5 Landscape Mistakes Florida Homeowners Make in Fall (And How to Avoid Them)
October 19, 2025
Expert Tips to Keep Your Central Florida Landscape Thriving This Season
Fall in Florida doesn't look like fall anywhere else. While the rest of the country is raking leaves and winterizing landscapes, Central Florida homeowners face a completely different set of challenges—and opportunities. Unfortunately, many people make common mistakes that can set their landscapes back for months.
Here are the five biggest fall landscaping mistakes we see in Central Florida, and how you can avoid them.
1. Treating Florida Fall Like Northern Fall
The Mistake:
Applying traditional fall landscaping advice from northern states—like heavy pruning, planting spring bulbs, or letting your lawn go dormant.
Why It's Wrong: Florida's fall is actually a growing season, not a time to shut things down. Our warm-season grasses are still active, and October-November offers ideal planting conditions.
What to Do Instead:
Think of fall as Florida's "second spring." Focus on planting, refreshing, and taking advantage of cooler temperatures and lower humidity. This is prime time for landscape projects, not winding down.
2. Over-Pruning Tropical Plants
The Mistake:
Aggressively cutting back palms, hibiscus, bougainvillea, and other tropical plants in October.
Why It's Wrong:
Heavy pruning stimulates new growth, which can be damaged if we get an unexpected cold snap in December or January. You're essentially encouraging tender new shoots right before potential frost.
What to Do Instead:
Save major pruning for late winter or early spring (February-March). In fall, only remove dead, damaged, or diseased growth. Let your tropical plants harden off naturally before cooler weather arrives.
3. Ignoring Irrigation Adjustments
The Mistake:
Keeping your irrigation system on the same summer schedule through fall and winter.
Why It's Wrong:
Florida's fall brings less rainfall and lower humidity, but your plants also need less water as temperatures drop. Overwatering in cooler months leads to fungal issues, root rot, and wasted water (not to mention higher bills).
What to Do Instead:
Reduce your irrigation frequency as temperatures cool. Check soil moisture before watering, and adjust your system settings monthly. Most Central Florida landscapes need 30-50% less water in fall compared to summer.
4. Planting the Wrong Things at the Wrong Time
The Mistake:
Installing summer annuals like impatiens or vinca in October, or waiting until spring to plant shrubs and trees.
Why It's Wrong:
Summer annuals won't survive cooler nights, and you'll waste money replacing them in weeks. Meanwhile, waiting until spring to plant means your new installations will face immediate summer heat stress.
What to Do Instead:
Plant cool-season annuals now (pansies, petunias, snapdragons, dianthus) for months of color. October is also the absolute best time to install shrubs, trees, and perennials—they'll establish strong roots before spring growth kicks in.
5. Neglecting Post-Hurricane Cleanup
The Mistake: Leaving broken branches, damaged plants, or debris in your landscape after storm season.
Why It's Wrong:
Damaged plant material attracts pests, harbors disease, and can cause further problems as it decays. Broken branches can tear and damage healthy growth. Standing water from poor drainage creates mosquito breeding grounds.
What to Do Instead:
Address storm damage promptly. Remove broken branches cleanly, replace severely damaged plants, and fix any drainage issues that heavy rains revealed. Fall's cooler weather makes this work much easier than waiting until summer heat returns.
The Bottom Line
Florida's fall landscape needs are unique, and cookie-cutter advice from national gardening sources often doesn't apply here. Understanding Central Florida's climate, seasons, and plant needs is essential for a landscape that thrives year-round.
Not sure if you're making any of these mistakes? Kennedy Landscaping knows Central Florida landscapes inside and out. We can assess your property, identify potential issues, and create a fall maintenance plan that sets your landscape up for success.
