{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-category-category-js","path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/page/2/","result":{"pageContext":{"posts":[{"node":{"id":"cbdb6945-52ef-5a57-a3fb-89c398f6455c","slug":"orlando-parents-teaching-children-the-beauty-of-gardening","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/orlando-parents-teaching-children-the-beauty-of-gardening/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"January 24th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>As anyone who loves to spend the day in the garden knows one of the greatest senses of accomplishment can be leading a friend or loved one to find their own personal joy in the art and science of home gardening. This, of course, extends to the children and young adults in our lives. But [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>As anyone who loves to spend the day in the garden knows one of the greatest senses of accomplishment can be leading a friend or loved one to find their own personal joy in the art and science of home gardening. This, of course, extends to the children and young adults in our lives. But with so many distractions in today’s modern life how can we best instill our love and passion that comes along with gardening?<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, the Orlando, Florida climate allows for a year-round growing season of all kinds of engaging plants that provide outdoor visual interest as well as &nbsp;introducing youngsters to the beauty and gratification that comes with gardening.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create A Lasting Interest</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Get them started early. Young children often want to do everything the adults are doing. Help start their love of the outdoors and all things growing early by bringing them out with you when you garden. Infants and young children will love being in the fresh air and enjoy the sensory stimulation that comes with the outdoors. Let them play in the soil alongside you as you prepare your planting beds or help get them exploring the vibrant colors and smells of the summer blooms and foliage.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4480\" height=\"6720\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash.jpg 4480w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash-1080x1620.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4480px) 100vw, 4480px\" /><figcaption>Photo by Liana Mikah on Unsplash</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more than gardening. Creating special tasks for your young ones can help keep them engaged when doing tedious tasks in the garden. Making a game of something as simple as digging holes for new plants or picking off the spent flower heads can teach valuable lessons in fine motor skills as well as the rewards of perseverance.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Orlando Kid Approved Plant List</h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Citrus &amp; Fruit Trees. Florida is known as the Citrus State for good reason. Why not bring the delicious reward of growing your own sweet treat right on your patio? Choose from the numerous varieties available at your local garden center and pick out a non-porous pot with plenty of drainage holes in the bottom to get started. At home, place your new tree in a sunny spot that you and your children can easily watch for signs of growth. Soon enough your family will be enjoying the benefits of homegrown citrus trees, from the glossy evergreen foliage, intoxicating floral fragrance of the delicate white blooms, and the ultimate payoff: letting your little ones do the picking of fresh fruit from your tree.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vegetables- A Kid’s New Best Friend. It may be cliche, but getting your kids to eat a full serving of their vegetables might be more common than an Orlando snowstorm in July. However, a vegetable hand-picked from your own garden tastes better than anything you can buy in a store. Coupled with the excitement of planting, watching grow, and the excitement of harvesting, kids are sure to have a new appreciation for their veggies. And here in Florida home gardeners can grow a variety of vegetables all year long. Home gardens are a convenient source for healthy foods and will encourage you and your family to eat more fresh vegetables too. The choices are endless, with vegetables of all sizes, colors, and shapes. If you think that the Florida summer heat and humidity <g class=\"gr_ gr_20 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace\" id=\"20\" data-gr-id=\"20\">is</g> too intense for growing vegetables, think again. There are a handful of vegetables that will do well here in the summer, including sweet potatoes, southern peas, cherry tomatoes, and okra. Some spring crops like peppers and eggplant may even continue to produce into the summer. As long as the plants are healthy, there&#8217;s no need to remove them if they&#8217;re still producing fruit. Even fall in Orlando is an excellent time to start a vegetable garden. Try looking for <g class=\"gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace\" id=\"81\" data-gr-id=\"81\">these <a href=\"http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cool-season-vegetables.html\">cool-season</a></g><a href=\"http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cool-season-vegetables.html\"> vegetables</a> to plant in October including leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and radishes.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Small Handful of Big Flowers. As adults, we often think of our landscapes and gardens as carefully curated pieces of living art. We place a high value on perfectly formed blooms or the intricate patterning on a delicate stem of foliage. But for children, rows, and rows of beautiful blooms are a tempting treat almost too exciting to resist. If you have little ones that are eager to garden but you fear possible damage to your formal landscape consider creating a designated area for your kids to be able to explore nature in their own backyard. Choose from a few of these Orlando kid-friendly choices and watch your littles’ engagement with nature skyrocket.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)<br></h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4912\" height=\"3264\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash.jpg?fit=1024%2C680&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2137\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash.jpg 4912w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash-1080x718.