Winter Landscaping Checklist for Florida HOAs and Commercial Properties
Michael Tomaino
Winter? In Florida?
It may seem outlandish in the land of perpetual sunshine and year-round beaches, but Florida winter is real. Not only is it real, it is ready to wreak havoc on your commercial property and HOA community if you aren’t prepared.
Florida may not be known for winter, and you’re unlikely to ever experience a winter wonderland with sleigh bells jinglin’ in the Sunshine State, but the weather does change enough to alter your landscaping plans, strategies, and techniques.
Luckily, Landcrafters knows a thing or two about Florida winters thanks to our 25-plus years of experience landscaping in the Tampa Bay area.
We’re here to guide you through the colder months, help you keep your landscape looking pristine, and preserve the property you work so hard to perfect, and it all starts with the guide below.
It may seem outlandish in the land of perpetual sunshine and year-round beaches, but Florida winter is real. Not only is it real, it is ready to wreak havoc on your commercial property and HOA community if you aren’t prepared.
Florida may not be known for winter, and you’re unlikely to ever experience a winter wonderland with sleigh bells jinglin’ in the Sunshine State, but the weather does change enough to alter your landscaping plans, strategies, and techniques.
Luckily, Landcrafters knows a thing or two about Florida winters thanks to our 25-plus years of experience landscaping in the Tampa Bay area.
We’re here to guide you through the colder months, help you keep your landscape looking pristine, and preserve the property you work so hard to perfect, and it all starts with the guide below.
Winter Landscaping Tips for Florida
Believe it or not, Florida does experience hard frosts, brief cold snaps, and even a little ice every now and then. Whether we’re due for a mild winter where you can still hit the beach or we’re anticipating something a little more out-of-the-ordinary (a fire burning in the hearth), as a commercial landscape owner or manager, you’re going to want to be prepared to handle any outcome.
The last thing you want to do is fall prey to the “there’s no winter” idea and accidentally let your landscape fight a losing battle to the forces of nature. This is why commercial landscape maintenance in Florida should include specific preparation for winter. Rather than being caught off guard, you should be prepared with this Florida winter landscaping checklist.
The last thing you want to do is fall prey to the “there’s no winter” idea and accidentally let your landscape fight a losing battle to the forces of nature. This is why commercial landscape maintenance in Florida should include specific preparation for winter. Rather than being caught off guard, you should be prepared with this Florida winter landscaping checklist.
Irrigation Checks Should Come First
Before the winter season blows in, get your irrigation system checked out!
We know that it doesn’t usually freeze in the Tampa Bay area, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect this essential winter landscaping tip for Florida. Preparing for potential freezes and other irrigation issues can save you from a massive headache and even bigger repair bill.
Depending on the winter, you will either be taking intermittent breaks from watering or you may have to water more frequently. Florida’s winter weather can be unpredictable, ranging from drought to occasional storms.
Work with a professional to check your system in advance to ensure it’s not leaking, it’s not broken, and that there’s no damage that could break your irrigation system during freezing temperatures or lengthy watering pauses.
The last thing you want is a flash freeze to get to your pipes and break your irrigation system, leaving you with a steep bill for a quick fix. By addressing potential problems before winter hits, you can set your Florida winter landscaping up for success.
We know that it doesn’t usually freeze in the Tampa Bay area, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect this essential winter landscaping tip for Florida. Preparing for potential freezes and other irrigation issues can save you from a massive headache and even bigger repair bill.
Depending on the winter, you will either be taking intermittent breaks from watering or you may have to water more frequently. Florida’s winter weather can be unpredictable, ranging from drought to occasional storms.
Work with a professional to check your system in advance to ensure it’s not leaking, it’s not broken, and that there’s no damage that could break your irrigation system during freezing temperatures or lengthy watering pauses.
The last thing you want is a flash freeze to get to your pipes and break your irrigation system, leaving you with a steep bill for a quick fix. By addressing potential problems before winter hits, you can set your Florida winter landscaping up for success.
