The Best Grass For Florida

by Kenny Roedell | Nov 15, 2017

Which Grass is the Best Grass for Florida?

While most people that live elsewhere surely thinks of sandy beaches and saltwater air when they think of Florida, those of us that live here and/or have traveled different areas of the Sunshine State know that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

We would love to make it easy but there isn’t just one type of soil that covers Florida and because of that, there is not one particular type of grass that is the absolute best for Florida. While we do have over 1,300 miles of coastline, the interior of our state and the types soil found there can vary greatly. The soil in Florida can vary from sandy to clay to peat based.

There is one type of soil that is prevalent in Florida and covers over 1.5 million acres. It is called Myakka (meaning “big waters”). It is actually only found in Florida and is our official state soil. Myakka is a grey, fine soil that consists mostly of sand.

Here in Central Florida, we have to contend with the soil conditions here when choosing which type of grass will be the best grass for your Florida Lawn. Soil conditions are a key factor in determining what grasses will be optimal to include in your Orlando Landscaping.

Other Things To Consider First:

There are a few other key factors in addition to soil that will be key in understanding which type of grass will work best for your needs and give you the look you desire.

Conditions – In addition to soil, you should consider the conditions in and around your lawn. For example, do you have full sun or mostly shade? Can you easily mow your lawn or are there challenges such as slope or drainage issues?
Maintenance – Depending on the conditions of your environment, you will need to consider the amount of maintenance that will go into allowing the grass you choose to survive and thrive. Some use more water, fertilizer, etc and need to be mowed more often. Tolerances to drought, sun, shade and wear should be considered when choosing your best type of Florida grass.
Pests – Each type of grass comes with its own vulnerabilities. There are many insects and diseases that can affect your grass. Be sure to find out what those vulnerabilities are for each grass type and determine which aligns with your environmental factors the best.
Texture and Density – Lush, soft, fine or course blades determine the overall look and feel of your lawn. While we can narrow down your grass options for your Orlando Landscaping, be sure to take a look at the different types of grass in person so you can decide which look and feel you like best for your Central Florida lawn.

Once you have considered all the factors, have fun deciding which grass will be your Best Florida Grass! Here is our list of the best grasses to use for your Orlando Landscaping.

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Fall is the best time to plant Sod!

by Kenny Roedell | Nov 9, 2017

We all want that gorgeous, thick green lawn. The easiest and fastest way to accomplish that in most cases is by installing sod. Sod is sections of cut from the surface of grass including the roots. Although sod may be the fastest and easiest way to get an instant lush lawn, it doesn’t come without some work and careful considerations that should be taken to mind.

Here in Central Florida, we are somewhat in a “transition” zone when it comes to plant hardiness. While we don’t have the consistent cold temperatures and freezes of North Florida, we do get frost and an occasional freeze. We aren’t far enough south to have the sub-tropical and tropical environments of South Florida. Regardless of the zone, the entire state of Florida has a warm enough climate that it is important to make sure you chose a warm-season sod grass to install. The best grasses to install in Florida include St. Augustine, the most popular, Bermuda, Centipede, Bahia and Zoysia. These grasses spread by runners above and below ground and hence are better suited for warmer climates. For reference, cool season grasses include Fescues, Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass which grow in bunches.

Once you have chosen your type of sod, the next thing to consider what time of year would suit best for the installation of Orlando sod here in our local yards.

Grass roots go dormant in temperatures less than 50 degrees. While we don’t have many hard freezes here in Central Florida, we do see some consistent days that fall below this threshold. For this reason, winter is very risky to install sod because of possible exposure to cold temperatures. If this happens, the grass will go dormant and the roots will not have time to establish into the soil. This could kill an entire installation that would be very costly to replace.

Spring is a good option at times, but here in Orlando, we have very little true spring. Because of our climate, spring temperatures can get extremely hot very quickly. It is best to be observant of weather patterns and watch for trends. You will need to water to make sure the grass stays moist so that the roots can develop and establish into the soil.

Summer temperatures are too hot and while it is possible to install sod at this time of year, it requires a lot of water due to evaporation. Unless you have an irrigation system installed or a lot of time on your hands to make sure it doesn’t get dried out, Summer is best to avoid. Summer here also brings a lot of rain. Too much water on new sod will make it more susceptible to insects, fungus and disease. Because Florida summers can be brutal, we would think twice about installing sod at this time of year.

