Garden Archives -

What to Plant:

Annuals/Bedding plants: Masses of petunia, pansy, snapdragon, lobelia, alyssum, and viola add color in winter.

Bulbs: Amaryllis can be forced to bloom now or planted outdoors for spring blooms.

Herbs: Some examples of cool-weather herbs include parsley, thyme, sage, dill, fennel, garlic, comfrey, and cilantro.

Vegetables: Reliable cool-season vegetables include cabbages, collards, beets, and broccoli.

What to Do:

Perennials: Cold damage: Wait until warm weather returns to cut back cold-damaged plants.

Vegetable garden: Make sure that seeds and transplants are properly spaced for good development of tubers and vegetables.

Houseplants: Inspect regularly for pests on indoor plants. Keep in mind that
adequate light is a key factor to ensuring that indoor plants thrive.

Soil test: Consider performing a soil test if plants do not perform as
desired or if new plantings are planned.

Compost/mulch: Use fallen leaves to provide the carbon ingredient needed for successful composting and also to make a good mulch.

Garden pests: Continue monitoring and treat as needed. While cooler weather generally means fewer pests, some populations actually increase at this time of year.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

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

Tag: Garden

SoFlo Gardening: December 2020

SoFL Gardening June 2020: What to Plant