Category: Lifestyle

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Organize Your Occasion

Planning a wedding is a joyous and special time in life, but it can be stressful to keep all of the details of your wedding in order.

Vendors, guest lists, gifts, and thank you notes are a few that need to be organized with meticulous care, and in turn, require you to have that knack for detail to keep you on track.

Here are a few organizational tips to make this process easier…

There are some great online tools and apps that can keep your lists organized. I recommend WeddingHappy for staying on track with tasks and AllSeated for visualizing seating charts and venue layouts. You can even organize your entire wedding on Trello, and get a little help writing your thank notes on Postable.

If you are not into using digital tools, old school methods of keeping hand-written lists will work just as well. Use a notebook that has pockets, and dedicate several tabs for each category – vendors, gifts, guest lists, etc. and take copious notes! Make sure to include all of the details like costs, vendor proposals with the scopes of work, and all additional specifics that are pertinent.

To avoid getting endless emails and text messages from guests, use a simple wedding website where they can check out your wedding details. Include important information for your wedding like dates, times, locations, dress codes, registries, transportation and lodging, and a day-of itinerary. Everything that appears on the invitations should be present on the welcome page of the website.

If you do decide to work with a professional planner or coordinator, a traditional wedding etiquette and guidebook (such as The Wedding Book) is an excellent source of information and expert advice, including tips, tricks, and examples of useful timelines and checklists.

This will help you visualize and prioritize your goals without being overwhelmed with all your wedding details all at once.

Try and enjoy your wedding process as much as possible! The tools mentioned above will assist you every step of the way and help
to make your special day an even greater success.

By Lisa Haubenstock

Lisa Haubenstock is a Professional Organizer and owner of LisaTheOrganizer, LLC. A Home Organizing and Relocation Company serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She holds certificates in household management & residential organizing. You can contact Lisa at lisa@lisatheorganizer.com.

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The workforce behind the dress

Marriage isn’t a ring worn or a paper signed. It’s not something endured, but savored. While people spend months, even years, planning every detail of the big day, there isn’t anything that could have prepared them for the coronavirus pandemic. Some couples had to cancel or delay because of coronavirus concerns, many still proceeding with smaller gatherings or virtual weddings for now. Designers and bridal shops that cater to these major life events are doing what they do best, offering creative solutions to unexpected circumstances. Alexander Couture Bridal in Pompano Beach and Susan Rose in Coral Springs are both open and working to accommodate their clients.

David Ramcharan, who has worked as a designer at The
Art Institute and an event planner, is continuing the 30-year tradition at Alexander Couture Bridal of providing his clients with the right dress for their event. “About 60 hours can go into a single wedding dress,” said Ramcharan. “It can take five to six months to be ordered in, but I’m still getting brides to come in and have that feeling of getting their dream dress.”

Susan Rose does not offer wedding dresses, but focuses
on fashion for other major life events – quinceañeras, sweet sixteen parties, bat-mitzvahs; along with dresses for your backyard wedding these days. She is seeing a mix of reactions from her clients, many forging ahead with their events, but with smaller groups, and many with virtual components to connect with loved ones not able to travel.

Both Susan Rose and Alexander Couture Bridal are minimizing risk
to their clients by seeing clients via appointments and following all social distancing and mask rules. Fashion is an in-person collaborative experience to try on a dress and customize, if required. To ensure her client’s safety, Rae Ann, owner of Susan Rose, shared that all dresses get sanitized after being tried on, and her two-hour appointment slots give the staff time to disinfect after each visit.

Ramcharan says, “We’re still taking safety precautions in the store like wearing masks, gloves, washing hands, and being mindful. Brides are still allowed to try on gowns because I want it to be as personal as possible. Regardless of what’s happening, my goal is not to take away from the experience that other brides have had in the past before the pandemic.”

At Alexander Couture Bridal, “we have a lot of dresses I create, and
we also have for the curvier girl. I give them a wish list for the design process, they tell me what they want, we do alterations, and if I’m putting my name on something it has to show I did them right. So even with the pandemic and a lot of things having changed, productions, styles, and fabric choices, are still going well.”

“The pandemic has also changed the way people shop for wedding dresses,” said Ramcharan. “A lot of brides are now also shopping for dresses online.”

