In Central Florida, winter doesn’t mean the end of the growing season! It’s actually one of the most productive times to be in the dirt. While much of the rest of the country is digging out of the snow, we have the unique opportunity to prep our landscapes for a beautiful spring.

Taking a few specific steps now will help your lawn and garden stay healthy through the cooler months and thrive once the humidity returns.

Here is how to make the most of the Florida winter.

1. Focus on Cool-Season Vegetables

January and February are the perfect months to focus on crops that can’t handle the intense heat of a Florida July. If you want a kitchen garden, now is the time to plant:

• Greens: Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, and beets.
• Cruciferous Veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

2. Adjust Your Irrigation

One of the most common mistakes is overwatering during the winter. Most turf grasses go dormant and require significantly less hydration.

• Scale back: Move your irrigation schedule to once a week (or even once every two weeks if we’ve had rain).
• Check the soil: If the grass blades are folded or your footprints remain visible after walking on the lawn, it needs water. Otherwise, let it rest.

3. Prune with Purpose

Winter is the ideal time to prune many deciduous trees and dormant shrubs. Removing dead or diseased wood now prevents pests from taking hold in the spring.

Note: Hold off on pruning spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas until after they bloom, or you’ll accidentally cut off this year’s flowers.

4. Mulch for Temperature Control

Even in Central Florida, we see the occasional frost. A fresh 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch acts as insulation for the root systems of your plants. It keeps the soil warmer during cold snaps and helps retain moisture so you don’t have to water as often.

5. Prepare for the “Spring Clean”

As you spend more time outside tidying up the flower beds, you’ll likely notice the buildup that accumulated over the busy holiday season. Between discarded lawn debris and the general mess that can come with winter’s damp weather, your outdoor bins can start to look (and smell) rough.

A beautiful garden looks much better next to clean, sanitized trash cans. Before the spring heat arrives (and with it, the stomach-turning smell of baking trash) make sure your bins are professionally cleaned and deodorized. Contact us today to set up service!