January is the month of home landscaping leisure. Except for the possibility of raking some leaves and pine straw, chores are at a low ebb.
Camellias are blooming, azaleas and gardenias should not be pruned, and the grass does not need mowing. Even most of the destructive bugs are inactive.
With all this “extra time” available, it is a good opportunity to plan for the spring and accomplish some necessary maintenance tasks. For example, lawn mowers and other equipment need routine servicing.
Home lawn care extends into the winter months. While the tasks are different than those in summer, they are just as important to accomplish if a healthy and attractive landscape is the goal
Mower blades should be sharpened. This can be accomplished with a mill file (which should be readily available at hardware stores) or at a small engine repair shop.
Hand tools such as loppers and shears can be sharpened too. A keen edge produces a clean cut with far less effort required.
Lubricants and filters on motorized equipment need to be checked and changed as required by their respective service manuals. It is far less expensive to properly maintain equipment than to repair (or replace).
The home’s turfgrass may need some slow-season TLC too. Despite its dormancy, the turf is still alive and has specific needs despite the recent frost event.
While lack of water from nature has not been a problem recently, regular irrigation is still needed during winter months. Weeks without rain and with low humidity can seriously damage a lawn.
Fertilizer may be applied during winter if it does not contain nitrogen. If indicated by a soil test report, phosphate, potassium and micronutrients may be applied in the cold season without fear of damage.
Tender new growth will be stimulated by the nitrogen during a few warm days in winter. When the temperature drops into the freezing range, the grass can be damaged or killed.
Patching bald spots can also be started during January. It is important to remember that something will grow in open spots in the lawn, either turf or weeds.
Unless turf is established in bare spots, the seeds of weeds deposited in the soil years (sometimes decades) ago will sprout and colonize the open ground. Many weeds are aggressive competitors and most are capable of overtaking turfgrasses.
Exotic invasive weeds, those not native to the region, are especially tenacious problems. To prevent this blemish, begin the lawn restoration now.
If the bare spot is compacted, loosen the soil with a rake or hoe. Remove any dormant weeds and be especially careful to remove all their roots.
Plugs of turf or seeds can be installed in the open spot. Small volumes of turf can be purchased at nurseries or cut from a lush spot in the yard.
If purchasing seeds, be sure they are of a species which will flourish in panhandle Florida.
Sometimes there are turf mixes which contain varieties of fescue, orchard grass, or bluegrass. Their seeds may sprout but none are able to survive in the local environment and will likely die before long.
Annual ryegrass is a good temporary solution for bald spots. It sprouts quickly and will cover an open area until summer.
For home lawns purchase a turf type annual ryegrass. The forage types of ryegrass were developed for hay production and livestock grazing, and are not cosmetically appropriate for suburban landscapes.
Gulf annual ryegrass is a generic variety and can be a blend of several unidentified cultivars. It is not likely to produce the best results in a residential setting.
Now is the time when a homeowner can productively occupy their “surplus hours” and avoid the necessity of wondering what to do. Get these tasks done now and get back to the leisure activities of the season.
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