Wild Florida Weather: How to Care For Your Landscape
Michael Tomaino
Creating a beautiful Florida landscape is a tall task; keeping it immaculate is even harder. From the design and installation to the ongoing maintenance and occasional problem solving, there’s a ton of responsibility and work that goes into the perfect property.
Landscaping in Florida’s climate adds another dimension to caring for your property. While you may enjoy the sunshine and salty air in the Tampa Bay area, the sometimes harsh environment and unpredictable weather can wreak havoc on your landscaping.
Whether you’re trying to protect your yard from storms or you’re embracing drought-tolerant landscaping, navigating Florida’s unique weather conditions is no small task. The key to your success (other than working with experienced local professionals) is to learn all you can about landscaping in Florida weather and implement that knowledge in practical ways.
To kickstart your journey to healthier, happier landscaping, we’ve put together this essential guide for caring for your landscape in Florida’s unpredictable weather. So, grab your reading glasses, pour yourself a beverage, and prepare to weather-proof your Tampa Bay property.
Landscaping in Florida’s climate adds another dimension to caring for your property. While you may enjoy the sunshine and salty air in the Tampa Bay area, the sometimes harsh environment and unpredictable weather can wreak havoc on your landscaping.
Whether you’re trying to protect your yard from storms or you’re embracing drought-tolerant landscaping, navigating Florida’s unique weather conditions is no small task. The key to your success (other than working with experienced local professionals) is to learn all you can about landscaping in Florida weather and implement that knowledge in practical ways.
To kickstart your journey to healthier, happier landscaping, we’ve put together this essential guide for caring for your landscape in Florida’s unpredictable weather. So, grab your reading glasses, pour yourself a beverage, and prepare to weather-proof your Tampa Bay property.
Landscaping in Florida’s Climate - Everything You Need to Know
How to Protect Your Yard from Storms in Florida
Other than theme parks, beaches, and alligators, Florida might be best known for its storm season. Everyone who has even heard of Florida associates the state with hurricanes, and we totally understand why. They’re incredible forces of nature, and they make national headlines seemingly every year.
If you have property in the Tampa Bay region, you need to know how to protect your yard from storms. Otherwise, you will be left picking up the pieces of your beautiful landscape and starting over from scratch. Not only is this devastating and time-consuming, but it is also extremely costly.
To avoid these less-than-ideal outcomes, it is best to prepare your landscape ahead of time. Here are the top tips to get your landscape ready for hurricane season.
If you have property in the Tampa Bay region, you need to know how to protect your yard from storms. Otherwise, you will be left picking up the pieces of your beautiful landscape and starting over from scratch. Not only is this devastating and time-consuming, but it is also extremely costly.
To avoid these less-than-ideal outcomes, it is best to prepare your landscape ahead of time. Here are the top tips to get your landscape ready for hurricane season.
- Trim your trees before storm season arrives. Compromised limbs, unhealthy trees, and dangerous canopies can all become debris (or worse) unless they are removed before storms hit.
- Remove fruit from your fruiting trees. Not only does this prevent further damage to your trees and your property, but it ensures that the fruit that is ready for picking does not go to waste.
- Opt for storm-resistant plants. Strategically choosing plants that are better able to withstand strong storms can work wonders for your landscape (and your budget) when the inevitable hurricane does hit.
- Use your plants wisely. For example, you can create a wind break by using storm-resistant trees in the right location on your property.
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Time to shift the subject from storms to droughts. Isn’t landscaping in Florida weather fun?
As common as storms and afternoon rain are in Florida, the Sunshine State is no stranger to prolonged, intense drought. This poses a totally different challenge to your landscaping, adding yet another consideration to your strategy and maintenance.
When drought occurs, it is not uncommon for restrictions to be put in place that limit your ability to water your lawn and other plants. This can quickly lead to your plants suffering and becoming that brown, crunchy landscape that we all dread.
How do you avoid this sad outcome? By preparing for drought before it happens.
You can collect rain in special irrigation barrels and save it for a not-so-rainy day. Of course, this water will go quickly in a drought, which is why you should invest in smart watering techniques and technologies. By watering more efficiently, you can help your landscape thrive with less.
Use micro-irrigation to deliver water to the roots of your plants. By combining this technique with smart irrigation technology, you can account for environmental factors (like heat, time of day, and so on) to maximize the usefulness of the water you do have.
Of course, the thirstier the plants, the more water they will require to flourish. That’s why we suggest investing in drought-tolerant landscaping from the start. Plants that demand very little water to thrive will be a game-changer when a drought does rear its ugly head.
As common as storms and afternoon rain are in Florida, the Sunshine State is no stranger to prolonged, intense drought. This poses a totally different challenge to your landscaping, adding yet another consideration to your strategy and maintenance.
