South Florida is a unique place for plants and grass due to its excessive heat and humid weather conditions. Lawn care can definitely be a challenge. Maintaining a lush green lawn year round in South Florida surely needs planning and professional care. Here are some useful tips for achieving a lush green lawn in South FL:
Making the Right Choice for Grass
Heat tolerant grasses are a way to go for South Florida lawns. There are a variety of grasses that can grow down here like Bermuda grass, Bahia grass and Zoysia grass. However, St. Augustine grass is the standard for most residential and commercial properties here. , St. Augustine grass can easily tolerate the humidity in Florida and flourish without an exorbitant amount of maintenance.
Mind the Watering Process
Watering the grass is a crucial part of the lawn care process. During certain times of the year the South Florida Water Management District will set “water restrictions” therefore it is wise to use water intelligently and effectively. Watering deeply and timely is the ideal solution for combating this water crisis. Early morning is a right time for watering plants instead of mid-day or evening as it can either cause water loss due to evaporation or encourage growth of fungus, germs in the grass due to moisture.
Say Yes to High Nitrogen Fertilizers
Fertilizer also plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy lawn. High nitrogen fertilizers are a good choice for lawns in South Florida. Slow releasing formulas work great by keeping the soil nutrient rich without any damaging effect. The correct time of applying fertilizers is the period between Spring to Fall as it is more likely to have the desired result. Drought time is a strict no-no for fertilization. Watering immediately after applying fertilizer is another important point that needs to be kept in mind.
Proper Mowing is the Key
Mowing year round is a necessity for lawns in South Florida. The summertime calls for a mowing schedule of three times a month while the winter requires the mowing schedule is scaled back to twice a month. The thumb rule of mowing the grass in this region is cutting only one third of the length of the grass per mowing. The reason behind this is that taller grasses develop deeper roots than their shorter counterparts. This works wonder during drought period.
Check the Growth of Weeds
Weeds do a lot of damage to the lawn by sucking nutrients from the soil. They need to be kept in check for a healthy looking lawn. Applying herbicides in a timely manner can save the lawn from damages caused by weeds. The combination of both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides works perfectly for controlling weeds.
Effective Pest Management
Pests are another concern when it comes to lawn care in South Florida. Lawns here are vastly affected by Chinch Bugs which cause yellowing, browning and even dead spots in the grasses. To control this repeated application of pesticides is a must.
Summary
Achieving a thriving lush green lawn in South Florida surely demands some extra love and care. Proper planning and a little care can make this dream a reality. Here we have compiled a list of tips that if followed correctly can result in a flourishing lawn in South Florida.
