We know it’s tough to beat the heat of the summer – especially when it comes to keeping your lawn and garden green and pest-free. Here’s a few tips from our garden to yours!
June:
1. Fruits and Citrus
Watch for pests, mainly whitefly and aphids. If infected, you can treat with a malathion oil and follow the directions on the label. It’s VERY IMPORTANT to make sure you apply this product at dusk or out of a direct sun exposure because the oil will burn the leaves. Fertilize with a slow release that contains the three macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) as well as the microelements.
2. Ornamentals
You can fertilize all your ornamental plants during this month. We recommend using a general Plant Tone or feel free to use a Palm Tone that will contain more of the micro-elements which plants do need from time to time. Watch for any pests – it is summer and they are out there, so treat as necessary. Prune when needed.
3. Lawn
Apply a “summer fertilizer” to the lawn at this time – anything with a slow release nitrogen will work. Just be cautious of products with a weed control because of the heat. The overall temperature in the summer can be too hot for those kinds of chemicals. However, you can use fertilizers with a pesticide or treat with a Bug Blaster separate from the fertilizer application. Feel free to bump your watering schedule to three times a week on the lawn. Be mindful of the rainfall totals, too much water equals rot!
4. Palms
Now is a good time to fertilize with a Palm Tone. All palms should have flushed out new fronds, even if they were affected by a cold snap or frost. Feel free to remove any discolored fronds.
July:
1. Fruits and Citrus
Just prune when needed and keep an eye out for any pests. Treat as needed.
2. Ornamentals
If you missed the chance to fertilize in June, you are more than welcome to do so during July. If any pruning is done, go light, nothing too heavy.
3. Lawn
Summer has really set in by now, so it is hot and humid which equals disease and pests. Get out there weekly if you can and just take a look around the yard and see if you can find anything that may look like a disease or pest issue. If so, treat as needed. A good tip to help reduce some fungal issues is to be sure your mower blades are kept sharp. Dull blades don’t cut grass, but tear and shred it instead.
4. Palms
Simply keep up with any necessary pruning.
August
1. Fruits and Citrus
Keep an eye out for any nutrient deficiencies, which you can easily solve with a fertilization. Also watch for any pest issues, particularly sucking pests. You can treat with an organic systemic insecticide – follow the directions on the label.
2. Ornamentals
Check weekly for any pests in the landscape and treat only as needed. If you do see some yellowing in leaves, it is alright. It’s summer, so a lot of rain, heat and humidity can do that to plants.
3. Lawn
Make sure you keep on top of a regular watering schedule of two to three times a week and sharpened mower blades. A lawn in poor condition can increase your chance of disease and pest problems. You can fertilize if you want, but if it isn’t necessary, you’re best not to. Fertilizer will simply make your lawn grow even quicker and need to be cut every few days.
4. Palms
You can do another fertilization if you desire. Use a Palm Tone to ensure you are getting the micro-nutrients necessary for the palm to remain healthy. One common problem in Florida with palms is a magnesium deficiency. It will start in the older leaves and will progress to the newer growth through time. The leaf margins will yellow, while the centers will remain destinctly green. Fortunately, this is an easy treatment – simply apply an epsom salt once per month until all leaves appear normal once again.
drier conditions together. The herbs that require more water here in Florida are: basil, parsley, dill, cilantro & mint. Those that require less water are: rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, culantro (similar to cilantro, but can handle our warmer months), lemon verbena, & tarragon. Next, when I look at growth habit, I place the trailers close to the side of the pot and the more upright growers in the middle. The trailers like to hang over the side to keep their leaves from too much contact with wet soil. I find this especially true for thyme and oregano. For dry and wet herbs, the upright growers are: basil,dill, parsley (this can work nicely on the side of a pot too), cilantro, rosemary (there are creeping Rosemaries that do well too), tarragon & lemon verbena. The trailers are: mint, thyme, oregano, and prostrate rosemary. Use a liquid fish emulsion fertilizer every other week. Have fun creating your herb pot and mix it up with a few colorful annuals too!