The coronavirus outbreak has caused worry across the wedding industry. Postponements and cancellations have forced couples, bridal shops, and vendors to get creative. Most boutiques are doing virtual try-on’s however, Ramcharan believes the brides are limiting their experience by not getting the proper style, fabrics, or measurements when purchasing online.

“We give them a tour, suggestions for styles, fit, designs, and really help to make it a one-one-experience that you just can’t get when online,” said Ramcharan. “It can change the entire way it fits, and a dress often takes multiple appointments to find one that’s a suitable dress. Followed by several fittings over the course that can take up to several months.”

Ramcharan does believe the sector is anticipated to recover gradually after COVID-19 related restrictions are lifted. However, the recovery of the sector will depend on people feeling safe enough to hold a large gathering.

Many will likely downsize to smaller gatherings, or postpone the ceremonies until the pandemic fully subsides. Engaged couples who are planning to get married in the near future could postpone the ceremony to further save up for the occasion too.

Speaking of a recent wedding, “[The bride] said this was the wedding [she] really wanted and better than what we originally had planned,” said Ramcharan. “We were also able to do live streams with 300 guests when she would have originally had fifty. Even a lot of men were into it, and it all came out so beautiful and perfect.”

Pandemic or not, life still goes on, and many in the communities are finding creative ways to celebrate important life events. So if you are starting to plan your event, reach out to these two local businesses, they will be happy to give advice and share their experiences.

 

Contact information:

  • Alexander Couture Bridal, 878 SW 10th Avenue, Suite #8, Pompano Beach, FL, (954) 943-7768
  • Susan Rose, 9829 W Sample Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33065, (954) 472-2120

 

By Nile Fortner

Photography by Gabriella Melo/@melometer

Additional contributions by Li Pan

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SoFlo Gardening: August 2020

What to Plant

Annuals/Bedding plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting to heat-tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.

Bulbs: Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.

Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.

Vegetables: Many cool-season crops can be started now as well as a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as lima beans, cucumbers, eggplant, and peppers. Tomatoes can also be planted for the fall garden.

 

 What to Do

Lawns: Determine the cause of any damage to the lawn so the proper remedy is used. Damage from insects, disease, or irrigation failure can produce similar symptoms. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove a third of the grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.

Palms: Check older palm fronds for yellowing as it may indicate a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.

Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.

Ornamental plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. See Nutrient Deficiencies (Landscape Plants): edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_ nutrient_deficiencies_landscape_plants

Annuals and Perennials: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the season into the fall months.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

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The “New Normal” changing travel

Let’s go Rafting!

A friend on the west coast texted the invitation. The annual gathering for rafting is on, with Colorado allowing those activities based on their reopening. After holing up at home for three months, never venturing beyond two miles from where I sleep, it was exciting. Soon I was searching for flights.

Changes in Flying

I have lived through change in travel. During spring break over 25 years ago, I was with a group of college dorm mates driving south from Canada. Crossing the border, the only question the friendly agent asked the five of us was, “Are you all Canadians?” A quick nod, a verbal yes, and we were off, headed down I-95 to Florida for the first time.

Since then, I have traveled often between Canada, the US, and overseas. Air travel felt not much different than hopping on a bus. The world felt smaller.

Just over a month after the horrible attack on 9/11, I was flying through London on my way to Rome, and for the first time, I experienced the enhanced security that was being established.

Over two hours in a line to go through the security check during transfer was very stressful. Times had changed forever.

Over time, things have improved. I was traveling regularly, and sometimes I would go two weeks around the world internationally. I got used to spending more time in airline lounges. TSA precheck and Global Entry made my life going through security easier. I again started to be comfortable arriving less than one hour before the gate closed.

Limited flights

A three to four hour flight with my trusty mask, and a quick in and out through the airport, separated me from a fun weekend with guys I had only seen on video chat, rafting down the cold waters in Colorado. Or so I thought.

Soon I realized, the number of direct flights to Denver from Florida is near zero. In fact, there was only one flight and it landed near midnight. Which means I would need to stay a night that I wasn’t planning, or take a chance at a connection at one of the hubs.

After a day of back and forth, playing out the odds in my mind, I decided to drop out.

The world no longer feels small

I started to wonder, will traveling change after this?

Not able to just travel to NYC to see my sister, or Pennsylvania to visit my parents, or the wedding of a friend in Canada makes me realize the vast distance that now separates us. We are all fighting our individual battles against COVID-19, the illness and the psychological stress.

