Florida summers are no joke. Between the intense sun, high humidity, and heavy rains, your landscape goes through a lot. While it might feel like the time to push projects forward, doing the wrong things during peak heat can set your yard back fast. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do.
Don’t plant the wrong things
Summer isn’t the best time to install just anything. Many plants struggle to establish in extreme heat, especially if they’re not suited for Florida conditions. Avoid planting anything delicate or not heat-tolerant, as it can quickly decline under stress. If you do plant, stick with hardy, heat-loving varieties and be prepared to water consistently.
Don’t underwater or overwater
It’s easy to assume more water is always better in the summer, but that’s not always the case. Shallow, frequent watering can lead to weak root systems, while overwatering can cause root rot, especially in areas with poor drainage. The goal is deep, consistent watering that encourages roots to grow down, not stay at the surface.
Don’t skip mulch
Bare soil in the summer heat dries out quickly and can stress plants. Skipping mulch leaves roots exposed to extreme temperatures and rapid moisture loss. A proper layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and protect your plants during the hottest months.
Don’t mow too short
Cutting your lawn too low might seem like a way to reduce maintenance, but it actually does the opposite. Short grass exposes soil to more heat, dries out faster, and weakens the lawn overall. Keeping your grass slightly taller provides shade for the soil and helps it retain moisture.
Don’t ignore drainage
Summer storms can dump a lot of water in a short amount of time. If your yard isn’t draining properly, that water can pool and damage plants or wash away soil and mulch. Ignoring low spots or runoff issues can lead to bigger problems as the season goes on.
Don’t fertilize too aggressively
Applying too much fertilizer during extreme heat can burn plants and lawns. Growth naturally slows in high temperatures, so heavy feeding isn’t necessary and can do more harm than good. Stick to light, controlled applications if needed.
Don’t take on too much at once
Big landscape overhauls during the peak of summer can be tough on both plants and people. The heat makes installation more stressful, and new materials may struggle to settle properly. It’s often better to focus on maintenance, small improvements, and planning for fall projects.
Work with the season, not against it
Florida summers are all about maintenance, protection, and smart decisions. Avoiding these common mistakes helps keep your landscape healthy through the toughest months and sets you up for success when temperatures start to cool.
Liberty Landscape Supply is Northeast Florida’s full-service garden center and landscape partner with four retail locations serving Jacksonville (North Main Street and San Jose Boulevard), Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine, plus delivery across the region. From plants, trees, soil, mulch, rock, and gravel to hardscapes, pottery, lighting, irrigation, design support, and expert advice, Liberty helps homeowners and pros plan, shop, and install with confidence — making landscape projects easy.
To learn more, visit www.libertylandscapesupply.com.
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