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4912px) 100vw, 4912px\" /></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sunflowers are probably the most traditional seeds to give kids. They germinate so easily, you can have kids start the seeds indoors to see how fast they sprout, then move seedlings out to the garden.  Kids will stay engaged with the growing process as they grow big and tall. When the season is over, they can harvest the seeds for themselves or watch as the birds come to eat them up! There are so many varieties to pick, from mammoth stalks that grow more than 10 feet high to miniature puffy teddy-bear cultivars. Hit the seed aisle at the garden center to pick your favorite.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp)<br></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These tough succulents are multitaskers when it comes to having a plant that both adults and kids will love. Super trendy succulents are easy to find in most garden centers and since they propagate by leaf dropping or small cuttings of stems they are a great, inexpensive, way to teach kids about plant growth habits. Being one of the more forgiving plants out there, Hens and Chicks succulent are almost impossible to kill. They love lots of sun or light shade and can be planted in the ground or in a pot. Just be sure to not over water. Kids might even want to get creative and make use of these plants in their miniature or fairy gardens.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)<br></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An often overlooked plant that does well in the central Florida area is the Lamb’s Ear. It gets its descriptive name from the iconic lamb’s ear shape and ultra soft, woolly mint green leaves. Adding these low growing plants along a planting bed border will bring an underused color to your planting bed and also offers little fingers a chance to touch the unique leaves. Plus, they bloom from early summer to mid-fall so you can enjoy them for many months.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have any questions about gardening or lawn care? Visit our <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/fl/orlando/\">Orlando page</a> for more information!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top Photo by Kyle Ellefson on Unsplash</em></p>\n","title":"Orlando Parents: Teaching Children the Beauty of Gardening","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/1789c/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/107df/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg 320w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/293e9/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg 500w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/f2cbb/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg 800w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/1789c/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg 960w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/f605f/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.jpg 1000w","srcWebp":"/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/1dd6e/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/67b76/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp 320w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/8df11/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp 500w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/98a65/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp 800w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/1dd6e/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp 960w,\n/static/6d47f2137c31fc52cc1d8cc12ed62fdd/23e94/kyle-ellefson-196125-unsplash-e1548291734238.webp 1000w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Orlando Parents: Teaching Children the Beauty of Gardening | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"8edc4bc9-2240-573b-9232-22fe35c8fbe7","slug":"5-plants-perfect-for-your-orlando-landscape","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/5-plants-perfect-for-your-orlando-landscape/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"January 22nd, 2019","excerpt":"<p>When picking plants for your Orlando, Florida landscape project it is important to make smart choices. The climate and soil types in Orlando can be harsh to many of the readily available plant choices found at most of the big box stores’ garden centers. It is wise to choose plants based on their tolerance to [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>When picking plants for your Orlando, Florida landscape project it is important to make smart choices. The climate and soil types in Orlando can be harsh to many of the readily available plant choices found at most of the big box stores’ garden centers. It is wise to choose plants based on their tolerance to the hot, humid climate and that can grow and thrive without the need for excessive amounts of water and fertilizers. Picking plants that are generally self-sufficient given the naturally copious amounts of bright sunlight and fresh rainwater will be better for you, your landscape, and the environment.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following 5 landscape plants were chosen as ‘Perfect for Orlando’ because they are either native to the Central Florida region, or they are easily established and noninvasive in the Orlando landscape, and are easy to care for in residential and commercial settings.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. &nbsp;Saw Palmetto</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1100\" height=\"734\" src=\"https://i1.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2116\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto.jpg 1100w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto-1080x721.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" /><figcaption>Photo: Medical News Today</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This member of the palm family is slow-growing yet a very long-lived plant (some have been found to be 500-700 years old!) and is an iconic Floridian choice for any area in your yard you want to make feel breezy and tropical. Its clumping form helps make a few plants look like a full, dense planting. It likes to grow under trees with some sunlight. The color of its palm-like leaves can vary from yellow-green, green, dark green and silvery green when grown near the coast. The Saw Palmetto’s flowers are a perfect food source for sought after pollinators and provide habitat for desirable pollinators such as native bees and moths.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. &nbsp;American Beautyberry</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"797\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry.jpg?fit=1024%2C680&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2117\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry.jpg 1200w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry-300x199.