Winter Irrigation in Florida: Watering Schedules & Tips for Commercial Landscapes
Tom McCoy
Florida, known for its practically perpetual sunshine and year-long summer, seldom faces the cold-weather challenges common in the rest of the country. Sure, the Sunshine State stares down storm season and the occasional drought, but ice and snow are rarely on its radar.
Sometimes, the lack of a real winter can lead to landscaping uncertainty. Commercial property owners are unsure of how dramatic the shift between seasons will be, how it may affect their landscaping, and how they can properly prepare for a winter that doesn’t match the intensity experienced by other regions.
The truth is that even with Florida’s subtle seasonal changes, your landscaping strategy still needs to adapt. This is particularly true of your irrigation system, which is not only susceptible to cold weather, but also a key component to keeping your commercial landscape healthy and beautiful year-round.
Have no fear, we are here to provide you with the Florida commercial landscape irrigation tips your property needs to thrive through the winter season (and beyond). With over 25 years of experience helping commercial landscapes thrive year-round, we have the experience and expertise to help your property flourish, no matter what the weather may bring.
Sometimes, the lack of a real winter can lead to landscaping uncertainty. Commercial property owners are unsure of how dramatic the shift between seasons will be, how it may affect their landscaping, and how they can properly prepare for a winter that doesn’t match the intensity experienced by other regions.
The truth is that even with Florida’s subtle seasonal changes, your landscaping strategy still needs to adapt. This is particularly true of your irrigation system, which is not only susceptible to cold weather, but also a key component to keeping your commercial landscape healthy and beautiful year-round.
Have no fear, we are here to provide you with the Florida commercial landscape irrigation tips your property needs to thrive through the winter season (and beyond). With over 25 years of experience helping commercial landscapes thrive year-round, we have the experience and expertise to help your property flourish, no matter what the weather may bring.
Florida Winter Irrigation Guide
When it comes to the best winter irrigation practices in Florida, there are a handful of key concepts and tips to consider. The nuances of your commercial property may influence the details of your irrigation system, the demands of your landscaping, and so on, but the big picture ideas should still have a profound impact.
Because of this, we’re going to focus on the top tips for irrigation in Florida during the winter months. If your commercial needs a more personalized approach to reach its full potential and maintain a level of excellence year round, we strongly encourage you to work with a local expert.
In the meantime, enjoy this Florida winter watering guide for businesses!
Because of this, we’re going to focus on the top tips for irrigation in Florida during the winter months. If your commercial needs a more personalized approach to reach its full potential and maintain a level of excellence year round, we strongly encourage you to work with a local expert.
In the meantime, enjoy this Florida winter watering guide for businesses!
How Much Should You Water in the Winter in Florida?
The needs of most plants shift with the seasons, and winter is an excellent example of this fact. Despite Florida typically having a very mild winter, especially in places like Tampa Bay, many plants will enter a dormant or semi-dormant state as the temperature begins to drop.
So, as the watering demands of plants drop, you must adjust your approach to irrigation. Failing to do so can lead to some serious problems, including overwatering (harming your plants) and water waste (bad for sustainability and your bank account).
In short, your lawn, your shrubs, and everything in-between require less water to stay healthy and continue to thrive during the winter. This is an opportunity to cut back on your irrigation schedule and volume, effectively saving a bit of money while maintaining the health of your landscape.
Keep in mind, however, that not all plants are the same. Understanding the varying demands of different types of plants is essential, which is why working with an irrigation expert is always a good idea.
If one plant needs consistent watering and another needs none, you could waste resources while simultaneously harming your landscape. This is a situation that must be avoided for the immediate benefit of your landscape, as well as its future health and success.
So, as the watering demands of plants drop, you must adjust your approach to irrigation. Failing to do so can lead to some serious problems, including overwatering (harming your plants) and water waste (bad for sustainability and your bank account).
In short, your lawn, your shrubs, and everything in-between require less water to stay healthy and continue to thrive during the winter. This is an opportunity to cut back on your irrigation schedule and volume, effectively saving a bit of money while maintaining the health of your landscape.
Keep in mind, however, that not all plants are the same. Understanding the varying demands of different types of plants is essential, which is why working with an irrigation expert is always a good idea.
If one plant needs consistent watering and another needs none, you could waste resources while simultaneously harming your landscape. This is a situation that must be avoided for the immediate benefit of your landscape, as well as its future health and success.
Winter Watering Schedule in Florida
In addition to adjusting the amount of water you allocate to your plants, it’s essential to adapt your watering scheduling to the changes that accompany winter. There are a few key considerations when making this shift, and if done correctly, it can be one of the best winter irrigation practices in Florida.
The frequency with which your irrigation system should operate during the winter is sure to be reduced compared to the other seasons. During the summer, you may water every few days, while in the winter, you may only need to water once every few weeks. It’s truly that stark of a difference (depending on your landscape).
Adjusting the frequency of your winter watering schedule in Florida is only part of the complete picture. The time of day that you water may also shift. Thanks to the climate in Tampa Bay, you should water during the morning hours during the winter. This helps maximize the absorption of the water and limits the amount of evaporation that can occur.
The frequency with which your irrigation system should operate during the winter is sure to be reduced compared to the other seasons. During the summer, you may water every few days, while in the winter, you may only need to water once every few weeks. It’s truly that stark of a difference (depending on your landscape).
Adjusting the frequency of your winter watering schedule in Florida is only part of the complete picture. The time of day that you water may also shift. Thanks to the climate in Tampa Bay, you should water during the morning hours during the winter. This helps maximize the absorption of the water and limits the amount of evaporation that can occur.
