Category: Landscaping Tips

5 Tips for Winterizing Your Lawn

Frost on grass with sun shining in Orlando, FL

5 Tips for Winterizing Your Lawn

Winters in Florida are unique. Rather than being filled with piles of snow or weeks of rain, we get blue skies and sunshine. Since the winters here are so mild, many people think that they don’t need to prepare their lawn for winter. However, Florida winters are colder than the rest of the year, which can take a toll on plants that are used to hot weather. Despite the sunshine, it’s still important to get your property winter-ready. Here are 5 tips for winterizing your lawn:

1. Let Your Grass Grow Taller

Taller grass is able to withstand colder temperatures. Allowing your lawn to grow slightly taller than usual can protect the roots from frost, which may increase your lawn’s ability to endure frigid temperatures.

2. Don’t Fertilize Past September

It’s a good idea to apply a fertilizer treatment in early fall so your lawn has a boost of nutrients before entering winter. However, fertilizing in cold weather could cause your lawn to grow when it should be dormant. This could cause your grass to become sensitive to the cold, which may cause significant damage.

3. Water Your Lawn Less

When cold weather hits, your lawn will go dormant. That means the lawn will stop growing as much, and it may turn a brownish color to conserve nutrients. This is a natural process and does not mean your lawn is dying. However, dormant lawns don’t need as much water to survive, so it is best to cut down your irrigation schedule to once every week or two. If you see footprints in your lawn, water a little more frequently.

4. Overseed to Keep Green

Overseeding is the process of adding more grass seed to your lawn without mixing them into the soil. This allows fresh grass to fill out your lawn, which creates a thicker and greener appearance. Overseeding during the winter months can keep your lawn looking green even if the grass is dormant and turning brown.

5. Use Turf Colorants

Turf colorants are another great way to keep your lawn looking green, even as the grass goes dormant for the winter. Turf colorants are specifically designed to be a safe and environmentally-friendly option for covering up any browned areas or blemishes in your lawn.

Lawn Winterization Experts in Orlando FL

Keeping your lawn looking great through the winter can be a challenge, especially as the grass goes dormant and turns brown. If you want to keep your lawn looking great year-round but aren’t sure where to start, call the experts at Grasshoppers in Orlando FL today! Our skilled lawn specialists have the knowledge and experience to keep your grass looking green and healthy no matter the time of year. Just contact us today to get a quote!

Winter Tips for Your Florida Landscape

Backyard with landscaping and a patio in Orlando, FL

Winter Tips For Your Florida Landscape

Since Florida winters get mild temperatures instead of piles of snow, it may seem unnecessary to prepare your landscape for winter. However, many of our tropical plants thrive in high temperatures, which means they may struggle in the colder winter months. Thankfully, with a little bit of preparation, you can keep your property in great shape through the cold season. Here are our top winter tips for your Florida landscape:

Put Down Mulch

Mulch is an incredibly effective way to protect your landscape from cold weather. Not only can mulch help sustain soil moisture and inhibit weeds, but it can also insulate heat to keep your plants from freezing. By layering your garden beds with 3-4 inches of mulch or pine straw, you can keep your plants healthy through the winter.

Prune Your Trees and Bushes

Late fall or early winter is a great time to prune your trees, shrubs, and bushes. Doing so allows you to clear pathways while removing any dead or vulnerable branches. Winter weather means that your plants will have fewer resources to stay healthy, so selectively trimming your trees can help keep them strong through the cold.

Water Newly Planted Trees

Newly planted trees require plenty of water to develop strong and healthy roots. Even if the tree looks dormant in winter, it is still working to establish its root system. Since Florida doesn’t get much rain in the winter, we recommend watering newly planted trees to ensure they have the resources needed to develop sturdy roots.

Fertilize Your Lawn

In Florida, grass typically goes dormant during the winter months. While dormant, your lawn won’t grow as fast or take in as many nutrients. That’s why it’s crucial that your lawn is in good shape before cold weather hits. One way to give your lawn a boost for winter is to apply a lawn fertilizer treatment in early fall. Fertilizer is filled with nutrients that can help your grass withstand the winter chill.

Cover Less Hardy Plants with Fabric

Fabric can help insulate your vulnerable plants and protect them from harsh winter frosts. We recommend using fabric rather than other materials such as plastic, which may form condensation and freeze over. Fabric does not run the risk of collecting condensation, which means that it is more effective in protecting your plants from the cold.

