Tips for a Florida Hardy Lawn

While adequate water is essential to a green and healthy lawn, too much water encourages shallow roots and squishy grass. A yard with shallow grass roots will wilt and brown quickly when the summer sun beats down and an inevitable dry spell comes. Believe it or not, a yard that is watered twice a week forces the grass roots deeper into the soil for a more sustainable water source. Another misconception is that it is beneficial to water grass during the heat of the day effectively cooling it from the heat of the sun. Not only do the water droplets act as magnifiers for the rays of the sun on the delicate grass, but the water heats up and becomes a scorching steam around its blades. The best time to water is after midnight when the ground has begun to cool and the water can seep into the lawn and soil, sufficiently hydrating the yard and landscape. This also adheres to state and city water restrictions. A rain sensor is a must to maximize on the Florida rainy season and, subsequently, keep from over watering. Correct run times and durations on the clock timer are important and may need to be adjusted with landscape changes as well as home or pool additions or remodels. Be sure to let your technician know of these changes in advance so that any additional piping, added sprinkler heads or clock zone modifications needed can be completed before hand. This will help protect your lawn and landscape investment.