Contact Kennedy Landscaping today for a fall landscape consultation and avoid costly mistakes before they happen. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
While much of the country is blanketed in snow, December in Central Florida means mild temperatures, green lawns, and plenty of time to enjoy your outdoor spaces. But even with our unique climate, your landscape still needs some attention to stay healthy, attractive, and ready for spring growth. Here’s how to keep your yard looking its best this December and beyond: 1. Keep Up With Lawn Care—But Adjust for Winter Your grass may not grow as quickly in December, but it still needs regular attention. Mow less frequently, but keep the grass at a moderate height to protect roots. Remove fallen leaves and debris to prevent smothering your turf and encourage airflow. Watch for signs of fungus or brown patches, which can pop up with cooler, damp weather. 2. Water Wisely Cooler months mean your landscape needs less water. Cut back irrigation to once a week or less, depending on rainfall. Water early in the day to minimize disease risk and reduce evaporation. Check your irrigation system for leaks, misdirected heads, and adjust timers for winter. 3. Add Festive, Florida-Friendly Color December is a great time to refresh beds and containers with cool-season annuals. Try petunias, snapdragons, pansies, or violas for pops of color that last all winter. Use reds, whites, and purples for a subtle holiday feel that works beyond December. Group plantings near entryways, walkways, and patios for maximum impact. 4. Tidy Up for Holiday Guests Whether you’re hosting family or just want to enjoy your space, a quick cleanup goes a long way. Edge beds and walkways for a crisp, professional look. Trim back overgrown shrubs and remove spent blooms. Add a fresh layer of mulch for instant curb appeal and root protection. Clean up outdoor living areas and check lighting for safety and ambiance. 5. Plan for Cold Snaps Central Florida rarely sees hard freezes, but a sudden cold night can still happen. Have frost cloth (not plastic) ready for sensitive plants. Move containers to sheltered spots if a freeze is forecast. Avoid heavy pruning of tropicals until after the last risk of frost in late winter. 6. Reflect and Plan for Spring December is the perfect time to walk your property and make a landscape wish list for the new year. Note areas that need improvement or new plantings. Think about upgrades like new beds, hardscaping, or outdoor lighting. Schedule consultations now—landscape pros book up fast for spring installs. Enjoy Your Landscape All Winter Long Florida’s mild winter means you can enjoy your yard year-round. With a little attention now, you’ll have a beautiful, healthy landscape to share with family, friends, and guests—plus a head start on spring. Let Kennedy Landscaping Keep Your Yard Beautiful All Winter Whether you need a quick cleanup, seasonal color, or help planning your next project, Kennedy Landscaping is here to make your Central Florida landscape shine—even in winter. Contact us today to schedule your winter landscape service and enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance yard all season long!
As Central Florida heads into the cooler months, your landscape doesn’t go to sleep the way it does up north—but it does change. Temperatures drop, days get shorter, and your lawn and plants shift into a slower growth phase. This is the perfect time to give your yard what it needs to stay healthy, attractive, and ready to bounce back strong in spring. Here’s how to tell if your landscape is truly ready for Central Florida’s cooler season. Check the Health of Your Lawn Your lawn has just made it through months of heat, humidity, and heavy rain. Before cooler weather settles in, take a close look at how it’s doing. Ask yourself: Are there thin, bare, or yellowing patches? Do you see signs of fungus or weeds taking over? Is the lawn uneven from summer growth and storm damage? Now is a great time to: Do a final round of weed control before winter Adjust mowing height so grass isn’t cut too short going into cooler weather Make sure your lawn is getting consistent, but not excessive, water A healthy lawn heading into winter is much easier to revive in spring than one that’s been stressed and neglected. Evaluate Your Irrigation Schedule Cooler months mean your landscape doesn’t need as much water as it does in summer—but many systems are still set to “July mode.” Signs your irrigation needs adjusting: Mushy or soggy areas in the yard Fungal spots on the lawn Standing water after a normal run cycle What to do: Reduce watering frequency and run times Water in the early morning, not the evening Check for leaks, broken heads, or misdirected spray Fine-tuning your irrigation now helps prevent disease, saves water, and keeps your plants healthier all winter. Inspect Trees and Shrubs Storm season, strong winds, and fast summer growth can leave trees and shrubs stressed or overgrown. Walk your property and look for: Dead or damaged branches Limbs hanging over roofs, driveways, or walkways Shrubs that are blocking windows, entries, or sightlines Light shaping and removal of dead or dangerous branches in the cooler months can improve safety and appearance. Save heavy pruning of many tropical plants for late winter or early spring, when the risk of cold damage is lower. Refresh Mulch and Planting Beds Mulch does more than just make beds look neat—it helps regulate soil temperature and moisture, which is especially helpful during temperature swings. For cooler months: Top off mulch to a 2–3 inch layer Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from trunks and stems Remove weeds and debris before adding new mulch Clean, well-mulched beds help protect roots, reduce weeds, and give your landscape a polished, maintained look all season long. Add Cool-Season Color Just because it’s cooler doesn’t mean your landscape has to look dull. Central Florida’s mild winters give you plenty of options for seasonal color. Great cool-season choices include: Petunias Snapdragons Dianthus Pansies and violas Planted in key areas—entryways, mailbox beds, and along walkways—these annuals can brighten your landscape through the cooler months and into spring. Plan Ahead for Potential Cold Snaps While Central Florida doesn’t see long freezes often, short cold snaps do happen. Be prepared by: Knowing which plants are most cold-sensitive in your yard Having frost cloth or covers on hand (not plastic) Planning where you’ll move container plants if needed A little planning now can prevent losing favorite plants to one unexpected chilly night. Let a Professional Get Your Landscape Cooler-Weather Ready If you’re not sure where to start—or you’d rather not spend your weekends tackling yard projects—Kennedy Landscaping can help you prepare your property for Central Florida’s cooler season. We can: Assess the overall health of your lawn and plants Adjust your maintenance plan for fall and winter conditions Refresh beds, mulch, and seasonal color Make sure your landscape is safe, tidy, and ready for the months ahead Is your landscape ready for cooler weather?