Be Cautious with Holiday Decorations

If you plan to set up electric holiday decorations, don’t forget to keep your landscape safe! Things like hot light bulbs or loose electrical wires – especially laid out over lawns – can damage your plants and even become a safety hazard for anyone on your property. Be sure to carefully set up your holiday decorations, and if you work with a landscaping company, let them know where you’ve placed your decorations.

Experts in Winter Landscape Maintenance

If you want to keep your landscape looking immaculate throughout winter, turn to the professionals at Grasshoppers! Our landscaping specialists are highly skilled in preparing your property for colder weather, and they can help you build a personalized maintenance plan that will keep your yard looking great all year. No property is too big or too small – and we even provide services designed for HOA properties! If you want help winterizing your Florida landscape, call us today to schedule an appointment.

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How to Protect Your Yard From a Hurricane

Shears trimming tree branch in Orlando, FL

How to Protect Your Yard From a Hurricane

Though the Florida weather is picture-perfect most of the year, it can take a turn for the worst during hurricane season. These severe tropical storms can cause major damage to your yard, especially if you haven’t taken the proper precautions. But, protecting your garden from a hurricane begins well before you receive a storm warning. Here are some ways you can prepare your yard for a hurricane:

Early Planning

The way you set up and maintain your yard plays a large role in how ready your yard will be for a hurricane. Some of the best ways to keep your garden storm-ready include:

Choose the right plants. Not all plants are equipped to handle strong winds or heavy rains. Choosing trees and shrubbery that are known to withstand hurricane conditions is the first step in preparing for these storms. Trees such as the yaupon, Southern magnolia, or cabbage palm are some popular choices. If you aren’t sure how to choose hardy plants, it may be useful to call a professional landscaper for help.
Regularly prune your trees and shrubs. Having a regular pruning schedule can help keep your plants strong and well-prepared for harsh weather. Pruning encourages an even shape and a dominant trunk, while also removing overly long branches or damaged areas. Additionally, air can travel through well-pruned trees and shrubs better.
Get rid of diseased or unstable plants. Trees or shrubs that aren’t strong enough to stay in the soil may become projectiles in heavy winds. Removing unstable plants can prevent them from flying around your yard when a hurricane hits.
Store potentially hazardous tools or chemicals indoors. If you have gardening tools or chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers lying around your yard, it’s a good idea to store those items inside. That way, you don’t run the risk of a spill or dangerous projectile.

Last-Minute Preparations

Even if you’ve perfectly planned out and maintained your yard, there are still a few things you should take care of once you receive a storm warning. Here’s a list of ways to prepare your yard once you know a storm is on its way:

Clear out your yard. Things like dead branches, children’s toys, and small tools can become hazardous in high winds. Removing these can keep your home and yard safe.
Reinforce trees and plants. You can reinforce your small trees and shrubs by tying them to a sturdy stick placed deep in the ground. Be sure to leave some wiggle room, though – the plants are likely to shake quite a bit with the high winds.
Bring potted plants indoors. Potted plants may topple or fly around in a hurricane, so it is best to bring them into your garage or shed until the storm passes.
Harvest any fruits or vegetables. The hurricane will likely strip your plants of all fruit or vegetables, so it may be a good idea to harvest anything you want to keep before the storm rolls in.
Shut off your water valves. It’s easier for trees and plants to uproot in wet soil. Turning off your water valves and irrigation system can help keep your plants in place.

Between careful planning, regular maintenance, and last-minute preparations, it can feel like a full-time job to protect your yard from a hurricane. Calling a landscaping professional, like those at Grasshoppers, can help you keep your home and garden safe from nasty storms.

With over 20 years of serving the Orlando FL area, our expert landscapers can help you at any stage in protecting your yard from a hurricane. We also provide hurricane cleanup services to keep your yard in great condition, even after a storm passes through. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

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Why is Lawn Irrigation Important?

A single sprinkler watering grass by a sidewalk in Orlando, FL

Keeping your lawn green and lush is important, especially during the long warm days of spring and summer. Even when owning property in areas where the rainfall amount is much higher than the national average, your lawn will still face many days without rain aiding its growth. You must always keep in mind the fact that the sun is trying to cook your lawn, and pulling out a hose daily to spray your lawn unevenly will probably not protect it. With a lawn irrigation system, you eliminate having to manually water your grass, and having an embarrassingly yellow yard.

Benefits of Lawn Irrigation Systems

An irrigation system helps control the supply of water to your lawn so that it’s always well watered. Here are just a few of the benefits of an irrigation system.

