INDUSTRY NEWS - AUGUST 2026

Winter "False Spring": Adjusting for Florida's Erratic Cool Season

Florida doesn't really get winter dormancy the way other states do and that's exactly what trips up irrigation scheduling this time of year. A warm stretch in January can push turf and landscaping into active growth, only for a cold snap a week later to stall it right back out. Systems left on a fixed schedule often end up over- or under-watering through these swings, and customers notice.

The safest approach during winter months is more frequent manual adjustment rather than a "set it and forget it" schedule. Encourage customers to dial back watering frequency during cooler stretches, since evapotranspiration rates drop significantly when temperatures fall, even briefly. Smart controllers with weather-based adjustment help here, automatically scaling back during cold snaps without a customer having to remember to do it manually.

It's also worth flagging that Florida's mix of warm days and occasional overnight frost can stress turf that's already been overwatered, making it more susceptible to cold damage. A quick system check heading into winter, confirming rain sensors are working and schedules reflect current conditions helps prevent avoidable callbacks once temperatures start swinging again.