Some landscaping tips are obvious: water your plants. Mow your lawn. Don’t plant those giant man-eating plants you saw in that really scary movie when you were 12.
But if you want your Central Florida landscaping to really thrive, you need to dig a little deeper.
Check out these Central Florida landscaping tips that will keep you on the right track:
1. Follow the One-third Rule
This is one of those great landscaping tips that automatically gives you a solid head start.
One-third of your yard should be planting beds and two-thirds should be lawn. Follow this rule to help keep things in perfect proportion.
2. Plan Ahead for Size
Remember, landscaping in Central Florida means realizing that things grow fast here. Lots of sun, the right amount of rain and practically a 12-month growing season. 
So make sure you know how big that cute little plant will be once it’s all grown up. (You don’t want to end up with one of those giant man-eating plant situations.)
3. Plan for Staggered Bloom Times
No matter how much you love your favorite flower, if that’s all you plant, you’ll have a lovely yard for about three weeks. Then, nothing.
Not cool. 
Plan your Central Florida landscaping so that flowers and plants have staggered bloom times. That way, your landscape will always look great, with plants blooming year round.
Don’t forget foliage. It can be as impressive as flowers, with year-round appeal. Check out foliage superstars Gold Mound Duranta and Chinese Fringe Flower. Both add stunning pops of color with their striking leaves — no blooms needed.
4. Landscaping Tip: Right Plant, Right Place
Yes, there are sooooo many plants you can include in your landscaping. It’s kind of overwhelming.
But please, choose plants that will actually thrive in your Central Florida landscaping. That means assessing your soil, your light conditions, and how much attention you’re willing to give them.
It means doing a bit of research. 
The climate and soil conditions here make Central Florida landscape design tricky. We’re between tropical and sub-tropical, with heat and humidity, but also a chance of frost. The soil is sandy in some spots, and clay in others.
Don’t waste time and money by planting things that will struggle and die. Bad placement means your plants could be overcrowded, vulnerable to diseases and insect damage, or just plain die of thirst.
Pick the right plants for the right spots, and once they’re established, they’ll be happy.
5. Choose the Right Sod, Too
If a healthy, thriving lawn is the centerpiece of your dream landscaping, get it right from the beginning.
All sod isn’t the same. If you choose the wrong type for your Central Florida landscaping, it won’t thrive. Is your property sunny or shady? Does it get a lot of foot traffic? Do you have an irrigation system?
Matching the right sod to your site’s conditions is a crucial first step to sod installation success. A good sod installer will walk you through your best choices to avoid this sod installation mistake.
6. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch
We repeated it three times for a reason. You absolutely need mulch, especially here in hot, sunny, Central Florida. Consider it one of the most important landscaping tips.
- Mulch helps your soil retain moisture, so you won't have to water as much.
- Mulch keeps pesky weeds at bay by blocking the Florida sunlight they need to sprout.
- Mulch prevents rain from washing away your landscape soil.
- Mulch breaks down over time, adding nutrients to the soil that help your plants thrive.
- Mulch gives your landscape a neat, rich appearance.
Bonus mulch landscaping tip: Keep a 2- to 3-inch-deep layer of mulch on plant beds. Always leave at least 2 inches of space around tree trunks to prevent rot.
7. Use a Landscape Designer
These are just a few Central Florida landscaping tips. Skilled landscape designers know hundreds.
A great landscape designer will offer innovative ideas that hadn’t occurred to you and keep you from making costly mistakes.
They’ll help you choose the right variety of sod for your yard’s conditions, suggest the perfect plants to thrive in your Central Florida landscaping, and they know what cute little seedlings could actually grow up to be menacing man-eating monsters.
Need Central Florida Landscaping Tips? Trust Ground Source
Maybe you need tips about every aspect of landscaping, from proper planting to sod care to fire pit planning and landscape lighting. It’s kind of overwhelming, right?
Do you want to have to hire a bunch of different Central Florida landscaping companies to get your dream yard? That sounds like a hassle. How about one experienced company that can do it all?
Not all landscaping companies are full-service landscaping experts. Look for one with a landscape designer on board that can help you with the total package.
We’re landscape experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your landscape from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive landscape you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