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry-768x510.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry-1080x717.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" /><figcaption>Photo: Wikipedia</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This shrub is a rarity in Florida in that it&#8217;s deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves in winter.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Attractive to wildlife and easy to care for, American beautyberry is known for its bright fuschia-purple berry clusters during the cooler months of the year. Though this shrub is a Florida native plant (and grows naturally throughout the southern United States), it&#8217;s not always on hand at garden centers so be sure to ask your favorite garden supplier to order you what you will need. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beautyberry attracts birds and butterflies and has a casual rambling look that works well in as a backdrop to home foundations or along walls. Just be sure to give it lots of space to grow as it could crowd its plant neighbors. Since it takes almost any kind of light, this is one plant that can be used in light shade areas that receive mainly dappled sun (though deer may be more tempted to munch on it there).</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. &nbsp;Auntie Lou Cordyline</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"866\" src=\"https://i2.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/auntie-lou-cordyline.jpg?fit=1024%2C866&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2118\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/auntie-lou-cordyline.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/auntie-lou-cordyline-300x254.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/auntie-lou-cordyline-768x650.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" /><figcaption>Photo: Flickr // pawightm (Patricia)</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The beautiful deep burgundy foliage of the Auntie Lou Cordyline (Cordyline <g class=\"gr_ gr_8 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace\" id=\"8\" data-gr-id=\"8\">futocosa</g>) is perfect for any area needing a bit of accent and interest. Commonly used in semi-to-tropical areas as an accent landscape plant it also works excellent in mixed plantings or individual containers and is great for inside an office or home. Its huge foliage makes this a great novelty for the partial sun gardens or for growing in a container. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cordyline, also called Ti Plants, don&#8217;t like to stay wet, so give them regular irrigation with time to dry out a bit between watering. Partial sun to shade is best. They can grow to 3’ to 6’ tall and 2’ to 3’ wide, the perfect choice when selecting a plant to stand as a backdrop in a mixed planting bed.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. &nbsp;Crotons</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2309\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2119\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons.jpg 2309w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons-1080x607.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2309px) 100vw, 2309px\" /><figcaption>Photo: The Spruce</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Crotons are possibly the most popular of Orlando’s colorful foliage plants, with brilliantly-colored leaves streaked with gold, red, orange, green and even pink. They are easy to care for shrubs that provide an instant infusion of color and low-maintenance needs for any size yard. They feature varieties with many leaf types and sizes from swirly, narrow ribbons to wide, flat leaves. Some have fun names like Dreadlocks, Curly Boy, or Sloppy Painter. </p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter which you choose, consider planting different varieties together for a riot of color and a mix of textures, or place several of the same variety to grow together in a &#8220;drift.&#8221; These gorgeous shrubs can jazz up an all-green landscape or work well with flowering shrubs or other plants prized for their bright foliage like the Cordyline &#8216;Red Sister&#8217; variety. A benefit of mixing crotons with flowering shrubs is the consistency of color in the landscape, even while other plants are not in bloom.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. &nbsp;Robellini Palm</h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/robellini-palm.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2120\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/robellini-palm.jpg 800w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/robellini-palm-225x300.jpg 225w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/robellini-palm-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" /><figcaption>Photo: Pinterest</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you think of typical Florida palm trees, an image of tall tree trunks stretching toward the sky often comes to mind. However, the robellini palm (Phoenix roebelenii) offers a miniature palm choice growing to a maximum of 12 feet. When selecting your specific tree, look for plants with 3 trunks (or ask your garden supplier for this specifically) as the odd number grouping provides a more aesthetic appearance. Although robellini palms enjoy the sun, they do prefer some shade during the hotter afternoon hours. If your palm will be planted in a container or pot, move the plant to an east-facing area that is sheltered from the sun&#8217;s rays for part of the day. Keep in mind the proximity of your new robellini palm to sidewalks and entryways. The tips of the fronds are often very pokey and can cause painful pricks if one gets too close.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking the time to research which plants are best for the natural conditions in Orlando will help save you time and money when it comes to landscape longevity and the amount of maintenance you must perform over the lifetime of the garden. These are just a few examples of the wide variety available to those living in the lush, humid subtropical climate of sunny Orlando, Florida!</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still have questions about landscaping or lawn care? Visit <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/fl/orlando/\">our Orlando page</a> for more details!