Saves time: irrigation systems run automatically so you don’t need to continually move a sprinkler around. This will save you valuable time and comes in handy when you’re traveling away from home.
Saves water: It’s nearly impossible to manage how much water you’ve used with a hose. Not only can overwatering be damaging to your lawn, but it can also increase your water bill.
Saves money: because you can control how much water you’re using, you can control how much you’re spending on water usage.
The system is customizable: you can set your irrigation system to water early in the morning and at dusk when lawn watering is best. This will minimize evaporation and oversaturation.

Professional Irrigation Installation Services

Keeping your lawn healthy is essential for a number of reasons, ranging from value to aesthetics. However, maintaining a lush green lawn year-round can be difficult without the help of a lawn irrigation system. If you’re ready to restore your dried-out lawn, Grasshoppers is the company for you! At Grasshoppers, we strive to refurbish your property with an effective irrigation system made to aid growth in times of drought. Our landscaping technicians are proficient in placing convenient sprinkler systems designed to evenly distribute water across your whole lawn, without overwatering it! If you’re in need of a beneficial irrigation system, contact us today!

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HOA Summer Landscaping Tasks

A person taking a handful of rich dirt in Orlando, FL

Warm weather throughout Central Florida is a beloved time to play outside, grill, and explore your own “backyard.” It’s also a great time to have your HOA management company start preparing the neighborhood for the hotter season ahead.

This will ensure the landscaping features are ready for the change in temperature and humidity and that they maintain a consistent look throughout the neighborhood.

When you work with a landscaping company, you get unrivaled knowledge of trees, plants, and grass. They know which plants are native to the area, which can withstand the temperatures, and which work well together.

1. Plant Native Plants

The climate is unique in Florida. When choosing plants for your landscape, go with ones that are native to the area and that can tolerate the weather patterns. This will make landscaping maintenance easier and allow those plants to thrive in the summer.

2. Check the Sprinkler System

Proper hydration is important for your lawn and plants. Overwatering and underwatering can both harm them. Ensure your sprinkler system is working properly and set the watering schedule to the morning. This allows water to be absorbed deeper into the ground, rather than be evaporated quickly by the sun.

3. Clean Up Hardscapes

If vegetation has taken over your paths and retaining walls, now is a great time to cut them back. Overgrown vegetation is not only unsightly but it also provides harborages for pests.

4. Remove/Kill Weeds

The longer you wait to pull weeds, the more likely they’ll spread their seeds throughout your property, leading to a bigger weed problem. You can pull weeds out by hand with a garden knife, cultivator, or hoe or you can use an herbicide.

5. Mow Your Grass On a High Setting

A common misconception we hear is that short grass is a sign that it’s healthy. But, it’s actually better for your grass to keep it pretty high. We recommend not mowing your grass shorter than 4 inches. This will protect the soil, keep it hydrated, and help limit weed growth. Plus, the roots will already be stressed from the summer heat.

6. Treat for Lawn Pests

Grubs, billbugs, cutworms, and many other insects can ruin a lawn, quickly. You need to stop them at the first sign of damage. Investing in lawn pest control is often the best way to eliminate these issues and prevent them in the first place.

7. Test Soil

Your lawn’s pH levels can impact its growth. Make sure it’s healthy by testing the pH of your soil. This can also be helpful in determining a treatment plan to ensure it absorbs the fertilizers you apply.

HOA Landscaping Contractors in Orlando FL

Plants and lawns thrive in the summer, but they’re also prone to pest infestations, drought, and rot so they need some extra attention this time of year. To make sure your HOA property stays beautiful and consistent all year round, turn to Grasshoppers. Our landscaping team specializes in HOA landscaping maintenance, everything from lawn care to hardscaping. Contact us today to see why so many HOAs have trusted us!

Choosing a landscaping company for your HOA

Aerial view of a neighborhood with green trees in Orlando, FL

The right landscaping can help boost property values and keep your HOA community satisfied, but it’s often tough without the help of the right HOA landscaping company. This is why we at Grasshoppers are offering tips as we approach summer.

Unrivaled Plant Knowledge

Hardscaping Design

Hardscaping involves strategically placing gravel, bricks, and pebbles among greenery. Think retaining walls, walkways, firepits, and stone seating areas. Other options include ponds and water features. Combining plant life with hardscaping will add depth and layers to your landscape as well as boost its overall visual appeal.

