Bradenton landscaping and lawn care aren’t too tricky in the wintertime—unless you overthink it.
Is your lawn ready for snow?
…just kidding. We live in paradise!
Healthy Bradenton landscapes don’t have a lot to worry about in the wintertime. But there are some things to consider, especially if you’re not used to our moderate season.
If your landscape was well planned and planted by a local expert, then chances are your plants are already in pretty good shape for the upcoming months. What can hurt them is when humans start overthinking things.
Here’s what to know, to do, and not to do for landscapes in Florida winter.
Warm-Season Grasses Go Dormant (That Doesn’t Mean “Dead”)
You’ve got a lot of grasses to consider when it comes to your Bradenton lawn. All of the most common grasses around here (St. Augustine, Bahia, Bermuda, etc.) are “warm-weather” or “warm-season” grasses. Which isn’t a surprise considering our temperatures for most of the year.
Still, one thing to know about warm-season grasses is that they will go dormant if temps are consistently below 60 degrees F. This isn’t a given in Bradenton, but it is a possibility.
Dormant grasses turn brown as a way of shutting off their “extremities” and protecting their core. They will return in spring! Just know that they might not look great in the meantime.
If you need some reassurance that your yard isn’t dead, just look closely at the base of the stalks. Even if the edges of the blades are brown, you’ll still see some green and/or whiteat the base. You can also try a gentle tug to confirm that those roots are still holding on.
All that being said, this is “just in case” knowledge, as we typically have a warm enough winter to avoid dormancy. (Then again, the weather doesn’t pay a lot of attention to “typical” these days.)
If It Worries You That Much, Overseed
If you can’t bear to risk a brown lawn for the holidays (and honestly, we get it), one option is to “overseed” with a heartier, cold-friendly grass like ryegrass. This will fill in your yard with green regardless of how your warm-season grass is doing. As of local temps right now, though, you’ll have to wait for it to get a little cooler before seeding that rye.
Winter Lawns Still Need Watering
The weather may feel perfect for humans (or for some of us, just a touch chilly), but for your lawns, Bradenton winter is often pretty dry. Even if you don’t want to play in the sprinklers, your grass still does.
And yes, dormant grass still needs watering, too. Ask your friendly local landscaper and irrigation specialist for watering recommendations based on the weather and the type of grass you have.
All that being said, overwatering is still a risk in the winter, too. If your yard stays too wet, you’re inviting fungal issues. Tricky, isn’t it?
Rake Those Leaves!
Unfortunately, we don’t get a lot of color with our fall foliage. But we do still get a mess. Don’t forget to rake up your leaves. When they sit on top of the lawn, they can either kill the grass directly or leave it susceptible to pests and disease. Either way, it’s bad news.
Or, Just Hire a Landscaper
Keeping plants happy is a tricky business, especially if you’re new to it. An easier solution is to hire the experts. Not only can a Bradenton landscaper do what needs to be done to keep your lawn healthy this winter, but we’re always around to answer your questions and respond to your concerns. Just email Brice!
