February Calendar

Average temperature High 74 Low 51

Rainfall 2.35 inches

Central Florida’s average last frost date; February 15.

What to plant

Vegetables: Plant through mid-month; beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collards, endive, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, peas, potatoes, radishes, Swiss chard and turnips. After mid-month plant; beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, luffa, peppers, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes and watermelon.

Flowers: Alyssum, aster, baby's breath, bacopa, begonia, candytuft, carnation, calendula, coneflower, coreopsis, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, dianthus, diascia, dichondra, dusty miller, false heather, four o'clock, gaillardia, gaura, gazania, geranium, gerbera, Johnny-jump-up, lobelia, million bells, nasturtium, pansy, petunia, rose, salvia, snapdragon, Stokes aster, sweet pea, and yarrow.

Herbs: Anise, basil, borage, chives, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, and thyme.

Bulbs: African iris, amaryllis, Amazon lily, Asiatic lily, blackberry lily, blood lily, bulbine, caladium, canna, crinum, day lily, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, Louisiana iris, society garlic, spider lily, rain lily.

Lawn care

• Zoysia and Bahiagrass lawns turned brown due to cold; no special care is needed at this time.

• Mow zoysia lawn to recommended height of two inches and remove thick thatch.

• Those brown spots in lawns are likely weeds; remove and resod when grass is available.

• One way to control weeds is with regular mowing to reduce them to the height of the lawn.

• Cool season weeds can also be spot treated with herbicides as labeled for your lawn type.

• When previous brown patch disease has been noted, apply fungicide for lawns according to label instructions.

• Crabgrass preventers can be applied mid-month to stop annual warm seasonal weeds from germinating.

• Do not use crabgrass preventers if you plan to resod, seed or need runner growth.

• Seeding of ryegrass for a temporary lawn is over; most permanent lawns should recover soon.

• Tan to brown cold damaged blades can be left or raked from lawns as growth begins.

• Delay feedings of centipede and zoysia lawns until they regreen for spring in April.

• Inspect irrigation systems; check for clogged or broken sprinkler heads and adjust as needed.

• Check rain shut-off devices to ensure they are working correctly.

• Sod or plug new lawns; begin seeding after mid-month.

• Turf is hard to establish in shady sites; consider another ground cover.

• Take time to have a soil acidity test made and readjust the soil pH if needed.

• Aeration can help older and overfertilized lawns with compacted soils, nematodes or hard to wet soils.

• Service lawn care equipment before spring arrives.

Vegetable & Fruit Gardening

• Frosts and freezes have ended many warm season crops; remove declining plants.

• Prepare gardens by tilling in organic matter with sandy and previously planted sites.

• Hurry to plant the last of the cool season vegetables in early February.

• Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants now to have transplants by March.

• Prune cold damage from tropical tree and shrub type fruiting plants as needed.

• Bananas and papayas may have been frozen and need heavy pruning or replanting

• Pineapples may yellow their leaves and need major pruning but the plants should survive.

• Prune all deciduous fruit trees and vines as soon as possible.

• Learn how to thin peach & nectarine trees to obtain the best production.

• Plant container gardens to enjoy vegetables and herbs on porches and patios.

• Fertilize, groom and harvest herbs to keep them producing, dry and store extras.

• Warm season vegetables planted in late February are likely to need cold protection.

• Support vining crops by tying the vines to a stake or trellis.

• Plant additional fruiting trees, shrubs and vines.

• Purchase new seeds for the garden early to obtain the best selections

• Check with your University of Florida Extension office for new and better fruit varieties.

• Pine bark fines can be used to help adjust the soil acidity for blueberry plantings.

• Feed all fruit producing trees, shrubs and vines in late February.

• Use fallen leaves to form pathways, add a mulch to gardens or make compost.

• Sharpen, shovels, hoes and pruners to have them ready for spring planting and plant care.

In the landscape

• Take an inventory of cold damaged plants that may need to be replaced.

• Prune cold damage plants when you cannot stand seeing the brown leaves and branches.

• Plants may continue to decline due to cold so keep the pruners handy

• Perennials may be dead to the ground but should begin growth with warmer weather.

• Prune all but late winter and spring blooming trees and shrubs as needed.

• Reshape overgrown and out of bounds plantings including hedges.

• Only prune seed heads, small stems and suckers from crape myrtles.

• Prune ornamental grasses to within a foot or two of the ground before growth begins.

