Whether you're a first-time homeowner in Tamarac trying to figure out why your plants keep dying, or a longtime Coral Springs resident who wants to level up your landscaping game, these tips from The Fresh Feel's professional landscaping team will make a real difference.
Tip #1: Always Choose Right Plant, Right Place
This is the single most important principle in South Florida landscaping, and the one most commonly violated. Planting a sun-loving plant in a shaded spot, or a drought-tolerant native in a constantly wet area, creates a perpetual maintenance battle you can't win.
Before buying any plant, assess your specific conditions: How many hours of direct sunlight does the area get? Is the soil naturally dry, consistently moist, or periodically flooded? Is the area exposed to salt wind? Is there reflected heat from a wall or pavement? Matching plants precisely to conditions eliminates the majority of landscaping problems.
The University of Florida's IFAS Extension service maintains excellent resources on Florida-Friendly plants for every condition. Their Florida-Friendly Landscaping program (FFL) is the gold standard guide for plant selection in our climate.
Tip #2: Water Deeply and Infrequently, Not Shallow and Often
Many South Florida homeowners make the mistake of light, frequent watering — a little bit every day. This develops shallow, weak root systems that make plants dependent on irrigation and vulnerable to drought stress and pest damage.
Instead, water deeply and infrequently. Established trees and shrubs should be watered thoroughly but only 1–2 times per week (or not at all if receiving adequate rainfall). Deep watering encourages roots to grow down in search of moisture, creating stronger, more drought-resilient plants.
Set your irrigation system to apply 3/4 to 1 inch of water per zone per watering, less frequently. A rain/moisture sensor is required by law in Broward County and should be properly calibrated to avoid watering after rain events.
Tip #3: Mulch Is Your Best Friend
A 3-inch layer of mulch in all planting beds provides extraordinary benefits in South Florida's climate:
- Reduces soil moisture evaporation by up to 50%, dramatically decreasing irrigation needs
- Suppresses weed germination, eliminating most weed pull maintenance
- Moderates soil temperature, protecting root systems from Florida's extreme heat
- Adds organic matter to South Florida's nutrient-poor sandy soil as it decomposes
- Prevents soil compaction from rain and foot traffic
- Dramatically improves the finished, maintained appearance of landscaping
Refresh mulch annually in spring before the dry season peaks. Use Florida-friendly mulch options — eucalyptus, melaleuca (commercially harvested invasive), or pine bark chips. Avoid dyed mulch products with chemical colorants.
Tip #4: Never Prune Palms Aggressively
Over-pruning palms — particularly "hurricane cutting" where only the top fronds are left — is one of the most damaging and unfortunately widespread practices in South Florida landscaping. It weakens palms by removing the photosynthetic capacity of the lower fronds, creates a classic "telephone pole with a mop top" silhouette that looks terrible, and can kill palms over time.
Palms should only have dead brown fronds removed. A palm with only brown fronds below the canopy (the natural growth habit) should be left alone. Never remove green fronds — they're feeding the tree.
As a rule: never remove any frond from above the "9 o'clock — 3 o'clock" line. Removing fronds above this horizontal line removes viable, productive leaf material that the palm is actively using.
Tip #5: Fertilize on a Florida Schedule, Not a Generic One
The fertilizer schedules on fertilizer bags are written for general audiences. South Florida's year-round growing season, sandy low-nutrient soil, and local fertilizer ordinances require a specifically tailored approach.
General guidelines for Broward County:
- Apply fertilizer 3–4 times per year: early spring, late spring, fall, with an optional light winter application
- Always use slow-release nitrogen sources to prevent fertilizer runoff and burn
- Comply with Broward County's summer fertilizer blackout (generally June–September for nitrogen and phosphorus)
- Don't fertilize before a forecasted rain — it all washes away
- Include iron and micronutrient supplementation — Florida's alkaline soil makes iron chlorosis a common problem
Tip #6: Know Florida's Invasive Species — And Never Plant Them
Several popular landscape plants sold in some Florida nurseries are actually invasive species that can cause serious environmental harm. These should never be planted:
- Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia): Highly invasive. Prohibited from sale in Florida.
- Latherleaf (Colubrina asiatica): Invasive vine that smothers native vegetation.
- Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila): Can damage stucco and invade structures.
- Old World Climbing Fern: Severely invasive. Illegal to sell.
- Earleaf Acacia: Invasive tree that displaces native species.
Before planting any unfamiliar species, check the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's Category I and II invasive species list at FLEPPC.org.
Tip #7: Hire Licensed, Insured Professionals for Major Work
For routine mowing and basic maintenance, qualifications matter less. But for significant landscaping projects — tree removal, plant installation, irrigation work, hardscaping — always hire a licensed, insured contractor.
Tree removal without a licensed arborist creates significant liability if the tree damages property. Irrigation work without a licensed irrigation contractor can violate code. And unlicensed contractors working without workers' compensation insurance can leave you legally exposed if a worker is injured on your property.
The Fresh Feel carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance for all projects. We're happy to provide certificates of insurance on request.
Tip #8: Maintain Proper Lawn Mowing Height
South Florida homeowners chronically cut grass too short. It's one of the most damaging things you can do to a South Florida lawn.
For St. Augustine grass (the dominant lawn grass in Broward County), maintain 3.5–4 inches of height. Never cut below 3 inches. Scalping the lawn creates stress that opens the door to chinch bugs, weeds, and disease. The extra blade length also provides shade to the soil, reducing moisture evaporation and weed germination.
Tip #9: Schedule Regular Pressure Cleaning for Hardscaping
Landscaping includes hardscape elements — driveways, pathways, pool decks, retaining walls, and patio surfaces — and in South Florida, these surfaces accumulate biological growth rapidly. Algae, mold, and mildew don't just look bad; they create slip hazards and actively degrade surface materials.
Annual professional pressure cleaning of all hardscaping surfaces is as important as maintaining the planted elements of your landscape. It protects your investment, maintains safety, and dramatically improves the overall appearance of your property.
Tip #10: Plan for Hurricane Season
Landscaping choices have real consequences during South Florida's hurricane season (June–November). Proactive planning dramatically reduces hurricane-related landscaping damage:
- Choose wind-resistant species: Native palms (especially Sabal palms), smaller shrubs, and groundcovers fare much better in high winds than large-canopied shade trees.
- Avoid large, fast-growing exotics: Species like Schefflera, Umbrella trees, and large ficus trees are particularly dangerous in wind events.
- Maintain trees properly: Annual or biennial tree trimming reduces wind resistance and the risk of major branch failures. Work with a licensed arborist.
- Don't leave debris: Loose landscaping materials — gravel, stones, decorative items — become projectiles in high winds. Secure or store ahead of storms.
- Have post-storm cleanup arranged: Know who you'll call for debris removal and damage assessment after a storm event.
Professional Landscaping Services Throughout South Florida
The Fresh Feel's landscaping team puts these principles into practice for homeowners throughout Broward County, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County. From routine maintenance to complete landscape installation, we bring professional expertise to every project.
Call (954) 625-0057 or get a free landscaping estimate today.