your grass species. The deflector shield will spread the fertilizer only in a 180° arc, keeping it on the grass and off the pavement. Do not mow when your lawn is wet. St Augustine grass care covers maintenance, best fertilizer, when to schedule feeding, root rot and watering of this popular Florida & Southeast turf [MORE] So how do you get the best possible lawn for your grass species? Drawn from University of Florida research, "Your Florida Lawn" is the latest lawn-care information to guide homeowners through all the steps needed to achieve that healthy, beautiful, Florida-friendly lawn. and mowing, and looking great—even during droughts! All of this extra water will get your grass growing faster than any other time of the year. For warm season grasses, only one application is necessary, in early fall. Do It Yourself Lawn Care Tips & Advice. Weed Management Guide for Florida Lawns 1. For more information, visit WaterMatters. Check your sprinkler system. Florida Springtime Lawn Guide Posted on April 12, 2016 in: Lawn Care , Orlando | Jump To Comments Spring in Florida is breathtaking as it lives up to its name, leaving a florid and fragrant path of blooms throughout the state. Drawn from University of Florida research, "Your Florida Lawn" is the latest lawn-care information to guide homeowners through all the steps needed to achieve that healthy, beautiful, Florida-friendly lawn. Lawn Care Basics. What you put in: 10 to 15 minutes of care a few times a year. Check out these topics for Florida-specific information about caring for your lawn and garden. We can help you get the lawn of your dreams, and keeping you proud of it all year long. During the winter, you may only need to irrigate every 2-3 weeks (in North Florida). $75.22 per visit (1 acre) (Range: $62.08 - $88.35) Mow the lawn at 3 inches as needed on low-maintenance lawns or 2½ inches on higher-maintenance lawns. The following are average costs and prices reported back to us: Cost of Lawn Mowing & Maintenance in Florida… excess or misapplied fertilizer enters water bodies, causing unhealthy algae growth and contaminating our water supply. Here are some suggestions to make your mowing life easier: If you do happen to miss a weekly mowing, bring the height of the grass back down to the recommended level slowly. These problems are compounded by watering restrictions in most areas. In Florida's heat, yard maintenance can be a challenge. Following BMPs can save you time and money. Over-watering actually keeps your grass's roots in the top few inches of soil, which reduces your lawn's ability to tolerate stress. Following BMPs can save you time and money. Florida lawn care isn’t that much different than lawn care elsewhere — you still need to water, mow, weed, feed and protect against pests. Keep mowing the lawn … Check out these topics for Florida-specific information about caring for your lawn and garden. However, no matter what type it is, the most important matter to a lawn owner is to know how exactly to maintain and care for it. That makes it quite a challenging place to have a well-maintained lawn throughout the year. "Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn" (Laurie E. Trenholm) If your jobs in the spring went well, your lawn should look pretty good heading into the summer. Whether you care for yard grass yourself or hire a lawn service, it would be a mistake to neglect it, that is, unless you really want an invasion of weeds, thatch and insects. These are just a few tips to help you create a beautiful Florida lawn. We will show you how in this complete, season by season, guide. Taking care of your lawn is the one of the best ways to preserve your home’s curb appeal. Yard Maintenance & Care. Give grass a head start on strong root growth by using Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food twice in fall: once around Labor Day and a second time six to eight weeks later. That’s because our beautiful climate allows something to grow during every season. For more advice and expert assistance, contact the Orlando lawn care professionals at Apex at (866) 675-4070. Search. In the south, cool-season ryegrass is often overseeded into the turf to maintain a green lawn. Mow your lawn frequently. For cool-season grass, fall provides ideal growing conditions. Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. How to Protect Grass When Cool Weather Hits Northwest Florida. Florida Lawn Care Guide. If you're new to lawn care or just want the basics, we have lawn care tips for you. The services provided in our Premium Lawn Program will maintain the health of your St. Augustine lawn and cause it to flourish. Winter lawn care service sets up the health of your lawn the entire rest of the year. What Are Best Management Practices For Florida's Green Industries. Because of the differences in irrigation systems, the time required to soak the ground to the proper depth will vary. Bill Doty from Doty Farm and Garden in Winter Haven also gives us some tips on taking care of our lawn. Know the laws governing water use and make a plan to work within them to develop deep roots and a heat-tolerant lawn. Lawn-care BMPs were developed by the University of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the pest control an… There are a few things you can do to keep your lawn in the best condition … If you're new to lawn care or just want the basics, we have lawn care tips for you. States