![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/liana-mikah-665127-unsplash.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1\")
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 […]
\n","content":"\nAs 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?
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 introducing youngsters to the beauty and gratification that comes with gardening.
\n\n\n\nGet 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.
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.
\n\n\n\nCitrus & 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.
\n\n\n\nVegetables- 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
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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stanislav-stajer-73392-unsplash.jpg?fit=1024%2C680&ssl=1\")
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.
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.
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.
\n\n\n\nHave any questions about gardening or lawn care? Visit our Orlando page for more information!
\n\n\n\nTop Photo by Kyle Ellefson on Unsplash
\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":"967a5dc5-d6c7-5ddf-9319-b15692dd316c","slug":"why-everyone-wants-to-live-in-orlando-fl-in-30-pictures","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/why-everyone-wants-to-live-in-orlando-fl-in-30-pictures/","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":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"April 27th, 2019","excerpt":"When you think of Orlando, visions of Disney probably dance in your head, but Orlando is more than just Disney World. People from all over the world visit this area of Florida, but most don’t realize Orlando is also one of the best places to live in the United States. Making the move to Orlando […]
\n","content":"\nWhen you think of Orlando, visions of Disney probably dance in your head, but Orlando is more than just Disney World. People from all over the world visit this area of Florida, but most don’t realize Orlando is also one of the best places to live in the United States. Making the move to Orlando can be more worthwhile than you think. With a diverse population, a vibrant culture, a love for sports and the arts, and a huge university, Orlando has the makings of a bustling city perfect for all ages.
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lO4yAQGi9mTYYWo9oO9tAYzyBtEbCDJkiWgJOU8uLFIe6_LUyBSIMxfn_wYJYtyekgDodKkUM_DCFkk3Rj-0ogfTeNO7QavDs0LoZHY4p-F3Ul7sKsKIoZFlwZNT_4ev-KJLEw7M\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/r6qi4ZqLeJgR7_tnLk_HGtMBl0Ii0rFdfAB2rkRTIKzSqN2p6429MGg5BqzujDIvj7tiWoBp3J0VdyZYts5TXzEPYKFl_O7xHszd0d17ZjVGOiMegIxcA2huZjL2ziuCE6_xPF9z\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WpNnf6X_oTd6ipkiDp2jRnYDVsPMJLr2Pu-ZHCgZJGF_msi8069j5dLv_4igqKGk5YK0RcfJdJbipVvRm8eTudQu5JYZE2j1NWmGv8QJMtRvudu_Hq2eG-JqSGbRIKg8YSQhVu3I\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/d1GmmviK0VSEwHqJ6fESbVO5MR2cjPLlCJCHSbETSkPpf8m-LVORSFakA8DJGqVru249-cFd7Bnp3wc0pssrLPTdPEA_SrD7okuGm2p_V9Ut3pikkVkLLAvHxkHrL6A22z60jDfY\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/q5AfsiG9HO0IVkUkZhxW_WecD49VhF5NWVh2xju_hoZMqTiDksgW2o5q9m_w0KHxROhXW0iluB5GuvxWc8gDF9T5sr0NEsT_eTZk8bKNDrEFyc2wu46EAFFCP-28CdydvDiyDo_F\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/KyX9q3nz8sJ2u09x26z6SFOdirzW7ElZfmwGy20Zkqc9FEMd3K4g8kPoa2z7IGjodneZYIOSfwDUl-w3QRWzhG2iCCRnw1Ips34D7QFSkGZqK_xasjI3Rm1NER5IiCPybglcECVt\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gMCALT8kvbI_jjzQWsEkjAOqAAcuBag4gMg_dUxugkAABYX85iq-4poW_H-y-B2JvNNazhcgvkz6ETrVJIip_b01tEFoAGVlGIGf2141vGxvZFa971gx1bqIVixxQuY8lLmKCd54\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uBkAxvuLc4J_QGvpJBcnNdJW8iFYzCF-i_b8iQ-I7cNKOfHoS69pYkorx9kNPuXXqS0h6DfWo0Q6nnovhHsqC71NYGvW5HqxdD6ZuZyHj_c_uaD1_h2nqJwD7kr7mBSBYeV1F5pK\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MOKIcMaj3FWZathV7esZ6BBQmtVuQIF0CIRmmVviD8gZPsly7RBV-uZcTKVRQQT_gCPZED28JraMN_bSCwy_X7DG7JwH1TZl0KbSFaTRDfCUyCkvuXXbWzPB_nUsNUpm7ALY8vQQ\