Florida Lawn Resources

Healthy Lawn and Landscape

A smooth, dense lawn is attained by frequent and regular cutting at a constant height. Mowing too infrequently and improper watering can cause thatch build-up. Mowing too low can also cause problems in turf quality. Constant low mowing reduces the density and vigor of St. Augustine grass. Also, weed problems in St. Augustine grass lawns can usually be attributed to a low mowing height and improper watering.

Mowing Frequency and Heights

Hulett recommends mowing often enough so that no more than 1/3 of the blade height is removed per mowing. If your average lawn height is 3 inches, then it should be mowed when it grows to a height of 4 to 4.5 inches. Grass plants are stressed every time the lawn is mowed but removing only one-third of the leaf blade at each mowing can minimize stress. Leave as much leaf surface as possible for photosynthesis to provide food for regrowth.

Good Mowing Practices

In addition to keeping your mower clean, your blade sharp, and following the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and service, other responsible mowing practices, include:

• Pick up stones, sticks, and other debris before mowing
• Never mow wet turf with a rotary mower because clippings can clog the
  machine
• Mow in a different direction every time the lawn is cut to help
  prevent wear patterns
• Remove clippings or redistribute these by re-mowing or lightly raking
• Adjust the cutting height on a driveway or sidewalk, using a ruler to
  measure the distance between the ground and the blade
• Never fil a hot mower with gasoline
• Always wear appropriate footwear when mowing

For a Healthy Lawn and Landscape

• Avoid over-watering to deter excess weeds and plant diseases.
• Water lawn and ornamentals at the appropriate time of day and for the right amount of time; avoid frequent light watering as this causes shallow root systems.
• Develop deep root systems by watering only when the first signs of wilt occur – spots that turn bluish-gray, footprints that remain in the grass longer than they should, and many leaf blades folded in half, lengthwise.

Irrigation Practices

Most home irrigation systems contain automatic controls that run your sprinklers, providing convenience if you are out of town for long periods of time. However, unless you are able to adjust the run cycle to compensate for the weekly rainfall, this convenience can be detrimental to your lawn and shrubs. When using supplemental watering, remember to water enough to wet the root zone, when your grass starts showing signs of stress. In South Florida, sandy soils need ¾ to 1 inch of water and don’t need water again until grass shows signs of wilt. Conditioning your lawn to survive for several days without wilting between irrigations or rainfall may take up to 6 weeks but this helps the root system develop and grow deeper in the soil.

Sprinkler systems need maintenance but you may not notice it because they run when you’re asleep or just waking up. Your lawn’s sprinkler system should be regularly checked and serviced to get the maximum benefits from it. Check for an even spray pattern, replace heads if leaking, check that valves function properly and check for correct timing on your system controller.

Irrigation Tips

• Make sure sprinkler system zones apply water uniformly; don’t mix head types or let the reach of two sprinklers overlap excessively.
• Wait until turf stress symptoms are noticeable before applying water – grass with a bluish-gray color, folded leaf blades, and/or inability to recover from foot or vehicular traffic.
• Run sprinkler systems early in the morning before grass heats up.

Mulch discourages weed growth, conserves water in your landscape and benefits your plant beds and leafy trees. However, too much mulch around the perimeter of your home can be a good hiding place for insects and, in some cases, attract uninvited pests into your home. Mulch can be applied around established plants at any time. Newly set plants should be mulched after they are planted and thoroughly watered. Once plants in a ground cover or shrub bed have formed a solid mass by touching one another, the mulching requirement is reduced.

Organic Mulches

Organic mulches gradually decompose and need replenishing to function effectively. Grass clippings and leaves decompose very rapidly and need to be frequently replenished. Cypress mulch, pine bark, and wood chips break down very slowly and only need to be replenished every year or two.

Restoring Color to Organic Mulch

Most organic mulches will change color with age from their original colors to a weathered gray color. To restore color to mulch, try shallow raking your existing mulch to restore the freshly mulched look.

Inorganic Mulches

Inorganic mulches, such as gravel, pebbles, and stones rarely need replenishing. Still, small particles will eventually move down into the soil and a thin layer will need to be added from time to time. Inorganic mulch material is ideal to use around the perimeter of your home.

Applying Mulch

Mulch entire plant beds with a layer of material. For individual trees in lawns, create a circle of mulch about two feet in diameter for each inch of trunk diameter. Increase the mulched area as the tree grows. Keep mulch 1 to 2 inches from stems and trunks of plants to avoid stem or trunk rot that can destroy plants.

Benefits of Mulching

Mulch prevents water loss from the soil through evaporation and creates a more uniform soil temperature, while also deterring weeds. As organic mulches decay, they add nutrients to the soil, potentially improving soil structure. Adding mulch provides uniform color and interesting texture to your beautiful landscape.