That leaves us with Fall! Fall brings cooler temperatures while grass continues to grow. This is the perfect condition for installing sod. It will be able to root quickly and withstand any winter temperatures. As well, if you are maintaining yourself, cooler temperatures will make it easier to water, fertilize and mow to assure a well-established lawn with Orlando sod and the very best looking Florida grass for years to come.

Fall is a great time to install sod also because most other landscape plants have been planted and have matured by this point and therefore require less maintenance so you will be able to spend more time focusing on creating the thick, lush lawn that will make the neighbors jealous next summer! This is why we recommend Fall. It will be both optimal conditions for the grass and for those installing and maintaining it!

Some other tips to consider when preparing to install sod are:

Be sure you clear your soil of any weeds. They can penetrate newly installed sod very easily. This can be accomplished with chemical weed killers or by covering with plastic sheeting to create heat and sterilize the soil.
Grade the soil to be sure that it slopes away from structures, large trees or surface installations such as patios or concrete sidewalks. This will help drainage of water and avoid puddles that could be damaging to your grass.
Test your soil to determine which sod will work best and what nutrients if any will need to be added. All sod will be installed over a layer of topsoil or compost, but the roots will eventually penetrate this layer and establish deeper into existing soil.

INTERESTING FACT: Did you know that we did not have “lawns” in America until the late 1800s? Turf grass is typically grows naturally in pastures, and open spaces. Lawns originated around castles in Europe when trees were cleared to assure an open view in case of enemy attack. Once the trees were cleared, grass naturally grew. It then became a symbol of aristocracy. Here in the U.S. we have large regions that do not have a natural climate to support turf grass. Seed and clover were brought from Europe to plant for grazing. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that the lawn was popularized by the development of the “ideal” American suburb, Levittown which had lawns already installed for new homeowners who were given directions on the importance of maintaining a perfect lawn.

FLORIDA SOD SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE

Learn How to:
Choose the right sod
How to take care of your new sod
Maintain it for long-lasting beauty!

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Fall Florida Patio Ideas You’ll Love!

by Kenny Roedell | Nov 2, 2017

The weather here in Central Florida is finally beginning to match the calendar! As we usher in the season, you may want to consider adding some fall décor to your Florida patio to create an inviting environment to enjoy and entertain. Although these days don’t last as long here as in other climates, we can look forward to cooler evenings and more time to spend outside basking in our wonderful Florida Fall combination of chilly weather and warm sunshine. Absolute bliss!

There are many things your can do on and around your back patio to add the touches of the season. For more ideas on how to incorporate Fall into your landscaping you can read our last blog. As for the touches of décor, they vary from the simple to the extravagant. Here are a few great ideas to get you started:

Table Toppers are great for bar areas or side tables that are not used in daily activities or when entertaining. Combine pumpkins (real or faux) with succulents, pine cones and moss to create a beautiful eye-catching arrangement that will endure most of the fall season outdoors.

Pillows, Pillows, Pillows – Accent your patio furniture with pillows in warm fall colors. This will you’re your space comfortable and entice company to stay a little longer. Include patterns and solids to create variety and depth. You can DIY with seasonal words and embellishments as well. One our favorite things to do is find pillow covers. You can invest in inserts and switch out your covers for every season that fold away and store far easier than multiple different holiday pillows.

Candles! Here in Central Florida temperatures are still mild for most of the season. While we all enjoy that roaring fire, it might be a little much until we get our occasional freeze watch. Until then, you can use candles to provide the same warmth and ambiance to your Central Florida patio. Flameless candles have come a long way and can add just the right touch without the worry of flame or the mess of wax. Use these in fireplaces and fire pits, lanterns and chandeliers to bring that warm glow to your fall outdoor oasis.

pumpkin designs for you fall Florida patio

Let the Leaves Fall! Although our Orlando Landscaping area doesn’t allow for much of the color changes of the season, it is easy to bring the feel to your patio. Faux Fall leaves are available in bunches from around $5 to $20 and are a wonderful addition to your patio. You can use them to create a garland around doorways, attach to string lighting overhead with simple clips or simply scatter about on tables and around door frames on the ground. If they blow around, it will just add to the feeling of the fall season.

Hay! Get Corny! Using hay bales and corn stalks is a cheap and easy way to add a touch of fall to any area. You can bring the harvest to your patio by creating corners decorated with corn stalks, pumpkins and hay bales topped with bright mums and fall leaf garland. You can also create great seating areas all around your yard with hay bales. Some great tips for seating is to combine hay bales and rocking chairs on the patio in groups of 3 or 4 or create a circle of hay bales around your fire pit in the backyard for making those delicious smores. You can use the hay later to prep for your garden.