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eSJ0nPmNsStvXJz1_9-7UV9t2sD8LucoiS_Jo8jDmoVV24V5OgQhQ2GrzOKmSxxRwmstVVvrCqwt5BOy78CpGH7xKqUpBv9RYve4Id9lU0e-oxk-9Vw2b9Bo33y_1WGEgIv8yJy9\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Ld7c9-tpLMTsTgUtomhw1Rt6f0I4JIHaUxHGhuINcRpydCr1tTPycWJOkzby3DPTQsW6oFA7vgPKHyV6Qt_5qpa_pW7zaYGBLw-I2rkqI3ZlKWxQrJ60_3sXishPCnONGoy3Q6mk\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mdaQEIImmEvdmXhrAqrr3HTH6qy01S1y6ukOT4gCivC1esgMpEAdSPAxAgDsnNLB9HJCi2PH8wF2ftZoDlN0zthDNQ9y5F80BrIMwlILXqWFpik_S6ZrORroJeQfe5K1utxcKVtK\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/b23lIGBc-0iayLCOOBylSFbJbsj4in7RU54TBC6VY8E6cpUThBLYqMj1wJSMCuApiYJ56Vt56_25WAsK9uOayDQHCnjgDyHYUtubm5x3Bw7ZXzw0rmjGfb48VavfVSFVavA_yTWT\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5a3yYcU8ugfSR54m536W7QeLCevp3NQWRhQqW0x3Z5DbrD6sTQG1fJ_ZdpXfBmduV8nXrbNIH_kHxF9lV3ly_P1DQi9_YOKjnyngRtTnnQ8c5QiTjmUTs13qeERe3H_UiF_ovIyf\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/syz-2swDumQhPZnIzDJvNk358UiMUyjN3f3eCzmtNyeJ7DUVudsmyW623En9TuwRvD0U7CA1MWW8P8kaB0aKMvdFnd1SUTqWqRV9qZC9PTfMN5sqTLD02EFwzXMKM5f1I3UqP_qj\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XF4KCcJqW9MQHk5BI3OLtPhzBw1AiibF9_x8QAWDPDMdC583GaVxlpHdL1Ky8IJb2rn_oUi7PcTK4JacUNetF_XlhBBi5EmQk1BoGsTjQBf7HOP4EtI4rnFy4j2zhzTz4nKDwDpq\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UzgkqLnSwwjOlko_gLJ6crZgXLZ6BJzlje9Qp3d64YSo2WIjDgABBCoGYcJVGdWjUamaf1jMjPZaOWsfxffCWOqqQ_neLeLkkGjBq2Bfi1b666xivEuc0vDlKPPn99EItImyatIl\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BJ6KY2UGX-K2X2am-ghy9gAKpM7NIiVUJ4mdoduZryjhMgrESvW2zYJcNGqzh3YhpptpIExvMWGjnPt4LTtgCfvjOFH92kO5z79qMTd__MTOlX7lOzSv6O_2Pfr2pRvHl3RfkCZF\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Yt9DdwGtWfMaT-KBGHNZgsm0JtbnMHaabSlPEUzcFhL_6yhiqnHSBjjrCAvIyWmzTcOELHGbFps2vrElHyIcdoDA2SJaXc2KlUKfLj6E5pvsoSqKS6EbZcF9Fu-IW27Mu7HvhHLa\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YQ0DmT27hsBOeQWwRk1xFdqeBldUZORxVxsuE84arSFkao4PSBGIXtKA5uEAWRXA5c9RfvqE6RG2e0xInx1XMn-yAcOCmCabsnw0IWAlKxTaaJmDsQz-zH2wdD4NZRCdE0VAsU5n\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/beYKKNlztG9RiwhcJIGhVQb-WW_sf2nPKMnDOWfDL4ZWLxa0ExnbSRHWGjEac7KQQo_iZWNrailAIcZZH-ybFXvjANN6bSoWitEewSVAUAIDjy0XB-Y2ch48LEG3LMbbeos5DZcJ\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8Cl2nfewmsmNtb3m-iYTrqMpezrPUmwgmNaOUCtVedO1HqTdXCEEvWe6lnMoG2H0Y_OTUEYkpaSEAYgE3lKxJmYl8nzgyD2OJKu2slrcpnq5V69mo-AMMU5TRSyvbnQKlO-pWite\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/737pVyb_YKCSvuJ_dlSbfs1qU9CaKmqHX11bHkywCoF4fUjBpgVKinGjcDF4N7bCaaH7IGd7sSFkyq32UHzZ-H84kfNOwJ7bydzQbJZK7TW-C0q5zTLXnCIipnXD1G6zexd0Ssdv\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/f6aXsd0zeiq_SIuiZ-ItSFb3NWlYlME9NCumNHJBlJ5-kdBDk2_5h4607jCAmQN7_bYrVyHxqawBeHoP0MQ6Fd4SqvvDADJDME8zNGNXjW-nPPSlfYVeujbUp36vGyFmURvqi8v7\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m50CMuHBJBEdIyGKoWOo_kpy4WbibLRlkBUFUOE8LlzIjd05_0OLHDsamIkfO86AoPSrmJ-m159s2eNc7jugZPysgG6FR1cfZ6Zo7ngFGSI_vPhujJsBEUtAHKlTVMsxM_xRw0xe\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y9m9n6-QHD9dImzFjqtoNyrbO4-pEtAjK-VA_E3PL2ps0b7aLdmSmBfvssvMYCBEKS6xK5h6vncvvpR07CLu9uNegIZU-ohaWrOL8aDxVM0oQH8SWEFoxvbvD0texhhcTj2p6Gu\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/R5gh5aRHbsvX15vRRkoR94CY-f9oPu0073xjWZYygPwbNDDcXdMmRIsxHLYH4GIkXVmNLls-Ppssf8LFlATmkgS-pEcqMtevqj9uaWgDwGPBIuvRbvVIasSWONP092GxpUNzLZ30\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zaMbujfbBU9Z9OHulwx9trE4SktMSksvPaQHZ4j_kwuJ3_ysKMmtXKkS_iOrJvq8OdzbNZf2qFG3mgQT57OSmAnjDFFADr0FTAlCMTR8n7M_qsUrVFMYsq-d8mB9uDBSwpO5yCH\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/d7lDzguGV7VQzJy0xuAun-dU0eS0L61ihXe6unXUiIRgbqh5KEfgW2dvV0eb7Eh3SxX_KkjJHzylciXviYxMQmrm0jtWwFcA4g5UBVDg2cb2LQ6Uy625B57_-BatmUlVmYAbwnUo\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cUG6ODdhBh4o9QlmUxoHvqPbHltrMJzTd9ZfrDNbkDIcln6p_m1bqTSuJGABS_xMQP0ZafgOgsoF3BmZnyw3-bLb2Lj1DLdHbma1O-U_PGFragNmhdBJWtH7Blosl9o9rnNfwU_U\")
Looking for lawn care services in Orlando, FL. Visit our Orlando, FL lawn care page for professionals and advice.