In a couple of years, I hope we will look back to the current day as a blip in our ever-shrinking world. But for now, we are blessed to live where others come to vacation, and expand your local connections. It’s amazing what you can find in our little corner of South Florida, and many interesting experiences that you can have and still obey the safety rules to minimize risk. We will continue to share our experiences in adapting to the New Normal, and you can send in yours if you want to share by sending an email to submissions@theparklander.com, or click on submit on our homepage.

By Li Pan

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Engaged Couples: August 2020

Karina DiGregorio, of Boca Raton, and Ryan Zelaya, of Zephyrhills, plan a January 3, 2021 wedding at The Addison in Boca Raton.

Karina went to college with Ryan’s cousin, Suzie, who thought the two would be great together. Apparently, she was right. When Suzie learned Karina was going home to Boca in the summer of 2015 and that Ryan would be staying in school at FAU for the summer, she set the two up for coffee.

Their first date was a walk on the beach where they watched a mother turtle bury her eggs.

Four and a half years later, Ryan proposed to Karina. We don’t know what happened with the turtle eggs.

The proposal came at a New Year’s Eve Party. The ring Ryan ordered hadn’t arrived, but when the ball dropped in New York City, Ryan dropped to one knee, offered her a “promise ring” he bought that day and popped the question. Ryan had a friend standing by camera-ready to capture the event.

The actual ring was to arrive a week later and Ryan insisted Karina stay home all day to meet the UPS delivery man with the precious package. Turns out, when the doorbell finally rang, Ryan WAS the UPS guy, carrying flowers, the ring, and another proposal. So how sweet is that?

They SCUBA dive together, cook, and go on long walks, purposely leaving all technology behind. They plan to honeymoon in Hawaii, where they will dive, snorkel, and explore the underwater world.

Ryan is a test engineer for Sensormatic. Karina is a proofreader and operations assistant at the Parklander magazine.
Maybe you’ve heard of it.

Kristina Nunez, of Coconut Creek, and Javier Garcia, of Fort Lauderdale, will be wed this Nov. 21 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, followed by a reception at Deer Creek Country Club.

The couple met in September 2016 through a dating app and Javier proposed in New York’s Central Park 2 1⁄2 years later. He hired a photographer to capture the moment.

The couple enjoys dancing, going to the movies, exploring new restaurants, and traveling. They both enjoy just spending time together, regardless of the activity.

The couple hopes to honeymoon to Europe after the pandemic is over, exploring new places and cultures.

Both are teachers with Broward County Public Schools. Javier teaches high school and Kristina, elementary school.

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Parkland Life: Time to recreate myself again

Whenever I look at my Apple Watch it says No More Events Today! As the pandemic accelerates in Florida, and since I am in the age group that is considered the most at risk, I remain sequestered at home. I go into stores for necessities, sometimes a couple of times per week, but most of the time not at all. My hair, as I have said before, is still
the one thing that I feel is important enough to make me risk exposure. I have returned to the salon to have my hair colored, cut and for a keratin treatment. Silly, but true. I no longer have manicures and pedicures, but do my nails myself. My nails aren’t nearly as pretty, but it does suffice. Shopping, game playing, volunteering, classes, social events, travel and all other daily excursions are gone. I recently said to a friend that I feel as if life is simply passing. Besides looking at the time on my watch, I check the day and date and am constantly amazed that the months have steadily passed.

I am not complaining (much). I am lucky to have Mickey Booboo growing daily as he fills our home with joy, love, and laughter.
I am lucky to have friends that I speak with regularly and sometimes have socially distanced, outside get togethers. I am lucky to have family that I FaceTime with daily. I am lucky to have Neil to share this strange and scary time with. But with all of that, I still see my life going by with days that are the same and often lack focus and purpose.

At 69, I expected the next few years to be filled with travel while I am healthy and agile. I expected to go back and forth to New York to see my family and share in all of our grandchildren’s small and large milestones. I expected to enjoy my volunteer work, theater, and daily activities. All of these things have been put on hold.

Younger people are continuing their lives more completely. Some are able to go to work, or work at home. Some choose to still travel and enjoy outdoor activities. While stymied by the virus, they are able to weigh their risk/reward ratio more leniently than I do.