Roedell's Landscaping Hay Bails In Central Florida

Wrap them Up! Keep blankets around outdoors for your guests to snuggle in when it gets chilly. This will prolong your time to enjoy outside instead of sending everyone inside away from the cold. Mix flannels and solids, rolled in a basket and thrown over various furnishings is inviting enough for everyone to get cozy and spend more time enjoying the weather and the company. This is especially great around that fire pit while sitting on hay bales roasting s’mores!

Pumpkin Planters are a great way to use those pumpkins. Sometimes plain gourds are just, well plain. This is one of my favorite ideas from HGTV. Instead of carving a jack-o-lantern, carve a pumpkin planter. Cut off the top, scoop out the inside. But instead of carving a scary face, fill with soil and plant or insert a potted plant and trim with cloth, tissue or burlap to create a planter that will have everyone commenting on just how clever you are!

Illuminate your patio and backyard with lights as the days grow shorter. Adding some twinkling fairy lights to distant shrubs, around tree branches or to edge your patio will encourage longer lingering outdoors when the sun goes down early.

Add the Fire! A fire pit is a great hardscape addition to your backyard for those especially chilly nights so you can entertain and enjoy your backyard oasis all year round! Getting a custom built Florida patio may not be as expensive as you think! Consult your local landscaper to design a firepit that fits your yard and budget.

Florida Fall Landscaping Ideas & Tips

by Kenny Roedell | Oct 19, 2017

It is finally starting to cool down here in Central Florida. We always welcome fall here to give us a break from all the summer heat and humidity. Although the thermometer is dropping, we don’t get a lot of fall colors in the form of changing leaves here in the Sunshine State. However, there are some ways that you can add some special plants to your Orlando Landscaping that will bring in the colors of Fall and escort in the Holiday Season. There are also some good tips that you may not consider for winterizing your landscape to ensure that it will handle cooler temps and flourish in the spring.

PLANT BOLD

There are some great plants to add to your Orlando Landscape this time of year that will bloom over the next few months.

Annual plants that will need replanting each year include:

Snapdragon

Petunias

Pansies

Perennials that will bloom each year include:

Firespike

Chrysanthemum

Salvia

Berry producing shrubs such as Holly will add a pop of color and provide a feast for migrating birds that will add the element of observing nature to your Florida Fall Landscaping. Holly is an evergreen and will continue to add color after other plants have died off. You can also plant many varieties of bulbs now for blooms next spring and summer. Lilies are a great addition to a spring bloom!

Holly & Lillies

PLANT FOOD

Fall is also a great time to plant many herbs and vegetables that will grow and produce food throughout the winter months. Herbs to plant now include parsley, cilantro, chives, garlic and sage. Vegetables for your fall garden include broccoli, lettuce, kale, green onions and celery. You can also set strawberry plants in October. They make a great container plant for your yard or patio and will add a tasty treat to your garden!

Maintenance Tips to make the most of Winter

Control Weeds – Winter months are a good time to apply a “preemergence” herbicide that will help control weeds before they appear. It is important to do this once the temperature is between 55-60 degrees at night.
Fertilize – October is the last month to fertilize your lawn before it goes dormant for the winter months. Choose a fertilizer with very little fertilizer unless your soil has tested a need for it. Also try to avoid any weed and feed product as they can harm your lawn. You can also add a controlled release fertilizer to any plants or shrubs that are not performing well to help give them the nutrients they will need to survive the winter months and flourish in the spring.
Insects – Lower temperature months are a great time to apply oil sprays to control insects.
Irrigation – When planting in the fall, remember to water well and add mulch to minimize weeds and keep those new plants healthy. If you have existing perennials or bulbs in your garden already, now is the time to divide and replant any that are overgrown so that they can establish well before cooler weather. Other than new plants, be sure to turn off irrigation systems and water only if needed as established plants need less watering in cooler months.

With some new additions and some proper preparation, you can create beautiful Florida Fall Landscaping to enjoy all the colors of Fall without the falling leaves to manage and get a jump start on spring with maintaining and preparing your lawn and plants.

Enhance your Orlando Landscape with Rock

by Kenny Roedell | Oct 13, 2017

Rock Out Your Landscape

Using various types of rock in your Orlando area landscaping will set you apart and add a touch of sophistication, art and elegance to your outside areas. The addition of rock into your landscaping can provide texture, color, vertical features and focal points. It is also very versatile, low maintenance and long lasting. Depending on your style and the area you are working with, you can use rock as mulch, for useful pathways, as a border for beds or you can add a creative touch with a rock garden, a pond with a rock border or create a beautiful focal point boulder centerpiece in your yard.