Pick Up Your Pruning Shears
Winter is the perfect time to pick up your pruning shears and do some strategic trimming.
Even in Florida’s mild winter, many plants will go dormant. When they are in this state, the opportunity is ripe to prepare them for spring and help them flourish when winter has passed. In other words, pruning during the winter promotes healthier, happier plants when the weather starts to warm up again.
Another benefit of winter pruning is that it helps control pests. When you prune in the warmer months, particularly summer, fresh cuts to shrubs and trees can attract insects. Because winter helps reduce the number of active bugs in the environment, you can safely prune and trim while relying on fewer chemicals. It’s truly a win-win for your landscape and the environment.
Before you pick up the trimmers and start slicing and dicing your plants, be sure to do some research before you snip away. Check all of your plants, flora, and fauna, and make sure that they’ll do well with some winter pruning. If you don’t, you could potentially damage some plants permanently!
When in doubt, consult with a professional landscaper who can guide you through the winter pruning process to ensure you are helping rather than harming.
Even in Florida’s mild winter, many plants will go dormant. When they are in this state, the opportunity is ripe to prepare them for spring and help them flourish when winter has passed. In other words, pruning during the winter promotes healthier, happier plants when the weather starts to warm up again.
Another benefit of winter pruning is that it helps control pests. When you prune in the warmer months, particularly summer, fresh cuts to shrubs and trees can attract insects. Because winter helps reduce the number of active bugs in the environment, you can safely prune and trim while relying on fewer chemicals. It’s truly a win-win for your landscape and the environment.
Before you pick up the trimmers and start slicing and dicing your plants, be sure to do some research before you snip away. Check all of your plants, flora, and fauna, and make sure that they’ll do well with some winter pruning. If you don’t, you could potentially damage some plants permanently!
When in doubt, consult with a professional landscaper who can guide you through the winter pruning process to ensure you are helping rather than harming.
Cover Up for Freezes
To ignore the possibility of Florida freezes in the winter is to miss out on some of the key Florida winter landscaping checklist items. In fact, assuming that there will be no freeze can be a real danger to your commercial landscape.
Florida experiences flash freezes and hard freezes. Whether the meteorologists issue a warning or not, you need to be prepared to cover your vulnerable Florida plants to protect them from the cold. If you want your commercial property’s winter landscaping to survive, this is one of the top tips to follow.
We recommend avoiding plastic covers for your plants. These coverings can sometimes make it colder under the cover and kill off the plant, having the exact opposite effect than intended. Instead, invest in a frost cover or opt for heavy quilts and blankets.
Florida experiences flash freezes and hard freezes. Whether the meteorologists issue a warning or not, you need to be prepared to cover your vulnerable Florida plants to protect them from the cold. If you want your commercial property’s winter landscaping to survive, this is one of the top tips to follow.
We recommend avoiding plastic covers for your plants. These coverings can sometimes make it colder under the cover and kill off the plant, having the exact opposite effect than intended. Instead, invest in a frost cover or opt for heavy quilts and blankets.
Get Your Mulch On
Mulch is important year-round, especially if you dedicate effort to commercial landscape maintenance in Florida. It protects your plants, improves moisture retention, and enhances your curb appeal. Proper mulching is arguably one of the most important aspects of regular landscape maintenance.
During the winter, there’s a strong possibility that you will deal with dry spells and drought. You may end up watering more frequently, which can quickly cause your water bill to skyrocket. To make the most of your irrigation and save a bundle on your balance sheet, make sure that your mulch beds are properly stocked.
Not only will this help retain valuable moisture through the winter, but it will also regulate the soil temperature. Mulch helps the earth remain more temperate. It keeps things cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This balance can work wonders for the health of your plants when temperatures unexpectedly drop.
