![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/beautyberry-1.jpg\")
There’s so much to do in Charlotte that it’s easy to put off maintenance on that patch of greenery on your property — your lawn. However, it’s important to take a moment away from enjoying the good life to keep it in tip-top shape. The following is a short guide to lawn mowing in Charlotte. […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s so much to do in Charlotte that it’s easy to put off maintenance on that patch of greenery on your property — your lawn. However, it’s important to take a moment away from enjoying the good life to keep it in tip-top shape. The following is a short guide to lawn mowing in Charlotte.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is a dominant type of grass in the Piedmont — the wide plateau of rolling hills in which Charlotte lies. Like all cool-season grasses that are grown in Charlotte, it grows most actively in spring and fall and can go dormant and brown in the summer. Some warm-season grasses are also grown in Charlotte, and they have their peak growing season in the summer.
\n\n\n\nSo depending on your grass type, you either need to back off your mowing schedule (for cool-season grasses) or step it up (for warm-season grasses) during the hottest months.
\n\n\n\nRegardless of when you mow, to help support the long-term health of your turf, set your mower blades at the highest recommended setting for your turn type. In the case of tall fescue, that’s 2½ to 3½ inches. Longer blades of grass can make the most of the sunlight to build deep roots, which will ensure a healthier, more drought-resistant lawn.
\n\n\n\nNever cut more than one-third off the length of your grass at one time. If you’ve let things go a little wild, increase the frequency of your mows to gradually cut it down to the size you desire, rather than cutting off all the length at once. Additionally, you should keep your mower blades sharp so that they are cutting the grass instead of tearing it.
\n\n\n\nRather than bagging up grass clippings, allow the mower to spread them out across your yard. They will slowly release nutrients back into the soil, and can reduce your need for fertilization. Just make sure you only mow when the lawn is dry to prevent clumping. Clumps of grass can smother grass and leave yellow spots.
\n\n\n\nCharlotte lawns thrive best when given an inch of water per week. Programming your irrigation to deposit an inch per week is ideal, preferably just before dawn. This reduces evaporation, allows the maximum moisture penetration into the soil and reduces the vulnerability to fungus and disease that can come when grass is left wet overnight. A rain sensor can help you make sure that you don’t waste water irrigating after a heavy rainfall, and can also help keep you from overwatering. One deep watering is far superior to several shallow waterings. Watering deeply encourages the deep growth of roots, which ensures a healthier lawn overall.
\n\n\n\nIf your lawn is tall fescue, don’t let it dry out and die during its summer dormancy. Keep up your watering schedule especially if the summer has an extended hot and dry period.
If you are manually watering with a sprinkler, wait until your lawn is thirst to water. You can tell by observing the blades of grass– if they are folding or curling slightly, they are dehydrated. Thirsty grass also takes on a slightly bluish cast and footprints will remain visible for a minute or so. Watering at this point is perfect for preventing damage and maintaining perfect lawn health.
Applying fertilizer in the heat of the season can potentially burn the turf. Save fertilizer application for spring and fall, and stop applying fertilizer at least a month in advance of hot weather.
\n\n\n\nDo you have questions about lawn care in Charlotte? Be sure to check out our Charlotte, N.C., lawn care page.
\n","title":"Basic Guide to Lawn Mowing and Maintenance in Charlotte","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":2.0652777777777778,"src":"/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/1789c/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/107df/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg 320w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/293e9/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg 500w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/f2cbb/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg 800w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/1789c/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg 960w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/e0f2f/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.jpg 1487w","srcWebp":"/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/1dd6e/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/67b76/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp 320w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/8df11/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp 500w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/98a65/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp 800w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/1dd6e/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp 960w,\n/static/d76c254d8a5e37794e870219b4ad6c76/3a3fa/rsz_tall-fescue-festuca_arundinacea-wikimedia.webp 1487w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Basic Guide to Lawn Mowing and Maintenance in Charlotte | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"b79c8019-1776-582e-9601-abe5d60d4084","slug":"best-native-plants-tampa","path":"/lawn-care/fl/tampa/best-native-plants-tampa/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Gorski lives with her family in Texas. She has a degree in Professional Studies and a minor in marketing. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, and writing.","name":"Danielle Gorski","id":"7c21f4d6-aa31-5681-9530-3d69932d07c4","path":"/author/danielle-gorski/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d4dbd5997a7fe91daa87a0bd0839baff?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":"dc593a91-bb7f-5961-b8a5-96bfdf119898","name":"Tampa","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/tampa/"}],"date":"July 19th, 2019","excerpt":"Florida is a botanical wonderland. From brightly colored flowers to unique tropical trees, the Sunshine State has plenty of native plant diversity – and we’ll help you find the right ones for your Tampa landscape.
\n","content":"\nTampa Bay’s subtropical climate and coastal location provide the perfect conditions for many beautiful native plants to thrive right in your front yard (and backyard). Planting native plants is the perfect way to add a touch of Florida to your Tampa landscape. There are several reasons homeowners should consider installing native plants:
\n\n\n\nFrom tropical palms to beautiful wildflowers, native plants have grown in the Tampa Bay area’s subtropical climate for hundreds of years and are well-adapted to the conditions.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Tony Alter / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAmerican beautyberry, also called French mulberry, features large leaves and arching stems full of either flowers or berries, depending on the time of year. Once late summer hits, the flowers mature into bright violet berries that last until fall and sometimes into winter. The berries grow in multiple clusters along the woody stem, spaced out along the vine like veggies on a kabob.
\n\n\n\nAlthough the berries are edible, they are not known for being particularly tasty, though they are sometimes used to make jelly. Birds enjoy snacking on the raw berries. Beautyberry flowers are white, pink, or lavender, and their nectar attracts bees and butterflies in spring and summer.
\n\n\n\nGrowing at forest edges, American beautyberry loves sunlight, though it thrives best with regular hydration.