\n","title":"Why Everyone Wants to Live in Orlando, FL in 30 Pictures","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7777777777777777,"src":"/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/1789c/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/107df/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg 320w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/293e9/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg 500w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/f2cbb/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg 800w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/1789c/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg 960w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/a2a79/orlando-fl-skyline.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/1dd6e/orlando-fl-skyline.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/67b76/orlando-fl-skyline.webp 320w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/8df11/orlando-fl-skyline.webp 500w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/98a65/orlando-fl-skyline.webp 800w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/1dd6e/orlando-fl-skyline.webp 960w,\n/static/8c42fef7cd9256572fc7e456a64718b2/7aa54/orlando-fl-skyline.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Why Everyone Wants to Live in Orlando, FL in 30 Pictures | 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":"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 […]
\n","content":"\nWhen 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.
\n\n\n\nThe 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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/saw-palmetto.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/american-beautyberry.jpg?fit=1024%2C680&ssl=1\")
This shrub is a rarity in Florida in that it’s deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves in winter.
\n\n\n\nAttractive 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’s not always on hand at garden centers so be sure to ask your favorite garden supplier to order you what you will need.
\n\n\n\nBeautyberry 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).
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/auntie-lou-cordyline.jpg?fit=1024%2C866&ssl=1\")
The beautiful deep burgundy foliage of the Auntie Lou Cordyline (Cordyline
Cordyline, also called Ti Plants, don’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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/crotons.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1\")
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.
\n\n\n\nNo 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 “drift.” 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 ‘Red Sister’ 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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/www.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/robellini-palm.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
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’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.
\n\n\n\nTaking 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!
\n\n\n\nStill have questions about landscaping or lawn care? Visit our Orlando page for more details!
\n\n\n\nTop Photo: Orlando Plants and Trees
\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":"699c665e-aefc-56d5-9d75-4f8405b3d5f8","slug":"soil-in-orlando","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/soil-in-orlando/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"March 5th, 2019","excerpt":"The first step to creating a lush, green lawn is understanding your soil. To the frustration of lawn care experts here in Orlando, FL, the soil composition is mostly made up of sand. Healthy lawn care requires smart, careful preparation that starts with prepping the soil for sod – or amending the soil for your existing […]
\n","content":"\nThe first step to creating a lush, green lawn is understanding your soil. To the frustration of lawn care experts here in Orlando, FL, the soil composition is mostly made up of sand. Healthy lawn care requires smart, careful preparation that starts with prepping the soil for sod – or amending the soil for your existing lawn. You will need to prepare a soil test to know your soil, and soil determines the successfulness of laying grass in your yard.
\n\n\n\nNutrient-rich soil that is properly balanced is important for a healthy lawn. You may think dirt is just dirt, and it’s nothing special, but that’s far from the truth. Dirt is a crucial factor in growing a lush lawn. Problems that arise, such as disease, poor growth, weeds, and pests, typically come from a problem with your soil. In Orlando, you need to combat the existing sandy soil by amending it with the correct loam soils and nutrients. This can be a lengthy process that generally requires more effort than a one-time fix.
\n\n\n\nSo, let’s take a look at what your soil should be and how to get it to the right composition.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/soil-diagram-1024x983.png\")
Photo: Wikipedia
\n\n\n\nDifferent areas have different soil compositions, but the best soil for grass is called loam soil, which is lacking in Orlando. This type of soil is a combination of clay, sand, and silt. Loam soil retains vital nutrients and moisture while allowing air-flow and drainage. Standing water can kill grass, and the air is necessary for proper growth.
\n\n\n\nLoam soil is made of 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. If there is too much clay in the composition, water won’t be able to drain properly. If there is too much sand, the water will drain too quickly, and your lawn will be thirsty all the time. So, the proper composition is necessary to keep your lawn happy and prevents you from constantly troubleshooting.
\n\n\n\nLooking for a shortcut in determining your soil composition? Check out the USDA’s Published Soil Surveys for Florida by clicking here. You’re going to want to check out Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH determines how well your lawn absorbs the vital nutrients needed to grow. Nutrients are crucial for lawn growth, just as they are for human growth! When the soil pH level is off, your lawn is unable to obtain the proper vitamins.
\n\n\n\nIf your soil is too alkaline, the grass may not be able to absorb the nutrients available, even if you apply different fertilizers. Soil that is too acidic face the same problem, causing your grass to turn pale. When your soil pH is wrong, grass won’t be able to tolerate heat stress and drought. It also allows weeds to take over the area.
\n\n\n\nLuckily, testing your soil’s pH level isn’t hard! The local extension agent in your county can tell you the ideal pH level for the grass in your area. The right level changes from area to area.
\n\n\n\nYou can buy at-home pH tests online, or you can ask the extension office if they analyze soil samples. Take samples from at least ten spots in your lawn, and dig down four to six inches. This depth is where your grassroots will reach.
\n\n\n\nIt is necessary to test your soil before you apply any amendments. Amendments improve your soil, but unnecessary soil amendments cause problems. You might lower or increase your soil pH level when it was perfect!
\n\n\n\nIf you decide to take your soil away to be tested, expect results to take 7 to 10 days, but you will get detailed information about your lawn.
\n\n\n\nAmendments change and improve soil, and amendments shouldn’t be confused with fertilizers. Fertilizers add nutrients to the soil, but amendments change the condition of the soil itself.
\n\n\n\nFor new Orlando lawns, homeowners should mix the amendments into the soil before planting the new lawn. For established Orlando lawns, you apply the amendments to the surface and water them in, which doesn’t disturb the grass. Amendments sink into the soil and get to work. This process is called topdressing.
\n\n\n\nMany types of soil amendments exist, and here are the most common choices.
\n\n\n\nNow that you tested the soil and determined if alterations are necessary, it is time to get down to business.
