Gardening Zone 6
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MARCH Key IssuesDrought continues to be a challenge! Water restrictions in many areas limit or prohibit any irrigation, making for ‘tough times’ for landscape plants. Here are some ways to be a Water Wise gardener:
Colder temperatures earlier this year could have caused cold damage to existing landscape plants. Use sharp, clean pruning shears or saw to remove any affected plant parts.
HerbicidesApply a pre-emergent herbicide (weed killer) to lawns early in the month to avoid any problem weeds this summer. Understanding Fertilizer Numbers: N-P-KFertilize landscape plants now. Citrus, palms, azaleas, camellias would benefit from an application of fertilizer. It is important to read the instructions on the package for rate of application. Christmas poinsettias can be planted in the outdoor landscape. After planting, prune back to within 12 inches of the ground. Shorter days this fall should stimulate coloration and bloom. Understanding and Controlling Palmetto WeevilAs the weather continues to warm, be on the lookout for various insect pests that feed actively on new emerging plant growth. Weed ManagementKeep weeds to an absolute minimum in landscape and garden beds – use a pre-emergent weed control or mulch. Weeds compete with desirable plants for needed water! Spring Lawn CarePlant annuals that are heat-tolerant so they will survive and thrive with summer’s intense heat. A few winners to consider: Lantana, Portulaca, Catharanthus (Vinca), and Penta.
APRIL Plant SearchPlant heat-tolerant annuals that will survive and thrive with your climate’s intense summer heat. A few to consider: Lantana, Portulaca, Catharanthus (Vinca) and Penta. Weed ManagementKeep weeds to an absolute minimum in your landscape and garden beds. These growing pests not only make the garden unsightly, they compete with desirable plants for needed water and nutrients! Use an appropriate pre-emergent weed control to keep those pesky weeds out, remembering to always follow label directions carefully. Fertilize your landscape plants now. Citrus, palms, azaleas and camellias would benefit from an application of fertilizer. Again, always read the package for proper rate of application. Southern Chinch BugsBe on the lookout for chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass; grubs and mole crickets feeding on your lawn’s roots; and scale, aphids, mites and other pests on citrus. Have any pest problems properly identified, then chart a course of action. Add summer bulbs to your landscape or garden planters. Cannas, callas, caladiums and crinum lilies are worthy candidates, offering interesting flowers and foliage, depending on the plant. Which Tomato is Right for Me?Sow warm-season vegetable seed, like tomatoes, eggplant, squash and peppers, directly in the garden. Cool-season veggies are reaching their prime now, so harvest as needed before that hot weather arrives! Watering-InFinish any transplanting before the heat hits. Newly planted material needs water to establish, so check your plants daily and water when needed. Selecting the Right MulchMulch your existing landscape and garden beds with 2-3 inches of mulch to help conserve that much-needed soil moisture. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk and crowns of plants. Putting in a new lawn? April is a good time to sod with St. Augustine’s grass. Bahia grass can also be sodded or seeded at this time.
MAY Too Hot to Handle? (A Heat-Related Illness Primer)The thermometer’s rising – that’s your cue to pace yourself when working in the garden! The Dark Side of Black SpotAnd as that temperature and humidity rise, be on the lookout for black spot, a devastating fungus on roses. Sunflowers for You and the KidsDon’t forget that gardening is for kids, too! Encourage your budding green thumbs to spend time out in the garden. Plant a sunflower patch together and enjoy a great learning experience! Plant those heat-loving annuals – dahlias, gazanias, marigolds, Mexican heather, pentas, portulaca and vinca in pots and planters or directly in the garden. Those cool-season annuals, now looking tired and well past their prime, can be composted. Easy-to-Grow Cut flowers for SummerPlan and plant a cutflower garden filled with beautiful blooms to enjoy through summer and into the fall – indoors, as well as out! Attracting the Good Guys to Your GardenUse nature to its best advantage when battling insect pests in the garden. Some plants attract beneficial insects that can help control unwanted visitors that plague your plants and ruin your “perfect garden” dream. Southern Chinch Bugs: Watch Your Stolons!Inspect any damaged areas in your St. Augustine grass and be on the lookout for Southern chinch bugs. Selecting the Right MulchPlanted landscape beds and borders will benefit from an application of mulch to reduce soil temperatures and conserve needed soil moisture. Several inches is all that’s needed to get the job done. Vine Gardening: Care & MaintenanceGive your vines a little TLC to keep them happy and productive during the summer months ahead.
JUNE Key IssuesChili thrips are a new pest, and they’re hard to spot – but their damage isn’t! Look for distorted new growth in your landscape (especially on roses, oaks and plumbago). If you suspect an infestation, collect a sample and have it tested by your local Cooperative Extension. Ticks continue to pose problems for gardeners. Beyond being a nuisance, these pests can pose health problems. Too Hot to Handle? (A Heat-Related Illness Primer)Always exercise caution when gardening in hot weather! Temperatures continue to rise, turning what was once warm weather into hot and stifling conditions. Only work in the garden during the cooler morning hours; wear a hat and lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing; apply (and reapply) sunscreen; and keep that water bottle handy! A Primer: How to Plant AnnualsContinue to add heat-loving annuals to the landscape. Remember to water in all new transplants, allowing them to establish quickly. A granular fertilizer can be added to the soil at the time of planting Liquid-feed all hanging baskets, window boxes, patio pots and planters to keep plants looking their best. Use fertilizers according to label directions. Remove all spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Selecting the Right MulchRemember the many merits of mulch! This helpful material keeps weeds at bay, conserves needed soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and reduces erosion. No-Fuss Tomato PlantersSummer vegetables – sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, okra and pumpkins – can all be added to the garden or planted in patio pots or tubs. Fertilizer Application for LawnsFertilize lawns with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer during June. Any pesticide applications should not be made in the heat of the day! Apply the product, according to all label directions and recommendations, in the early morning or after dinner, when the air is cooler Pruning Crape MyrtlesPrune gardenias and crape myrtles to encourage more blooms later this year. Succulent PizzaKeep children busy now that the school year has ended. Hands-on projects entertain, as well as teach. |
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