When drought occurs, it is not uncommon for restrictions to be put in place that limit your ability to water your lawn and other plants. This can quickly lead to your plants suffering and becoming that brown, crunchy landscape that we all dread.
How do you avoid this sad outcome? By preparing for drought before it happens.
You can collect rain in special irrigation barrels and save it for a not-so-rainy day. Of course, this water will go quickly in a drought, which is why you should invest in smart watering techniques and technologies. By watering more efficiently, you can help your landscape thrive with less.
Use micro-irrigation to deliver water to the roots of your plants. By combining this technique with smart irrigation technology, you can account for environmental factors (like heat, time of day, and so on) to maximize the usefulness of the water you do have.
Of course, the thirstier the plants, the more water they will require to flourish. That’s why we suggest investing in drought-tolerant landscaping from the start. Plants that demand very little water to thrive will be a game-changer when a drought does rear its ugly head.
How to Protect Plants from Frost in Florida
We know what you’re thinking. Frost? In Florida?
As hot as the Sunshine State gets, there are times when the temperature dips below boiling and can even reach below freezing. While you may not see snow in Tampa Bay, frost is a legitimate possibility.
All this is to say, you need to be prepared to protect plants from frost in Florida. If you’re a born-and-raised Floridian, you may not be familiar with what goes into protecting plants from frost. Lucky for you, it’s pretty simple.
As hot as the Sunshine State gets, there are times when the temperature dips below boiling and can even reach below freezing. While you may not see snow in Tampa Bay, frost is a legitimate possibility.
All this is to say, you need to be prepared to protect plants from frost in Florida. If you’re a born-and-raised Floridian, you may not be familiar with what goes into protecting plants from frost. Lucky for you, it’s pretty simple.
- Move potted plants inside for the night if a freeze is predicted.
- Use frost covers on outdoor plants. In a pinch, blankets and quilts work just fine. Cover them before night descends, and remove them in the morning. Do not use plastic!
- If a frost is predicted, water your plants the morning before it arrives. This allows the soil to fully absorb the water and trap the daytime warmth.
Summer Landscaping Tips for Florida
Enough talk of the cold; let’s dive into a topic Floridians are more comfortable with–summer!
It’s no secret that Florida endures some serious heat, especially during the summer months. If you want to become a pro at landscaping for Florida’s climate, planning for summer is among the most important skills to secure. That’s where these summer landscaping tips for Florida prove their value.
First and foremost, be extremely cautious if you’re going to work outside in Florida during the summer. The heat can sneak up on you quickly, leading to dehydration, sunburns, and even heat stroke. Take breaks, drink plenty of water, protect your skin, and take the warning signs of heat exhaustion seriously!
Investing in an efficient smart irrigation system is one of the best ways to keep your landscape beautiful, even when the heat is oppressive. From delivering water precisely where it is needed to adjusting to environmental factors automatically, smart irrigation systems can truly transform your property for the better while saving you a significant amount of money.
If you don’t have a smart irrigation system and it isn’t in the budget right now, try to water your plants twice a day (in accordance with local guidelines). This allows the soil to actually absorb the water, helping that all-important hydration reach the roots of your plants.
Using mulch is also a great idea, as it helps regulate soil temperature and retains moisture. This not only keeps your plants happier and healthier, but can also help reduce the amount of water needed to see positive results.
It’s no secret that Florida endures some serious heat, especially during the summer months. If you want to become a pro at landscaping for Florida’s climate, planning for summer is among the most important skills to secure. That’s where these summer landscaping tips for Florida prove their value.
First and foremost, be extremely cautious if you’re going to work outside in Florida during the summer. The heat can sneak up on you quickly, leading to dehydration, sunburns, and even heat stroke. Take breaks, drink plenty of water, protect your skin, and take the warning signs of heat exhaustion seriously!
Investing in an efficient smart irrigation system is one of the best ways to keep your landscape beautiful, even when the heat is oppressive. From delivering water precisely where it is needed to adjusting to environmental factors automatically, smart irrigation systems can truly transform your property for the better while saving you a significant amount of money.
If you don’t have a smart irrigation system and it isn’t in the budget right now, try to water your plants twice a day (in accordance with local guidelines). This allows the soil to actually absorb the water, helping that all-important hydration reach the roots of your plants.
Using mulch is also a great idea, as it helps regulate soil temperature and retains moisture. This not only keeps your plants happier and healthier, but can also help reduce the amount of water needed to see positive results.
Partner with a Local Landscaping Pro
Whether you’re embracing seasonal landscaping in Florida or trying to protect your yard from storms, working with a local landscaping company is one of the best ways to overcome the challenging climate of our wonderful state.
With over 25 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area, Landcrafters has the knowledge and expertise to help your property thrive, no matter what environmental factors are at play. If you would like to discuss landscaping for Florida’s climate or simply request a consultation for your property, feel free to contact us or fill out the form below!
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.