\n\n\n\nIf your soil is too acidic, try adding lime treatments to bring a more neutral state. In a pinch, wood ashes increase a pH level, but they aren’t as strong as lime. To balance your alkaline soil, adding sulfur is a cheap choice but ferrous sulfate or aluminum sulfate is even better. If you need to lower the alkalinity, try applying compost.
\n\n\n\nThe soil is the basis of a healthy lawn. All homeowners or lawn care companies should test the soil before applying treatments. If you understand the soil in your yard, you can save money and time because it reduces random troubleshooting when you encounter problems.
\n\n\n\nFor example, you might assume you have a nitrogen problem, so you apply a fertilizer high in nitrogen. The excess nitrogen causes your grass to weaken, leading a pest and disease problem. Now, you made more issues! Testing your soil and applying the necessary amendments is the best first step you can take to create a healthy lawn.
\n","title":"Dirt 101: All About Soil Composition in Orlando, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.0419921875,"src":"/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/cd58b/soil-diagram.png","srcSet":"/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/7b880/soil-diagram.png 320w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/49b19/soil-diagram.png 500w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/90823/soil-diagram.png 800w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/cd58b/soil-diagram.png 960w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/99f65/soil-diagram.png 1067w","srcWebp":"/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/1dd6e/soil-diagram.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/67b76/soil-diagram.webp 320w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/8df11/soil-diagram.webp 500w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/98a65/soil-diagram.webp 800w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/1dd6e/soil-diagram.webp 960w,\n/static/dfe8c4ab42b7db3fe833782e9eb6ef83/bdfaf/soil-diagram.webp 1067w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Dirt 101: All About Soil Composition in Orlando, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"To the frustration of lawn care experts here in Orlando, FL, the soil composition is mostly made up of sand. Healthy lawn care requires preparation."}}},{"node":{"id":"f357346f-b84e-57b9-a6cb-77fde3327632","slug":"best-grass-types-orlando","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/best-grass-types-orlando/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Amy Adams is a freelance writer and former newspaper journalist. She grew up in Kansas but has been living in Florida for the past 15 years and has no intentions of ever moving back!","name":"Amy Adams","id":"eb80c67d-0627-5815-9dd0-304031dbe1be","path":"/author/amy-adams/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a8e73c6ada90c41863cce7b93d142c7d?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":"March 5th, 2019","excerpt":"Orlando has so much to see and do for tourists and residents alike. But it’s not just the popular sites like Disney World that make The City Beautiful stand out – it’s also the tropical landscape. As homeowners, we do our part to hold up our nickname by maintaining our yards. Knowing the six best […]
\n","content":"\nOrlando has so much to see and do for tourists and residents alike. But it’s not just the popular sites like Disney World that make The City Beautiful stand out – it’s also the tropical landscape. As homeowners, we do our part to hold up our nickname by maintaining our yards. Knowing the six best grass types in Orlando is a start to keeping our city’s scenery lush and beautiful.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nWarm-Season vs. Cool-Season Grasses for Orlando
\n\n\n\n6 Warm-Season Grasses for Orlando
\n\n\n\nFAQ About Grass Types for Orlando
\n\n\n\nChoose Plant and Grass Varieties for Your Orlando Landscape
\n\n\n\nLiving in Florida it should come as no surprise that you would want to choose a warm-season grass for your lawn. But you may still wonder, why does it even matter which grass I plant?
\n\n\n\nThere are two types of grasses:
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses: The southern states are where you will mostly find these types of grasses. They originated in the subtropics and like cool winters and hot summers. Warm-season grasses will be at their greenest with temperatures 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit making them the ideal choice for Orlando homeowners.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses: These grasses prefer cold winters and warm summers along with regular intervals of rain. They grow the most when temperatures are 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nWith their affinity for hot weather, warm-season grass types are the obvious choice for Central Floridians. Here is some information to help you decide which of the six types of warm-season grasses is best for your Orlando yard.
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bahia-grass-1.jpg\")
Bahiagrass
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Bahiagrass may have its roots as a pasture grass, but it has made itself at home in Orlando landscapes. This fast-growing grass is tolerant of most soils but does best in acidic soil. Its resistance to most insects and diseases makes it easy to see why it’s a popular choice.
\n\n\n\nThis grass is good for large spaces due to its aggressive growing rate. Because bahiagrass develops a deep root system and spreads through rhizomes (underground, stemlike roots) it easily spreads to other lawns or flower beds, so it’s best to ask a professional for advice if you live close to your neighbors.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass blades are typically tall and thin with a light green shade, but it also tolerates nitrogen if you desire a darker green grass. Expect to mow every seven to 10 days during the growing season.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low — needs full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Growth rate is moderate to high, so plan to mow often during the growing season
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 3-4 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low; insect tolerance is moderate
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soils, does well in sandy loam
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Bahiagrass is grown in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S; does best in acidic soils — not the best grass if your soils are naturally alkaline; doesn’t tolerate saltwater well
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bermudagrass.jpg\")
Bermudagrass
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
This grass with its high traffic tolerance is great if you have pets and children. It spreads through both stolons and rhizomes to help it grow into a beautiful green carpet, making it an ideal place for the kiddos to run and play. However, you will need to add metal or concrete borders at least 2 inches into the ground to prevent rhizomes from tunneling and invading nearby ornamental beds.
