What Are the Most Common Lawn Issues in Florida?

Metro Orlando FL | Kissimmee - Sanford - Leesburg

As anyone who has attempted to grow a lush and beautiful lawn knows, it’s harder than it looks. From determining the correct amount of watering to fertilization to how often to mow, there’s a science to it. And even if you get every variable right, there’s still the possibility of lawn issues taking over and stifling all of the progress you’ve made.

In Florida, lawn issues come in three main categories: 

• Lawn Weeds
• Lawn Diseases
• Lawn Pests

In this article, we’re going to explore some of the most common lawn issues in Florida that could be holding your lawn back.

Listen Now to Learn More About Common Lawn Issues

This audio covers all you need to know! Also check out our video guide.

Florida Lawn Weeds

What is a weed, exactly? By some definitions, a weed is any plant that grows wild where it shouldn’t – or, perhaps, more accurately, where you don’t want it. But when we talk about weeds, we’re mostly referring to a few specific plants that tend to pop up relentlessly in lawns and gardens.

We’ve broken the most common Florida weeds into three different categories: broadleaf weeds, sedge weeds, and grassy weeds. And if you want them gone, our lawn weed control experts are experienced at eliminating all of them.

Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf weeds are often very difficult to control due to their ability to regenerate rapidly. They have wide leafs, grow from a stem, and usually have fibrous roots. They multiply easily because many spread with both seeds and rhizomes, meaning they can pop up unexpectedly.

Our weed control applications will control all broadleaf weeds. Some varieties, such as dollar weed, can be aquatic. Others, such as spurge, may thrive in drought conditions.

Photos of Lawn Weeds:

Sedge Weeds

These types of weeds are plants with leaves longer than they are wide and solid triangular stems generally with a seed bulb at the top of the stem. Sedges spread by seed and rhizome propagation. Sedge generally grows much taller than grass and therefore take away from the aesthetic of the lawn.

Photos of Sedge Weeds:

Grassy Weeds

These are a type of weeds that resemble grasses. They have hollow stems and spread “vegetatively,” which means through specialized underground or aboveground structures that sprout new plants from the parent plant.

Photos of Grassy Weeds:

Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a grassy weed that thrives in wet, warm conditions. It is an invasive and difficult-to-control weed. Please note that we do not currently offer service for this weed.

Lawn Diseases in Florida

Weeds can quickly take over your lawn, but lawn diseases can spread just as quickly, and in many ways are a more challenging foe. This is because the signs of lawn disease are often subtler to detect than a new weed sprouting up. You often don’t realize your lawn is battling a lawn disease until the issue is widespread.

Two of the most common and destructive lawn diseases in Florida are brown patch fungus and gray leaf spot.

Brown Patch Fungus

Brown patch fungus is a common turf disease that can occur throughout the year. Severe outbreaks occur during fall and early winter when daytime temperatures range between 75–85 degrees, night temperatures fall below 68, and humidity is high, causing the presence of free moisture on the foliage for extended periods of time. Shaded lawns that hold excessive moisture are most susceptible, but it may be found in full sun areas as well.

Affected turf will begin to wilt, forming a necrotic ring and expanding outward. The leaf blades will turn yellow, and the base of the leaf will be brown and slimy.

Gray Leaf Spot

This is a common disease found in St. Augustine and Zoysia grass. Weak and stressed areas of turf are most susceptible to gray leaf spot. This disease becomes a problem during the rainy season in the summer. Gray leaf spot can be easily controlled with fungicide applications.

Lawn Pests in Florida

We can’t talk about Florida’s most common lawn issues without mentioning lawn pests. Because your lawn provides food, shelter, and moisture, these tiny insects move in. As they live in and munch on your lawn, it creates issues like brown spots that can often resemble disease but are the direct result of the damage they’re causing.

With Florida’s uniquely warm year-round climate, we deal with a wide variety of lawn pests, and they can strike at any time. That’s why investing in lawn pest control services is often a worthwhile investment for homeowners who want a pristine lawn.

Chinch Bugs

These insects are the most serious pest attacking St. Augustine grass. They grow to about 1/8-inch long and damage grass by sucking plant juices and secreting toxic saliva into the leaf blade, which kills the grass. They thrive in hot and dry conditions where grass becomes more vulnerable. Chinch bugs can damage an entire lawn in a matter of a few weeks. There are very few insecticides available to achieve control as older insecticide technology is no longer effective due to chinch bugs becoming resistant. We use the most effective product available to control this very destructive pest.

Photos of Lawn Pests: