Florida winters are nothing like up north, but that doesn't mean your Bradenton lawn is on autopilot from December through February. In fact, the mistakes homeowners make during our mild winters often cause problems that don't show up until spring. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Overwatering in winter. Your St. Augustine grass is semi-dormant and needs 50-60% less water than summer. Most Bradenton lawns need irrigation only once per week — or even less if we get winter rain. Overwatering in cool weather is the number one cause of fungal diseases like Large Patch (Rhizoctonia), which creates ugly brown circles that can take months to recover.

Mistake #2: Mowing too short. Many homeowners lower their mower blade in winter thinking shorter grass looks neater. Wrong. Keep your St. Augustine at 3.5-4 inches year-round. Shorter cuts expose the soil to more sunlight, encouraging winter weeds like annual bluegrass and chickweed. Taller grass also insulates the crown from frost damage during cold snaps.

Mistake #3: Ignoring weeds. Winter is actually prime weed season in Florida. Cool-season weeds germinate when soil temperatures drop below 70 degrees. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early October to prevent winter annuals. For existing weeds, spot-treat with a selective herbicide rated for your grass type — never use non-selective products like glyphosate on your lawn.

Mistake #4: Skipping the winterizer fertilizer. Your October/November fertilizer application with high potassium strengthens cell walls and improves cold tolerance. If you skipped it, your lawn is more vulnerable to frost damage. It's too late to fertilize now (Manatee County blackout period ends in March), but mark your calendar for next fall.

The good news: winter is the perfect time to plan spring projects. Schedule your landscape consultation now while companies have availability. Design work, permitting, and material ordering take 4-6 weeks, so starting in January means your new landscape can be installed by early spring — the ideal planting window.