\n\n\n\nIts heat tolerance is perfect for our relentless hot summers and its drought tolerance is ideal for our dry springs. Bermudagrass also loves lots of sun making it the perfect Sunshine State grass.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is a fine-textured grass with blades that fan out horizontally creating a soft, dense turf. It’s often used on golf courses and athletic fields. It’s a higher-maintenance grass because it requires frequent mowing and fertilizing.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Poor — needs full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate; develops thatch easily; needs regular fertilization
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1-2 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good resistance to disease, although diseases are common; low resistance to insects
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soil types
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Bermuda spreads aggressively via its stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems) and is able to outcompete many weeds. The downside is that it also can be a nuisance and is sometimes considered invasive. You’ll often find it has tunneled underground into flower beds and spread into neighboring lawns. Tolerant of most soil types.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Starr-070906-8535-Stenotaphrum_secundatum-habit-Kula_Ace_Hardware_and_Nursery-Maui_24264673843.jpg\")
St. Augustinegrass
Photo Credits: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
This high-maintenance grass needs lots of moisture and is the least cold-resistant of the warm-season grasses, making it another great option for Central Florida homeowners. Its blue-green blades are quick and easy to establish for a dense turf grass in your yard.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass’s high salt tolerance is another reason why it is a popular choice among Florida homeowners. However, it’s also known for being susceptible to disease so you do need to keep an eye out for any signs of distress.
\n\n\n\nIt has a coarse and spongy texture with broad-rounded tips and doesn’t tolerate heavy foot traffic. While not a requirement, this grass performs best when fertilizer is applied regularly.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate shade tolerance, among the highest of any warm-season grass; some cultivars more shade tolerant than others
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high mowing frequency
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2.5-4 inches (mow dwarf varieties from 2.5-3 inches; standard cultivars from 3-4 inches; mow tall in shade)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates many soil types; prefers moderately fertile and moist (not waterlogged) soils; not a highly drought-tolerant grass; doesn’t tolerate soil compaction
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Native to coastal areas across the world and prefers moist soils and mild winters; will thrive in more inland areas provided growing conditions are met; good salt tolerance; will go dormant during winter in all but the southernmost regions
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoysiagrass-2.jpg\")
Zoysiagrass
Photo Credit: David-Pierre Mangiapan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
This thick grass may be slow to establish but is well worth it once your yard is a full carpet of green turf. Its natural thickness helps to prevent weeds from peeking through and ruining the lawn you’ve spent so much time cultivating.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is native to Asia but has been in the U.S. since at least 1895. Its love of warm weather makes it a favorite among southern gardeners. It also grows deep roots helping it to weather a short drought. It will become dormant if there is an extended drought, but will quickly spring back to life once watered.
\n\n\n\nKeep up with proper lawn maintenance practices to keep pest problems away and your Zoysiagrass looking its best. The University of Florida details how homeowners can use best management practices, like proper fertilization, irrigation and mowing, when maintaining their Zoysia lawn.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Tolerates light to moderate shade
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low to moderate nitrogen requirement; moderate mowing frequency
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1-2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Not prone to disease and insects; good disease tolerance overall
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-draining, some cultivars more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Moderately salt tolerant; cut with sharp mower blade; mow taller if grass is in partial shade
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Centipedegrass.jpg\")
Centipedegrass
Photo Credit: James Becwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0
This is a slow-growing grass with origins in Southeast Asia. It does well in acidic soils, is fairly drought tolerant, and even tolerates shade.
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass is naturally a lighter green than many other grasses but homeowners are discouraged from overfertilization with nitrogen to get a darker green. You risk increasing long-term maintenance and it also reduces the grass’s ability to tolerate cold spells.
\n\n\n\nThe fact that it’s a low-maintenance grass has made it a popular choice for Orlando homwoners. Centipedegrass requires less mowing than other types of grasses and is easy to edge around garden beds and sidewalks.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate — at least six hours of full sun per day
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low mowing frequency
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5-2 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good resistance to diseases and insects
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5-6
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Acidic, infertile, at least moderately good drainage (very dense, clay soils produce poor results)
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Low maintenance once established; greenish-yellow color (like a green apple) during the growing season; low fertilizer and mowing requirements; doesn’t tolerate heavy traffic; not a salt-tolerant grass
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Buffalograss.jpeg\")
Buffalograss
Photo Credit: Titus Tscharntke / Pixnio / CC0
Spread by stolons, buffalograss derives its name from its use as a grass to feed bison and buffalo across the Great Plains in the 19th century.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss loves what and sun, making it a great option for Central Florida homeowners. Known for its blue-green color and curling leaves, it grows well in all soil types but does not like high traffic.
\n\n\n\nThis low-maintenance, low-growing grass is drought-tolerant and should only be watered as needed. Overwatering can leave your buffalograss weak and susceptible to weeds. Overwatering can also leave room for diseases to creep into your lawn.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Very low — best suited for full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought resistance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Very low, but light use or rare heavy use is OK
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low mowing frequency — once per week or less
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2-4 inches or leave unmowed
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good tolerance against diseases and insects
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.5-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Native soils, not sandy soils
\n\n\n\nWhile you can plant grass seed year-round in Central Florida, it’s generally best to plant new seed between April and July. This will allow time for a full growing season before cold snaps begin in the late fall.
St. Augustinegrass tends to be the easiest to grow and the most popular grass in Florida due to its heat tolerance.
Yes. However, there are numerous things to consider when mixing grasses. For instance, you don’t want to choose a grass that will outgrow the other, ultimately taking over your yard. It is best to seek professional advice on the best mixes and how to care for them once planted.
Naturally with Orlando falling into the USDA zone 9b, you will always want to choose a warm-grass type for your Orlando landscape. But which grass you choose will largely depend on your personal preferences and needs:
\n\n\n\nIf you have a shady lawn: St. Augustinegrass is an excellent option for anyone with a shady yard.
\n\n\n\nIf you have a sunny lawn: Bermudagrass’s love of the sun makes this a go-to for homeowners with little to no shade in their yard.
\n\n\n\nIf you have kids, pets, and guests walking on your grass frequently: You can’t go wrong with Bermudagrass when it comes to foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nThe grass with the least amount of work: Centipedegrass or Zoysiagrass are the easiest to maintain.