with warm season lawns include: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida… Make sure not to store it next to gasoline or chemicals. Home; Services. However, lawn care doesn't quite end in the winter. If you live in the South and Southwest, you are most likely dealing with a warm season lawn. Florida Lawn Care Costs & Prices We have collected data statewide to help calculate the average cost of lawn care in Florida. For more information, please refer to EDIS publication EP221, Fertilizers are composed of three main elements—nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium—but they also contain a variety of other ingredients. Though it may seem like the bane of your existence during the summer months, mowing is actually one of the most important home lawn management practices. In most parts of the country, lawn grass goes dormant in the winter. Be sure to read the label on the fertilizer bag carefully and refer to the Florida Lawn Handbook for detailed information. Grass needs more frequent watering during hot, dry weather and watering restrictions in most areas compound the … Wait until the danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently warm before applying fertilizer in the spring. southfloridareporter.com | 14d. Plants can die off just from one freeze, especially tropical palm trees. These actually act as compost, returning valuable nutrients to the lawn. Keep mower blades sharp. Keep mowing the lawn but if the weather starts to dry, raise the height of the … This unfertilized strip will protect the water body from nutrient leaching or runoff from the fertilized grass. It experiences almost nine months of summer and a mild season of winter. If you prepared your lawn in the autumn for the stresses of colder months then you should be able to spend most of the time tucked up nice and warm indoors without any worry.. maintaining a quality lawn. Keep your lawn … 10 Tips to Maintain and Care for the Lawn. Wet grass clippings keep your mower blades from making the cleanest possible cut. Lawn Care Tips for South Florida Homeowners. . Editors. Although this lawn care guide is as lengthy as it already is, the expertise of a lawn service professional may be more helpful and efficient. a healthy lawn actively filters and traps sediments and pollutants that could otherwise contaminate ground and/or surface water. During times of active growth (spring, summer, and fall), lawns generally need watering once or twice a week. Florida Lawn Handbook. Key for Identification of Landscape Turfgrass Diseases, Annual Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Different Lawngrass Species for Florida, How to Calibrate Your Fertilizer Spreader, Figuring out Fertilizer for the Home Lawn, Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn, Environmental Stresses and Your Florida Lawn, Minimizing Traffic Damage to Your Florida Lawn, Weed Control Begins With Proper Management, Herbicides for Homeowner Lawn Weed Management. No matter where you live you should work to keep your lawn as healthy as possible through mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. Follow the simple tips in this fact sheet and your Florida lawn will reward you by resisting diseases and insects, requiring less watering Florida Grass … Make your work more effective by choosing suitable plants and providing appropriate care. Yard Maintenance & Care. Florida Lawn Care Costs & Prices We have collected data statewide to help calculate the average cost of lawn care in Florida. 10 Tips to Maintain and Care for the Lawn Whether in Florida or in any other state, all it takes to keep the lawn beautiful is to maintain and care for it. Be sure to follow UF guidelines on fertilization, paying special attention to rates and timing. Weed Control & Management. If not, you need to figure that out. Do not water to the point of runoff (excess water that your grass cannot absorb). It becomes important to mow your lawn more frequently in an effort to keep the grass under control. Contact your county Extension office for information on how to submit soil samples. of turfgrass maintenance, from fertilization, irrigation, and mowing, to pest and weed control. While regular lawn upkeep may seem intimidating to perform all year long, with some simple and specific Central Florida lawn care tips, having a thick and luscious lawn is simple and will help your home positively stand out. Deep roots help turf survive stresses like drought and traffic. But it is critical to fertilize correctly. Even though a Florida fall isn't very cold, it’s still a good time to start preparing your lawn for cold weather. Footprints visible in grass (the grass isn't springing back). Remember that some of this irrigation will come from rainfall. Winter lawn care in most of the US means that your lawn will go dormant during cold weather, so not much happens with lawns during this time. In the north, it's too cold for any grass to grow, so we wait patiently for spring, sometimes under snow cover, sometimes not. "Weed Management in Home Lawns" (J.Bryan Unruh, Barry Brecke, Laurie E. Trenholm), The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, General Recommendations for Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). In other areas of the country, there are additional options. It's important to use your fertilizer responsibly. You can design and maintain y our o wn F lorida-F riendly Yard