Once you decide your projects, you will need to consider what type of landscape rock you want as well as what type will work best for your intended use. Choosing the right rock is an important factor in setting the tone for the rest of your landscaping or garden areas.

Beach Pebbles, Pea Gravel or River Rock create warmth with their darker shades
White Marble Chips or a lighter color rock will brighten areas
Flat Terracotta will set a tropical tone
Black Lava Rocks complement a Polynesian or Minimalist theme
Red Lava Rock will add a pop of color and perfectly complement arid style gardens that highlight cactus and other dessert plants.

After you have decided on a project and a style or theme, you will need to consider the types of rock and what they are best suited for. Because rocks very greatly in size, it is important to match the right rock to your project. You can always contact your Orlando area Landscaper to consult you on the various uses of landscape rock in your area. Be sure to do your research beforehand and take into account some of the following tips:

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For creating borders, you can use a flagstone or a river rock large enough to prevent erosion of soil into other areas. Flagstone works great for pond borders because it can be layered and its irregular shape will give your pond a more natural feel hiding the prefabricated black pond liners.

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When considering rock for a pathway, flat flagstones or river rock will be your best option. Other types of rock can track sand/silt such as decomposed granite. Although Pea Gravel is great for gaps in between flagstone, as a path it is very hard to push lawn equipment or anything on wheels through. Crushed Gravel can be very painful to bare feet while Pea Gravel is a great option for a walking path. Just remember when shopping for Orlando area Landscape Rock, to think if you’d want to walk on it sans shoes!

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For using rock as a mulch, be aware that while it will be a more expensive option up front, it will pay off in the long run. While wood mulches are typically replaced every season or so, rock will last the lifetime of your garden. As well, you can choose complementary colors of rock in different areas of your landscaping to provide contrast, warm or to brighten up dark shady areas.

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For rock gardens or a focal point, you will want to consider larger boulders. For a rock garden, choose varying sizes of smaller boulders and plant low-lying plants in between the gaps of the rocks. For a focal point, pick a large boulder or boulders and surround with varying sizes of River Rock.

Rock is a more expensive investment to your landscaping, but it is worth the investment if you are looking to save time with weeding, replacing mulch, stylizing your space and it will last indefinitely. The downside to this is that should you choose to get rid of your rock and go with another material, it will be a difficult task, so make sure you plan on enjoying this design for a while.

Keep in mind that adding a nice landscape alone will increase your home’s value. The addition of rock will find you higher returns. As well, as a tip to homeowners looking for curb appeal, add a pathway. It may seem strange, but adding pathways that divide areas make your yard look bigger. Of course, keep in ratio to the overall green space and don’t go overboard.

You can see what types of rock we carry and utilize our free material calculator by visiting our Shop page. Rock on!

How to Stop Flooding With These Landscape Drainage Solutions

by Kenny Roedell | Sep 22, 2017

Without incorporating landscape drainage solutions, flooding can be a huge issue for homeowners. More than the unsightly pools of water or muddy footprints into your house, drainage issues can cause some serious issues to the foundation of your home as it seeps into walls, causing cracks and mold issues. Standing water also harbors the reproduction of mosquitoes that can not only be annoying but carry disease. As well, poorly drained areas will ruin your landscaping. Grass and most trees and shrubs that are over saturated too often will suffer from root rot. You will have issues mowing, trimming and simply enjoying your yard if it is a wet, sloppy mess.

In some ways, we are very lucky here in sunny Central Florida. We have lots of sunshine, no snow and plenty of summer rain. Our rainy season here runs from April to October. That gives us more than half the year here in Orlando to deal with possible draining issues. We are also fortunate to have a sandy soil type in and around Orlando. This type of soil allows for good drainage for the most part. However, there are many other issues that can cause problems and wreak havoc on your Orlando landscape. Let’s take some time to identify what some of those are, what to look out for and some drainage solutions to address them.

Soil Permeability

This can be particularly troublesome in newly constructed subdivisions where builders are not as concerned with long term landscape issues. Although our native soil tends to be sandy, sometimes builders will bring in what is called fill dirt to grade into building sites before pouring slabs and beginning construction on new homes. If the soil that is brought in consists of clay or is severely compacted, it can be cause for very slow drainage of excess water. With over six months of rainy season, this can be a huge problem.