\n\n\n\nThe serrated leaves of beautyberry are broad, perfect for sheltering small wildlife. When crushed, the leaves have a pleasant aroma that wards off mosquitoes. Rubbing crushed leaves on your skin can act as a natural mosquito repellent.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
USDA hardiness zone: 6-11
Mature size: 3-9 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full or partial sun
Soil preferences: Loamy, sandy, chalk, clay, acidic, well-drained
Water needs: Low.
Salt tolerance: Low.
Wind resistance: Moderate
Potential hazards: Non-toxic; berries are edible
![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bald-Cypress.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe bald cypress is a water-loving tree that can survive being submerged in water for long periods of time. Because of their affinity for water, bald cypresses are typically found in swampy areas or growing near streams and rivers.
\n\n\n\nWith delicate fern-shaped leaves and peeling silver bark, bald cypresses are just as beautiful in the summer months as they are in the autumn when the leaves change to a colorful blaze of burnt orange. Bald cypresses produce cones full of seeds that make a nice snack for birds, squirrels, and other small critters.
\n\n\n\nWith a lifespan that would make even Grandmother Willow jealous, bald cypresses live for a very long time, up to 600 years.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Confier
USDA hardiness zone: 4-9
Mature size: 50-100 feet
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade
Soil preferences: Sandy or loamy soils; adapts well to a wide range of soil pH
Water needs: Low
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Wind resistance: High
Potential hazards: Might cause mild allergic reactions
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nFor Tampa residents looking to add a splash of vivid color to their landscape, butterfly weed produces a blaze of star-shaped flowers. The tiny flowers grow in clusters of orange, although sometimes they come in red or yellow hues. Their hairy stems stand erect, crowned with lush flower blossoms. The stems are populated with long, thin leaves that are a rich green color.
\n\n\n\nAs one might guess, one of the most delightful aspects of butterfly weed is its ability to attract butterflies to your yard. Monarch butterflies are attracted to butterfly weed, which is a host for butterfly eggs. Their pollen and nectar attract bees and hummingbirds, as well. Unlike most milkweed types, the sap of butterfly weeds is translucent and doesn’t irritate the skin.
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed grows in fields and prairies throughout Hillsborough County. The drought-tolerant plant can take a while to get established. Sometimes it can take up to three years until it starts to flower during late summer and early fall.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
USDA hardiness zone: 3-9
Mature size: 1-3 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Herbaceous
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Well-drained, dry, rocky, loamy, sandy, and clay
Water needs: Low
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Wind resistance: Moderate
Potential hazards: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
![\"bright](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/firebush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mokki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nA favorite for hummingbirds and butterflies, firebush produces tubular flowers from spring through fall. Their flowers look like a cluster of tiny hot peppers, blending shades of orange, yellow, and red to add a fiery flare of color to any yard.
\n\n\n\nNicknamed the scarlet bush, firebush is a behemoth of yard plants, adding bushy vegetation that can grow up to 15 feet tall. Homeowners love these bushes for their resistance to hurricanes, making them a suitable fit for hurricane-prone Tampa.
\n\n\n\nFirebush flourishes in South Florida. These plants tolerate a wide range of soils and aren’t the pickiest about where they settle down. Small mammals and birds love snacking on the black berries. The leaves of a firebush possess medicinal properties for healing bug bites, fungal infections, and rashes.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
USDA hardiness zone: 8-11
Mature size: 5-15 feet tall and 2-6 feet wide
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun; needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day
Soil preferences: Well-drained, sandy, loamy, slightly alkaline soil
Water needs: Moderate
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Wind resistance: High.
Potential hazards: Not toxic; berries are edible
![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gloriosa-Lily.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\nLike a blaze of fire, the gloriosa lily blooms in a rich medley of curling red petals trimmed with yellow. The plant originated in Africa and Asia. The gloriosa lily is a boon to butterflies and bees, who love to visit its sweet-smelling flowers. The beauty and unusual shape of this lily has earned it many nicknames:
\n\n\n\nA type of bulb, gloriosa lilies have tubers for their root system. The plant is a climber with vine-like tendrils that creep upward, making it a great plant for trellises or chain-link fences.
\n\n\n\nDespite the name, gloriosa lilies are not actually lilies. The flame lily can last for decades. A gloriosa lily should be placed in a part of the yard where it can get 6-8 hours of sunlight exposure a day. Gloriosa lilies need rich, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Bulb
USDA hardiness zone: 8-11
Mature size: 4-6 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
Soil preferences: Well-drained, acidic, alkaline, neutral, loamy, or sandy soils
Water needs: Moderate
Salt tolerance: Low; does not tolerate salt
Wind resistance: Low
Potential hazards: Poisonous to people, dogs, cats, squirrels, and horses; tubers can irritate skin
![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gumbo-Limbo-Tree.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Milo44 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBefore plastic became commonplace, the lightweight wood of gumbo-limbo trees was used for making horses in carousels. With a century-long lifespan, gumbo-limbo is a long-lived Floridia native treasured for its excellent drought resistance.
\n\n\n\nGumbo-limbo trees are distinctive for their coppery color. Its peeling bark looks like sunburned skin, which earned it the nickname “tourist tree.” They grow to impressive heights, sometimes reaching up to 60 feet tall.
\n\n\n\nPlant them a good distance away from your home, driveway, and other structures. Gumbo-limbo trees grow fast and their branches have a wide spread. Sometimes their branches grow low to the ground, so make sure that a gumbo-limbo tree has plenty of space to grow.
\n\n\n\nA gumbo-limbo’s bark has medicinal properties for skin conditions including sunburns, measles, and insect bites. It also can help cure the flu, colds, and fevers. Their flowers are unremarkable unless you are a bee or butterfly, but the summertime berries are a delightful treat for birds.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
USDA hardiness zone: 10-11
Mature size: 25-40 feet tall, 25-30 feet wide
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun to partial sun
Soil preferences: Clay, sandy, loamy, acidic, alkaline, and well-drained
Water needs: Moderate
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Wind resistance: High
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sabal-Palm.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nChosen as Florida’s state tree, sabal palms are an iconic symbol of the beach. If you are looking for a hardy, tropical tree for your landscape, a sabal palm is perfect because it can last 100 years. Sabal palm is also called cabbage palm because their immature leaves, named heart of the palm, are edible and taste like cabbage.