• Remove declining fronds and fruiting stalks from palms; leave the good green foliage.

• Give all but climbing roses a first of the year pruning around mid-month.

• Trim climbing roses after spring blooms to only remove dead or out of bounds shoots.

• Look for Florida bulbs to plant at garden centers to obtain the best selection.

• Move poinsettias to the landscape on warm days and apply a slow release fertilizer.

• Begin landscape tree, shrub and flower feedings if needed for growth and foliage color.

• Feed container gardens every other week or use a slow release fertilizer.

• Replant declining container gardens.

• Start seeds of warm season annuals and long-lasting perennials.

• Maintain a mulch around trees starting a foot from the trunks; six inches from shrubs.

• Prepare new flower beds; add organic matter to sandy soil.

• Plant bare root and container grown trees, shrubs and vines.

• Begin every other week feeding of orchids by month’s end or apply a slow release fertilizer.

• Start compost piles from leaves and yard debris plus thin layers of soil and a little fertilizer.

• Divide and transplant perennials.

• Clean lily ponds to prepare for spring growth.

Foliage and house plant care

• Many outdoor foliage plants show signs of decline: remove affected portions as needed.

• Replace severely cold damaged foliage plants when the weather warms.

• Check previous indoor plant additions for mites and insects.

• Most holiday plants can be grown outdoors when the weather warms.

• Give Christmas and holiday cactus a bright spot in the home; water when they start to dry.

• Remove faded flowers and stalks from forced amaryllis bulbs; add the bulbs to the garden.

• When indoor orchid flowers fade, move the plants outside to a warm shady site.

• Groom indoor foliage to remove old leaves, faded flowers and declining portions.

• Trim indoor topiaries and tree like plants to control size and shape.

• Feed all container plantings.

What To Do In Your Backyard in January

Average temperatures High 72 Low 50

Rainfall 2.43 inches

Florida Arbor Day: January 17th - Plant a tree!

What to plant:

Flowers: Alyssum, baby’s breath, calendula, California poppy, cleome, candytuft, carnation, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, foxglove, gaillardia, geranium, godetia, hollyhock, Iceland poppy, lobelia, nasturtium, ornamental cabbage & kale, pansy, petunia, Shasta daisy, statice, stock and sweet pea.

Vegetables: Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collards, endive, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion sets, peas, potatoes, radicchio, radishes, roquette, rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips.

Herbs: Anise, bay laurel, cardamom, chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress.

Bulbs: African iris, Asiatic lilies, amaryllis, blood lilies, bulbine, crinum, day lilies, Louisiana iris, society garlic, spider lilies, rain lilies, refrigerated Dutch iris, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths for forcing.

Lawn Care

• Great time to wean overwatered turf by irrigating only once a week. If your lawn is declining, resist the urge to overirrigate with the La Nina winter warm temperatures.

• Make two New Year’s goals to check weather weekly for rainfall so you don’t need to add supplemental irrigation and check water bill for outdoor water usage monthly.

• Once a week watering is the rule and normally adequate at this time of the year.

• Wait till five days of warm temperatures to apply pre-emergent herbicides to lawn.

• If your area is receiving cold temperatures, one benefit of the cold is declining weeds; remove and fill bare spots with sod.

• Continue to mow growing turf to keep a uniform look and control weeds.

• Feeding time is over until late winter for lawns.

• Try regreening yellow lawns with an iron or minor nutrient application if needed.

• Large tan circular spots in lawns are likely due to the brown patch, a fungus.

• Brown patch affected lawns should recover; apply a fungicide to prevent further damage.

• Insect activity is minimal, and insecticides are not normally needed until spring.

• Spot kill patches of persistent winter weeds with a selective herbicide for your lawn type.

• Fill in bare spots with sod or plugs; delay seeding of permanent grass until spring.

• Ryegrass can be seeded to temporarily regreen brown turf or fill bare areas.

• Have a lot of weeds in your turf? Reduce turf and create garden beds.

• Make sure when you reduce turf to retrofit irrigation zones to water turf and beds separately.

• Turn sprinklers off prior to freezing weather.

• Perform annual maintenance on lawn care equipment.

Landscape Chores:

• Use frost cloth on tropical plants to lessen damage. Do not use plastic. If necessary, you can use cloth and sheets, but prop up with sticks to precent touching leaves. Remove sheets and boxes every day. and replace at nightfall.

