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Happy April from the Pilcher Family of Companies! Spring has officially arrived in Northeast Florida, and with it comes warmer temps, longer days, and the perfect window to get your property in peak shape. Here’s what each of our teams has on their mind this month.
Cold Weather Recovery for St. Augustine Turf
Pilcher Pest Prevention Has a Plan
In January and February, we spot sprayed for weeds but due to the unusual cold weather, we only got a 50% kill. The atypical cold weather for our area has caused some damage to the turf and its root system. Also, we have been in a drought and St. John’s County has implemented a rule that we only water once a week and no more than 3/4 inch per week. See aws.sjrwmd.com Rule 40C-2.042(2)(a).
This one-two punch is going to take some time for sod and plants to recover.
So Pilcher Pest Prevention has a plan:
We typically apply spring pre emergent herbicide to sod. The University of Florida is suggesting that we apply a quality granular fertilizer to the turf (which we did in March) and NOT apply the spring pre emergent herbicide. Pre emergents can act like a growth regulator and would not be helpful in allowing the St. Augustine turf to heal without chemical interference. Once the grass recovers its health and thickness, it will naturally “choke out” many of the weeds that are currently appearing. We also plan to selectively spot spray weeds in April and May and not just “blanket” the turf with chemicals.
This trade-off may show a temporary increase in weeds in exchange for a robust, self sustaining lawn that is safer for the environment and capable of surviving future weather extremes. Just know that we are aware of the weed situation and have your turf’s best management practices in mind to sustain a healthy robust lawn—AND we have a plan for attack in the coming months.
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule your spring pest prevention treatment today — call or visit pilcherpestprevention.com
Spring Color Is Peaking — Time to Plan Your Refresh
April is when Northeast Florida landscapes are at their most vibrant — azaleas, gardenias, and jasmine are all putting on a show. It’s also the ideal time to assess what’s working in your yard and what needs a redesign. Whether you’re looking for a full outdoor living space, updated plantings, or better curb appeal, our design team can walk your property and put together a custom plan. Spring installations mean your new plantings have the entire growing season to establish strong roots.
Landscape Consulting Special for April & May — $150
💡 Book a design consultation with Trudy Pilcher at pilcherdesigns.com. Trudy will walk your property with you, offering insights and answering any questions you have about how to get the most out of your landscape. Afterward Trudy will email you a summary of your conversation as well as recommended next steps.
Spring Irrigation Checkup: Don’t Waste Water (or Money)
April showers are great, but they’re not a substitute for a properly tuned irrigation system. After winter dormancy, now is the time to run a full system check: look for broken heads, clogged nozzles, misaligned spray patterns, and controller schedule updates. With St. John’s River Water Management District watering restrictions in effect year-round (see above), making sure every drop counts is essential. Our team can perform a comprehensive irrigation audit and get your system dialed in for the hot months ahead.
💡 Thinking Ahead: Request an irrigation audit at pilcherirrigation.com
Longer Evenings = More Time to Enjoy Your Outdoor Spaces
Daylight Saving Time means you’re spending more evenings outside — and landscape lighting makes those hours even better. April is a great time to add path lighting along walkways, accent lighting to highlight specimen trees or architectural features, and task lighting around outdoor kitchens or seating areas. Well-designed lighting extends your living space, improves safety, and dramatically boosts your home’s curb appeal after dark.
💡 See what’s possible at pilcherlighting.com
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Meet Mark & Trudy Pilcher
For decades, Mark and Trudy Pilcher have been the heartbeat of Pilcher Companies. Both horticulture graduates with a passion for Northeast Florida’s unique landscape, they’ve built a family of businesses dedicated to making your outdoor spaces beautiful, healthy, and pest-free. Trudy brings her artistic vision and plant expertise to every landscape design, while Mark ensures operations run smoothly and your property stays protected. Together, they’ve created a legacy of excellence that serves our community with integrity and care.