Landscaping Plans

HOA landscaping contractors understand that HOAs have limited budgets. They not only stick to the budget, but they also work from a plan. If your community is focusing on mostly upkeep, they’ll provide year-round maintenance. If you regularly change out flower beds as the seasons change, they’ll design and install your flower beds as well.

Irrigation Services

Lawn care is more complex than it may seem. Landscaping contractors also take into account irrigation, fertilizer, weed control, and pest control for lawns. They’ll monitor for signs of disease or damage and treat them accordingly before they impact the entire yard.

HOA Landscaping Services

A well-sculpted and manicured lawn allows you to be proud of your community and it leaves a good impression. Hiring a professional landscaping company to care for it will save you time, give you peace of mind, and boost your curb appeal.

If you run a homeowner’s association (HOA), you know how strict the requirements are for the community. When you want to make sure your community is taken care of, contact the team at Grasshoppers. We proudly provide HOA landscaping services throughout the Orlando FL area. Contact us today to request an estimate and see how we can help your HOA community thrive!

Spring Cleaning your Florida Landscape

Person using shears to trim down a rose plant in Orlando, FL

Spring means new beginnings, renewal, and growth–a great time to prepare your landscaping for planting. While we only experience mild winters in the Orlando area, it’s important to prime your landscape for summer. But what should you focus on? We at Grasshoppers are offering some outdoor spring cleaning tips below.

1. Prune

Some plants benefit from being pruned in spring, while others benefit from being pruned in fall. Prune dead, diseased, and damaged foliage.

2. Cut Back Perennials

Perennials are plants that regrow each spring. If they’ve started to take over your landscape, you’ll want to give them a trim to allow for growth. Don’t be afraid to trim them down to the base.

3. Remove Fallen Branches & Debris

After pruning and trimming is complete, take time to remove branches and debris. Dead foliage can block growth. Removing it from your landscape will not only help tidy it up but also promote growth once the temperature warms up.

4. Replace Damaged Plants

After removing dead flora, you can replace them with new plants for the season. Do your research and make sure you’re choosing plants that are appropriate for the area you’ll be planting them in–whether in the sun or shade.

5. Mulch

Next, it’s time to apply mulch. Mulch helps keep your plants cool and moist, which is especially important in our Central Florida climate. Plus, it looks great and keeps weeds at bay. It’s a good idea to remove your old mulch before applying new mulch because too much of it can attract pests. Also, keep the depth of your mulch to 2 to 3 inches.

6. Check Sprinkler System

Spring is also a good time to ensure your sprinkler system is working properly. Check your rain shut-off device and make sure it works correctly. Then, turn on your sprinklers and walk through each zone, checking that filters and emitters aren’t clogged. This is also a good time to calibrate your sprinkler system to ensure each zone is getting an adequate amount of water.

Licensed Landscapers in Orlando FL

Spring cleaning your landscape is a great way to boost your curb appeal and make a positive impression. If you’re seeking a commercial landscaping company to handle your spring cleaning, turn to Grasshoppers. We proudly serve businesses and HOA communities throughout the greater Orlando Florida area. We offer tree care, lawn care, landscape design, flower bed installation, irrigation services, and more. Give us a call today for your personalized quote!

Ways to Care for Your Lawn

A healthy lawn with old trees in a yard in Orlando, FL

As spring approaches here in Central Florida, it’s time to have your HOA management company start preparing the community for warmer temperatures. This will ensure all of the homes maintain a consistent look and are protected when the temperatures and humidity levels change.

Fortunately, Grasshoppers is here for you. Here are some tips to care for your lawn so that it can continue to thrive all year long.

Mow Your Lawn Often

As you know, it rains nearly every day during a Florida summer. With all of this extra water, your grass will grow faster, so make sure to mow your lawn often. It will keep it under control and help keep pests away.

Change Your Watering Schedule

Speaking of rainy months, it’s a good idea to reduce how often you water your lawn. Too much water promotes disease and insects. A good way to check if your lawn is thirsty is to inspect the blades of grass. When they’re folded in half, they are attempting to conserve water. During the warmer, non-rainy months, it’s recommended to water your lawn two to three times a week.

Use Fertilizers

Over time, lawns naturally lose the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Consider using a fertilizer for your lawn. It will keep your lawn well fed by providing it with essential nutrients and help combat certain lawn pests. In Central Florida, this often means using fertilizer in early to mid-fall or in late spring.

