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Florida Garden Tune-Up

© Ellie Goodwin

It's hard to believe that the 4th of July has already passed. It seems like only last week I was digging my beds and planning where my annuals were going to spend the spring and summer months. Living in a warm part of the country has afforded me a longer than average growing season; the maxim down here is we have two seasons, warm and hot. Still, it pays to be aware of four season changes in mild climates as well as areas where the changes are more pronounced.

Gardening in Florida is a case of feast or overindulgence! We sometimes feel smug about how easily our gardens flourish with routine care. However, there is a price for this abundance: often we southern gardeners need to be at the business end of a cultivator or mower two or more times a week just to keep abreast of Mother Nature. To counter this "fight or give up" dynamic in my garden I've adopted a much more passive approach. When planning my beds, I first look for native species. These are the plants that will do the best no matter the conditions because they've adapted. I know that these stalwarts will be fine with a bit of initial care and feeding. Then, for seasonal interest, I'll introduce pretty annuals. Again, care must be taken because in a climate like Florida's, annuals have a way of turning into perennials!

Speaking of perennials I notice that it's time to give them a bit of attention. After a full 3 months of growing, perennials can use some assistance to get them through the "dog days" of summer. Now is the time when these workhorses of the garden do double duty: they're the show pieces in your garden, covering the spent blooms and faded foliage of the annuals, but they also need nutrients to keep them in top condition.

One of the first tasks to perk up your perennials is a good feeding. Make sure the right amount of NPK (nitrogen, potash and potassium) is sustaining your beds. Look for telltale signs of deficiencies such as yellowing foliage, spots on leaves (also indicative of certain pests), leaf drop and pale blooms.

If the feeding situation is under control, the second job is to check the condition of the soil. Are you watering the roots or just the topsoil or mulch? In summer heat plants require much more moisture to maintain health and vigor. Drip irrigation has long been touted as one of the best ways to ensure water is getting deep into the soil and to the roots of plants. If you don't have access to drip irrigation, using sprinklers in the early morning (5:00am-7:00am). Be sure to run the sprinklers for at least 30-45 minutes to get a deep soaking and try not to get the leaves and blooms too wet. Damp foliage is more prone to rot and disease.

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