Everything You Need To Know About 4 Common Central Florida Landscape Issues

Your Complete Guide To Solve Central Florida Landscape Problems

Your home’s landscaping is the first thing visitors see when they pull into your driveway. It’s an excellent opportunity to make a lasting first impression and increase your home’s value and curb appeal.

But even the best landscaping ideas face common challenges in the heat and humidity of the great state of Florida.

Take a look at the ultimate guide to common Central Florida landscaping issues, how to spot them, and solutions you can use to maintain your beautiful landscaping year-round.

1. Common Problem: Invasion Of The Weeds

Homeowners across Central Florida know that weeds are a constant battle. No matter how hard you try, weeds dig their roots deep and take over your turf.

Florida yards host a variety of unwanted, hard to remove weeds, including:

• Crabgrass
• Spotted Spurge
• Dollarweed
• Dandelions

How To Spot

It can be hard to identify weeds, but they are easy to spot once as they quickly multiply. Of course, at that point, you may want to throw in the towel as you imagine how long it will take to dig them all up.

Solution: Lawn Care And Weed Control Services

The best way to combat weeds is to prevent their presence in the first place. Homeowners can take some steps to control weeds in their landscaping:

• Install Pavers And Mulch In Garden Beds
• Use Pre-Emergent Herbicide
• Regularly Mow Your Lawn At The Correct Setting

Of course, weeds are resilient. If they take over your lawn, you can use post-emergent herbicide, which can harm your property and landscaping if misused.

You could also fight them the old-fashioned way: using elbow grease to pull them from the root. But this method is time-consuming and maybe ineffective if you don’t get all of the root up.

Securing professional weed control services is the best way to fight weeds while keeping your family and pets safe and the lawn looking beautiful.

2. Common Problem: Pests Are Making Themselves At Home

Weeds aren’t the only predator lurking in your front yard and flower beds. Common Central Florida pests, like Japanese beetles,  mosquitos, termites, and fire ants, want to make their home in your landscaping.

Not only are these pests a nuisance, but their presence in your Florida garden could spell trouble for your landscaping and your family.

How To Spot

Pest problems are difficult to spot in the early stages with an untrained eye. Here are some things to look out for in your landscaping that may signal a pest problem:

If you don’t catch a pest problem early on, it will turn into a vast and expensive hassle and ultimately kill your trees, shrubs, and landscaping: the biggest the infestation, the more likely the chance these pests will end up in your home.

Solution: Pest Control Services & Perimeter Pest Control

Don’t try to DIY a pest problem. If there are enough insects that you notice their presence, chances are you are nearing a full-on infestation.

As a homeowner who cares about their family’s safety, you don’t want to be using harmful pesticides without proper training. This could lead to poisoning, pet illness, and runoff.

Secure professional pest control services to make sure the job is done right the first time. Don’t forget to schedule perimeter pest control to prevent insects from moving inside.

3. Common Problem: Unsightly Brown Patches

Nothing distracts from your beautiful landscaping other than dry, discolored patches on your lawn. They break up the blanket of lush green grass that surrounds your home.

There are many possible reasons why these ugly spots have invaded your lawn:

• “Brown Patch” Fungus
• High Heat And Humidity
• Excessive Nitrogen
• Over Watering/Water Management Issues
• Grubs Or Other Insects
• Too Much Thatch
• Compacted Soil

Depending on the cause, brown grass may or may not be able to bounce back. If you do not correctly identify the root cause, you could make the situation worse and result in costly repairs and an unattractive lawn.

How To Spot

You will notice discoloration in certain areas of your lawn. One patch may be discolored, a yellowish-brown color, or multiple patches dotting your property.

Upon closer inspection, you may notice discolored spots on individual grass blades or sweeping areas of browning.

Solution: Fertilization And Lawn Aeration

Whether your brown patches can be revived or not, seeding, lawn fertilization will help fill in these bald spots and bring back that even emerald color.

When fertilizing, it’s essential to choose the correct product for your grass type to maintain the delicate nitrate balance that keeps your lawn healthy.

Additionally, using too much fertilizer can be counterproductive, causing further harm to your lawn and endangering the ecosystem.

Lawn aeration is another way to bring those brown spots back to life. This process will encourage new root growth and allow fertilizer to reach the roots of your grass.

Aeration is a crucial component of lawn health but is often time-consuming and tedious to do correctly. It’s also hard to DIY properly, as improper aeration can lead to even more problems down the line.

4. Common Problem: Landscape Plants Don’t Survive The Season

Because Florida has a long growing season and hot, humid conditions for most of the year, some plants wither and cannot thrive in these conditions. When making your landscaping plan, you need to choose the right plants for the job.

It’s essential to make sure every part of your landscaping is native to Florida or the heartiness to endure the unique weather patterns.

How To Spot

Non-native plants may appear less healthy than their native counterparts or die after one growing season. They will not grow as quickly, lack hardiness, or easily succumb to disease or pests.

Some non-native plants may be invasive and spread quickly, choking out your trees, shrubs and harming your grass.

Solution:  Florida-Friendly Landscaping

To ensure a Florida-friendly landscape, choose the right plants, trees, and grass varieties native to Florida and withstand the area’s unique climate conditions.

For example, drought-tolerant Florida native plants, a low maintenance choice, are great because they can survive the hottest days of the year without wilting or browning. They also won’t need a costly irrigation system to maintain their beauty.

The University of Florida has done extensive research on the horticulture of the area. Take a look at some suggestions for the best Florida-friendly landscaping choices.

With the right plants in your garden beds, your yard will be the talk of the neighborhood! Everyone will be asking your secret to perfect landscaping.

LawnWorx Is Your Secret Weapon Against Common Florida Landscape Issues

Every Central Florida homeowner wants a lush, beautifully landscaped yard that is the envy of the neighborhood. However, it is overwhelming and time-consuming to come up with practical landscaping ideas. It’s also tricky to find the time to execute and maintain your landscaping vision.

Enlisting LawnWorx’s expert lawn care landscaping services will help you check items off your to-do list, which allows you to do more of what you love while we make sure your landscaping is perfect.

Contact LawnWorx today for your free quote. With other 25 years of experience serving Central Florida homeowners, we know how to spot common landscape issues and correct them quickly and efficiently to ensure a beautiful landscape year-round!

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