Top-rated landscapers in Florida

Florida stretches from the clay deposits of the Panhandle to the shallow, limestone-based soil of South Florida, so a yard in Pensacola and a yard in Miami need different plants, different grass and different care. This guide covers what changes across the state: climate, soil, lawn grasses, the watering and fertilizer rules, and what to check before you hire a pro.

Climate and planting zones

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, which is why plant tags use it to say what survives the winter. UF/IFAS Extension's guide for new Florida gardeners splits the state into three regions:

• North Florida (north of State Road 40): USDA zones 8 and 9
• Central Florida (between State Road 40 and State Road 70): zones 9 and 10
• South Florida (south of State Road 70): zones 10 and 11

The same guide notes that the rainy season runs from June to October, while winter and spring are the driest months. Summer rain means plenty of water, but also a higher risk of fungal pests. To find your exact zone, enter your ZIP code on the USDA map.

Soil: sand, clay and limestone

Most of Florida sits on sand. UF/IFAS Extension says Florida soils are "naturally sandy and extremely low in organic material," which leads to leaching and low nutrient levels. Organic matter improves how well soil holds water and plays an important role in nutrient cycling, so UF/IFAS recommends adding compost, composted manure and organic mulch to build it up.

The sand isn't uniform. UF/IFAS's new-resident guide says the Panhandle is less sandy and has tough clay deposits, while further south the soil is very shallow and limestone bedrock raises the pH to alkaline levels. That pH matters when you pick a grass, because some Florida lawn grasses turn yellow on alkaline soil. UF/IFAS suggests starting any project with a soil test.

Lawn grasses that grow well in Florida

UF/IFAS Extension's Selecting a Florida Turfgrass fact sheet compares Florida's lawn grasses on shade, drought, salt and upkeep, and UF's species guides fill in the details:

If you live near the coast, salt tolerance narrows the list: the UF/IFAS fact sheet rates St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass and bermudagrass as good, and bahiagrass and centipedegrass as poor or very poor. For a shady yard, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass are the usual choices, depending on the cultivar. For timing, see when to fertilize your lawn and when to aerate your lawn.

Best time of year for lawn projects

• St. Augustinegrass: UF/IFAS says the best time to plant any warm-season grass is while it's actively growing. In South Florida, the best time to establish St. Augustinegrass is late fall, winter or spring. In Central and North Florida, avoid laying it during cold winter months or hot, dry summer months.
• Bahiagrass: UF/IFAS says it can be planted as sod or seed at any time of year in much of Florida. In North Florida, spring or early summer is best.
• New sod: For new St. Augustinegrass sod, UF/IFAS recommends several short (5 to 10 minute) waterings a day for the first 7 to 10 days, and says the grass should be fully established three to four weeks after sodding. Your water management district allows extra watering for new plantings (see below).

Watering rules

Florida has five water management districts, supervised by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida and South Florida. Each sets lawn watering rules for its region, and your city or county may add a schedule of its own.

• St. Johns River (including Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties): Under the standard rules, you can water up to two days a week during daylight saving time and one day a week during Eastern Standard Time, on days set by your address. Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and each zone is limited to 3/4 inch of water and one hour per watering day.
• Southwest Florida (including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota counties): The district says lawn irrigation is restricted to twice a week, and some cities and counties have special schedules or stricter one-day-a-week rules.
• South Florida (including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Lee and Collier counties): The district's year-round rule bans landscape watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and limits it to two or three days a week, depending on the area. It applies to every water source, including private wells and ponds.

These are the baseline rules. During a drought, a district can issue a water shortage order that cuts watering to one day a week or tightens the hours, so check your district's restrictions page (for example, Southwest Florida's current restrictions) before setting a sprinkler timer.