\n\n\n\nSabal palms have large, fanlike leaves and produce white flowers in spring. Palms provide a resting spot for birds, and their seeds make a tasty snack for small critters. Sabal palms are impressively resistant to hurricanes.
\n\n\n\nPlant your palm trees in a spot with well-drained soil. Sandy or loamy soil is the best type of earth for a sabal palm to thrive in. Sabal palms are a slow-growing plant, so homeowners will have to patiently wait for the palm to sprout up to an impressive height. On the positive side, sabal palms don’t require much maintenance.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Palm
USDA hardiness zone: 7-11
Mature size: 40-50 feet.; can grow up to 100 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
Soil preferences: Loamy or sandy
Water needs: Average
Salt tolerance: Moderate; doesn’t like salt near its roots
Wind resistance: High
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Scarlet-Hibiscus.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis scarlet-flushed water lover usually lurks in marshes, swamps, or besides streams. Scarlet hibiscus flowers, which look like large crimson pinwheels with five petals, add a touch of red to your landscape in summer. Blooming season starts in early summer and lasts until the fall.
\n\n\n\nHummingbirds and butterflies are enticed by the sweet nectar of these flowers, making scarlet hibiscus a great addition to a butterfly garden. Also known as scarlet rose mallow, it thrives in wet soil, so if homeowners have a wet spot in their yard, scarlet hibiscus may be the perfect fit.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
USDA hardiness zone: 8-11
Mature size: 3-6 feet high and has a spread of 1-3 feet
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Loamy, moist soils, organic materials, clay, sandy
Water needs: High
Salt tolerance: High
Wind resistance: Low
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
![\"Seagrape](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/seagrape-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nIt is illegal to harm wild sea grapes, as they are a protected plant species. However, you can bring the shrub-like tree right to your home. Sea grapes don’t produce actual grapes; they derive their name from the purple fruit they produce that strongly resembles grapes in appearance although not in taste.
\n\n\n\nSea grape fruit is edible and can be used for making jelly, jam, or wine. Broad, rounded leaves create a place for lizards to hide, white flowers provide delicious nectar to pollinating insects, and purple fruit offers a delicious snack for birds and squirrels. However, the flowers might trigger allergy symptoms.
\n\n\n\nUsually found growing in sandy beachside soil, sea grapes love oceanside locations. Although it tolerates many types of soil, sea grapes like sandy soils best. The problem with sea grapes is they make quite a mess when they drop fruit all over your lawn. Be prepared to harvest the fruit or deal with cleaning all the fallen fruit out of their lawn.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub/tree
USDA hardiness zone: 10-11
Mature size: 25-50 feet
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun, moderate shade
Soil preferences: Sandy, clay, loamy, well-drained
Water needs: Low
Salt tolerance: High
Wind resistance: High
Potential hazards: Non-toxic. The fruit is edible for people and animals.
![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sea-Oxeye-Daisy.jpg\")
Photo Credit: gailhampshire / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nIn the Sunshine State you can bring a drop of sunshine right to your yard with the sea-oxeye daisy. These daisies, shrouded with silvery-green leaves, add a colorful touch of yellow to your landscaping and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nBirds love to eat the little black fruits the shrub produces. Sea-oxeye daisies can be used as either groundcover or as stand-alone plants in your landscape. Coastal homes that experience sea spray from storm surges might want to consider installing sea-oxeye daisies, since they have a high salt tolerance.
\n\n\n\nIn the wild, sea-oxeye daisies are usually found dwelling in salt marshes or beach dunes. In your yard, sea-oxeye daisies perform best in sandy or loamy soils that are well-drained and receive a lot of full sun every day.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
USDA hardiness zone: 8b-11
Mature size: 2-6 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun and light shade
Soil preferences: Sandy, loamy, mud, or clay
Water needs: Low
Salt tolerance: High
Wind resistance: Moderate
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
![\"picture](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nIf you want to add a cheery touch to your yard, consider seaside goldenrod. The flower’s long stalks burst into color at their tips in an explosion of bright yellow flower clusters. In the wild, seaside goldenrod can be found growing in beaches, dunes, or salt marshes.
\n\n\n\nSeaside goldenrod is a good fit for butterfly gardens, as their sweet nectar attracts honeybees and butterflies. Its nectar can even be used to make honey.
\n\n\n\nAs its name implies, these flowers can usually be found in areas near the sea such as coastal dunes or tidal marshes. It’s a good plant for sandy soils, though it’s not a picky wildflower and it can grow in a variety of soils.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous wildflower
USDA hardiness zone: 8-10
Mature size: 2-8 feet
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Sandy, rocky, clay
Water needs: Low to Average
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Wind resistance: High
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Spiked-Blazing-Flower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nDespite the name, the spiked blazing flower is not known for its spiky thorns or sharp edges. The plant is named for its bristly appearance, as both its leaves and the petals have a spiky, sharp look to them.
\n\n\n\nThe spiked blazing flower is known by several names:
\n\n\n\nSpiked blazing flower is a tall vertical plant, with a long, thin green stalk topped with clusters of purple flowers. Although the flowers are typically a lavender color, they also can be pink or white as well. The sweet nectar or these plants attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nThis drought-tolerant wildflower blooms during summer and early fall, and its leaves turn brown in autumn as the perennial plant goes dormant for the winter. Spiked blazing flowers are susceptible to diseases such as leaf spot and powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nMake sure to plant this wildflower in a spot that receives a lot of sun each day. They need to be placed in well-drained soils, since wet or soggy soils can cause spike blazing flowers to rot. It performs best in poor soils.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous wildflower
USDA hardiness zone: 3-9
Mature size: 2-6 feet tall, 9-18 inches wide
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Clay, loamy, sandy, organic matter
Water needs: Low to moderate
Salt tolerance: Low; does not tolerate salt or salt spray
Wind resistance: Moderate
Potential hazards: Non-toxic
Although native plants grow well in Florida, you can’t place a plant just anywhere and expect it to thrive. Every tree, shrub, and wildflower has different requirements for the type of soil they can thrive in.
