In the midst of kids heading back to school and fall weather just around the corner, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your lawn is in tip top shape for spring. While Floridians may not have to deal with the crazy lows of our northern friends, a little care and maintenance now will mean a beautiful lawn next season! These lawn care tips will help keep your grass green and your flowers flowering:
Helpful Hydration
Since the dry season tends to start mid-October, it's a good idea to check your irrigation system. Since fungal growth can occur during cooler months, make sure your watering is restricted to the early hours, at least before 10 am. And to conserve moisture, lay much around plants at least 2 to 4 inches deep, but avoid covering the crowns of low-growing plants.
If you're just starting to plant, it's important to know that not all plants can stand up to low water conditions, so when choosing what plants to add to your landscaping, look for those native (or endemic) plants that are drought-tolerant (meaning they do well with less water).
Rake Your Leaves
Raking the lawn may feel like a chore but removing fallen leaves keeps your lawn clear and reduces the chance of fungal grown on grass roots. You can also use the leaves as mulch in your garden, an important consideration at this time of year to help keep weeds in check, enrich soil for new growth, and prevent soil drying out further into the dry season.
Don't Bother Shaping
You may be tempted to shape up your shrubs and bushes, but save any major trimming for the spring, though you should prune dead or diseased branches to help save the rest of the plant.
Battle Of The Bugs
Year round your flowers and gardens are susceptible to bugs, though they tend to be less of a problem during the cooler months. You can check your plants weekly for infestations, and deal with them accordingly.
Wrap Them Up
Though we're unlikely to see freezing temperatures and frost until January, it's good to have a plan sorted out for when the weather does finally drop. Outdoor tropical plants, like Schefflera, philodendron and pothos, need to be protected from temperatures that reach below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Have boxes, blankets, hay, plastic, and lights ready for early frost protection.