• If there is frost, resist the urge to prune away damaged or dead foliage. Pruning freeze-damaged shrubs and trees may encourage new growth that is not winter-hardy and increase likelihood to be damaged if winter ever arrives.

• Replant declining flower beds and planters with hardy cool season selections.

• Container gardens are a good way to enjoy plants in the landscape.

• Add hanging baskets of color where they can be easily seen.

• Feed container gardens weekly if needed for growth, in ground annual plantings monthly.

• Annuals and perennials need watering one or more times a week.

• Check mulch layers and top-dress as needed to conserve water.

• Winter is a good time to add hardy trees, shrubs, and vines to the landscape.

• Make sure root balls are moist at planting time: add a berm to direct water through root balls.

• Make New Year’s goal to check mature plant size space needed before purchasing and planting shrubs and trees in landscape.

• New trees, shrubs and vines need frequent hand watering to keep their root balls moist.

• Leave browned ornamental grass dried flowers for wildlife till the end of month or February.

• Leaves are falling from trees and shrubs; use as mulch or add to the compost pile.

• January is a good time to begin yearly pruning of dormant trees and shrubs.

• Trim dead or declining portions from trees and shrubs.

• Crape myrtle grooming can begin this month; remove seed heads, twigs smaller than your pinkie, and any crossing branches. Make sure there is plenty of room for branches to grow without touching other branches.

• Remove crapemyrtle suckers growing from ground. Keep 3 -5 trunks if room for good air circulation.

• Remove dead fronds and old seed heads from palms but keep all green leaves.

• Groom landscapes by edging beds and walkways.

• Divide and replant perennials.

• Learn what plants need winter protection, many benefits from the cold.

• Only protect cold sensitive plants from frosts and freezes with frost blankets or large boxes.

• Thick fabric covers secured to the ground but not touching plants are the best cold protection.

• Turn off automatic irrigation systems during freezing weather.

• Install micro-sprinklers to conserve water and water only where needed.

• Catch and store rainwater to use with container and landscape plantings.

• Reduce landscape maintenance by planting fewer annuals and more perennials.

• Groom hanging baskets and planters by removing old flowers and lanky stems.

• Protect orchids and tropical foliage plants from temperatures below 45 degrees.

• Test soil acidity in azalea, philodendron and ixora plantings and adjust if needed.

• Turn Christmas trees into wildlife feeders or mulch for the landscape.

• Dig and move trees and shrubs from one area of the landscape to another.

• Repair gardening equipment.

• Place bird houses, feeders and baths in the landscape.

• Add art including statuary, a gazing ball or a sundial to the landscape.

• Repair wooden benches and chairs.

• End of month: Prune ornamental grasses down to 5” – 6”. Remove surrounding debris.

Vegetable and Fruit Gardening

• Make sure you have latest seed catalogs for flowers and vegetable spring planting. Order early.

• Make New Year’s goal to journal your gardening experiences.

• Continue to plant winter vegetables for another month.

• Cloth covers, loose hay, and boxes may be needed for protection from frost or freezes.

• Feed winter vegetables and herbs every 3 to 4 weeks or use a slow-release fertilizer.

• Lightly mulch gardens to keep the soil moist, control weeds and keep edibles dirt free.

• Wait to start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants till late January for March transplants.

• Prepare spring planting sites by adding lots of organic matter to sandy soils.

• Encourage pollinators to visit by planting clusters of flowers among vegetables.

• Save shipping charges; locate seeds, bulbs, and transplants locally.

• Store saved seeds in the refrigerator in a sealed container until planting time.

• Add bird netting to strawberry plantings.

• Caterpillars are common cool season pests, control by handpicking or natural sprays.

• Harvest herbs and start new plants to have a continual supply.

• Prune time has arrived for apple, grape, peach, pear and fig plantings.

• Plant hardy fruit trees, shrubs and vines.

• An acid soil is needed for blueberry production; have your soil tested before planting.

Indoor & Foliage Plant Care

• Live plants make the indoors attractive and help purify the air.

• Make New Year’s goal of adding fresh soil to all your plants and fertilize with diluted fertilizer throughout the year.

• Cactus and succulents only need watered once a month or less with winter temperatures.

• Orchids will have reduced growing once cold temperatures arrive, water and feed less till spring.

• Check orchids weekly for insects.

• Make sure Cymbidium orchids have high humidity. They thrive with cooler (not cold) temperatures this time of year.

