5 Tips for Winterizing Your Lawn

Frost on grass with sun shining in Orlando, FL

Frost on grass with sun shining in Orlando, FL5 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

Backyard with landscaping and a patio in Orlando, FLWinter 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.