Use Insecticides

From chinch bugs and sod webworms to billbugs and cutworms, there are several lawn pests in Central Florida looking to feast on your lush green lawn. Consider using insecticides to keep those pests at bay.

Expert Lawn Care in Longwood FL

Does taking care of your lawn sound like a daunting task? When you want to ensure your HOA community is well taken care of, trust the team at Grasshoppers. We’ve been serving the community since 2002. All of our managers have over 15 years of landscaping and turf care experience. We’re fully licensed and insured so your property has full protection. Give us a call today for quality lawn and landscaping service!

Crepe Myrtle Trimming

Crepe myrtles are great for when you want to incorporate greenery into your landscape without taking too much space. These shrubs love hot climates and produce beautiful, vibrant pink flowers when they bloom–when pruned properly that is.

All too often we see crepe myrtles that have been severely butchered, destroying them of any chances to reach their full potential. This results in ugly stumps and weakened branches. This improper pruning technique is so widespread that it has been coined, “crepe Murder” but why do people continue to do it?

The most common reason people top crepe myrtles is because they’ve outgrown their space. If your crepe myrtle is too large, it’s better to replace it then it is to mutilate it. Then, make a wiser selection next time. Read the label on the plant so you can learn about its size range.

Downsides of Crepe Murder

While many people think crepe murder is benefitting their tree, it isn’t. In fact, it’s doing the entirely opposite. Below are some downsides to chopping crepe myrtles down to nubs.

Unattractiveness: severely cut crepe myrtles are left looking like sticks
Weak branches: severely cut branches will grow thinner and weaker, then won’t be able to support their blooms
Stress: severe pruning will put the tree under tremendous stress, making it more susceptible to pests and diseases
Uncontrolled growth: severe pruning of a crepe myrtle may result in bushy growth

The Correct Way to Prune a Crepe Myrtle

Now that you know why you shouldn’t perform “crepe Murder” here are some tips to correcly prune your crepe myrtle.

The main objective to pruning a crepe myrtle is to maintain its natural vase-like form so that it can grow strong branches to support its flowers
To keep crepe myrtles looking full, you will want to prune them in early spring, before breaking dormancy
Remove crossed, diseases, or damaged branches
Cut unwanted branches before they get thicker than a pencil
Prune the tips of branches to remove old flowers

Professional Crepe Myrtle Trimming

Whenever you have questions about pruning, selection, or removal of trees for your commercial property, contact Grasshoppers, serving Orlando FL and Longwood FL. We have ISA Certified Arborists on our team that will happily provide you with guidance.

Crape Myrtle

Tips for Winter Tree Care in Florida

Neighborhood street aligned with lawns and palm trees in Orlando, FL

Florida winters are not brutal but you still need to care for your plants and trees. All it takes is a single night of 30 to 40 degree temperatures for your them to suffer damage.

You can’t bundle your trees up in hats and gloves, but you can prepare them for cooler temperatures and storms with these helpful tips from Grasshoppers Landscaping.

Dormant Pruning

Pruning your trees during dormancy, in the coldest part of the winter is best practice because wounds will heal faster, there are less risks for disease, and it’s easier to prune when all leaves are gone. Pruning in the coldest part of winter will also result in more vigorous growth when spring arrives.

Fertilize

As with pruning, timing is also important when it comes to fertilizing. In central Florida, it’s recommended to fertilize your lawn in October and November with a high-potassium fertilizer.

Mulch

Mulch helps moderate the soil temperature, keeping tree roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Mulch also helps reduce weed growth, soil erosion, and improves the overall health of your trees. Because mulch helps retain water, it also will reduce the watering needs of your trees.

Water Appropriately

If you have newly-planted trees, you’ll want to continue watering them as usual since it doesn’t rain often in the winter here in Florida. While the plant above ground may be dormant, the roots will continue growing if they’re properly hydrated.

Although our winters are quite mild, it’s still smart to prepare your trees and landscaping for the cooler weather and shorter days. Palms, in particular, require special care and can easily suffer damage in sudden drops of temperatures. So you’ll want to pay close attention to your trees and treat them quickly at the first sign of damage.

We understand taking care of your trees and landscaping can seem like a huge undertaking, especially as a business owner. You have other things to worry about like customer satisfaction, sales, your brand, and more. Let us take care of all of your landscaping needs. We specialize in commercial landscaping afterall! Our team is composed of ISA Certified Arborists, FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professionals, and landscape contractors so you’re in good hands. Interested in a quote? Contact us!