The Ultimate Florida Lawn Care Guide

Florida lawns are beautiful, but they don’t come easy. With Florida’s climate ranging from subtropical to tropical, lawn care here is unlike anywhere else in the country. From North Florida’s cooler winters to the humid summers of Central Florida and the year-round warmth of South Florida, every region demands a different approach to grass, fertilization, irrigation and pest control.

That’s where a professional lawn care service like TruGreen makes all the difference. With proven expertise across the state, TruGreen helps Florida homeowners grow stronger, healthier lawns that thrive in every season and region. 

Not all Florida lawns are created equal. The state can be divided into three main regions, each with its own challenges and opportunities:

North Florida

With cooler winters, grass often goes dormant, turning brown until spring. Homeowners here should plan fertilization carefully, adjust lawn mowing heights to protect roots and prepare for seasonal transitions. Occasional frost also impacts which grass types perform best.

Central Florida (Central FL)

A humid subtropical climate brings long growing seasons, heavy summer rainfall and high humidity. Due to moisture-loving insects and plants, this region often battles lawn pests and weeds. A steady schedule of lawn fertilization and weed control is essential.

South Florida

Warm and tropical year-round, lawns rarely rest. While this means year-round greenery, it also requires consistent irrigation, frequent mowing and ongoing pest control to keep up with rapid growth and high pressure from insects and weeds.

Because soil types, rainfall and weather vary dramatically, the best results come from lawn service that adapts to your local conditions. TruGreen understands these regional differences in lawn care and creates tailored solutions for each area. 

Choosing the right grass type is the foundation of a vibrant lawn. Florida offers several options, each with unique strengths:

St. Augustine grass: Florida’s most common turf. Its shade tolerance makes it ideal for properties with trees or partial sun, but it requires regular watering and maintenance. St. Augustine is also prone to chinch bug infestations, so proactive pest control is critical.

Bermudagrass: A favorite for athletic fields and high-traffic yards thanks to its durability. This sun-loving grass grows quickly, which means frequent mowing, but it rewards you with a dense, resilient lawn.

Zoysia grass: Known for its soft texture underfoot and slower growth rate, Zoysia requires less mowing and is relatively low-maintenance once established. It also resists many common lawn pests, making it a smart choice for busy households.

Bahia grass: Extremely drought-tolerant and well-suited for sandy soils, Bahia thrives with minimal input. While not as lush in appearance as other grasses, it’s hardy, economical and perfect for Florida homeowners looking for low-maintenance solutions.

Matching your grass to local conditions ensures better grass growth, lawn vigor and enhanced lawn health.

Explore the best drought-tolerant grass types here. 

Proper lawn fertilization is key to keeping warm-season grasses strong:

Start with soil testing: If you’re DIYing your lawn care, starting with a soil test will guide you to what your lawn needs. Each Florida region has unique soils, from sandy loam in the north to limestone-rich soils in the south. A soil test reveals nutrient deficiencies, so your fertilizer program can target exactly what’s missing.

Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer: Nitrogen fuels leaf and shoot growth, keeping lawns green and dense. Florida’s fast-growing grasses require steady nitrogen input to thrive.

Time applications carefully: Spring fertilization encourages early growth, summer applications maintain color and health during peak heat and fall feedings strengthen roots for winter resilience.

Follow blackout regulations: Counties like Seminole and Orange County enforce fertilizer “blackout” periods during summer to reduce water pollution. Using blackout-compliant products ensures compliance while still supporting your lawn.

You can learn more about blackout ordinances in Florida here. 

An efficient irrigation system is essential to avoid overwatering and keep lawns thriving:

North Florida: Lawns often need very little supplemental water in winter when growth slows or grass is dormant. Overwatering can encourage weeds and disease.

Central Florida: Rainfall is heavy in summer but sporadic in spring and fall. Supplemental irrigation helps prevent grass blade stress during dry spells.

South Florida: Lawns require steady watering throughout the year due to the region’s heat and sandy soils. Smart irrigation systems with timers ensure consistency without waste.

Look for drought stress signals like folded blades, bluish-gray color or footprints that linger after walking. Adjust watering immediately to protect your lawn’s health. 

Lawn mowing isn’t just about neatness; it directly impacts lawn health. Cutting too short weakens roots, while leaving grass too tall can invite pests. Follow these guidelines for the best results and healthy performance:

• St. Augustine grass: Keep between 2.5-3.75 inches. Taller mowing helps shade out weeds and protects roots during hot weather.
• Bahia grass: Maintain 3-4 inches to encourage deep rooting and reduce stress in sandy soils.
• Bermudagrass and Zoysia: Best maintained at 1-2.5 inches for a dense, carpet-like lawn, though this requires more frequent mowing.

During Florida’s summer growth surge, plan to mow weekly. In winter, mowing frequency decreases significantly. Leave grass clippings on the lawn whenever possible as they break down quickly, returning nutrients and improving lawn vigor. 

Florida’s warm, humid climate is a paradise for insects and weeds. Homeowners commonly battle:

• Chinch bugs: These tiny pests damage St. Augustine grass, causing irregular brown patches.
• Mole crickets: Known for tunnelling, they uproot turf and leave lawns looking spongy.
• Sod webworms: Caterpillars that chew grass blades, quickly thinning lawns.

Weeds also thrive in Florida:

• Dollarweed: Favors moist, overwatered areas and is notoriously tough to eliminate.
• Broadleaf weeds: Including clover and plantain -- they reduce lawn density if unchecked.

Proactive treatments are always more effective than chasing problems after they appear. TruGreen offers weed control options, broadleaf suppression and targeted pest control designed for Florida’s unique environment.

Timing matters in Florida lawn care. A structured schedule helps keep your lawn resilient:

Spring

Apply pre-emergent weed control to stop summer weeds before they sprout, fertilize with a balanced blend and inspect your irrigation system for leaks or inefficiency.

Summer

Mow frequently to manage rapid growth, monitor for lawn pests and adjust watering schedules to avoid both drought stress and overwatering.

Fall

Fertilize with root-strengthening formulas, control existing weeds and prepare turf for cooler conditions in North and Central Florida.

Winter

Reduce mowing as growth slows, provide light irrigation only as needed and continue pest monitoring,  especially for chinch bugs and webworms that remain active.

TruGreen adapts these seasonal tasks for North Florida, Central Florida and South Florida, ensuring year-round results. 

Florida lawns face unique challenges — from fertilizer regulations to year-round pest pressure. TruGreen offers comprehensive lawn care services that combine local expertise with proven strategies:

• Full-service lawn programs: Including fertilization, weed control, pest control, shrub care, lawn aeration and leaf removal.
• Region-specific best practices: Adjusting mowing heights, fertilizer blends and irrigation schedules to local conditions.
• Stress-free maintenance: Homeowners save time and effort while gaining peace of mind knowing their lawn is professionally cared for.
• Expert advice and service areas across Florida: From Seminole County to Orange County and beyond, TruGreen is your partner in building a vibrant lawn that lasts. 

With TruGreen, you can enjoy a healthy, thriving lawn that’s built to withstand Florida’s unique climate and conditions.

Keep your Florida lawn growing green with expert care!