• Dendrobium orchids need less water to go into dormant state before Springtime. Do not let temperatures for Dendrobiums to drop below 65°.

• Phalaenopsis orchids blooming period begins. Provide good air circulation. Do not get flowers wet – water only roots and soil medium.

• Vanda orchids with bright locations begin their blooming period. Water 2x -3x a week.

• Check out new lighting systems that make it easier to grow plants indoors.

• Enjoy holiday plants if they remain attractive as they decline move them outdoors

• Keep existing plants a lot longer by giving them at least weekly care.

• Check foliage plants brought indoors from the landscape for pests.

• Use a mild soapy solution to wash indoor foliage to remove dust and control pests.

• Trim off yellow leaves and declining flower stalks.

• Move declining plants into the higher light levels.

• Water foliage plants when the soil dries to the touch.

• Check mature, taller indoor plants have plenty of fresh soil. Change out soil every 1 – 2 years.

• If houseplants are outgrowing pots and you do not want to put in larger planter, take plant out of pot, cut 1/3rd of roots off, add fresh soil, and repot plant.

What to Do In Your Backyard in December

Amaryllis at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum

North Florida: Average temperature: High 65 Low 43

Average rainfall: 2.76 inches

Central Florida: Average temperature: High 72 Low 51

Average rainfall: 2.44 inches

South Florida: Average temperature: High 78 Low 62

Average rainfall: 2.56 inches

Winter arrives on December 21st .

Average first frost date: December 18th .

What to Plant

Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collard, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, pea, radicchio, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

Flowers: Ageratum, alyssum, baby's breath, black-eyed Susan, bush daisy, calendula, California poppy, camellia. candytuft, carnation, cat's whiskers, Christmas cactus, chrysanthemum, cleome, cornflower, cyclamen, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, firespike, foxglove, gaillardia, geranium, gloxinia. goldenrod, heliotrope, hollyhocks, Iceland poppy, impatiens, Johnny-jump ups, larkspur, lobelia, ornamental cabbage & kale, pansy, petunia, phlox, salvia, shasta daisy, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, verbena, viola and wax begonias.

Herbs: anise, arugula, basil, borage, chive, cardamon, chervil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, Mexican tarragon, mint, nasturtium, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress.

Bulbs: African iris, amaryllis, anemone, bulbine, crinum, day lily, rain lily, ranunculus, society garlic, spider lily and narcissus; refrigerated Dutch iris, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and similar bulbs needing a cold treatment before flowering.

Lawn care

• Walk yards on a weekly basis. Look for disease and insect damage.

• Water restrictions for most counties throughout Florida are in place.

• Cooler temperatures mean that irrigation 1x a week is all turfgrass and landscapes need.

• If temperatures average 70 degrees, turf will only need 1 inch of water every ten to fourteen days.

• Feeding time is over but iron or minor nutrients can be applied to keep the lawn green.

• If Brown or Large Patch fungus is affecting St. Augustine & zoysia lawns, allow area to dry out and control future outbreaks with a fungicide.

• If lawn has large weedy areas; remove and add new sod or plugs.

• Use spot weed control techniques for small patches of weeds.

• Mowing can be reduced to every other week in most landscapes.

• Mow the lawn at the normal height to continue a uniform look and control weeds.

• Lawn insects are less active at this time and insecticides may not be needed.

• Zoysia lawns often turn brown with cooler temperatures. This is normal.

• Keep lawn mower blades sharp and at their year-round height, mow as needed.

• Ryegrass seed can be sown now.

• Clean and sharpen power and garden equipment before winter storage.

• Rake fallen leaves from lawns and add to the compost pile.

• Fruit and vegetable gardening

• Helene and Milton above average rainfall totals caused early decline of many crops; remove and replant.

• Be ready to have frost blankets on hand before a freeze is announced.

• Warm season planting time is over, replant with cool season vegetables.

• Small but successive plantings guarantee continual harvests.

• It is too late for new tomatoes, peppers & eggplants, replant in March.

• Continue herb plantings in ground or in containers; they love the cool weather.

• Harvest herbs frequently to encourage fresh growth; preserve or share extras.

• If caterpillars and mites have been heavy feeders; control with natural sprays.

• Start seeds of the cool season crops as needed to have transplants available.

• Select vining crops to trellis and obtain the most from garden plots.

• Gardeners with limited space can grow their favorite vegetables in large containers.

• Add more garden soil to containers and raised beds, no need to remove older soil.