</p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top Photo: </em><a href=\"https://orlandoplantsandtrees.com/landscape-design-ideas\"><em>Orlando Plants and Trees</em></a></p>\n","title":"Here Are 5 Plants Perfect for Your Orlando Landscape","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":2.112455516014235,"src":"/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/1789c/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/107df/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg 320w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/293e9/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg 500w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/f2cbb/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg 800w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/1789c/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg 960w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/9e8b3/orlando-landscape-designs.jpg 2968w","srcWebp":"/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/1dd6e/orlando-landscape-designs.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/67b76/orlando-landscape-designs.webp 320w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/8df11/orlando-landscape-designs.webp 500w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/98a65/orlando-landscape-designs.webp 800w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/1dd6e/orlando-landscape-designs.webp 960w,\n/static/8f78aef0fe14499271b3560edb4655f3/4a663/orlando-landscape-designs.webp 2968w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Here Are 5 Plants Perfect for Your Orlando Landscape | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"60c160bf-8d10-5df4-a619-3b4222fe001e","slug":"most-affordable-exterior-upgrades-for-orlando-fl-residents","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/most-affordable-exterior-upgrades-for-orlando-fl-residents/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"January 7th, 2019","excerpt":"<p>Our homes and businesses are often our most important investments. So naturally, it is just as important to keep their exteriors looking fresh and current. Often when we think of ‘exterior upgrades’ we assume large-scale projects that eat up both time and money. However, with a few small updates, our exterior upgrades can have both [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Our homes and businesses are often our most important investments. So naturally, it is just as important to keep their exteriors looking fresh and current. Often when we think of ‘exterior upgrades’ we assume large-scale projects that eat up both time and money. However, with a few small updates, our exterior upgrades can have both a positive impact on our curb appeal as well as our pocketbooks.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Have a design that works together</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. </strong><strong><em>New Mailbox &amp; Planting</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"990\" height=\"660\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mailbox-for-dallas-affodable-house-upgrades.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1989\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mailbox-for-dallas-affodable-house-upgrades.jpg 990w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mailbox-for-dallas-affodable-house-upgrades-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mailbox-for-dallas-affodable-house-upgrades-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" /><figcaption><em><strong>Photo:</strong> </em><a href=\"https://www.houzz.com/photo/1765921-rockmount-mediterranean-exterior-denver\"><em>Houzz</em></a></figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It may sound simple, but replacing an old mailbox can add style and personality to your front exterior. To create a cohesive look it should match the design style of the exterior of your house. Not quite ready to say goodbye to your mailbox? Simply add new colorful plantings around your existing mailbox’s post. Try for a mix of flashy blooms and some evergreen shrubs, such as a backdrop of Golden Shrimp Plant and Indian Hawthorn.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. </strong><strong><em>House numbers</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as your mailbox is a primary focal point for visitors, your house numbers are just as important. Update your basic numbers by going with the same design style as your home’s exterior (and new mailbox). Orlando is blessed with a wide range of architectural styles, so if you have a craftsman bungalow look for house numbers that you feel highlight the asymmetrical architecture and tapered columns of your home. Art Deco is definitely in right now and there are lots of ornate options that would tie into your unique style. So whether you live in a modern contemporary building or a one of a kind historic pueblo design, finding a set of house numbers to match your style is a must.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. </strong><strong><em>Exterior Lighting</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"990\" height=\"660\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/landscape-lighting-for-dallas-post.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1990\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/landscape-lighting-for-dallas-post.jpg 990w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/landscape-lighting-for-dallas-post-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/landscape-lighting-for-dallas-post-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" /><figcaption><em><strong>Photo:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.houzz.com/photo/112537164-dallas-project-mediterranean-exterior-dallas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Houzz</a></em></figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hitting refresh on your exterior lighting fixtures can do wonders for changing the look of your home’s exterior without doing a major renovation. There are thousands of different options for exterior lighting in every possible design style imaginable. Wall mounted sconces, hanging lights under a porch, ground lights that <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/home-garden/how-to-use-lighting-to-transform-your-outdoor-space/\">illuminate your entryway</a> are all chances to express your personal style while adding an upgrade to your exterior.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. </strong><strong><em>Fresh Paint</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Painting an entire house can be an overwhelming task both in time and cost. However, thinking smaller and focusing on another key focal point of your home’s exterior will give you just as much satisfaction. Giving your front door a new coat of paint will offer a chance to change up your color scheme or refresh what was already in place. Either way, you’ll be adding new life to an existing feature.