Some watering is allowed outside the schedule. In the St. Johns River district, for example:

• New plants and sod can be watered at any time for the first 30 days, then every other day for the next 30 days
• Drip, bubbler and other micro-irrigation can run at any time
• Hand watering with a hose that has a shutoff nozzle is allowed at any time

The South Florida district also allows hand watering with a self-cancelling nozzle at any time and has allowances for new landscaping. Our guide to the best time to water your lawn covers how much to water.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Florida law defines Florida-friendly landscaping as "quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and are drought tolerant." UF/IFAS Extension's Florida-Friendly Landscaping program teaches it, and says plants chosen this way need minimal water, fertilizer and pesticide once established. It's built on nine principles: right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage yard pests responsibly; recycle yard waste; reduce stormwater runoff; and protect the waterfront. A few of its practical tips: water the lawn only when at least half of it shows wilt, don't let the calendar decide when to irrigate, and avoid cypress mulch, which is often harvested from wetlands.

The same law backs homeowners who want this kind of yard. Under section 373.185 of the Florida Statutes, a deed restriction, covenant or local ordinance may not prohibit a property owner from putting in Florida-friendly landscaping.

Fertilizer rules

Rain can wash fertilizer off lawns and into waterways, so the state and many local governments regulate how it's used.

• Licensed applicators: Anyone paid to apply fertilizer to someone else's lawn or landscape needs the Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer Application, issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Each individual applicator must hold it, and getting it requires UF/IFAS's Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) training.
• Local ordinances: Section 403.9337 of the Florida Statutes encourages every county and city to adopt the state's Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes, and requires it where local waters are impaired by nutrients. Local governments can adopt stricter rules if they show the need.
• Summer restrictions: Many local ordinances start a "blackout period" on June 1, when fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus can't be applied. In Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties, for example, the ban runs from June 1 to September 30, because summer rain carries fertilizer into waterways and can fuel harmful algal blooms. Cities can have their own rules too. Orlando has an ordinance, for example, but UF/IFAS says to follow Orange County's because it's stricter.

To see whether your city or county has an ordinance, check UF/IFAS's Florida fertilizer ordinance map or ask your county Extension office. Wherever you live, UF/IFAS advises never fertilizing within 10 feet of a lake, pond or other water body, and never right before a heavy rain.

Before you dig: call 811

Planting trees, setting fence posts, building a retaining wall or installing a sprinkler system can hit buried gas, power or water lines. Sunshine 811 is Florida's free call-before-you-dig service, and its homeowner FAQ says you must contact 811 for every digging project, large or small. Under section 556.105 of the Florida Statutes, notice has to go in at least two full business days before digging starts. Weekends, holidays and the day you place the request don't count.

Utilities only mark the lines they own. Private lines on your property are the homeowner's responsibility.

What landscaping costs

Prices depend on lot size, access, materials and the time of year, so get written quotes. As a starting point, these are the typical national ranges from our cost guides, each with its sources:

• Landscaping: about $4.50 to $17 per square foot. See how much landscaping costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans run about $100 to $500, and mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Tree removal: most removals cost about $385 to $1,070. See tree removal costs.
• Sprinkler system: about $1,600 to $3,600 installed. See sprinkler system costs.
• Paver patio: about $8 to $25 per square foot installed. See paver patio costs.

Hiring a landscaping pro in Florida

• Get two or three written quotes that list the work, materials, plant sizes and timeline.
• Ask about pesticide licensing. FDACS says anyone performing pest control services, meaning applying insecticides, herbicides or fungicides, including "weed-n-feed" products, needs a pest control business license. Landscape maintenance companies can get a Limited Certification for Commercial Landscape Maintenance, but it only covers plant beds and ornamental plants: it doesn't allow treating lawns or turfgrass. Spraying lawns for hire has to be done by, or under the supervision of, a licensed Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control Operator.
• Ask about fertilizer certification. Anyone fertilizing your lawn for pay needs the FDACS fertilizer certification described above. You can look up pesticide and fertilizer licenses in the FDACS public database.
• Ask who calls 811 before any digging, and who handles permits.
• Check recent reviews and photos of similar work.