• Feed vegetable gardens every 3 to 4 weeks with composted manure or a general fertilizer.

• Feed container plantings every other week or use a slow release fertilizer as labeled.

• Feeding time is over for all fruiting trees, shrubs and vines, feed again in March.

• December is good time to taste-test citrus varieties to find out what you would like to grow. X

• Observe watering rules. 1 inch of water a week is all that your lawns and landscapes need.

• Plantings need less water during the cool weather; water when the surface soil begins to dry.

• Add new cold tolerant fruits to the landscape; delay tropical fruit plantings until spring.

• Delay deciduous fruit tree prunings until next month, citrus pruning until mid-February.

• Peach trees may start flowering but don’t worry there are plenty of buds for normal fruit set.

• Keep frost blankets handy to protect cold sensitive crops from frosts and freezes.

• Irrigate a day or two before a freeze, but not during a freeze.

Landscape

• If temperatures average 80 degrees or more, hand water containers 2x a week.

• Do not commit ‘crape murder.’ Crapemyrtles do not need to be hacked back.

• Crapemyrtles need to only have spent blooms trimmed, limbs growing skewed near other limbs, or if smaller than your pinkie. Trim or rub off suckers.

• Incorporate organic matter with older annual beds and sandy soils to encourage plant vigor.

• Add holiday poinsettias to the landscape in their pots to easily remove during extreme cold.

• Fertilize annual flowers monthly or use a slow release fertilizer as labeled.

• Apply a slow-release fertilizer to container plantings for winter feeding.

• Winter is a stress free time to add hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers to the landscape.

• Do not prune azaleas, camellias, or hydrangeas until after Spring blooms decline.

• Camellias bloom throughout winter; select and plant your favorite colors

• Pruning time is over for most plants; out of bounds shoots and suckers can be removed as needed.

• Feeding time is over for all trees, shrubs and vines.

• Established trees and shrubs can often go several weeks without irrigation.

• Add mulch to keep 3” to 4” levels. Keep mulch away from the base of plants and trees.

• Hurry to plant wildflower gardens to have blooms for spring.

• Control winter seasonal weeds by hand-pulling or correct herbicide.

• Use the cooler weather to transplant trees and shrubs, delay transplanting palms until Spring.

• Check and adjust supports holding trees and palms in an upright position as needed.

• Old soil from containers can be tilled into established gardens

• Add wood chips from tree removal to compost piles or use them as a light mulch.

• Turn compost piles at least monthly to speed the process.

• Divide and replant perennials.

• Encourage wildlife by adding a bird feeder and water feature to landscape.

• Repair and repaint bird houses, landscape furniture and fences.

• Frosts or freezes could arrive at any time; be ready to protect your cold sensitive plants with frost blankets and/or incandescent light bulbs, old-fashioned Christmas lights, not LED lights.

Foliage & house plant care

• Obtain your poinsettias early to enjoy a full season of color.

• Give holiday plants a cool bright location away from air vents.

• Don’t be surprised if new Christmas cactus drop their buds; they will bloom better next year.

• Over-watering Christmas & holiday cactus can cause them to rot; wait until the surface dries.

• Start paper white narcissus and amaryllis bulbs for gifts and winter blooms.

• Replace declining foliage plants with new greenery.

• Move cold sensitive plants from pool enclosures and patios to a warmer location.

• Remove yellow leaves from plants affected by cold but do not cut back till Spring.

• Check for water needs frequently; thoroughly moisten when the surface soil begins to dry.

• Wash foliage with a mild soap solution to remove dust and control pests.

• Subscribe to my free newsletter In Your Backyard on www.she-consulting.com

What To Do In Your Backyard In November

November vegetable garden, Leu Gardens, Winter Park. 

Average temperature: High 79 Low 59

Rainfall: 2.32 inches

Daylight Savings Time Change on November 3, 2024

What to plant

Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collard, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, pea, radicchio, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

Flowers: Ageratum, alyssum, baby's breath, black-eyed Susan, bush daisy, calendula, California poppy, candytuff, carnation, cat's whiskers, chrysanthemum, cleome, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, foxglove, gaillardia, geranium, goldenrod, heliotrope, hollyhocks, Iceland poppy, impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, ornamental cabbage & kale, pansy, petunia, phlox, salvia, shasta daisy, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, verbena, viola and wax begonias.

