Artisan Lakes February Landscape Update

Описание: January has delivered an unusually cold stretch across Northeast Florida. As Brian Burghardt, Vice President of Rockaway, shared during a recent walk-through of Artisan Lakes, this has been the coldest January he can recall in his 22 years working in Jacksonville. With another “generational cold” forecast for Saturday night, we hope everyone stays warm and protected.
Despite the cold, the community is holding up very well overall. Cold-tolerant plants such as agave and azaleas have performed nicely, while more tender plants—including blue daze (Evolvulus), duranta, and tropicals like schefflera (arbicola), Hawaiian ti, and hibiscus—are showing some stress. This is typical after hard freezes, and many of these plants are expected to rebound once temperatures stabilize. We will reassess plant performance once winter conditions pass.
Lawns throughout Artisan Lakes are dormant and brown, which is completely normal this time of year. Thanks to strong growth in the fall, turf filled in well and winter weed pressure has remained minimal. At this time, we expect the majority of yards to make it through winter with little to no lasting freeze damage.
From an agronomy standpoint, January treatments focused on strengthening turf roots and preventing winter weeds through root-based fertilization and pre-emergent applications. This month, our spray team will complete an inspect-and-treat cycle that includes additional root fertilizer, spot weed treatments, and monitoring for fungus. Due to winter dormancy, fungus is not expected until March.
You may have noticed recent enhancement work at the front entry monument and gates. These improvements included reducing bed space, installing perennial peanut, removing underperforming plants, and reorganizing monument plantings. Some plants were impacted by the cold and will be evaluated after winter for potential warranty replacements. Replacements are expected to be limited, as trinettes typically recover well and perennial peanut naturally goes dormant during colder weather.
Maintenance operations will continue with minimal lawn traffic to protect dormant turf. Spot mowing will occur only where necessary. Tree limb-ups are nearly complete and expected to finish next week, after which crews will begin cutbacks of flax lily, liriope, African iris, and ornamental grasses. Mid- to late February, attention will shift to cutting back cold-damaged tropicals such as duranta and trinettes. Mulching is scheduled for the last week of February, and the team will prioritize cutbacks ahead of time to minimize trimming after new mulch is installed.
Irrigation systems are being inspected and fine-tuned. Controllers have been shut off during freeze events, and rain/freeze sensors are functioning properly. Ongoing adjustments will help ensure efficient coverage as we move toward the warmer, drier season while minimizing water waste.
The Artisan Premier Package will reopen in approximately two to three weeks. This program includes four irrigation inspections per year, one quality assessment per season, two aerations with an added liquid nutrient top-dress, and an annual sod warranty for Premier customers. Standard homes are excluded from sod warranty due to resident-controlled irrigation.
As always, residents are encouraged to submit work orders for any landscape concerns. Our team will be happy to evaluate issues, make corrections when possible, or provide guidance on next steps.
Thank you for your patience through this unusually cold January. We look forward to a strong spring growth season and a beautiful Artisan Lakes landscape in the months ahead.
— Brian Burghardt & the Rockaway Landscaping Team 🌿