In Florida, the foliage is lush and there is always something in bloom. Here is some monthly information to help keep your yard at its best:
October is when much of Florida’s citrus begins to ripen. Trim fall grasses. Rose growing can be difficult in Florida, but if you have them, prepare the soil with cow manure and peat moss. For fruit plants, keep soil moist by watering every two to three days and properly fertilizing. Keep an eye out for caterpillars, slugs, mites, sand snails and anything else that could turn your plants into a tasty meal!
November showcases cooler, dryer weather, lessening the bug population. Ornamental grasses begin to turn brown, and it’s time to fertilize your trees.
December is a dryer month with possible freezes. Here’s a tip…move mulch away from young plants so that they are less likely to freeze.
January is time to inspect fruit trees for diseases, freeze damage and nutritional deficiencies. You can cut back on watering this month, and add plants that require a winter planting to thrive in warmer weather.
February is time to apply weed killer to prevent the germination of warm weather weeds. If fertilizer has not yet been applied to your citrus trees, now is the time…and, if you are thinking about rearranging plants in your garden spaces, February is the perfect month for it. It’s also a great time to prune roses and add more mulch.
March is for planting bulbs and tubers, which are excellent to place in spaces where grass is less likely to grow. Growth is rapid this month, so keep ample iron in your nutritional mix for lush, green growth. Remove unharvested fruit from trees, as it will continue to draw nutrients. Perennials should take root this month as well.
In April, flowering shrubs need to be cut back as blooms fade. Fertilize lawn after new growth. Monitor for aphids on tender growth, and fertilize fruit trees.
May is a great time to plant an herb garden, trees, shrubs, vines and heat tolerant plants. Remember that warmer weather translates into insects, but be careful not to over treat the ground. Trim overgrown shrubs.
June is officially hurricane season, so prune trees and plants if you have not already done so. Keep an eye out for insect infestation and nutritional deficiencies. It’s also a great time to plan additional gardens and landscaping.
July – Summer is the best time to add tropical plants to outdoor spaces. Continue to monitor for bugs and keep soil nutrients at proper levels. Consider planting larger trees for shade.
August brings with it an increase in the ant population. Heat is at its peak, so monitor irrigation. If weeds are beginning to be a problem, pull them and replenish with two to three inches of mulch.
September is one of Florida’s wetter months, so you may need to replenish mulch once the rains stop. If you have hedges, now is the time to shape them for the year. It’s also time to trim bougainvillea plants and dry your herbs.
Year-round growth makes Florida a beautiful place to be. However, it can be challenging to stay on top of things. If you need help or have questions, contact Edgewater Yard Shop, Florida’s trusted source for seasonal planting and yard maintenance.