As the season's change, so should your Gainesville lawn maintenance action plan. We have compiled a few lawn care myths that we would like to debunk to help keep your lawn in great shape during the winter months.
Feel free to share this with your neighbors as well! That way, the whole neighborhood knows the facts and has beautiful landscapes this winter.

MYTH 1: Turn irrigation system off
FACT: Your lawn will certainly need less water in the winter than summer, but it still will need some if you want a quick green-up in spring. In North Florida, we get several cold fronts that really drop the temperatures quickly - but we also get some warm fronts that can spike temperatures during the day as well. Having a drought-stressed lawn combined in those warm spells will cause your lawn stress and slow down its spring recovery. For most lawns, we recommend watering once a week during the winter and bumping it back to 2 days in March.

MYTH 2: Prune back Crape Myrtles as soon as they drop their leaves
FACT: Properly pruning your Crape Myrtles (watch the linked video to avoid 'Crape Murder') will maximize blooms, promote new growth, and give your tree a great shape. Because of this, the best time to prune is in late-winter. By waiting till after the last of winter, you will no longer have the chance of frost killing the new growth early pruning can promote. We have more information on pruning your crape myrtles here- Quick Tip: When to prune your crape myrtles

MYTH 3: Don't worry about winter weeds
FACT: Weed control in winter is just as important as summer weed control, and it also sets you up for a better spring. The mistake most homeowners make is to wait too late to treat winter weeds, and the weeds thin out the turf and really start to take over. Winter is the best time to get started on turning your lawn around, because it will set you up for a quick green up in spring.

MYTH 4: There is no way to prevent brown patch
FACT:  Most lawn pest control companies will tell you they cannot prevent brown patch fungus, and they only treat it reactively when it shows up. The truth is that although the active fungus will always live in the soil, a preventative fungicide application can be made a couple times a year during transition seasons, and the brown spots never show. Our disease prevention program uses a formula that has been tested and proven to help put a stop to those pesky brown rings.

MYTH 5: Prune back frost-damaged plants quickly
FACT: Many tender plants - such as Ginger, Lantana, and Philodendron can get frost damaged on some of our colder evenings. Pruning off the frost damaged growth can make them look more appealing, but you can actually do more damage if you remove the frost-damaged growth too soon. In fact, those ugly brown leaves actually help to protect the interior of the plant from future freezes, as the frost falls on them (like a natural frost blanket) instead of closer to the interior of the plant. Also, by pruning your plants, you can be promoting new growth in warm spells. If another cold snap comes through, you have a higher chance of completely killing the plant.

If we can be of help with any of your winter Gainesville landscape maintenance chores - or the surrounding areas of Alachua, Jonesville, and Newberry - please don't hesitate to reach out to us at (352) 378-LAWN or fill out our form at the top of the page!

January is a tough month for many of us. The weather is chilly, the return to routine after the holidays, trying to keep up with our new resolutions. And on top of that our landscaping is mostly dormant and waiting for the return of warmer weather. If you find yourself longing for spring it could be a great time to plan your landscaping projects

1. Envision your dream yard.
This is what I call the “fun stage” of planning. The sky is the limit here as you think through all of the things you’d like to see and accomplish with your landscaping changes. Is expanding your outdoor living a priority? Is landscape lighting high on your list of needs? Do you want to see lots of color attract butterflies to your yard? Are you envisioning a relaxing tropical oasis secluding you from the outside world? At this point we are not worried about practicality or other constraints; this is where I really encourage you to dream big!

2. Reality check.
A successful landscape is going to be beautiful and practical so we need to think about what really makes sense for your Gainesville yard. Things to consider in this stage of planning include climate and maintenance. A traditional English garden might be my dream, but how well suited is it to our climate and am I prepared to handle the amount of upkeep a project like that is going to need. It's also important to consider any irrigation changes that may need to be made.

3. Evaluate your space.
When planning your landscaping it’s especially important to keep in mind the full size of plants of trees later down the road. Will those plants that look just right now still look right when they have grown in? Is the number of shrubs and the distance going to be sufficient to create a beautiful hedge? And don’t forget to take into account the final size of any trees you include in your landscaping. Too many times I’ve met with a client who has had to take down beautiful trees simply because they were planted too close to existing structures.

4. Consider your budget.
Outlining a budget helps to prioritize landscaping projects and make sure that your most important goals are handled first. This can help you break your project down into manageable parts and maybe plan one project for spring and a second project later in the year.

With a little extra effort you will be well on your way to achieving the yard of your dreams. If you would like The Master’s Lawn Care to assist you with creating the yard you’ve been dreaming of we would love to meet with you for a landscaping consultation. Just give us a call at 352-378-5296 to schedule a time or submit your request online.

Even though Florida experiences moderate winter temperatures, a freeze can still occur. All it takes is one night of exposure to wind and temperatures between 30-40 degrees, and your tender plants or shrubs can receive cold damage without winter plant protection. Here are some tips on what to do before and after freezing temperatures in North Florida landscapes occur.

How To Cover Plants and Shrubs

Covering plants and shrubs that are not cold-hardy is the best way to protect them when a freeze is predicted to happen in Florida. Use cloth, sheets, quilts, burlap, or other coverings you can get from local nurseries made specifically for plants.

Do not use plastic for winter plant protection, for it will cause water droplets from condensation to appear on the leaves, which will result in freeze-burn.

Covers that extend to the ground can lessen cold damage by reducing heat loss. Plants or flowers in containers or pots can be brought inside the house or in the garage. If they must be left outdoors, push them together to reduce heat loss. You can also cover them with proper covering. Remember, when temperatures warm up, to separate them as soon as possible because the leaves can be damaged if left crowded together for a long time.

What To Do After Freeze Has Ended

When the freeze has ended with temperatures returning to normal and the sun shining again, remove covers, for plants need air and light as soon as possible. Any brown leaves will fall off naturally, and new growth should appear when the temperature warms up. If you want to, remove the brown leaves by hand.

After removing winter plant protection, check plants and shrubs for their watering needs. Water as soon as possible. The ground or soil in containers may still have frost, so they will need to thaw out. This helps plants receive water as quickly as possible.

Pruning And Fertilizing Cold-Damaged Damaged Shrubs 

Pruning should be delayed until springtime for most tropical landscape plants. When spring arrives, new growth should start, and then you will know that the plant has survived the winter. You can see which woody stems or branches are alive or dead by scraping off the bark with your fingernail. Look for green tissue and prune back dead stems to the point where the green begins, even if it means cutting them down to the base of the plant or shrub. You will know within 30 days if they will survive. Wait until spring to start your Shrub and Ornamental Fertilization program with any high-nitrogen fertilizers. 

The Master's is always thinking of ways to help you love your lawn and landscape. One of those ways is ensuring it looks it's best in spite of a cold snap. We hope thiese tips are helpful, adn if we can be of service call us at (352) 378-5296 or (904) 913-5296.