\n\n\n\nHere are things to keep in mind when considering what type of native Florida plants to select for your Tampa yard:
\n\n\n\nTampa is in USDA hardiness zone 9b and 10a. Hardiness zones are used to determine the chances of a plant performing well in a certain location. Before you purchase new landscaping plants for your lawn, be sure to consider what plants will fit with the local hardiness zone.
\n\n\n\nTampa has minimum winter temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Tampa has never reached temperatures higher than 99 degrees Fahrenheit, so it has a mild climate year-round.
\n\n\n\nYou also should consider the size of a plant and how much yard space you have. Trees and shrubs take up quite a bit of space as they grow, so make sure that your yard has plenty of space to accommodate such large plants.
\n\n\n\nFor homeowners looking for a wider variety of native species, the Florida Native Plant Society offers a list of native plants on their website for homeowners to browse and learn more information about Florida-friendly plants.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to keep a splash of flora color in your yard year-round, choose plants that flower all year long. With Florida’s mild winters, it is possible for certain types of flowers to bloom even during Florida’s cold season.
Here’s a list of flowers that bloom year-round in Florida:
● Blanket flower
● Blue daze
● Bougainvillea
● Firespike
● Gerbera daisies
● Hibiscus
● Ixora
● Knock out roses
● Lantana
● Mexican heather
● Penta
● Plumbago
● Salvia
● Vinca
Not every plant is completely safe, as some can be toxic to humans and animals. If you have pets or children, you might want to consider avoiding poisonous plants, or at least be aware of which plants may be toxic so you can keep them safely out of the reach of children or pets.
Here are a few of Florida’s poisonous plants:
● Angel’s trumpet
● Azaleas
● Bracken fern
● Brazilian pepper-tree
● Caladium
● Castor bean
● Coral honeysuckle
● Gloriosa lily
● King sago palm
● Oleander
● Poison Ivy
● Poinsettia
● Rosary pea
● Spotted water hemlock
● Yellow allamanda
If you have any of these plants in your landscape, you should be aware that ingesting them can cause serious problems or, in extreme cases, death.
If you want a butterfly garden, choose a selection of native Florida plants to attract pollinators to plant in your yard. Some plants, such as milkweed, can be used as hosts for butterfly eggs and are an essential part of a butterfly’s growth cycle. Certain types of flowers are better for drawing butterflies to their yard than others, so here’s a list of some butterfly favorites:
● Buddleia
● Blue Porterweed
● Butterfly weed
● Coontie
● Coral bean
● Dill
● Firebush
● Firespike
● Gaillardia
● Hydrangea
● Jatropha
● Jessamine
● Lantana
● Milkweed
● Parsley
● Passion flower
● Penta
Flowers that attract butterflies to your yard will usually draw bees and hummingbirds to your landscape, as well.
Whether you want to add a fiery flare of flowers to your yard or whether you want a long-lived tree to be a part of your landscaping, there are many native Florida plants to choose from. Be sure to ethically source your plants and buy them from a local nursery. Do not transplant them from the wild.
\n\n\n\nIf you are looking for a place to purchase native plants for your Tampa lawn, try checking out these local nurseries for the plants you need:
\n\n\n\nTampa frequently experiences hurricanes, so check out our guide on ideas for a hurricane-resistant landscape. Aside from finding the right plants for your landscaping, you should also consider the best grass types for your Tampa lawn or low-maintenance landscaping ideas to minimize the amount of time spent on yard work.
Ready to transform your yard into a beautiful landscape populated with native flora? Let Wikilawn help you find a Tampa landscaping professional to help with your next landscaping and lawn care projects.
Main Image Credit: Seaside goldenrod / Sam Fraser-Smith / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"12 Best Native Plants for Tampa, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4943960149439601,"src":"/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/1789c/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/107df/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg 320w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/293e9/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg 500w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/f2cbb/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg 800w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/1789c/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg 960w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/c26c2/Seaside-Goldenrod.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/1dd6e/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/67b76/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp 320w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/8df11/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp 500w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/98a65/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp 800w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/1dd6e/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp 960w,\n/static/c5ae3431b5a1f93aee1a7152d33e1afa/3cc96/Seaside-Goldenrod.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"12 Best Native Plants for Tampa, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ready to redesign your Florida landscape? Here are some native Florida plants that thrive in Tampa’s humid, subtropical climate."}}},{"node":{"id":"4984eb1f-13e3-56d1-8213-a81c782eac31","slug":"worst-weeds-austin","path":"/lawn-care/tx/austin/worst-weeds-austin/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, two children, dog, and cat.","name":"Nicki DeStasi","id":"ffbf62e2-d627-5a5f-a041-4eaa9ac66924","path":"/author/nicki-destasi/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9846092d7afb2db8d0a4daa2454074f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c823f674-c750-5882-9059-d8c27fbe7e1d","name":"Austin","count":19,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/austin/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 18th, 2019","excerpt":"It’s staggering how quickly Austin has grown thanks to its fabulous music, delicious food trucks, and booming tech industry. Unfortunately, the weeds grow just as fast as the population. No matter how hard you work to keep weeds at bay, they find a way to wreak havoc on your lawn. Here, we’ll help you identify, […]
\n","content":"\nIt’s staggering how quickly Austin has grown thanks to its fabulous music, delicious food trucks, and booming tech industry. Unfortunately, the weeds grow just as fast as the population. No matter how hard you work to keep weeds at bay, they find a way to wreak havoc on your lawn. Here, we’ll help you identify, prevent, and remove the 12 worst weeds in your Austin lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll discover:
\n\n\n\nLike any villain, weeds exploit weaknesses. If your lawn has a problem, they’ll find it and take advantage of it. Weeds are typically a symptom of an underlying issue, like thinning turf, soil compaction, or improper pH levels. Routine maintenance, like mowing, fertilizing, and watering, will keep your lawn healthy and prevent weeds from taking root.