</p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Get a Good Thing Growing</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Accent Pots</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"990\" height=\"742\" src=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1991\" srcset=\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas.jpg 990w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas-510x382.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" /><figcaption><em><strong>Photo:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.houzz.com/photo/4198148-contemporary-landscape-contemporary-landscape-little-rock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Houzz</a></em></figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find yourself short on time or out of space to pursue a new landscaping feature look to adding accent planters around your exterior. Your local home improvement or garden center will have a wide selection of outdoor planting pots to choose from. When selecting a location for your new additions think about how the shape and color of both the pot and the plants you choose can be used to accent your home’s exterior features.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. </strong><strong><em>Mulch</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dressing your existing planting beds with a fresh layer of mulch is not only good for the continued health of your plants but it also makes your beds look new and well cared for instead of washed out weather worn.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. </strong><strong><em>Planting Bed Care</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintain your hard work out in the garden by keeping your plants happy. Be sure to take the time to keep your beds weed free so they thrive where they are planted and your green thumb is not hidden by undesirable scraggly weeds. Deadhead spent flowers or seed pods after the seeds have fallen or been eaten by the birds. And be sure to thin out any planting groups if they seem to get a little too crowded in the space you’ve planted them.</p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. </strong><strong><em>Powerwash</em></strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Living in the hot humid climate of Orlando, we understand how quickly vegetation can grow. While we love that it means our grass is green and there is almost always fresh flowers, it can also mean a never-ending battle with moss, mildew, and mold on all of our surfaces. Consider renting a power washer to tackle the green buildup on siding, patios, and pavers. Instantly get a clean and fresh feeling with an afternoons worth of work.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for lawn care tips? Visit our <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/fl/orlando/\">Orlando lawn care</a> page for all sorts of tips, tricks, and general information.</p>\n\n\n\n<p></p>\n","title":"Most Affordable Exterior Upgrades for Orlando, FL Residents","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/1789c/orlando-landsape-design.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/107df/orlando-landsape-design.jpg 320w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/293e9/orlando-landsape-design.jpg 500w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/f2cbb/orlando-landsape-design.jpg 800w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/1789c/orlando-landsape-design.jpg 960w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/e0d73/orlando-landsape-design.jpg 990w","srcWebp":"/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/1dd6e/orlando-landsape-design.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/67b76/orlando-landsape-design.webp 320w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/8df11/orlando-landsape-design.webp 500w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/98a65/orlando-landsape-design.webp 800w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/1dd6e/orlando-landsape-design.webp 960w,\n/static/ca2776c46f2a8cbf190a11de5b23d0f4/ffa97/orlando-landsape-design.webp 990w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Most Affordable Exterior Upgrades for Orlando, FL Residents | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"3c41a6a2-7e52-5d71-84fc-de4ecfbc94ed","slug":"the-pros-cons-of-diy-lawn-care-in-orlando-fl","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/the-pros-cons-of-diy-lawn-care-in-orlando-fl/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jackie Greene is a blogger, gardener, and nutrition enthusiast. She enjoys creating organic meals for family and friends using the fresh ingredients she produces from her backyard homestead.","name":"Jackie Greene","id":"fb5923e1-833b-5d9b-808e-ded0e62c0bc4","path":"/author/jackiegreene/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2c1121209a3ebfbe0a7e941d102b2971?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"January 3rd, 2019","excerpt":"<p>Homeowners have to decide whether they want to higher a professional lawn care service for all of those important tasks or if they prefer the DIY lawn care route. Each option has positives and negatives, so you have to look at your unique situation! Orlando, FL residents need to consider the pros and cons of [&hellip;]</p>\n","content":"\n<p>Homeowners have to decide whether they want to higher a professional lawn care service for all of those important tasks or if they prefer the DIY lawn care route. Each option has positives and negatives, so you have to look at your unique situation! Orlando, FL residents need to consider the pros and cons of DIY lawn care to make the right choice.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Residents in Orlando, FL have a long growing season for their lawn when compared to other regions of the country. The higher temperatures and climate mean you do more lawn care than other homeowners, which makes Orlando unique. You need to closely consider the pros and cons of DIY lawn care vs. professional lawn care. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The PROS of DIY Lawn Care</strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Saving Money </strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest pro for DIY lawn care is that it does TYPICALLY (not always) save you money. If you’re pinching pennies and making them scream, professional lawn care may not be in the budget for you. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest areas you’ll save money is the cost of lawn mowing. If you have ¼ of an acre in Orlando, FL, the <a href=\"https://www.wikilawn.com/lawn-care/fl/orlando/\">average cost to have your grass cut is $48.77</a>. That doesn’t sound too bad, but during some periods of the year, you may have to cut your grass twice a week. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>For our example, we’ll say it’s cut once a week. That’s $195.08 per month. You could spend over $2,340 per year on lawn mowing! A riding lawn mower costs anywhere between $500 and $2,000 depending on the make and model, and they last for years. You do need to pay for gas, but mowing your own grass does save you money. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example is the cost of overseeding your lawn. The cost can be anywhere from $500 to $1,000. Grass seed doesn’t cost that much; it’s the cost of the labor involved with overseeding. Overseeding will take you several hours to an entire day to finish yourself, but the savings there are large. </p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exercise</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Who needs the gym? Taking care of your lawn is exercise enough, especially when the temperatures are high and you sweat a gallon or more. It’s a great way to get some exercise in or get some time alone with your headphones. No screaming kids in your ear is a bonus. </p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You Get the Credit</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of homeowners take serious pride in their lawn care and landscaping. You spend all of that time taking care of your lawn. It feels great to get the credit for how wonderful it looks! Taking care of your lawn yourself means that you can put your own creative spin on your design and how you want it to look. </p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The CONS of DIY Lawn Care </strong></h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Results May Be Lacking</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You aren’t a professional, and the results you wanted may not be achievable without their help. It takes time and practice to get it right. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem isn’t just not getting the results you wanted, but you might spend too much money trying to get the right results. Professionals can knock out weeds easier than homeowners can. You’ll spend weeks trying to find the right combination of chemicals and products when a professional would get it right the first time. They do this on a regular basis. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, core aeration is one task that can really make your lawn shine, but it can cost around $100 for a professional to aerate a 5,000 square foot lawn. It costs around $80 to rent a core aerator for the day, but it may take you more than one day to complete the task. If your results aren’t satisfactory, you may have to do it over again. In these cases, hiring a professional who can complete the task timely and properly the first time around is a wise investment of your money. </p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Time is Money Too </strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let’s not forget that time is money as well. Do you want to invest a lot of your time taking care of your lawn? For some people, lawn care is a true joy, so taking the time for DIY lawn care is no problem for them.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to consider your schedule and flexibility. Do you have the time to spend on DIY lawn care? If so, that’s great, but you may find you have to give up something else to make the time. </p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hidden Costs You Won’t Expect </strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You’ll save money in some aspects of lawn care, but there will be hidden costs you don’t expect. Things can easily go wrong without a professional over-seeing your lawn care.<br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might not notice patches of your grass starting to come up because of a grub infestation. The crabgrass weed may rapidly take over your lawn without you realizing it began! If you encounter a lawn disease or something that you don’t know how to fix, you’ll spend money fixing it and you might end up still having to call a professional. <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>The average cost of weed control in Orlando, FL is $60. If you have to experiment and purchase a few brands of weed killer, you’ll spend more than that! An average gallon of weed killer is around $20! <br></p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don’t forget that you need to fertilize our lawn at least once or twice a year. The average cost of lawn fertilizing in Orlando, FL is $60 for ¼ of an acre. If you do that yourself, you will spend several hours and just a bit less in fertilizer. Homeowners forget to include the cost of things when they consider how much they’ll save by using DIY lawn care. </p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Deciding Which is Right for You</strong></h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you love taking care of your lawn or if you don’t have any room in the budget, DIY lawn care could be right for you. In most circumstances, a professional lawn care service has many benefits. You benefit from their expertise, and they come well-equipped to handle anything that they might encounter. Plus, you’re reclaiming hours of your life that you can spend with your family or having fun! <br></p>\n","title":"The Pros &#038; Cons of DIY Lawn Care in Orlando, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/f2cbb/orlando-lawn-care.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/107df/orlando-lawn-care.jpg 320w,\n/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/293e9/orlando-lawn-care.jpg 500w,\n/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/f2cbb/orlando-lawn-care.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/98a65/orlando-lawn-care.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/67b76/orlando-lawn-care.webp 320w,\n/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/8df11/orlando-lawn-care.webp 500w,\n/static/6c814f08b65744f77dc982cff766e51e/98a65/orlando-lawn-care.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Pros & Cons of DIY Lawn Care in Orlando, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}}],"metaTitle":"Everything You Need to Know About Orlando Page % Page | Wikilawn %","metaDescription":"Looking for info on Orlando ? Wikilawn has everything you need to know.","prevPageLink":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/","nextPageLink":null,"currentPage":2}}}