\n\n\n\nSo whether you live on the outskirts of town or in the heart of the city near Lake Eola, if you are seeking the ideal Central Florida lawn reach out to an Orlando lawn care professional to get that perfectly lush lawn that will be the talk of the neighborhood.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Orlando FL Lake / Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"6 Best Grass Types for Orlando, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/1789c/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/107df/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg 320w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/293e9/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg 500w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/f2cbb/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg 800w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/1789c/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg 960w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/c26c2/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/1dd6e/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/67b76/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp 320w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/8df11/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp 500w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/98a65/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp 800w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/1dd6e/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp 960w,\n/static/b0c2192b36d56c654cf03d935ca40691/3cc96/Orlando_FL_Lake_Ivanhoe_Res_HD03.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Best Grass Types for Orlando, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"If you’re looking for grass for your Orlando yard, there are 6 warm-season grasses that are perfect for the hot, humid Central Florida conditions."}}},{"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":"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 […]
\n","content":"\nOur 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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mailbox-for-dallas-affodable-house-upgrades.jpg\")
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.
\n\n\n\nJust 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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/landscape-lighting-for-dallas-post.jpg\")
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 illuminate your entryway are all chances to express your personal style while adding an upgrade to your exterior.
\n\n\n\nPainting 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.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/accent-pots-dallas.jpg\")
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.
\n\n\n\nDressing 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.
\n\n\n\nMaintain 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.
\n\n\n\nLiving 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.
\n\n\n\nLooking for lawn care tips? Visit our Orlando lawn care page for all sorts of tips, tricks, and general information.
\n\n\n\n\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":"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 […]
\n","content":"\nHomeowners 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.
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.
\n\n\n\nThe 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.
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 average cost to have your grass cut is $48.77. That doesn’t sound too bad, but during some periods of the year, you may have to cut your grass twice a week.
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.
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.
\n\n\n\nWho 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.
\n\n\n\nA 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.
\n\n\n\nYou 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.
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.
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.
\n\n\n\nLet’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.
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.
\n\n\n\nYou’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.
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.
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!
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.
\n\n\n\nIf 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!
Mowing a lawn seems like the simplest task, and most people think mowing is so easy that they don’t need to seek instructions. Learning proper lawn mowing techniques helps you mow your lawn safely and get the results you want. Make Sure the Blades are Sharp Over time, the blades on your mower need to […]
\n","content":"\nMowing a lawn seems like the simplest task, and most people think mowing is so easy that they don’t need to seek instructions. Learning proper lawn mowing techniques helps you mow your lawn safely and get the results you want.
\n\n\n\nOver time, the blades on your mower need to be sharpened. Dull blades rip and tear your grass, making grass cutting impossible. Sharp blades prevent you from needing to make multiple passes over the same spot. Ripped grass bleaches and turns brown, giving your whole lawn a brown cast.
\n\n\n\nMost people don’t know that a new mower doesn’t have very sharp blades, so sharpening the blades before your first use is highly recommended. Always check for obstructions in the blade area because you don’t want any damage to your lawn mower. Try adding oil to the moving parts if they feel tight. You can also talk to your local Orlando lawn service professional or visit a lawn mower repair shop near you.
\n\n\n\nAdjust the cutting height by raising or lowering the mower’s wheel. On the side of your lawn mower, look for a knob or lever that lets you adjust the height.
\n\n\n\nThe grasses in Orlando, like Zoysia, tend to do better at the height of ½ to 1 inch with a maximum of two inches. Pay attention to the type of grass in your lawn. Each has preferred mowing heights.
\n\n\n\nCutting too short is called scalping, and you might remove most of the food producing parts of the plant. Grass that is kept taller can stay greener. Mowing high helps with weed control, conserves water, and creates more food. Allowing your grass to grow taller is one of the best weed prevention methods you can use!
\n\n\n\nThe golden rule of lawn care is to never remove more than a third of the grass height! If you cut the grass blade too short, you can cause your lawn to be more susceptible to diseases and pests.
\n\n\n\nObjects left on the ground can be propelled at a fast rate, as high as 200 miles per hour. That can seriously injure or maim someone who is nearby. For safety, clear objects and debris in your yard. Rake up branches, stones, toys, bottles, and other projectiles.
\n\n\n\nGrass that grows in the shade benefits from having a higher mowing height. In these areas, grass has to compete with the roots of trees, so letting the grass grow higher encourages longer root growth. Longer grass blades have a wider surface area for photosynthesis. Leaving the blades longer will help keep your lawn healthy in the shade.
\n\n\n\nThe best time to mow the lawn is early in the morning after the dew has dried onto the grass. Evening time works as well because it is cooler than midday. You want to mow when it is cool outside because it helps keep the moisture at the root level.
\n\n\n\nIn wet and warm weather, like Florida, you will need to mow at least once a week, but more than likely it will need to be twice a week. Try not to set a schedule, but watch the height of your grass instead. Grass stays healthy if you never remove more than a third of the new growth.
\n\n\n\nHow often you need to cut your grass will change throughout the season. While Orlando doesn’t tend to have drought conditions, extreme heat could slow down the growth of your grass. Pay attention to how fast your grass is growing and adjust your cutting schedule.
\n\n\n\nIf you mow in the same direction each time, the grass tends to lean in the direction that you mow. It is easy to develop habits because mowing is a mindless task, but try to change your pattern often. Doing so encourages your grass to grow upward rather than leaning. Also, changing the pattern helps you avoid hitting the same ruts in the ground repeatedly, which can make them larger.
\n\n\n\nProper mowing is a back and forth pattern, not a spiral. A back and forth pattern is ideal in neat, even rows. If you have to mow around something, do two laps in both directions around the obstacle.
\n\n\n\nLeaving the grass clippings behind might look messy, but it’s a fantastic practice for your lawn. Grass clippings are one of the best natural fertilizers for lawns and gardens. Leaving the grass clippings behind returns nitrogen and vital nutrients back into your soil.
