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.
January in Central Florida is a little different than “winter” in most places. Your lawn may slow down, but it doesn’t stop needing attention—especially after a busy holiday season, cooler nights, and occasional dry stretches. The good news: a few smart moves in January can prevent common problems (weeds, thinning turf, irrigation issues) and make spring lawn care easier and more effective. Here’s what to focus on now. 1) Adjust mowing (don’t scalp your grass) Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia typically grow more slowly in January. That often leads homeowners to mow “extra short” to stretch time between cuts—but scalping can stress the lawn and invite weeds. Keep mowing as needed, but less frequently Avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade at a time Make sure mower blades are sharp for a clean cut 2) Watch for winter weeds before they take over Many Central Florida lawns see winter weeds pop up when turf growth slows. If you wait until weeds are everywhere, they’re harder to control—and they can crowd out healthy grass. Common winter weed troublemakers include: Chickweed Clover Annual bluegrass A proactive approach (spot treatment, proper mowing height, and a seasonal plan) helps keep weeds from becoming a springtime headache. 3) Check irrigation settings (most systems are still on “summer mode”) January usually means less evaporation and less plant water demand. If your irrigation schedule hasn’t changed since summer, you may be overwatering—one of the fastest ways to trigger fungus, root issues, and wasted water. Quick January irrigation checklist: Reduce run times and/or watering days Water early morning (not at night) Look for broken heads, leaks, or spray hitting sidewalks Make sure each zone is covering evenly 4) Clean up debris and protect turf from traffic Between holiday guests, cooler weather, and occasional storms, lawns can get compacted or smothered by leaves and debris. Remove leaves and branches so grass can breathe Pay attention to shaded areas (they stay damp longer) Limit heavy foot traffic on thin or stressed spots 5) Plan now for spring upgrades January is a great time to walk your property and make notes while growth is slower. You’ll see issues more clearly—thin areas, drainage problems, bed edges that need redefining, or spots that could use new plantings. Consider planning: A spring bed refresh (mulch, edging, seasonal color) Lawn recovery steps for thin or patchy areas Drainage improvements before rainy season returns A maintenance schedule that fits your property and goals Let Kennedy Landscaping help you start the year strong A healthy lawn in spring starts with smart decisions in winter. If you’d like help creating a seasonal plan, adjusting irrigation, tackling weeds, or keeping your property looking sharp year-round, Kennedy Landscaping is here for you. Contact Kennedy Landscaping today to schedule your January lawn and landscape checkup and start the new year with a yard you’ll feel proud of.
As the year draws to a close and a fresh start is just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to set some goals—not just for yourself, but for your landscape, too! Central Florida’s mild winters mean you don’t have to wait for spring to get started. Here are some simple, impactful landscaping resolutions to help your yard look its best in 2026. 1. Commit to Consistent Lawn Care A healthy, green lawn doesn’t happen by accident. Set a regular mowing, edging, and fertilization schedule Adjust irrigation as the seasons change Address bare spots or weed problems early for a lush look all year 2. Add More Florida-Friendly Plants Resolve to choose plants that thrive in our climate. Incorporate native and drought-tolerant varieties to save water and reduce maintenance Group plants by water needs for efficiency and healthier growth Try adding pollinator-friendly flowers to support local wildlife 3. Refresh Mulch and Beds A quick mulch refresh can make your whole landscape look new again. Top off beds with a fresh layer of mulch for weed suppression and root protection Redefine bed edges for a sharp, professional appearance Remove any tired or overgrown plants and replace with something fresh 4. Plan for Seasonal Color Keep your yard vibrant all year by planning for color in every season. Rotate cool-season annuals in winter and spring Use containers for easy, flexible updates Consider adding flowering shrubs for long-lasting impact 5. Upgrade Outdoor Living Areas Make the most of Florida’s outdoor lifestyle. Clean and declutter patios, decks, and walkways Add lighting for safety and ambiance Invest in comfortable seating or new planters to make your space more inviting 6. Schedule Professional Maintenance If you want to save time and get the best results, resolve to bring in the pros. Regular maintenance keeps your landscape healthy and beautiful Professional teams spot issues before they become costly problems Schedule early for spring projects—slots fill up fast! Start the Year with a Landscape You Love A little planning now can make a big difference in how your yard looks and functions all year. Whether you want a total refresh or just a few simple upgrades, Kennedy Landscaping is here to help you achieve your 2026 landscape goals. Ready to make your landscape resolutions a reality? Contact Kennedy Landscaping today to schedule your New Year consultation and start the year off with a yard you’ll be proud to show off.
