Florida Realtors: Take Care of Your Yard During a Heat Wave
ORLANDO, Fla. — As the Sunshine State, warm weather is a given in Florida, but those temperatures really start to rise in the summer. Here’s a heat advisory for homeowners: As temperatures climb, your lawn and landscape will need more care – but it’s important to ensure your yard is healthy before a heat wave hits.
According to lawncare experts, the healthier your grass, trees, and shrubs, the more resistant it will be to extreme temperatures. In particular, lawns that have healthy grass, leaves and deeper roots are able to store more moisture, which helps them endure hotter conditions better.
Here are some steps to take to help protect your yard during a heat wave:
Put the right plant in the right place. Always select appropriate plants and grass for your climate zone. This ensures the space is not only attractive but also will be more likely to thrive in your microclimate, be easier to maintain, and will support pollinators and wildlife. Consider water, sunlight or shade requirements for your yard.
Water at the right times. The best time to water the lawn and plants is in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler.
Don’t over water. It’s okay to make your grass work hard for its water. With little water, grass will send its roots deeper, seeking water. The grass then does a better job of sequestering carbon and releasing oxygen. Also, most turfgrasses – and there are hundreds of species – will go brown during months where water is scarcer. It will “green up” again when conditions change.
Understand what type of soil you have. The frequency and amount of water you apply to lawns and gardens vary based on its soil, clay type, organic matter and the type of plants and grass. Some soil holds water better than others; water molecules cling to fine particles of clay soil than to the coarser particles of a sandy soil – and a lot of Florida has sandy soil.
Cut grass long. When mowing, don’t cut more than one-third of the grass height. By keeping it longer, turfgrass can develop stronger roots and a greater tolerance to heat and drought stress.
Keep foot traffic minimal. For already stressed grass, foot traffic can cause damage. Keep people off the lawn while the heat persists.
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