Soil Packing Landscape Drainage Solutions

If you are building or buying a new home, the best thing to do is to inspect the property before you buy. Even if you bring in a reputable Orlando Landscaper to assist in your assessment, it will save you time, money and lots of frustration in the long run. Be sure that the lot is graded properly to allow for proper runoff. This is key. Also, check the soil around the perimeter of the house compared to the soil further into the yard. If the soil around the house is more clay or overly compacted, this could mean trouble down the road. If you love the house and still detect some issues, work with your Orlando Landscaper to determine what drainage solutions will be needed and the cost associated. You may be able to negotiate this prior to purchasing your home.

Slope

Likely the number one cause for drainage issues in Orlando Landscaping is yard slope or pitch issues. Again, when new homes are built in subdivision, it doesn’t allow much space for builders to consider all the details of individual sites’ slope and pitch. Without the proper slope of land away from your home, water runoff cannot be diverted away. This can also happen in older homes over time if the pitch or slope is slightly off and progresses to erode soil.

It is typically recommended that a 2% pitch slope can divert water away, but more and more Landscape architects and engineers are recommending at least 3%. This is an important change from traditional opinions. When yards are less than this, it is recommended to install other means of drainage to your yard and around your home.

Poor Design

Another possible issue for drainage issues could be poor design. This could be site design when the home was built or landscape design that did not properly consider drainage issues when replacing or installing new landscaping. Some factors here are things such as:

Front sidewalks that run parallel to the house. This creates an “island” of lawn or flower bed in which water will sit and not drain properly unless some precautions are taken.
Downspout Issues will cause issues when either not installed to divert water or installed improperly and actually divert water towards the house instead of away. This is a very common problem that happens frequently when inexperienced site workers install drainage solutions.
Erosion happens when excessive downspout water pools around pipe openings. This can be especially troublesome here in Central Florida in our Summer rainy season.
Soggy areas can appear in your yard if there is an irrigation or pool pipe broken underground, or if your home is built in a low-lying area such as a flood zone. These usually happens in the lowest area where all the water is draining. This can also happen with improper slope as well.

DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS

There are various drainage solutions available for your Orlando area home. Depending on your issue, some or all of these can be installed to help keep your yard dry and your landscape healthy. We will list a summary here but we highly recommend that you contact a local Orlando Landscaper to assess your issues and give you the best options that will solve your problems. You can always take the DIY approach to installation, but an expert should be on hand when analyzing the problems and determining the best drainage solutions.

Installing gutters either on the roof edge or in the ground below the drip edge can do a lot to prevent excess runoff in those Florida thunderstorms. This is by far the best investment you can make to prevent drainage issues. This is particularly helpful when you have landscaping up close to the perimeter of your home.
Extending your downspouts can also be a simple step in solving drainage issues. Downspouts usually do not extend very far from the side of your home. When this is the case, water can pool and eventually erode the soil in these areas. Extending downspouts further away from your home and into the yard can get the excess water away and further into the downward slope of your property.
French Drains can be used to divert water away from the perimeter of your home into other areas of your yard. If your issue is great, you can actually use the water runoff to naturally irrigate other parts of your landscape.
Installing a dry well can also be extremely helpful in areas like Central Florida where summer rains can be quick and dump a lot of water in short order. These can be rain barrels or other forms of dry wells in which piping leads to that is typically dry unless there is an excess of runoff. In this case, the runoff is piped into the dry well which will have smaller holes drilled into the bottom of and be encased in stone so that the water it captures will slowly drain back in to the soil. These should be place a good distance away from the home and on a downward slope. Some rain barrels are also placed near a hose bib and piped from a downspout. This water can be used for future irrigation so long as it is sealed and air tight to prevent breeding pests or bacteria. Be sure to size your barrel properly before considering this use.
Create a creek bed or rain garden. These are two creative ideas that can supplement your landscape design. Particularly for uneven lots, with lots of challenges. With the right landscaping, these can look good even during dry season. A rain garden uses an existing low spot and incorporates water loving plants. It doesn’t necessarily solve a drainage issue, but if the low spot is sufficient distance from your home, it can add a focal point to your landscaping with beautiful plants instead of just a low, muddy spot in the yard.

As you can see, while we enjoy lots of advantages by living in Central Florida, we can also encounter some challenges when it comes to our Summer rainy season and drainage issues. Be sure to take a look at your yard after the next heavy rain and address any issues now, even small. Using the proper drainage solutions sooner than later will save your yard, plants and pockets in the long run.