5 Ways to Help Your Florida Landscape Thrive in the Summer Heat
Summer in the Florida Panhandle can be tough on a landscape. Between intense sunshine, high temperatures, humidity, and afternoon storms, July is when choosing the right plants and following the right maintenance routine really begins to matter.
The good news? A beautiful summer landscape is absolutely possible when it is designed for our Northwest Florida climate.
Here are five ways to help your lawn and landscape stay healthy through the hottest part of the year.
1. Choose Plants That Actually Like the Heat
Not every colorful plant is designed for a Florida summer.
Heat-tolerant varieties such as vinca, pentas, zinnias, coleus, and other summer annuals are much better equipped for our climate than plants that prefer cooler conditions.
The same principle applies to shrubs, trees, and perennials. Choosing the right plant for the right location can save you time, water, and frustration later.
2. Pay Attention to Sun Exposure
Before selecting a plant, take note of how much sunlight that area of your property receives.
A location that gets eight hours of direct afternoon sun has very different needs than a shaded bed beneath mature trees.
Matching plants with the correct light conditions helps them establish more successfully and makes maintaining your landscape much easier.
3. Water Smarter, Not Just More
New landscaping needs consistent moisture while roots are becoming established, but more water is not always better.
When possible, water during the morning so plants have time to absorb moisture before the hottest part of the day.
Also pay attention to rainfall. Florida's summer storms can provide plenty of water in one area while leaving another surprisingly dry.
4. Don't Forget the Mulch
Mulch does more than make a landscape look finished.
A proper layer around landscape beds can help conserve soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and protect plant roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
Just avoid piling mulch directly against the trunks of trees and shrubs.
5. Plan for the Landscape You Want Long Term
It’s easy to choose plants based solely on how they look at the nursery today. Instead, consider how large they will become, how much maintenance they require, and how they will work with the rest of your property.
A thoughtfully planned landscape should become better as it matures, not more difficult to maintain.
Need Help Choosing the Right Plants?
At The Grove Nursery in Freeport, FL, we select plants with the Florida Panhandle climate in mind.
Whether you need a few plants for a weekend project or help planning an entirely new landscape, our team can help you choose trees, shrubs, palms, perennials, and seasonal color that make sense for your property.
Stop by The Grove and let’s find the right plants for your space.
