The cooler temperatures and dry air that come along with the month of November help to lessen the insect populations. Insects will always be present here in Florida, but fleas, chinch bugs, and mosquitoes will be less noticeable. Aphids, beetles, cutworms, and leaf miners will still be around and can be harmful to your plants if you're not careful.
Also, do not forget to water your plants. Even though it is not as hot and your plants' water demands are not as great, sensible watering must still be done to ensure the health of your plants.
Here are some ideas for your fall garden:
Flowers: Allysum, Dianthus, Geraniums, Impatiens, Mums, Petunias, and Zinnia
Herbs & Vegetables
If your palm trees were damaged by the cold weather in January, we have the solution!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Manganese Sulfate - 4 teaspoons of Liquid Copper - 1 gallon of water
Directions:
1) Mix together the Manganese and the Liquid Copper. 2) Add this mixture to the water. 3) Pour mixture to the "heart" (new growth) on top of the palm. 4) Repeat in 30 days. 5) Only apply the mixture at dusk.
We recommend waiting to trim back any damaged plants or trees until Spring (3rd week of March)
After trimming back your plants, we recommend feeding them with Fertrell. Fertrell is an organic fertilizer that is gentle on plants and works great!
If your palm trees were damaged by the cold weather in January, we have the solution!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Manganese Sulfate - 4 teaspoons of Liquid Copper - 1 gallon of water
Directions:
1) Mix together the Manganese and the Liquid Copper. 2) Add this mixture to the water. 3) Pour mixture to the "heart" (new growth) on top of the palm. 4) Repeat in 30 days. 5) Only apply the mixture at dusk.
We recommend waiting to trim back any damaged plants or trees until Spring (3rd week of March)
After trimming back your plants, we recommend feeding them with Fertrell. Fertrell is an organic fertilizer that is gentle on plants and works great!
Florida was once at the bottom of an ocean. Our "Florida Native" plants came here by way of wind, birds, and other natural means. Plants that were here in the mid 1500's when Spanish settlers arrived are considered Florida native plants. "Exotics" are plants that have been introduced to our landscapes since then - brought in by nature or by man.
“Native Plants of Florida.” Guide to Florida Landscape Plants for the Southern Half of the Sunshine State, www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/native-plants-of-florida.html.
With the cooler weather approaching comes a new planting season! If this past rainy season has washed away the vibrancy of your mulch, now is the time to thin out your faded mulch and replace it with a 1" layer of new mulch. Also, the Nitrogen Fertilizer Ban has been lifted, so October is a great time to fertilize your garden. Remember to use at least 50 percent slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
Have you been thinking about starting a vegetable garden? Mid-October is the time! Easy crops include broccoli, carrots, green onions, peppers, and tomatoes. You can also begin replacing your Summer annuals with Fall annuals, such as Sunpatiens, Geraniums, Mums, and Begonias.
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."
~How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Dr. Suess
"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of his instruments, not the composer."
~Geoffrey Charlesworth
"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
Pest control is a top priority in August. Look out for ants around your home, scale feeding on your plants, and aphids around your citrus trees. Making sure these pests get treated with the appropriate insecticides ensure that your plants and trees continue growing healthy.
You also want to be sure you continue fertilization because the sandy soils in Florida do not hold nutrients well and your plants and palms may begin to show signs of nutritional deficiencies. Check older palm fronds for yellowing as this may indicate a magnesium or potassium deficiency.
Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
floridagardener.com | https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
What To Do In July For Your Garden
Lawn:
You will want to fertilize your lawns, palms, and ornamental shrubs. Adding fresh mulch is the best option to minimize weeds and to hold moisture during the intense heat of Florida summers.
Fertilizing:
If you have not done so already, fertilize, fertilize, fertilize! Fertilize plants and trees by spreading granular fertilizer around the soil and watering it in. We carry fertilizers for all different kinds of plants!
Pruning:
You'll want to prune your shrubs and trees after the last flowers fade as we approach the fall season.
Pests:
Be sure to monitor your plants for insects as they become more prevalent with warmer weather. Identifying damaging pests and spot treating early can help to prevent widespread damage. Be on the lookout for aphids on new growth. We carry praying mantis eggs and ladybugs as a form of organic and eco-friendly pest control.
floridagardener.com | https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