Herbs: Anise, arugula, basil, borage, chive, cardamon, chervil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, Mexican tarragon, mint, nasturtium, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress.

Bulbs: African iris, amaryllis, anemone, bulbine, crinum, day lily, rain lily, ranunculus, society garlic, spider lily and narcissus; refrigerated Dutch iris, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and similar bulbs needing a cold treatment before flowering.

Grasses: Lomandra Breeze, Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ (or Tough), Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, Muhly Grass, Dwarf Fakahatchee, White Fountain Grass, Lemon Grass.

Lawn care

• Many lawns have thinned due to September’s rain and the hurricanes, provide extra attention to help recovery.

• Fall is a good time to sod or plug problem areas in lawns; delay bahiagrass seeding until spring.

• Complete fall feedings with a low phosphorus fertilizer during early November.

• Less water is needed during cool weather; reduce waterings to when the grass begins to wilt.

• Lawn watering is limited to once a week in most areas when Eastern Standard Time returns.

• Water lawns separately from trees and shrubs that need less moisture.

• Repair and adjust sprinklers to water efficiently

• Chinch bug and caterpillar control may still be needed during warm fall weather.

• Your turf may not need a complete fertilizer with nitrogen. Have lawn soil tested by the University of Florida lab to ensure proper feeding.

• Lawns low in potassium can be given extra winter protection with a late month application.

• Brown patch disease can be severe in zoysia; treat this month or when first noted.

• Apply herbicides for your lawn type if needed for broadleaf and sedge weed control.

• Continue mowing at normal heights.

• Aerate hard to wet, compacted and nematode infected soils.

• Sow ryegrass in barren areas for a temporary lawn starting in late November.

• Remove and compost fallen leaves on turfgrass.

• Fill in shady problem spots with ornamental ground covers.

Landscape plantings

• Renew mulches to keep height at 3” – 4” to help conserve water during the drier months ahead.

• Most pruning should be completed this month to allow new growth to mature before winter.

• Only remove declining fronds and flower or fruiting stalks from palms to maintain vigor.

• Palm diseases may be spread by pruners; disinfect at least between palms.

• Remove declining warm season flowers and replace with the cool season flowers.

• Work organic matter into flower beds and replace soil in planters before planting.

• Slow release fertilizers are the best way to feed flower beds and containers.

• Extend chrysanthemum life; remove faded flowers, keep the soil moist and feed lightly.

• Make sure poinsettias receive no nighttime light; keep the soil moist and feed monthly.

• Established trees and shrubs need infrequent watering; moisten only during the dry times.

• Flower beds need watering when the surface soil begins to dry to the touch.

• Scale insects have been heavy this year on shrubs and foliage plants; use a natural pesticide oil or spray.

• Leaf spots and die-back are normal on many trees and perennials as they prepare for winter.

• Cooler months provide the ideal time to move small trees and shrubs in the landscape.

• Check braces and supports added to new trees, palms and shrubs.

• Hurricane season ends November 30; select small sturdy trees for new plantings

• Remove limbs and weeds interfering with sprinklers.

• Complete all tree, palm and shrub feedings by mid-month.

• Collect and refrigerate favorite flower seeds in plastic bags and store in the refrigerator.

• Hurry to create wildflower plantings that won’t flower until spring.

• Reduce feedings of orchids and bromeliads in the landscape as the weather cools.

• Divide perennials and bulbs

• Form compost piles to recycle yard waste.

• Be prepared to cover or move cold sensitive plants to a warm location.

• Fill hard to mow and problem areas with shrubs and ground covers.

• Clean birdbaths and prepare feeders for winter.

• Reduce feedings of water garden plantings

Vegetable & fruit gardening

• Remove declining crops and plant the cool season vegetables

• Herbs like the cooler weather; begin new plantings and revive older ones.

• Start seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, collards, onions and similar to produce transplants.

• Cool season vegetables can be added to the garden until February.

• Add a few vegetable plants to the garden each month to have a continual supply.

• The dry season is here; water when the surface soil begins to dry to the touch.

• Improve sandy soils with garden soil, compost, peat moss and composted manure.

• Feed the garden every 3 to 4 weeks with composted manure or a general garden fertilizer.

• Stake or trellis taller growing crops to prevent wind damage and pests.

• Maintain a mulch between plants and rows to conserve water and control weeds.

• Caterpillars have been feeding in the garden; hand pick or use natural controls.

• Give bananas and pineapples a final fall feeding with a general garden fertilizer.