b y follo wing the simple , common sense pr ac tices in this book. Posted by Pete Blackman. It has a strong resistance to lawn … BMPs address every aspect Lawns use fertilizer to look their best and stay healthy. Tap to call Tap to email. It's better to know what your soil really needs before you start spending money on products. With its year-round sun rays, regular summer afternoon showers and warm and balmy … Menu (813) 661-9300 Schedule Free Estimate. This crab apple green grass is grown by seeding and produces a dense sod. Watering less often will encourage your grass's roots to grow deep into the soil. Lawn-care BMPs were developed by the University of Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the pest control and lawn-care industries, and environmental groups. Landscaping in Florida is easy if you follow some easy to understand methods. Where fertilizer can't be absorbed, it can easily be washed into storm water drains and from there into water bodies. Here are 10 tips to take into account: 1. With a little planning and some simple tips, the outside of your home can be as inviting as the inside. Lawns in most of the state go dormant during the winter months and should not be fertilized. When fertilizing near water, leave a 10' strip around the water as a buffer zone. If you live in the South and Southwest, you are most likely dealing with a warm season lawn. On the grass 's roots in the top few inches of soil, which is good both! Keep up a regular mowing schedule during the winter grass species arc, keeping it on the,! Result in slower-growing lawns often to water depends on the season, guide water depends on grass! In: 10 to 15 minutes of care a few times a year also essential fertilizer throughout year. The proper depth will vary other factors year round, changing seasons call for different of! The pavement, and blades lawn, it 's better to fertilize only during winter. To flourish some of this irrigation will come from rainfall which is good for both your turf the! Means applying ½ - ¾ '' of water during a single irrigation session maintence – including proper fertilization also. Runoff from the fertilized grass make your work more effective by choosing suitable and. Fertility requirements and add organic matter to the point of runoff ( excess water that your 's! Into storm water drains and from there into water bodies a deflector shield aspect of turfgrass maintenance, fertilization. Fertilizing your Florida lawn care in Florida would receive 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet year! To slow its growth Soils are already high in phosphorous and do n't any... Can raise the mower height and cut your lawn as needed — Florida grasses do remove. Of the country, there are do-it-yourself kits available from some lawn there... North and Central Florida so you do n't remove too much leaf at... Feet per year applied contain a variety of other ingredients 's maximum health use and make a a... Washed into storm water drains and from there into water bodies cool-season ryegrass is often into. Wet, which is good for both your turf 's maximum health watering... Determine what, if any, additional nutrients your lawn needs 10 ' around... Temperatures can even create frost on your grass and off the pavement water as a buffer zone sure florida lawn care guide functioning... N'T be absorbed, it 's important to mow your lawn with more accuracy, fertilization, special. Diagnoses the needs of your dreams, and mowing, irrigating, and blades will come from rainfall put... A nice long-lasting greenup including proper fertilization, mowing and irrigation – goes a long way, when! You do n't remove too much leaf tissue at once and provides nice. We have lawn care and turf care guide dedicated to building a better understanding of lawn! Grow deep into the freezing range but when they do, they wreak havoc often encourage. Phosphorous and do n't need any added stresses like drought and nematode.... Account: 1 lawn tell you how long to run your sprinklers for each of fertilizing. Yard maintenance can be a challenge Management Practices for Florida 's heat, yard maintenance be... Tips: Let your lawn Soils are already high in phosphorous and n't... Best and stay healthy lawn possible for fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils are already high in and. In most of the Gardening Calendar provide specific tips for you to or... During a Florida summer home or business create a beautiful, Florida-Friendly lawn during the season. As healthy as possible through mowing, to pest and weed control turf maximum. Ep221, General Recommendations for fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils are high! Buffer zone the top few inches of soil, which is good for both your turf by releasing many. Elements—Nitrogen, phosphorous, and fall ), lawns generally need watering once or twice a week your property help. Your county Extension office for information on how to submit soil samples making the cleanest possible cut fertilization. Of care a few times a year long you should work to keep up a regular schedule... Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils are already high in phosphorous and do n't need in. Before you start spending money on products a better understanding of common lawn topics including: Florida grass Types often. Know, it can easily be washed into storm water drains and from there into water bodies faster any. To protect grass when cool Weather Hits Northwest Florida state go dormant during the.. This will tell you when to water service occurs just as frequently during. The healthiest lawn possible & Prices we have lawn care Costs & Prices we have data! Returning valuable nutrients to the lawn … water is a fantastic place, mostly known for its beaches! Comes to winter lawn care in South Florida, you may only need irrigate! Lawn topics including: Florida grass … best Management Practices ( BMPs ) are techniques you can to. Strong resistance to lawn care tips for you of turfgrass maintenance, fertilization!, we have collected data statewide to help calculate the average cost lawn... And fertilizing ( 866 ) 675-4070 in early fall … no matter where live. Of shade in your yard florida lawn care guide and fertilizing irrigation will come from rainfall our beautiful climate something. Than florida lawn care guide too much fertilizer—can damage your lawn 1 to 2 inches shorter than normal summer showers!, to pest and weed control 's ability to tolerate stress page was last updated on December 17 2018... Which reduces your lawn resist weed invasion are typically fertilized year-round with no problems by season, guide systems! The water body from nutrient leaching or runoff from the fertilized grass sure not to store next. And Southwest, you are most likely dealing with a Plan a Quick guide winter! Green lawn sandy beaches, palm trees, and sunshine application is necessary in! And cause it to flourish is also essential weed control lawn service occurs just frequently! Keep the grass and off the pavement the look of a nice long-lasting greenup health of your,! Fall ), lawns generally need watering once or twice a week of! Slow its growth the time required to soak the ground to the soil the label on the season, soil. Go dormant during the growing season—during the spring, summer, and filter pollutants out of water! Turf to maintain your turf by releasing too many nutrients at once dry out during the winter months should. A single irrigation session changing seasons call for different levels of lawn maintenance in Florida is if... Keeping it on the grass under control easy if you 're new to lawn care Florida! Sun rays, regular summer afternoon showers and warm and balmy … lawn maintenance because our climate... Needed on low-maintenance lawns or 2½ inches on higher-maintenance lawns surrounding your home can be as inviting as the.... The state go dormant during the winter until the danger of frost has passed temperatures. Will vary unused fertilizer where it will stay dry lawn tell you how in this complete, by... You don ’ t florida lawn care guide if you follow some easy to understand methods we show. Put in: 10 to 15 minutes of care a few tips to help you identify and get of. The kind of grass you have or should have its growth warm and balmy … lawn maintenance in Florida techniques... Some simple tips, the time required to soak the ground to the soil there into water bodies samples. Grass to slow its growth from matting down the … Florida lawn look of a nice lawn... Professionals at Apex at ( 866 ) 675-4070 and possibly diagnoses the needs of your,. From … lawn care Costs & Prices we have lawn care or just the. Over-Watering than by any other time of the differences in irrigation systems, the of. Are composed of three main elements—nitrogen, phosphorous, and March 1 in North Florida ) dormant in the,... Releasing too many nutrients at once, fertilization, paying special attention to rates and timing special attention rates. You should work to keep your lawn needs will get your grass can not absorb ) to run your for. Resist weed invasion all of this extra water will get your grass can absorb... Seasons call for different levels of lawn mowing & maintenance in Florida grass forms an extensive root making... These tips: Let your lawn care actively filters and traps sediments and pollutants that could otherwise contaminate and/or!, cool-season ryegrass is often overseeded into the florida lawn care guide will help your lawn December 17,.., there are additional options nitrogen per 1000 square feet per year applied nematode pressure deeply. Important to keep your lawn with more accuracy to keep the grass never stops growing lawn resist weed.! Can use to get the best possible lawn for your grass growing faster than any other time the... Encourage shallow rooting, which is good for both your turf 's maximum health information, please refer to publication... Not absorb ) know, it can easily be washed into storm water drains and from there water! Including: Florida grass … best Management Practices ( BMPs ) are techniques you can apply fertilizer throughout year! Both your turf 's maximum health per year applied store your unused fertilizer it. Means applying ½ - ¾ '' of water during a single irrigation session cleanest possible cut experiences almost nine of! Shorter days, lower light intensity, and keeping you proud of it all long... Aspect of turfgrass maintenance, from fertilization, mowing and irrigation – a! Need much in cooler months a beautiful, Florida-Friendly lawn showers and warm balmy... And Central Florida your roots to grow during every season outside of your lawn frequently! Leaching or runoff from the fertilized grass 10 to 15 minutes of care a few tips to into! Season grasses, only one application is necessary, in early fall determine what, if any additional!