When can I change my risk/reward decisions?
After another month? Few months? After a year? I am not sure if there is an answer to this, but if no vaccine or effective treatment is created, how long can I live in this pleasant but boring limbo? I know I am lucky, but my optimism is running thin.

I need to create a way, beyond Mickey, to be productive enough to be happier. There have been a number of times in my life when I felt the necessity to recreate myself to achieve a fuller and happier life.

I changed careers mid- stream. I got divorced and remarried in my mid-fifties. I retired and started a whole new life in Parkland in my sixties. Each time it took thought, faith and hard work to begin again. But each time the daily life that followed was far happier than the one before I made changes. I now recognize that this is a time to do it again, this time in my seventies. Life will never return to what it was before the pandemic, but I have the power to think this through and work hard to achieve a change for the better. Stay tuned, I am working hard on this and hope to find my way soon.

By Jill Vogel

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SoFlo GARDENING

What to Plant

Annuals/Bedding Plants: Summer annuals to plant now include celosia, coleus, torenia, and ornamental peppers.

 

Bulbs: Butterfly lily and gladiolus are bulbs that can be planted during the middle of summer.

Herbs: While summer is too hot to start herbs from seeds, many, such as oregano and mint, do well if started from small plants.

Vegetables: Plant tropical vegetables, such as boniato, calabaza, and chayote this month.

Palms: Continue planting palms while the rainy season is in full swing. Support large palms with braces for 6–8 months after planting. Do not drive nails directly into a palm trunk.

What to Do

Pests on Lawns: Determine the cause of any lawn problems before taking action. If an insect is the culprit, treat only the affected area. Rule out disease or sprinkler malfunction.

Fertilizer Bans: Numerous municipalities in south Florida prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June– September). See if such an ordinance exists in your area.

Vegetable garden: Use summer heat to solarize
the vegetable garden for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now. See Soil Solarization: edis. ifas.ufl.edu/topic_soil_ solarization.

 

Pests on ornamental plants: Inspect the leaves of ornamental plants for small white dots that may indicate lace bugs at work. Spray forcefully with water to help control this pest.

Tropical fruit trees: Check for damage to fruit or leaves and take action to minimize the effect of insects and/or disease on developing fruit or the overall health of the tree.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

 

 

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Fine wine from a total solar eclipse

It took almost one thousand years for the vineyards in Burgundy, France,
to become dedicated to specific varieties, and it was the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that became the masters of that fiefdom. When winemaking got started in California, the vintners planted anything and everything that they could lay their hands on. Among those early vintners was a faux Hungarian Count, Agoston Haraszthy, who is often credited with bringing to California most of the grape vines that have found a home there.

It has taken our vintners only 150 years and modern science to determine what grows best and where. Once the best locations were determined, American vintners began to make wine. American grapes, however, were not mirror images of their French parents, and winemakers had to discard French winemaking techniques to develop new ways of turning finicky grapes into exceptional wines.

Among the myriad of producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, only a few have mastered those grapes and are producing outstanding wines. I recently had the privilege to sample some wines from one of those latter-day vintners, Gary Farrell. The grapes for all these wines were picked on August 21, 2017, the day of a total solar eclipse.

2017 Olivet Lane Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($45).

The wine is outstanding and memorable. If you are seeking a carbon copy of a French Montrachet, you will be disappointed, as this wine is
a true child of California. The aroma of apples, peaches, and pears are intertwined with notes of fragrant summer flowers. I believe that this wine will set the stylistic direction for better Chardonnays for years to come.

2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($45).

The grapes for this wine were sourced from seven of the top vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The fruit from each vineyard adds its own nuance to the final blend, resulting in a delicately scented and brightly flavored wine. Cherries, both the fruit and the blossoms, dominate the aroma along with vanilla and toasted nuts. This is a wine that should not be taken for granted. It is a grand example of what a fine, well-made California Pinot Noir should be.

2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($35).

This wine was made from the grapes of famous vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The wine displays the aroma of lemon, melon, peach, and pear with hints of green tea, jasmine and two of my personal favorites, arugula and wasabi. These flavors continue on to the finish where they mingle with tropical fruit and apple. This wine has an incomparable and unforgettable silky finish with hints of flavors that I have never before experienced in a Chardonnay.