• Many early citruses are ready to harvest; use the taste test to tell when they are ripe.

• Feeding time for citrus and other fruit trees is over.

• Water citrus trees once or twice each week during the dry times.

• Add new citrus or other fruiting trees to the landscape.

• Sow papaya seeds to over winter in containers.

• Delay all fruit tree pruning until late January or February.

Foliage and house plant care

• Plant narcissus and amaryllis bulbs in containers to begin growth for holiday blooms.

• Remember, no nighttime light for holiday plants until they begin to bloom.

• Water holiday cactus and kalanchoe when the soil dries to the touch; keep poinsettias moist.

• Wash away dust and plant pests with a soapy water solution

• Check and treat outdoor plants for insects before bringing them indoors.

• Discontinue or reduce foliage plant feedings every other month.

• Begin bringing cold sensitive foliage plants indoors.

Photo credit: Teresa Watkins

What to Do in Your Garden

October 2024

 Two hurricanes within two weeks at the beginning of the month is more than anyone should have to deal with in their lives. For most it means that instead of doing routine schedule of yard maintenance, there will be clean-up and recovery.  Additional items to check are in each garden section.

 Average temperatures High 85 Low 65

Average Rainfall 2.73 inches - This month will see over 10 - 15 inches in parts of Florida.

October plantings

 Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, collards, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radicchio, radish, rhubarb, roquette, rutabaga, spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard and turnip

 Flowers: African daisy, alyssum, angelonia, ageratum, begonia, black-eyed Susan, blue daze, calendula, candytuft, celosia, chrysanthemums, cleome, coleus, cornflower, cosmos, dianthus, dusty miller, gaillardia, gazania, geraniums, gerbera, heliotrope, hollyhock, impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, nicotiana, pentas, petunia, salvia, snapdragon, sunflower, sweet pea, verbena and zinnia.

 Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, cardamom, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, mint, nasturtium, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, thyme and water cress.

 Bulbs: African lily, agapanthus, amaryllis, anemone, bulbine, calla, crinum, day lily, gingers, gladiolus, pineapple lily, rain lily, society garlic, spider lilies, walking iris, watsonia. Refrigerate crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, narcissus, and tulips for forcing.

 Grasses: Lomandra Breeze, Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, Muhly Grass, Dwarf Fakahatchee, White Fountain Grass, Lemon Grass.

Lawn care

•  Get help with any debris or branches near power/communication lines.

• Watch for lifting roots that may interact with underground utilities or irrigation.

• Check for leaning trees and hanging limbs, contact a professional arborist to assess.

• Trees with trunks less than 4 inches in caliper can be easily stood and staked

• Irrigation is key to success, treat these trees as if just planted and water accordingly

• Wait until water levels percolate before fertilizing. It will be okay to wait until November for most fall chores.

• Apply fungicide if your lawn gets fungus easily.

• Get a soil test from your Extension office before fertilizing your lawn.

• Do not use weed and feed products on your lawn at the same time.

• Identify weeds and use a separate herbicide and separate fertilizer according to label.

• October through spring is a good time to install sod.

• Fill bare spots in lawns left from summer pests with sod or plugs.

• Seeding time for bahiagrass is over; delay rye seedings until temperature highs are in the low to mid-70’s.

• Chinch bugs and sod webworms can linger into Fall; control as needed

• With the excessive rain, check to see if your turf needs watered at all.

• Water turf only when it shows signs of moisture stress.

• Use soil aeration in older, compacted, and poorly-drained soils to encourage better root growth.

• Continue mowing to maintain proper turf height; keep mowing height the same year-round.

• Sharpen & balance mower blades to give a smooth cut to leaf blades.

• Change the oil and air filters of gas-powered equipment for Fall.

• Use mulch or ornamental ground covers in areas where turf won’t grow.

 Vegetable and fruit tree care

•  Apply fungicides preventively.

• Check to make sure all vegetable plants are back in soil and not uprooted from winds.

• Check trellises for broken attachments, straightening.

• Harvest pumpkins this month. Look for dying leaves and vines, deep color, and hardened stem and rind.   

• Use large transplants of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants to get a Fall crop.

• Stake or trellis tall or vining crops to keep the edible portions off the ground.

• Feed gardens every 3 to 4 weeks with a traditional fertilizer or use a slow-release product.

• Tomatoes begin setting and holding their fruits early to mid-month.