\n\n\n\nIf you hate the look of grass clippings left behind, make it a habit to only leave them behind once a week or once every other week. Those annoying clippings recycle around 15% of all the lawn fertilizer applied. That means your lawn will be even greener than before. Grass clippings have a high water content, so they break down easily, returning moisture to your soil.
\n\n\n\nBe careful if you are mowing on a slope, even a small slope. Make sure the grass isn’t wet because that can lead to your lawn mower sliding. A sliding mower can lead to serious injuries. The best way to mow a hillside is to push the mower across the hill, rather than up and down.
\n\n\n\nOn some hills, it might be better to use a string trimmer to cut the grass. If you have a steep slope, use a low-maintenance ground cover, so you no longer have to mow the grass in that area.
\n\n\n\nLawn service professionals usually know these techniques. Some of these tips you may already know yourself, but chances are you’ve been doing something wrong. The first step to a green, healthy lawn is learning how to mow properly. You could accidentally kill your grass when you think you are doing everything right.
\n\n\n\nLuckily, now is the time to change your habits. Remember to never remove more than a third of your grass at a time and keep those blades sharp. If you are unsure how to sharpen the blades, contact a local lawn care service to see if they offer sharpening services. Many will charge a small fee, but that’s worth it to keep your lawn healthy this year.
\n","title":"The Basics of Lawn Mowing in Orlando, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":2.135706340378198,"src":"/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/1789c/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/107df/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg 320w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/293e9/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg 500w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/f2cbb/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg 800w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/1789c/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg 960w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/4fb49/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/1dd6e/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/67b76/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp 320w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/8df11/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp 500w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/98a65/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp 800w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/1dd6e/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp 960w,\n/static/1c3fde67c53cc071427b0959bdbe9bb2/62477/shutterstock_269014973-e1549849244329.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Basics of Lawn Mowing in Orlando, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Follow these 9 tips when mowing your Orlando lawn and you'll have grass all your neighbors will be jealous of!"}}},{"node":{"id":"cba0013c-3ccb-5658-94d2-6be92346b205","slug":"watering-restrictions-orlando","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/watering-restrictions-orlando/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"March 5th, 2019","excerpt":"Despite being located in a peninsula surrounded by water on all three sides, uncontaminated fresh water can be scarce in Orlando, FL. Watering the lawn is allowed two twice per week during Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November) and once per week during Eastern Standard Time (first Sunday […]
\n","content":"\nDespite being located in a peninsula surrounded by water on all three sides, uncontaminated fresh water can be scarce in Orlando, FL. Watering the lawn is allowed two twice per week during Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November) and once per week during Eastern Standard Time (first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March).
\n\n\n\nLawn irrigation makes up more than half of all Central Florida’s water consumption, according to the Florida Water Science Center. So, be a good Floridian neighbor and make sure you’re abiding by Orlando’s watering restrictions to help lower costs of water.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lawn-sprinkler-art-1024x576.jpg\")
During Daylight Saving Time (DST) odd numbered addresses or those with no address may water on Wednesday and Saturday; even numbered addresses may water on Thursday and Sunday; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesday and Friday.
\n\n\n\nDuring Eastern Standard Time (EST) odd numbered addresses or those with no address may water on Saturday; even numbered addresses may water on Sunday; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesday.
\n\n\n\nYou may water your lawn between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. It’s lawn care best practice to water early in the morning and late at night anyway, so folks who like to keep their grass green will be happy to abide by this rule. The Orlando sun can get scorching hot anyways and you wouldn’t want to boil your grass.
\n\n\n\nAccording to the Orlando Utilities Commission, water for no more than hour per zone. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should water each zone for one hour. Not all zones are made equal and that’s why the engineer who designed your irrigation system allowed you to control each zone.
\n\n\n\nEach sprinkler zone should be tested individually to determine the amount of runtime it needs. Good news is that if you need to test your irrigation system, you’re allowed to! You may run the system anytime for 20 minutes per zone in Orlando, FL.
\n\n\n\nNo worries!
\n\n\n\nThe OUC website states:
\n\n\n\n“If you have planted a section of new grass or plants, that area may be watered every day for the first 30 days and every other day for the next 30 days as needed, after which you should return to the regular watering schedule. Remember, only the new plants and grass may be watered every day.”
\n","title":"What You Need to Know About Orlando’s Watering Restrictions","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.500815660685155,"src":"/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/1789c/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/107df/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg 320w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/293e9/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg 500w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/f2cbb/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg 800w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/1789c/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg 960w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/fddf6/watering-the-lawn-missouri.jpg 1840w","srcWebp":"/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/1dd6e/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/67b76/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp 320w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/8df11/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp 500w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/98a65/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp 800w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/1dd6e/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp 960w,\n/static/f2f3f1fde906fdbcfcbf31d54729ab96/4dec7/watering-the-lawn-missouri.webp 1840w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"What You Need to Know About Orlando's Watering Restrictions | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Despite being located in a peninsula surrounded by water on all three sides, uncontaminated fresh water can be scarce in Orlando, FL."}}},{"node":{"id":"b9cb76ec-07e7-5ee8-a84a-ada43aae2c69","slug":"tips-for-pet-proof-fencing-against-predators-in-orlando-fl","path":"/lawn-care/fl/orlando/tips-for-pet-proof-fencing-against-predators-in-orlando-fl/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a47ebc3c-cc0b-5c7a-9e60-90ac2de0ec2d","name":"Orlando","count":10,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/orlando/"}],"date":"May 23rd, 2019","excerpt":"With its year-round mild weather and lush, green grass, Florida is a pet-paradise. But, like any tropical paradise, it harbors more than its share of dangerous predators. Snakes, alligators, coyotes, panthers, and even hawks and owls pose a risk to your furry friends. There are many actions you can take to protect your pets, starting […]
\n","content":"\nWith its year-round mild weather and lush, green grass, Florida is a pet-paradise. But, like any tropical paradise, it harbors more than its share of dangerous predators. Snakes, alligators, coyotes, panthers, and even hawks and owls pose a risk to your furry friends. There are many actions you can take to protect your pets, starting with secure fencing. Read on for some tips on pet-proof fencing against predators in Orlando.