\n\n\n\nThere are many reasons weeds are bad for your Austin lawn, including:
\n\n\n\nThere are two effective weed control methods: hand pulling and chemical treatments. Hand pulling is the safest removal method, but it isn’t always the best. Before selecting your removal method, identify the weeds you are dealing with to ensure the most effective removal.
\n\n\n\nExperts agree hand weeding is just as necessary as chemical removal methods. Aim to weed your yard and garden weekly or bi-weekly. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
\n\n\n\nWhether your yard is weed-free or overrun with problems, you’ll want to watch for several types of weeds. Some are stealthy, and some are bold, but these are the 12 worst weeds in your Austin lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Annual-Sow-Thistle-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAnnual sow thistle grows in almost every state, anywhere, including roadsides, lawns, and meadows. The plant can reach up to 4 feet tall and blooms in late spring and fall. Annual sow thistle harbors pests and looks like a cousin of dandelions.
\n\n\n\nAnnual sow thistle is aggressive and has a shallow taproot that allows for easy hand removal. Several pre and post-emergent herbicides are also effective. Specimens have hairless, blue-green, lobed leaves attached to thick, hollow stems that produce milky sap. The flowers are bright yellow and urn-shaped, maturing into a puffy seed head similar to a dandelion.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 6-9
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Winter; summer
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained, sand, loam, clay, or chalk
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, pre-emergent herbicide, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Chickweed-Stellaria-Media.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jean and Fred Hort / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nChickweed seeds remain viable for 10 years, and each plant has around 25,000 seeds, making it incredibly difficult to eradicate. This upright plant creates a thick mat of small, smooth, oval-shaped leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers.
\n\n\n\nChickweed sprouts in late summer and fall and grows through winter. It thrives in nitrogen-rich soils and in shady areas under trees, close to homes, or along garden walls. Thankfully, these weeds respond well to hand pulling, and if you’re hungry, you can eat them in a salad or pesto. Just be sure to wash it first.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 4-11
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Winter
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; shaded, moist areas
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, broadleaf herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/25140451756_2a557dd4c7_c-3.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nDallisgrass started off as a forage plant for livestock in the 1800s. Homeowners often confuse dallisgrass with crabgrass. This invasive nuisance forms clumps using deep rhizomes. Specimens are low-growing and coarsely textured with light green leaves and long seed heads atop tall stalks.
\n\n\n\nDallisgrass grows faster than turfgrass, and the longer it grows, the harder it is to control. It is one of the more common and problematic weeds in the Southern and Southeastern United States.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Perennial
\n\n\n\nType: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 6-9
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; moist sand or clay
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Weed fork, pre-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/800px-Taraxacum_officinale_001.jpg\")
Photo Credit: H. Zell / Wikimedia Common / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nDandelion is one of the most recognizable weeds in the world. The long, deeply lobed leaves form a rosette. Its rounded yellow flowers turn into fluffy puff balls that carry seeds on the wind, infesting your lawn.
\n\n\n\nHand pulling or dandelion forks work well for removal. After you rip them from your lawn, you can clean them off and eat them in everything from cookies to ice cream. Dandelion tea is also popular. Medicinally, they help with several ailments, including:
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Perennial
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; full sun
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, dandelion ford, post-emergent broadleaf herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Goosegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nHomeowners often confuse goosegrass, also known as wiregrass, with smooth crabgrass. Specimens have leaf sheaths that end in long, thin, green, slightly hairy leaves. The seed heads comprise one to six-inch long spikes growing in a row to resemble a zipper.
\n\n\n\nGoosegrass has fibrous roots and prefers compacted soil. One plant produces up to 50,000 seeds and is difficult to eliminate. They are resistant to many pre and post-emergent herbicides. Good aeration and lawn maintenance practices are the best control methods.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; prefer compacted soil
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; used medicinally
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, pre-emergent herbicide, non-selective post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Henbit.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Miltos Gikas / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nHenbit creeps into lawns in the early spring and grows until summer when it goes dormant. You can identify specimens from their pale purple and red blooms that grow in dense whorls. Leaves are egg-shaped, blunt, and coarsely toothed.
\n\n\n\nHenbit is a member of the mint family and is popular with bees and hummingbirds. The leaves, flowers, and square stems are edible with a slightly sweet and peppery flavor, sometimes compared to celery.
\n\n\n\nHenbit has shallow, fibrous roots and grows upright. Choose a dense, warm-season grass and maintain it regularly. It’s important to avoid overwatering, which encourages henbit growth and seed germination.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, pre-emergent herbicide, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nutsedge.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nOften labeled as the world’s worst weed, nutsedge is also called nutgrass and comes in yellow and purple varieties. Nutsedge resembles grass but grows twice as fast. You’ll notice the long, thin, light green (yellow) or dark green (purple) leaves grow taller than the rest of your lawn shortly after a mow. Aeration and proper watering techniques help control nutsedge.
\n\n\n\nLike goosegrass, nutsedge has spiked seed heads. It grows via tubers and rhizomes, six to 12 inches deep. Hand-pulling nutsedge often leaves the tubers, creating a new plant in its place. Apply several applications of chemical herbicide to fend off nutsedge.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Perennial
\n\n\n\nType: Sedge
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; full sun and wet soil
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible with medicinal uses.
