An advantage to maintaining a lawn in Florida is that you have a better chance of having a beautiful, well manicured lawn without worrying about colder weather killing hard-earned, plush green grass. However, some months can still be harsh with the strong Florida sun, heavy rain, etc. In order to keep the grass healthy, you’ll need to take particular measures to keep it thriving.
This can prove quite difficult depending on the type of grass you are caring for. There are 4 main types of lawn in Northwest Florida – St. Augustine, Centipede, Bermuda and Zoysia. It’s important to note, what’s good for one type can be detrimental to another.
Take Note of Blade Length
This may sound strange and maybe a little daunting but letting St. Augustine grass grow longer can help maintain the natural system. A grass blade is the food producing part of the grass plant. This is where photosynthesis takes place and where the plant produces the necessary food for good root and shoot growth. The shorter it is, the less food that will be produced by the plant. Additionally, longer grass blades will shade the ground underneath, keeping it cooler, meaning it won’t dry out as quickly if you don’t mow it too short.
Centipede, Bermuda and Zoysia grass are just the opposite. If they are allowed to grow taller than the recommended heights they can experience health issues that can cause the system to fail completely. Bermuda grass should be kept at a maximum height of 1.5 inches to 2 inches, even shorter if possible. Picture Golf Greens when mowing Bermuda grass. The green leafy part of Bermuda only grows on the top third of the plant, so if it’s allowed to grow too tall it will start to wilt and fall over, making it look like it’s dying. Centipede grass thrives at 2 to 2.5 inches while Zoysia grass is ideal at 2.5 to 3 inches. If these grasses are allowed to grow taller than this they can start growing fungi, weeds, or experience other health issues.
Mow Frequently
Confused about this contradiction? Letting grass remain at its recommended length and mowing your lawn more frequently can go hand in hand. You can adjust the blade height of your lawnmower to cut the grass at the desired length. This height varies based on the variety of turf grass you have on your lawn. Mowing at the recommended height will help make up for the fact that it is getting cut more often, and it will help enhance the rooting process of the lawn.
It’s no secret to expect rain almost every afternoon during a Florida summer. All of this extra water will get your grass growing faster than any other time of the year. It becomes important to mow your lawn more frequently in an effort to keep the grass under control. Plus, keeping your lawn at a reasonable height and trimming it will remove any hiding places for lawn pests!
Reconsider Your Watering Schedule
It’s always a good idea to cut back the amount you water your lawn during rainier months. Excess water on turf grass attracts turf disease and insect infestations. If you’re not sure about your lawn needing water, look at the blades. When your grass is thirsty, the blades will fold in half in an attempt to conserve water. It’s recommended to water a lawn 2 to 3 times a week during the warmer months (when there isn’t rain) and every 10 to 14 days during the winter months. Make sure when you irrigate your lawn, you are also abiding by any local watering ordinances that may be in your area.
Use Fertilizers to Maintain Nutrition
If you’re in need of lawn fertilizer and are unfamiliar with how to apply it and what types to use on what kind of grass you have, it’s highly recommended to call your trusted lawn care company. Applying the right amount of fertilizer can be a complicated process and using too much or the wrong type can be unfriendly to our environment.
In addition to being unsafe for the environment, applying fertilizer to your lawn during the wrong months can be detrimental. Most fertilizers contain nitrogen, which tells the plant to grow. But, if you give the grass nitrogen when it’s supposed to stop growing and become dormant, then you have more susceptibility to health related issues that won’t be evident until the spring. Oftentimes by the time spring rolls in, it’s too late to revive the grass.
At Brock Lawn and Pest Control, our team understands that maintaining a healthy lawn, especially in Florida, can be tough for any home or business owner. That is why we have well-trained, licensed technicians and an exceptional program that will tend to your yard for the entire year. We treat each individual lawn according to its specific needs and circumstances. Our lawn program is designed with 6 timely applications to provide the proper balance of nutrients that your lawn needs. Having regularly scheduled lawn care will allow these nutrients to provide you with a strong, healthy growing lawn. Take your lawn back and enjoy your yard again with Brock Lawn and Pest Control! As a locally owned and operated lawn care company, we proudly serve Florida’s Gulf Coast and northern counties with offices in Panama City, Fort Walton and Panama City Beach.
Have a lawn emergency? We provide same day services! Contact our team today.