• Add flowers to vegetable gardens to attract pollinators.

• Prevent spray damage to pollinators; apply sprays when they are not active.

• Caterpillars are feeding on cucumbers, melons and tomatoes, control with a natural spray.

• Begin plantings of cool season vegetables around mid-month.

• Gardeners cramped for space can grow vegetables in containers.

• Start seeds for transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, and similar vegetables in containers.

• Add 3” to 4” mulch to the surface of the soil to conserve moisture and keep vegetables dirt free.

• If you have mulch on landscape beds, apply only enough mulch to bring the depth to 3” – 4”.

• Groom summer weary herb plantings and start new ones that prefer the cooler weather.

• Most vegetables & herbs need moist soil; water when the surface begins to dry to the touch.

• Fruit splitting on citrus trees is normal and may continue into the Fall.

• Help prevent citrus fruit drop and splitting, water once or twice a week during dry weather.

• Give citrus the final feeding of the year during early October.

• Till new garden sites and enrich sandy soils with garden soil, organic matter and manure.

• Remove offshoots from pineapple plants to start new beds.

• Start papaya seedlings for late winter transplants.

• Add strawberry plants to a garden or build a pyramid for planting.

• Delay pruning all fruit plantings until mid to late winter.

• Speed up the composting process by turning the piles monthly.

• Harvest maturing chayote, cocoyam, dasheen, and gourds.

• Dig in the soil to check sweet potato plantings; most have roots ready to harvest.

Landscape chores

•  Straighten, upright, and stake if necessary any leaning small trees and shrubs.

• If a large tree’s roots are more than halfway out of the ground, get a certified arborist assessment before keeping.

• There is a difference between cutting off damaged and dangerous limbs correctly and pruning. Have a certified arborist cut back any damaged tree limbs.

• Avoid pruning right after the storm. The plants need a chance to put on new growth and recover. When you see new growth, you can prune away any branches that remain dead or undesirable.

• Check irrigation heads and lighting wires for damage.

• Recycle small dead shrubs and branches in your Halloween landscape.

• Major pruning time is over for azaleas, bougainvillea, camellias, gardenias, and poinsettias.

• Pick up and dispose as much of the Spanish moss left in yard by hurricane winds

• Shield poinsettias and holiday cactuses from nighttime light starting mid-month.

• Most ornamental and shade trees do not need a special feeding

• Palm diseases are prevalent; clean and sterilize pruners between palms.

• Be smart and only remove the brown fronds and flower stems from palms.

• Give hedges a final trimming.

• Remove suckers and low limbs from trees.

• Weeds are plentiful in ornamental plantings; hand pull or spot kill to prevent seeding.

• Whiteflies and mealy bugs are major pest; systemic insecticides offer good control.

• Drier weather lies ahead; water when the surface soil begins to dry.

• Most established trees and shrubs can go a week or more between waterings.

• Walk through yard to check for irrigation obstruction. Trim away limbs and weeds affecting the operation of sprinkler systems.

• Check container plantings for plugged drainage holes; repotting may be needed.

• Maintain mulch under trees and shrubs; make sure you can see the flare at the base of the plant and tree.

• Determine tree needs and plant smaller growing wind resistant species.

• Check tree and palm supports to make sure they are secure but not damaging the plants.

• Add Fall plants to hanging baskets and container gardens.

• Edge sidewalks and plant beds.

• Replace soil in problem flower beds and planters.

• Replant flower beds with cool season annuals and perennials; delay pansies until November.

• Start Pansy and other winter annual seeds now for planting in November and December.

• Divide perennial and bulb plantings.

• Give water lilies and bog plants a monthly feeding.

 House & foliage plant care

•  Order gift amaryllis to be delivered in December for Xmas.

• Plants reduce pollutants and create a pleasing atmosphere when added to homes and offices.

• Foliage plants are often a good buy at garden centers during Fall; replace declining plants.

• Many foliage plants have grown too large for their containers; repot as needed.

• Groom outdoor foliage plants and begin moving them to a warm location.

• Most foliage plants need a bright light location but out of the direct sun.

• Feed plants in bright light monthly; less often in low light.

• Control insects on plants before moving them indoors.

• Water holiday cactuses only when the surface soil dries

• Begin forcing amaryllis and paper white narcissus for indoor displays and discontinue feedings.

• Make sure indoor poinsettias, holiday cactuses and kalanchoes receive no nighttime light.