Avoid Watering During Freezing Temperatures
Florida’s winters may be mild, but that doesn’t mean they are always predictable or free of freezing periods. It’s important to not get complacent with your winter watering schedule in Florida by assuming that temperatures won’t ever drop below freezing.
In fact, you should avoid watering entirely if freezing temperatures are possible. This requires keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and playing it safe, but this is one case where “better safe than sorry” proves to be true.
Operating your irrigation system during a cold snap can cause serious damage. Pipes can freeze and burst, sprinkler heads can crack, valves can fail, and a whole host of other potential issues can arise. Not only could such damage decommission your system for some time (putting your landscaping in jeopardy), but the repairs for such extensive problems can become very costly.
In addition to the very real and expensive possibility of damaging your irrigation system, watering during freezing temperatures can also harm your plants. A dry landscape is far more likely to endure a freeze than a wet one, so do not introduce additional moisture to the situation.
Cold conditions that are accompanied by excessive moisture can promote root rot, stunt plant growth, and even cause plants to freeze, harming or killing them. The unsightly mess that could result is unlikely to be repairable until temperatures rise and new plants can take root, making this an expensive mistake that also causes visual harm to your property.
In fact, you should avoid watering entirely if freezing temperatures are possible. This requires keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and playing it safe, but this is one case where “better safe than sorry” proves to be true.
Operating your irrigation system during a cold snap can cause serious damage. Pipes can freeze and burst, sprinkler heads can crack, valves can fail, and a whole host of other potential issues can arise. Not only could such damage decommission your system for some time (putting your landscaping in jeopardy), but the repairs for such extensive problems can become very costly.
In addition to the very real and expensive possibility of damaging your irrigation system, watering during freezing temperatures can also harm your plants. A dry landscape is far more likely to endure a freeze than a wet one, so do not introduce additional moisture to the situation.
Cold conditions that are accompanied by excessive moisture can promote root rot, stunt plant growth, and even cause plants to freeze, harming or killing them. The unsightly mess that could result is unlikely to be repairable until temperatures rise and new plants can take root, making this an expensive mistake that also causes visual harm to your property.
Invest in a Smart Irrigation System
While it is entirely possible to use our Florida winter watering guide for businesses to help your commercial landscaping thrive through the colder months, investing in a smart irrigation system is one of the best ways to mitigate risk and unlock the full potential of your property.
Make no mistake, purchasing and installing a smart irrigation system costs money. However, the investment is well worth it, especially in the long run, as smart irrigation systems eliminate the guesswork from watering, simplify your approach to irrigation, conserve resources, and save you money.
The most obvious and immediate benefit of equipping your commercial property with a smart irrigation system is that it streamlines your watering strategy. Smart irrigation systems account for climate, time of day, season, weather conditions, and even plant type to automatically adjust your water schedule, how much water a plant receives, and so on. This removes the tedious task of making these adjustments yourself and mitigates the risk of making a costly mistake.
Speaking of cost, smart irrigation systems are far more efficient than traditional sprinklers. They deliver the right amount of water to the right place at the right time, helping your landscaping flourish without wasting water. The result is an environmentally-friendly system that also saves you a significant amount of money over the course of time.
Make no mistake, purchasing and installing a smart irrigation system costs money. However, the investment is well worth it, especially in the long run, as smart irrigation systems eliminate the guesswork from watering, simplify your approach to irrigation, conserve resources, and save you money.
The most obvious and immediate benefit of equipping your commercial property with a smart irrigation system is that it streamlines your watering strategy. Smart irrigation systems account for climate, time of day, season, weather conditions, and even plant type to automatically adjust your water schedule, how much water a plant receives, and so on. This removes the tedious task of making these adjustments yourself and mitigates the risk of making a costly mistake.
Speaking of cost, smart irrigation systems are far more efficient than traditional sprinklers. They deliver the right amount of water to the right place at the right time, helping your landscaping flourish without wasting water. The result is an environmentally-friendly system that also saves you a significant amount of money over the course of time.
Work with a Local Team of Watering Experts
Applying these Florida commercial landscape irrigation tips can help improve your commercial property, maintain the health of your plants, and save you money. They are foundational concepts that, when used correctly, can truly benefit your business.
With that in mind, this Florida winter irrigation guide is generalized. Every property is unique, so while the tips included here can be applied to any property, you will need a more customizable and detailed approach to fully tap the potential of your property.
Working with a local team of irrigation professionals is the best way to approach watering, whether it’s for the winter or year-round. They have the experience and expertise required to evaluate your property, determine the best irrigation strategy for it, and design, install, and maintain an effective, efficient system.
With that in mind, this Florida winter irrigation guide is generalized. Every property is unique, so while the tips included here can be applied to any property, you will need a more customizable and detailed approach to fully tap the potential of your property.
Working with a local team of irrigation professionals is the best way to approach watering, whether it’s for the winter or year-round. They have the experience and expertise required to evaluate your property, determine the best irrigation strategy for it, and design, install, and maintain an effective, efficient system.
From examining the soil type present on your property to setting up a smart irrigation system that is tailored to your exact plantlife, the right Tampa Bay landscaping company can revolutionize your watering strategy and ensure that the best possible outcome becomes a sustainable reality.
To learn more about how you can improve your irrigation in Florida during the winter months (and all year long), feel free to reach out to Landcrafters. We’d be happy to discuss your project with you and apply our over 25 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area to help your dream property come to life.