Winter and fall mulch can also help strangle any weeds that might try to grow up during this season. While often overlooked, this benefit of mulch is extremely important because your Florida HOA winter landscaping maintenance might take a bit of a backseat during the cooler months.
During the winter, there’s a strong possibility that you will deal with dry spells and drought. You may end up watering more frequently, which can quickly cause your water bill to skyrocket. To make the most of your irrigation and save a bundle on your balance sheet, make sure that your mulch beds are properly stocked.
Not only will this help retain valuable moisture through the winter, but it will also regulate the soil temperature. Mulch helps the earth remain more temperate. It keeps things cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This balance can work wonders for the health of your plants when temperatures unexpectedly drop.
Winter and fall mulch can also help strangle any weeds that might try to grow up during this season. While often overlooked, this benefit of mulch is extremely important because your Florida HOA winter landscaping maintenance might take a bit of a backseat during the cooler months.
Clean Up Debris and Leaves
With winter weather comes an enhanced need to clean up debris and remove leaves. Even if Florida doesn’t experience a vibrant autumn followed by barren trees, the presence of fallen leaves and other debris is still significant.
Removing these leaves in a timely manner can save your lawn from damage. Leaves that are left to sit can become soggy, heavy, and gross. It is unlikely that they will break down fast enough to provide valuable nutrients, instead leaving dead patches of grass in their wake.
If you let layer after layer of smothering leaves live on your lawn, you’ll not only allow them to suffocate your grass, but you’ll also invite all kinds of diseases and pests to your property. We’re talking about mold, bugs, and other harmful diseases and pests, so clean those leaves up as soon as possible.
Removing these leaves in a timely manner can save your lawn from damage. Leaves that are left to sit can become soggy, heavy, and gross. It is unlikely that they will break down fast enough to provide valuable nutrients, instead leaving dead patches of grass in their wake.
If you let layer after layer of smothering leaves live on your lawn, you’ll not only allow them to suffocate your grass, but you’ll also invite all kinds of diseases and pests to your property. We’re talking about mold, bugs, and other harmful diseases and pests, so clean those leaves up as soon as possible.
Don’t Neglect Basic Maintenance
Just because winter has arrived doesn’t mean that your basic landscape maintenance needs to fall to the wayside. Quite the opposite, actually. You should continue to care for your commercial or HOA property by mowing, fertilizing, pruning, and otherwise maintaining your lawn, plants, and infrastructure.
If you neglect these essential aspects of maintaining a healthy landscape, you set your property up for failure when the weather starts to warm. Deferred maintenance adds up, plants die, and the end result is more work, more expense, and more frustration.
Staying consistent with your commercial landscape maintenance in Florida throughout the winter months is the best way to ensure your property (and your bank account) are happy when spring arrives.
If you neglect these essential aspects of maintaining a healthy landscape, you set your property up for failure when the weather starts to warm. Deferred maintenance adds up, plants die, and the end result is more work, more expense, and more frustration.
Staying consistent with your commercial landscape maintenance in Florida throughout the winter months is the best way to ensure your property (and your bank account) are happy when spring arrives.
Work with a Pro
We hope that these winter landscaping tips for Florida help your property thrive as the seasons change. While you can use this Florida winter landscaping checklist as a DIY guide to keeping your property in tip-top shape year-round, the best way to ensure your winter goes smoothly is to work with a professional.
Landcrafters has been helping Tampa Bay properties reach their full potential for 25 years, and we’d love to work with you to do the same. If you’re interested in seeing how Landcrafters can help you during this winter season, want to get a quote, or simply want to ask us a few questions, please reach out!
Michael Tomaino
Head Gardener for Landcrafters, Inc. Michael Tomaino, a cornerstone of Landcrafters since its inception, oversees all aspects of business operations with a wealth of experience. With years of adept team management and leadership under his belt, coupled with a robust educational background, both within and beyond the industry, Michael is dedicated to steering Landcrafters towards becoming the foremost landscape management provider in the Tampa Bay Area.