Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.
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When is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs in Florida?
Should I place mulch around a new plant?
Should I cut back a plant after planting it?
Do I need to fertilize bedding plants?
What is the best type of grass to use in Florida and how should it be maintained?
When is the best time to plant new trees and shrubs in Florida?
Fall rains combined with cooler air temperatures and warm soil temperatures help new plants get established. This is the best time for planting trees, shrubs and flowering bulbs. Be sure to check with a landscape reference manual to determine what species grow best in your area. Not all palms can be grown throughout the state. Develop a landscape plan, or have a professional create one for you. Either way, fall is a great time of the year to start, enhance or redo your landscape, and improve the exterior appeal of your home.
Should I place mulch around a new plant?
Yes. Place a two to three inch layer of mulch around the plant. This will conserve moisture and help control weeds.
Should I cut back a plant after planting it?
It’s rarely necessary to prune at planting. Prune only broken or damaged branches. Some pruning to shape the plant may be helpful.
Do I need to fertilize bedding plants?
Nearly all bedding plants will benefit from a regular, moderate rate of fertilization during the growing season. However, there are a few kinds of plants (e.g., impatiens) that seem to produce more green foliage than blooms if heavily fertilized.
What is the best type of grass to use in Florida and how should it be maintained?
The best lawn grass for Florida is St. Augustine. St. Augustine grass will repair itself most quickly from insect or drought damage and will make a thick, green lawn when fertilized properly. If a beautiful lawn is your goal, other turfgrasses such as centipede, bahia, zoysia and Bermuda have too many problems to be seriously considered.
Actively growing lawn grass should be mowed at least once a week, and sometimes more often if it is growing fast. Let the rate of growth dictate your mowing schedule rather than the calendar. A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the leaf blade at a given mowing. In other words, a St. Augustine lawn maintained at three inches should be mowed when the blades grow to four and one-half inches tall. St. Augustine should be cut at three to three and one-half inches unless you have Seville St. Augustine, which prefers a two-inch cutting height.