It is customary to serve white wines slightly chilled. Unfortunately, all too often, the wines are served too cold so their characteristics become muted. If the wine fogs the glass, it is too cold. Twenty minutes in the refrigerator should be more than enough.

 

By Bennet Bodenstein 

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Rewind: Keeping seniors connected with loved ones during times of isolation

The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the State of Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs to keep seniors connected with loved ones during social isolation. Through Project: VITAL (Virtual Inclusion Technology for All), senior-friendly tablets from engagement technology provider iN2L will be distributed to nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) throughout the state.

“There are more than 580,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Approximately two-thirds of the people living in ALFs have some form of dementia,” said Alzheimer’s Association Florida Regional Leader, Angela McAuley. “Project: VITAL has provided the Association the opportunity to extend our reach to not just those living with dementia, but to all seniors in Florida who are vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation.”

During the pilot phase, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with 150 care communities, 40 of them in South Florida, supplying two tablets per community, as well as virtual training on how to use the equipment and platform. The tablets are preloaded with software programming from iN2L, enabling residents to connect with their loved ones via video chat with a simple tap on the home screen.

The tablet further fosters connection with family by creating individual profiles for every resident, with the added ability for family to add personal photos and videos to those profiles for residents to view whenever they like.

Also included on the tablet is an easily-personalized library of applications that supports cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellness for the ultimate person-centered engagement experience.

“We are excited to be working alongside the Alzheimer’s Association to provide the technology and tools for Project: VITAL.” said Lisa Taylor, iN2L CEO. “We know how important meaningful connection is to older adults’ health and well-being, and during COVID-19, it is absolutely critical.

“Our tablets are a connection care package for senior living residents, equipped with one-touch video chat tools for virtual family visits, as well
as over 1,000 content applications to connect residents to their interests and passions – all designed to keep them healthy, happy, and entertained during these uncertain times and beyond. We are thrilled that more seniors in the state of Florida will benefit from this solution,” she added.

“We’re hoping the use of these customized tablets will facilitate critical connections with the families, especially during these times – but, we want to use them for sustainable models for the future,” said Richard Prudom, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. “We want to ensure the safety of our vulnerable seniors while keeping their loved ones connected.”

The first 50 tablets were shipped on Friday, April 24 with the remaining 100 tablets on May 1.

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Pandemic Parenting – Making it up as we go along

Think back to the beginning of the year. No one would have predicted that our children would be graduating in our living rooms; that summer camp, family get-togethers and beach days would be so oddly different.

For many, this change to a virtual existence has been difficult. Children thrive from social engagements, which makes this a time of great struggle and stress. Children’s brains develop through play and learning social skills. They learn boundaries and empathy through playing side by side with others, a scenario impossible to re-create through a video chat! So how do we fill the void for our children while maintaining social distancing?

Growing up, I had our summer ritual down pat. Days spent with family and friends, summer camp, vacation on Sanibel, school clothes shopping. It had a rhythm and regularity. This is the time to revisit your summer rituals and revamp them for COVID-19. Rituals are important for family cohesion. Resurrecting a custom from your childhood might be the answer. Unearth photo albums from your childhood and your children’s. Share stories and bring the past alive. Create a new rhythm for summer with family dinners, game time, and movie nights to help children connect with the family.

When we ask children to make a choice, they feel more empowered and in control. That’s a good thing. If we give kids choices, they have a set list of options to choose from. What they don’t have is an endless list of options you don’t want them choosing. “Are we going to the beach at 9 a.m. to beat the crowds, or are we playing in the sprinklers today?” Did you notice two choices with limits? If your child counter offers with a Disney trip, ice cream for breakfast or some other extravagance, it’s fine to pass. Just because your child wants something, it’s OK not to give it to them. Even when life is weird or stressful!

Just remember – you’re a great parent doing the best you can during a difficult time. You got this!

 

By Maria Berger

Maria Berger is a licensed mental health counselor and a registered art and play therapist. Her practice, Berger Counseling Services, is located in Parkland. Maria has been serving children, teens and families for over twenty years.

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Sourdough Passion

 

Microbes that we cannot see live around us. One newcomer, COVID-19, has caused all of us to huddle in our homes. This allowed me to reconnect with my sourdough starter, which consists of a combination of yeast and probiotic bacteria.