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, weed fork, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Purslane.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Júlio Reis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\nPurslane, or hogweed, is a prostrate-growing plant with shiny, oblong leaves. It is fast-growing with purple-red stems and produces small, five-petaled, yellow flowers. Tiny black seeds form inside egg-shaped pods and are viable for up to 40 years. Purslane responds well to hand removal.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-12
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; full sun; prefers well-drained, moist sand or loam
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling
\n\n\n\n![\"picture](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Quackgrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nQuackgrass is quick-growing and resembles crabgrass. It establishes via rhizomes. Instead of spikes, the seed heads resemble wheat. Also known as common couch, quackgrass has blue-green leaves and a distinctive auricle, a small appendage that clasps around the stem.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Perennial
\n\n\n\nType: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; sand, loam, or clay
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; edible with medicinal uses
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rescuegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nRescuegrass, or prairie grass, grows in late spring, summer, and fall in dense concentrations of sword-like, green leaves. Specimens crowd native plants, starving them of beneficial nutrients. The hairy leaf sheaths are a lighter green than the rest of the leaf, and the yellow seed heads have wheat-like, flattened spikelets. Remove rescuegrass by hand, but wear gloves because it is toxic to some people.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 6-10
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Cool-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Sand or loam
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic; skin irritant
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand removal, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Smooth-Crabgrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThere are around 35 types of crabgrass, but the one that affects Austin homeowners the most is smooth crabgrass. It is low-growing and has dull green leaves. Its stems turn reddish-purple with age. Smooth crabgrass tolerates mowing and still produces seed at ½ inch in height.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: All
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable
\n\n\n\nDanger: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Weed fork, pre-emergent herbicide, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Spotted-Spurge-Trifolium-Repens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxFuel
\n\n\n\nFind spotted spurge on roadsides, sidewalk cracks, gardens, and lawns in late May through summer. Control its growth with mulch or hand-pull pesky specimens. Spotted spurge is a prostrate-growing groundcover with small, dark green, oval leaves with a dark red to purple spot in the middle.
\n\n\n\nThe stems are pink to dark red and excrete a milky sap when broken or cut. Spotted spurge blooms tiny white or pink flowers, forming inconspicuous clusters. The leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits are all slightly hairy.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Annual
\n\n\n\nType: Broadleaf
\n\n\n\nUSDA Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nGrowing Season: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nGrowing Conditions: Adaptable; full sun
\n\n\n\nDanger: Moderate; skin irritant; toxic to sheep
\n\n\n\nRemoval Methods: Hand pulling, pre-emergent herbicide, post-emergent herbicide
\n\n\n\nStop weeds from taking root with these helpful tips:
● Choose the right grass type: certain grass types, like bermudagrass, are aggressive and naturally crowd out weeds.
● Keep a healthy lawn: mow, water, and fertilize according to your grass cultivar; a healthy lawn is more prepared to fend off invasive weeds.
● Apply pre-emergent herbicide: these chemicals prevent weeds from germinating
● Mulch: prevents weeds and aids in soil moisture retention
● Pull by hand: remove weeds as soon as possible
Follower these universal steps to maximize your lawn’s health:
● Mow at the right time: Mid-morning, about 9 a.m., or mid-afternoon, about 5 p.m.
● Leave grass clippings: Grass clippings provide essential nutrients for your lawn
● Keep mower blades sharp: Dull blades rip and tear your grass, causing a brown grass tip and a ragged-looking lawn
In Austin, plant grass seed in March or April to avoid late-season frost and give the seed enough time to germinate before the summer.
One of the best ways to keep weeds out of your lawn is to practice good lawn maintenance. Lawn care is a lot of work, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let Wikilawn connect you with an Austin lawn care professional, so you can spend more time enjoying your lawn.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Henbit / KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"12 Worst Weeds in Austin, TX","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.345291479820628,"src":"/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/1789c/Henbit.jpg","srcSet":"/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/107df/Henbit.jpg 320w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/293e9/Henbit.jpg 500w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/f2cbb/Henbit.jpg 800w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/1789c/Henbit.jpg 960w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/c26c2/Henbit.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/1dd6e/Henbit.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/67b76/Henbit.webp 320w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/8df11/Henbit.webp 500w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/98a65/Henbit.webp 800w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/1dd6e/Henbit.webp 960w,\n/static/96fbecdbce255fbc0bfa17ba9ce389a4/3cc96/Henbit.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"12 Worst Weeds in Austin, TX | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the 12 worst weeds plaguing Austin, TX. Learn how to identify and combat these invasive plants in our comprehensive guide."}}},{"node":{"id":"12104994-1221-5b0e-9aff-b360c2d37b4c","slug":"worst-backyard-pests-denver","path":"/lawn-care/co/denver/worst-backyard-pests-denver/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jill Ramone is a landscaper who specializes in designing sustainable yards for busy homeowners. She prides herself on using eco-friendly products to control weeds and pests.","name":"Jill Ramone","id":"4c71091e-0a16-561f-8bdf-528214955c18","path":"/author/jillramone/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0caf6c31bc9563a294dd509633a793c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"be8bb3a1-b40c-57ba-87f7-ff69490271a0","name":"Colorado","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/"},{"id":"29926219-60e0-5bc5-88dc-c08300a10daf","name":"Denver","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/denver/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"July 18th, 2019","excerpt":"Denver might be cool (literally and figuratively), but backyard pests are out there, lurking just below our feet, busily gnawing away at our carefully nurtured lawns.
\n","content":"\nWe might think that bug-ugly creatures that invade and destroy lawns are the bane of hot, moist parts of the country. It’s true the Southern states suffer the worst, but no part of the U.S is free of grass-chomping insects. That includes Denver.
\n\n\n\nYes, Denver might be cool (literally and figuratively), but they’re out there, lurking just below our feet, busily gnawing away at our carefully nurtured lawns.
\n\n\n\nNearly all insects that can seriously hurt Denver lawns do so in their larva stage — as grub worms. Most varieties feed low on the grass blades and on roots. If you have an infestation, a chunk of sod will come up easily in your hand and you can see the little creatures squirming around.
