Florida is a state with year-round growing seasons — each one affecting your yard in a different way. Spring brings heavy growth, summer adds extreme heat and daily storms, fall brings leaf drops, and winter introduces rare freezes and debris. Because of these seasonal changes, Florida homeowners must adjust their yard cleanup routines throughout the year.
Whether you live in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, Naples, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, or a surrounding area, this guide provides a complete, Florida-specific yard cleanup schedule to keep your lawn and landscaping healthy every month.
Spring Yard Cleanup in Florida (February–April)
Spring is the season when Florida yards come back to life — and usually the busiest cleanup period of the year.
1. Remove Winter Debris & Dead Growth
Even though winters are mild, storms still drop:
- Fallen branches
- Palm fronds
- Oak leaves
- Seed pods
- Dead plants
- Damaged shrub tips
- Debris around walkways and fences
All of this must be cleared to prevent pests, mold, and blockages in the lawn.
2. Spring Debris Removal
Even though fall is the primary leaf season, many Florida trees hold leaves until late winter.
Leftover debris smothers spring grass growth, so clearing them early is essential.
3. Early Weed Identification & Removal
Spring moisture + warm temperatures = explosive weed growth.
Common early-spring Florida weeds include:
- Chickweed
- Clover
- Dollarweed
- Spurge
- Oxalis
- Buttonweed
- Florida pusley
Removing weeds early prevents them from maturing and spreading seeds.
4. Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Treatment
This is crucial for Florida lawns.
Pre-emergent prevents summer weeds like:
- Crabgrass
- Goosegrass
- Dollarweed
- Broadleaf weeds
Apply between February 1–March 15 depending on the region.
5. Refresh Mulch Around Flowerbeds & Trees
Fresh mulch:
- Prevents weeds
- Helps soil retain moisture
- Regulates temperature
- Improves curb appeal
Heat + humidity break mulch down FAST in Florida, so early refresh is important.
6. First Mowing & Edging of the Season
Grass begins growing rapidly in February and March.
Tasks include:
- First mow (higher cut setting)
- Edging sidewalks and driveways
- Leveling uneven areas
- Blowing off grass debris
Early mowing defines the yard's shape for the rest of the season.
7. Trim Palms & Tropical Shrubs
Florida shrubs such as areca palm, hibiscus, bougainvillea, ixora, crotons, and bird of paradise begin expanding aggressively in spring.
Trimming prevents:
- Overgrowth
- Pest hiding spots
- Branches blocking walkways
- Bushes touching the house
Summer Yard Cleanup in Florida (May–October)
Summer brings extreme heat, humidity, daily storms, and explosive grass growth.
1. Weekly Mowing (Often Every 5 Days)
Summer grass grows fast due to:
- Long daylight hours
- High soil moisture (from daily storms)
- Warm temperatures
Most Florida lawns require mowing every 5–7 days during rainy season.
2. Weekly Weed Control
Even with spring pre-emergent, Florida's humidity causes late-summer weeds to appear.
Treat:
- Crabgrass
- Nutsedge
- Dollarweed
- Tropical signalgrass
- Doveweed
- Clover
- Dandelions
- Broadleaf weeds
Herbicides must be applied correctly due to heat sensitivity.
3. Remove Storm Debris Weekly
Daily thunderstorms commonly scatter:
- Palm fronds
- Leaves
- Seed pods
- Twigs
- Branches
- Debris blown from nearby yards
Quick storm cleanup prevents lawn suffocation and pest attraction.
4. Inspect Trees for Storm Damage
Florida's storms often snap limbs off large trees.
Tasks:
- Remove broken limbs
- Cut hanging branches
- Clear debris from gutters
- Trim trees away from the roof
This prevents property damage and improves yard safety.
5. Monitor for Fungus
Rainy season triggers:
- Brown patch
- Dollar spot
- Leaf spot
- Gray leaf spot
Mowing too low makes fungus worse.
6. Monitor for Pests
Heat + moisture attract:
- Grubs
- Armyworms
- Fire ants
- Chinch bugs (Florida's #1 lawn killer)
- Mosquitoes
Consistent yard care reduces pest activity.
Fall Yard Cleanup in Florida (October–December)
Fall is cleanup and prep season as storm season tapers off.
1. Leaf Removal
Florida oak leaves drop late (November–January).
Leaving them on the lawn causes:
- Mold
- Fungus
- Dead patches
- Pest infestations
- Grass suffocation
Remove leaves regularly during peak fall season.
2. Remove Hurricane Debris
If hurricanes occurred, cleanup includes:
- Large branches
- Palm trunks
- Roof shingles
- Washed-in debris
3. Final Grass Mowing & Edging Before Winter
Warm-season grasses begin to slow down, but they still need attention in fall.
Tasks:
- Final mow in late November or early December
- Lower blade slightly for winter prep
- Edge pathways and borders
- Remove all clippings
4. Fall Weed Removal
Cool-season weeds begin emerging, including:
- Henbit
- Chickweed
- Clover
- Wild garlic
- Wild onion
- Annual bluegrass
Removing these now prevents them from spreading across winter.
5. Final Bush & Hedge Trimming
Shrubs need shaping before winter.
6. Mulch Refresh
Heat + humidity break mulch down faster than any other state.
Refresh mulch to protect plants during winter.
Winter Yard Cleanup in Florida (December–February)
While winter is the quietest season for yard work, it still requires cleanup to prevent spring problems.
1. Remove Remaining Leaves
Leaves left all winter:
- Create dense mats
- Promote fungus
- Block sunlight
- Kill St. Augustine and Zoysia
- Attract pests
Avoid wet mats that smother grass.
2. Treat Winter Weeds
Winter weeds thrive in Florida:
- Chickweed
- Henbit
- Annual bluegrass
- Clover
- Wild onion
Manual removal or selective sprays work best.
3. Trim Palms & Clean Seed Pods
Palms drop pods year-round.
Regular cleanup prevents:
- Pest habitats
- Lawn damage
- Safety hazards
4. Protect Against Rare Freezes
Wrap or cover:
- Young shrubs
- Exposed roots
- Newly planted trees
Especially important in Orlando, Tampa, and North Florida where occasional freezes occur.
5. Inspect Yard for Drainage Problems
Winter rain reveals:
- Puddling
- Soil shifting
- Drainage issues
- Erosion
Fixing these prevents spring lawn damage.
Why Seasonal Yard Cleanup Matters in Florida
Doing the right cleanup in each season:
- Prevents weed takeovers
- Reduces pests
- Protects grass health
- Improves curb appeal
- Keeps HOAs satisfied
- Makes your spring easier
- Lowers long-term maintenance costs
Most yard problems in Florida happen when homeowners skip seasonal cleanup — everything compounds by the time spring arrives.
Get Seasonal Yard Cleanup Services in Florida
If you want a clean, healthy yard all year long, Yard Maintenance connects you with Florida professionals who specialize in:
- Yard cleanups
- Leaf and storm debris removal
- Weed control
- Tree and shrub trimming
- Mulching
- Mowing
- Storm cleanup
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Regular mowing and precise edging for a well-maintained lawn.
Yard Cleanup
Thorough cleanup to restore your yard's appearance.
Bush & Hedge Trimming
Professional trimming to keep your shrubs and hedges neat.
Weed Removal
Remove and prevent weeds for a cleaner yard.
Leaf Removal
Complete leaf removal during fall and spring seasons.
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