I love bread. In the world where you are often told to go light on carbs, what was once my go-to food item has become an indulgence. When I was researching healthy bread, to justify eating more of it, I found sourdough.

Only in the past hundred years has fast rising yeast and store bought bread became a norm in our lives. For thousands of years before that, making bread was a daily activity, where master artisan bread makers used what we now call the sourdough process to make bread.

The rapid rise yeast, which is used for most of the bread we eat, allowed us to make great looking bread quickly. The sourdough starter, a living culture of many microbes, requires patience to work with, and doesn’t often give as consistent a result as fast rising yeast.

A homemade sourdough bread, with its tangy flavor, along with the satisfaction of seeing it rise (when you are successful), is very gratifying. It’s also one of the healthiest bread choices you can have.

For many years, I had been nursing a sourdough starter, supposedly from a San Francisco bakery. Oftentimes, when life got busy, I neglected it in my fridge, as you only need to feed it once a week in the chilly climate. But when you let it thrive on your countertop, it comes alive with a ferocious appetite, requiring usually twice a day feedings.

During the shutdown, when all the local fine establishments were closed, I reconnected with my love for making sourdough bread, like many in the country, to satisfy my taste buds.

Making sourdough bread is simple. Feed your starter to keep it active and happy. Combine it with your dough in the evening, and an overnight rise will allow you to make a fresh loaf in the morning.

My starter loves the whole wheat flour I source from the prairies of Montana and the Dakotas. Within hours of feeding, large bubbles are created, like magic. It’s these air bubbles that will give your dough the bulk, and when healthy can double or triple your original dough size.

The special flavor that you don’t find in non- sourdough bread, comes from the bacteria that lives in the starter, symbiotic with the yeast. These organisms convert the
simple sugars and carbs in your flour into gut-friendly prebiotics, and lowers the glycemic index of the resulting bread.

Quick advice on sourdough starter

It takes time and luck to create your own reliable sourdough starter. After trying unsuccessfully several times, I found that a starter sourced from a bakery is best. You can usually request it from your local baker, or order them online.

Once you have your starter, you need to maintain it. You will need to regularly discard 1⁄2 of your starter, then add equal amounts of flour and filtered water by weight to replenish. This is best done with a digital scale and a mason jar. Filtered water is required to remove the chlorine in tap water, which inhibits the yeast and probiotics in the starter.

This process needs to be done every 12 hours if you are keeping your starter at room temperature. If you are refrigerating your starter, every 7 days is enough to keep your starter fed and happy.

Happy fermenting.
By Curiously Hungry
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SoFL Gardening June 2020: What to Plant

What to Plant in June

Annuals/Bedding
Plants:
Annuals that can take full sun during the increasingly hot summer months include celosia, portulaca, vinca, and some coleus.  

Palms:
Summer’s warm, rainy months are the perfect time to plant palms. Make sure not to cover the trunk with soil.  

Herbs:
Plant heat-loving herbs, including basil, ginger, summer savory, cumin, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.  

Vegetables:
Plant tropical vegetables, such as boniato, calabaza, and chayote this month.  

What to Do

Pests:
Monitor the landscape and garden weekly for harmful insects. Knowing which insects attack a plant can aid in identification and treatment.
See
Landscape Pest Management: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscape_pests

Irrigation:
Watch for drought stress and water as needed if rainfall has been spotty. Focus on new plantings and follow watering restrictions. When rains begin, shut down the irrigation system. 

Propagation:
Produce more plants by air layering, grafting, division, or cuttings.
See
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_garden_propagation

Palms
and
cycads:
Watch for nutrient deficiencies or other problems and use an appropriate treatment.
See
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_palm_care

Pruning:
Lightly prune summer-flowering shrubs, like hibiscus, oleander, and ixora, during the warmer months to increase blooming.  

Fertilizer
bans:
Numerous municipalities in south Florida prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). See if such an ordinance exists in your area.

Lawns:
Check frequently for damaged areas and keep insects in check with early treatment. Determine whether yellow and brown lawn patches are caused by chinch bugs, disease, or lack of water. Take time to determine the cause so your remedy is effective. Rejuvenate areas where grass does not grow well by replacing it with versatile groundcovers. 

Soil
solarization:
Clean up your vegetable garden and solarize the soil for 4–6 weeks to kill pests and disease.
See
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_soil_solarization

Source:
University of Florida IFAS. Extension

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