\n\n\n\nBut here’s good news! The creepy-crawlies most likely to pester Denver neighborhoods can be evicted. The best way to do it is so simple you’ll be smiling by the end of this article.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/J-z_JY_5uFvapkV_PvyoE2d_nzob-TrGncIl7T7NA9h7KPfw2A_VoLBo5SCwo7YwqoN9zxy6-I3T901RfZkwgpOMFjYF7iPkZC-UtmVKbB84US21glqJ0BS8zYgE67IkzO8s-0et\")
First, let’s identify the freeloaders that can lay waste to our backyards.
\n\n\n\nYou may see these black or brown weevils strolling across your sidewalk in the warm months. While their distinctive snouts look menacing, the adult bugs actually don’t do much damage. But in their earlier stage as a white grubworm they can take a toll. The grubs like to hang out around evergreen shrubs and trees where you may see patches of wilted grass and matter that looks like sawdust. Left untreated, billbug grubs can kill your lawn.
\n\n\n\nAn interesting name for a harmless-looking little winged creature you’ll see flitting about in the summer. The larvae will eat their way through the roots of your grass and then move on to your fir trees. In this stage, the gray grubs have distinctive orange-brown heads. Brown patches in your lawn in late summer are a clue you may have these pests.
\n\n\n\nIn parts of the country where they’re numerous, these big clumsy brown bugs are often called June bugs. They like to fly around outdoor lights on summer nights and freak you out when they cling to your skin. For years, Colorado was mostly spared from this insect, but the spread of suburban lawns has increased their population. Almost every American lawn has a few June bug grubs — fat white larvae — but they’re not a problem until they become a heavy infestation.
\n\n\n\nIn their adult stages, these are common moths. In their larval stages, they are brownish grubs distinguished by dark spots on their back. They spin silky webs in the grass or on leaves. They are one of the most common insects in Colorado. Although they come out at night to feed on grass blades, a healthy lawn can withstand them. Also, your backyard birds are efficient and cost-effective exterminators of this poacher.
\n\n\n\nOne lawn pest that is not a grub worm is the lawn mite. These nearly-invisible, spider-like little specks can wipe out a lawn if left unchecked. They prefer hot or dry weather and are not bashful about coming into your house. Fortunately, it’s easy to get rid of them.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JVt1Gik5JiS3bSYEE1wW3wO-1q-RZkC362wnr8Qi9ujm4Px38c-kJTQehKtZE-A--5SuX40ffuah54VNbu5g3JbXvMk3O3NQedq8KT7fxtRhrnTp57H4_qaU7PHiyY405f-ppFqJ\")
Which brings us to the simple solution to backyard pests that will put a smile on your face:
\n\n\n\nSevere infestations may require the use of pesticides or professional help, but every infestation mentioned here can be prevented by proper lawn irrigation.
\n\n\n\nGrubs feed primarily at ground level or on shallow roots. Irrigation done in the morning at a rate of an inch per week (including rain) allows grass roots to descend deeper into the soil and become sturdier in order to withstand pest infestation.
\n\n\n\nProper fertilizing and aeration (getting rid of matted and thatched surface vegetation) also helps.
\n\n\n\nThe key word is “proper.” Overwatering may actually attract pests.
\n\n\n\nBy the way, lawn mites hate water and will evacuate ASAP when soaked down.
\n\n\n\nInterested in more information about lawn care and service in Denver? Visit our Denver lawn care page.
\n\n\n\nMain photo source: Greg the Busker, Flickr
\n","title":"Worst Backyard Pests in Denver (and How to Get Rid of Them)","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3665730337078652,"src":"/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/1789c/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg","srcSet":"/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/107df/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg 320w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/293e9/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg 500w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/f2cbb/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg 800w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/1789c/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg 960w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/fe0f3/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.jpg 973w","srcWebp":"/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/1dd6e/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/67b76/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp 320w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/8df11/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp 500w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/98a65/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp 800w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/1dd6e/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp 960w,\n/static/db17669da0a819ddded4b56cf045b09a/0439e/rsz_grub-greg-the-busker-flicker.webp 973w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Worst Backyard Pests in Denver (and How to Get Rid of Them) | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"c50bda81-b945-531e-b073-f439f50a5e26","slug":"watering-restrictions-baton-rouge-la","path":"/lawn-care/la/baton-rouge/watering-restrictions-baton-rouge-la/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d1d6935d-c1c2-53e6-93e2-8203b0f7327d","name":"Baton Rouge","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/baton-rouge/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"8e5263e2-95b5-572d-8061-a1a1afa1a8c2","name":"Louisiana","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/"}],"date":"July 17th, 2019","excerpt":"While neighboring states wilt under high summer temps and crippling water restrictions, Baton Rouge has the pleasure of unfettered watering privileges. But just because you can use unlimited amounts of water, doesn’t mean you should. In fact, preserving this natural resource is a priority in our area, even if we aren’t seeing a shortage. Read […]
\n","content":"\nWhile neighboring states wilt under high summer temps and crippling water restrictions, Baton Rouge has the pleasure of unfettered watering privileges. But just because you can use unlimited amounts of water, doesn’t mean you should. In fact, preserving this natural resource is a priority in our area, even if we aren’t seeing a shortage. Read on to learn about water conservation in Baton Rouge.
\n\n\n\nUsing the right grass species can help reduce your watering needs. There are five types of grass considered appropriate in the Baton Rouge area. These are carpetgrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, and Bermudagrass.
\n\n\n\nEach of these has an optimal length they should be mowed at, to encourage healthy root development and efficient water use.
