Landscaping in Lakeland is a year-round job.

This lawn care and landscaping project calendar will help you keep your Lakeland landscape in tip-top condition all year.

Spring:

• Lawn Care: In Lakeland, just like the rest of Florida, mowing is required year-round. Mow biweekly in spring. Florida lawns should get 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
• Irrigation: Polk County, including Lakeland, has watering restrictions year-round, making it difficult to keep a green lawn.
• Fertilizer: The best time of year to fertilize in Lakeland is early spring, though be mindful of Polk County’s Fertilizer Management Ordinance.
• Planting: Spring is an ideal planting period, especially for trees and shrubs, herbs, or veggies.
• Mulch: Replace or apply mulch in spring after the ground has warmed up but before the soil starts drying out in summer.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune your shrubs in early spring or late winter after the weather starts to warm up.
• Landscape Lighting: Install new landscaping lighting to enjoy the mild weather better.

Summer:

• Lawn Care: Summer is the time when your lawn and landscape plants grow the most. Increase your Lakeland lawn care schedule accordingly.
• Planting: In summer, you can plant warm-season veggies like okra and peppers or heat-tolerant annuals that will bloom next year.

Fall:

• Lawn Care: Dial back your mowing and watering when the temperatures start to drop in fall.
• Planting: Plant cool-season veggies, herbs, and annual plants, such as kale, cilantro, and dianthus.
• Hardscaping: Fall and winter are ideal times to install new hardscaping since the weather is cool and business is slow for landscapers.

Winter:

• Lawn Care: While your lawn shouldn’t go dormant, its growth will slow significantly. Water and mow only as necessary.
• Planting: Unlike most areas, planting doesn’t stop for winter in Florida. Try petunias, snapdragons, or camellias.
• Leaf Cleanup: Most Florida trees start to lose their leaves late into fall. Wait until leaves are done falling in late winter or early spring to rake your leaves.
• Landscape Lighting: Repair if necessary before springtime.

If you need help with planting, landscape design, or general lawn care, contact LawnStarter’s Lakeland landscaping experts.