\n\n\n\nAs the saying goes, “The best offense is a good de-fence.” Pet-proof fencing is your first line of attack. Perimeter fencing comes in many forms, from welded wire to wooden slats. Before you install a fence, you’ll want to weigh the costs and benefits. You may want to spend less money on a fence that’s more functional than stylish, but consider how the fence will affect your home value long term. Ugly fencing may work wonders for keeping Fido in the yard, but it won’t help clean up the appearance of your landscaping, which is one easy curb appeal fix.
\n\n\n\nA few words of caution about invisible fences: subsurface electric fences are excellent at keeping your dog inside your yard, but in Florida, they offer no protection against predators coming in. A good pet-proof fence needs to work both ways to protect your pets from threats outside your yard. A strand of electric fencing or a roll bar on the top of your fence can help to deter predators from climbing over.
\n\n\n\nJust because you have a pet-proof fence doesn’t mean you’ve got nothing to worry about. Florida is also subject to heavy rains. They can wash out small areas at the base of the fence, creating enough space for small dogs to squeeze through. Always check your fencing for breaches and don’t wait to make repairs. Cats, on the other hand, are masterful escape artists. Only use easy-release collars on your cats to avoid them getting hung up on fencing, which can be deadly.
\n\n\n\nOne of the easiest ways to keep predators away is to take measures not to invite them in the first place. Bird feeders are lovely, but spilled seeds can attract squirrels and mice, which in turn can attract hawks and snakes. If you want a bird feeder, try keeping it in an area not shared with your pets. Consider a windowsill where you can collect stray seeds on a tray beneath it.
\n\n\n\nOutdoor bowls with food and water left in them are a draw for wild animals looking for a free meal. Raccoons can critically injure small pets. They also carry diseases that they can transmit to your pets through bites or scratches. Feeding pets inside will help to deter wild animals from coming into your yard, and it keeps your pet out of harm’s way.
\n\n\n\nKeep your yard free of debris and plant materials predators can hide in. This applies to snakes and large birds of prey. Always supervise pets under fifteen pounds when they’re outdoors, and if you have a cat, make sure they have access to indoors. Keeping grass mowed and edges along fence lines trimmed discourage snakes from entering. Overgrown grass is a snake’s idea of a perfect hangout.
\n\n\n\nWhen you have a solid, pet-proof yard with fencing on your property, it can be easy to let your guard down. Coyotes are making a comeback in the state and can show up when you least expect them. If you have a small dog, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it at all times when you’re outside together. When loading up the car or beginning/ending a walk, keep your buddy on a leash until you’re safely inside a protected area. A dog left to wander outside the yard can be in danger, even if you’re only a few miles away from a major metro area.
\n\n\n\nWe’ve all heard the warnings, yet few heed them. Don’t walk your dogs along lagoons or any bodies of water if you want to avoid potential run-ins with alligators. Large alligators can conceal themselves in shallow water, so the best way to prevent encounters is to steer clear of waterways in general.
\n\n\n\nIf you enjoy hiking or jogging with your dog in fairly wild areas, keep your dog leashed and stay alert. Don’t wear headphones. If a dog senses danger, barking is their way of alerting you. One way to make your forays into nature safer is to avoid heading out at dusk or dawn, prime hunting times for large predators.
\n\n\n\nWhile pet doors give our four-pawed companions the freedom to come and go as they please, unfettered freedom carries risk. As mentioned above, dawn and dusk are the times of day when predators are on the prowl, and owls like to hunt at night. It’s best to always monitor small (under fifteen pounds) pets while outdoors. If you insist on giving them daytime access via a pet door, you should lock it between sunset and sunrise. It is always a good idea to keep cats indoors, but if you allow them outdoor access you should limit it to daytime.
\n\n\n\nIf you worry that your pet will be bored or resentful if you limit their outdoor time, make sure they have plenty of stimulation and entertainment. Keeping cat toys in a jar with catnip will help keep cats interested in play. A scratching post will ensure your furniture’s safety. Most dogs kept inside during the day enjoy access to windows where they can see outside and feel they’re “doing their job” to protect their territory. Some nervous dogs, however, are calmer and less destructive if crated when home alone. As with most things pet-related, only you know what is best for your pet.
\n\n\n\nThere are many factors to consider when it comes to keeping your pets safe. Following these simple guidelines should help keep you and your animal companions safe together for years to come.
\n\n\n\nHave more questions about lawn care in Orlando, FL? Visit our Orlando, FL lawn care page for more information.
\n","title":"Tips for Pet-Proof Fencing Against Predators in Orlando, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5009380863039399,"src":"/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/f2cbb/happy-mastiff-in-grass.jpg","srcSet":"/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/107df/happy-mastiff-in-grass.jpg 320w,\n/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/293e9/happy-mastiff-in-grass.jpg 500w,\n/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/f2cbb/happy-mastiff-in-grass.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/98a65/happy-mastiff-in-grass.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/67b76/happy-mastiff-in-grass.webp 320w,\n/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/8df11/happy-mastiff-in-grass.webp 500w,\n/static/785dd0084d5f54b769c1099204b3aed9/98a65/happy-mastiff-in-grass.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Tips for Pet-Proof Fencing Against Predators in Orlando, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}}],"id":"ck0y53ekq89i30a30sgbvrh0t"}}}![David-Pierre Mangiapan](\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zoysia_Tenuifolia_aspect.JPG\"){kind=link}