\n\n\n\nBermjda (common): 1¼ to 1½ inch
Zoysia: ¾ to 1 inch
St. Augustine: 3 to 4 inches
Centipede: 1 to 2 inches
Carpet: 1 ½ to 2 inches
Thanks to high levels of humidity and rainfall, it’s not necessary to water heavily in our area. Most lawns do well with a deep watering of an inch or so each week or so. It’s easy to tell when your lawn is thirsty. Footsteps will leave prints for several minutes after the grass has is walked on, and the individual blades will curl. Water when you see these signs to prevent any long-term damage and keep the lawn happy.
\n\n\n\nWatering in early morning is always the best policy. It allows the maximum amount of water to seep into the soil.
\n\n\n\nSince many of our household appliances are integrated, it makes sense for irrigation to join the trend. Water conservation is effortless if you use smart irrigation technology. There are a number of systems available with more coming online all the time.
\n\n\n\nSmart irrigation takes a traditional irrigation controller to the next level. Rather than operating solely on a timer, these systems also incorporate water-saving features. Sensors adjust the optimal run time on sprinklers based on current local weather conditions. That means there’s no need to turn the controller off after a hard rain or to adjust the timing on a watering session to compensate for a hot, dry week. This technology takes guesswork and manual resets out of watering and makes sure that your lawn receives the amount of water it needs when it needs it.
\n\n\n\nThe drive to conserve water is a community effort. Here in Baton Rouge, citizens recently had an opportunity to be a part of a citywide challenge to conserve water and enter to win some prizes from the Wyland Foundation. The challenge lasted through April and was spearheaded by Mayor Sharon Weston Broome. While the 2019 challenge has passed, keep an ear to the ground next spring, or check online to see if Baton Rouge joins in again.
\n\n\n\nLooking to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Baton Rouge? Visit our Baton Rouge Lawn Care page.
\n\n\n\nFrank Naper is a nature enthusiast who loves to travel and explore new cities, taking nature photographs along the way.
Some weeds always seem to grow faster than the grass. In a sense, those weeds are doing you a favor, since it makes them easier to spot and get rid of. It’s the invaders that are tough to spot that can make themselves at home and ruin your green lawn. You can control the worst […]
\n","content":"\nSome weeds always seem to grow faster than the grass. In a sense, those weeds are doing you a favor, since it makes them easier to spot and get rid of. It’s the invaders that are tough to spot that can make themselves at home and ruin your green lawn. You can control the worst weeds in Fort Worth, as long as you know how to identify them. Here are the ones to watch out for:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tXPB9QgCyNHWO1RCTQrSiTsjNNYvZTm2RIiL8fGbMEt3ZGQOacY0yCJN4DSwhd9L9vqeJATk34eYvYbHrvfxF_BDmwfVBao7OqbLKxgtj2igT7CcTtwMtIHtCAUOv8cCq044xhIv\")
This is a grassy weed that likes to disguise itself as turfgrass, but it’s an ugly addition to any Fort Worth lawn. This weed likes to establish itself in compacted areas of your yard. It grows in a rounded shape and spreads out much like crabgrass. Goosegrass is hard to kill, and your mower may have a tough time with its thick, coarse leaves. Aerating your lawn in the spring and at the end of summer will discourage the weed from establishing. Once it settles in, spot treat areas with an herbicide, being careful not to damage the lawn.
\n\n\n\nThis sneaky weed looks a lot like grass, but you can identify it by looking at the stem. Nutsedge sprouts three thick stems from the same spot, and you need to dig up the entire nut underneath the plant to get rid of it. Nutsedge does its best to disguise itself as grass but can become an issue in Fort Worth lawns. Digging up each seed pod can be tiresome, but it is the only way to get rid of it.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SOP83d9Blur4o_jb8DF_ClD5HkLGwy5CVYRdhXo7f_XenDOLXCj3tJqyVf3fk8tn7ZJ-bAOBG_4ECa6YknDRFc4ZVtPR-y6PwCyjG-ecCaf0RikF-sqYgmAnNQD0x_Wr2e0uVCtv\")
This edible weed features rounded red stems that are quick to spread throughout the lawn. Purslane, also known as the Dolly Parton weed, blooms from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-summer to early fall. This worst weed in Fort Worth can quickly spread through seeds and root division, making it hard to eradicate if unnoticed.
\n\n\n\n![\"Thistle,](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Gyx61nDAKL6ymEiSjd_8swWW1LjY54Ys9hgvXvdilkKrEcR4LSz0Ce1QP-GeOJGpuXgBFMCDjwtepnMXl2gfe3ou_ttwTIAVc2ici5WDVgFgyc3FU-nPr3lLAOhYHUEQhHMlGJcF\")
For those Fort Worth homeowners with small children, Thistle can be especially worrisome. This spiky weed features leaves covered in prickly spikes which can pierce the skin. Thistle is easy to spot when mature, but also requires thick gloves when removing it from the lawn. Herbicide can also be helpful once the weed starts to spread.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jjhmjjqPwNRmWtRRnVf75brJjWzS7U-V6EVv-mrWhOKggJssJ2P9JpA6hdoqU4pnwF9SKc_MUYUXxUJrs4f2XG6FWxekxiHkaYYbtQWOOlrbOn9cu0Je4rTAUmPWuR0lQGXOo2tG\")
This unique weed looks like a delicate flowering plant, but lambsquarters is one of the worst weeds in Fort Worth lawns. It spreads fast and easy and can take over the garden if not controlled. Its green, oval leaves have a white powder coating, making it easy to spot. Native Americans and some Texans eat this weed, but you need to be cautious. Lamsquarters bears a resemblance to the toxic silverleaf nightshade weed. One big difference? The silverleaf nightshade has thorny stems. A pre-emergent herbicide will stop this weed from seeding. Once it germinates, you’ll need to apply a post-emergent.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll find these and of course, crabgrass growing in your Fort Worth yard this year. Checking the lawn on a regular basis, especially between mowings, will help you identify and treat the worst weeds in the Fort Worth area.
\n\n\n\nWant to learn more about lawn care and maintenance in Fort Worth? Check out our Fort Worth, TX lawn care page.