Florida Garden Tune-Up

If neither of these irrigation options is available to you, never fear. The old fashioned watering can or bucket works just as well (maybe better!). By digging a series of 1 inch deep holes in the bed near your perennials and pouring the water directly into the holes, you are sure to be watering the roots and not the leaves, sidewalk or the neighbors patio furniture. This method requires your soil be a moderate to fast draining quality. If you have sticky, clayey soil you might want to amend some of it prior to trying this.

By looking after these two key tasks, feeding and watering, your perennials will give you more weeks of brilliant color and lush green leaves.

These same tasks also apply to annuals, vegetables, shrubs and trees. Mid-summer is a great time to take stock of how your garden looks. If any areas are stressed due to heat or drought, give them the attention they need right now! Follow your local community guidelines on water use or rationing. If your annuals are completely spent, pull them up. It might be a good time to place that piece of garden sculpture you've always wanted. Start thinking in terms of the fall planting you'll want to do. If the annuals occupied an entire bed, maybe it's time to nuture that bed for fall bulbs or fall blooming perennials.

Care of the vegetable garden depends largely on the crop in question. Cut-and-come-again lettuce lives up to its name, and tomatoes just don't seem to know when to quit! Climbing runner beans and summer squash are at their peak now. Harvest them to your hearts content. As always, think in terms of next season. Are the vegetable beds in need of clearing? Which beds or areas are ready for a new crop? Florida gardeners are especially lucky: we have the sun, the moisture and access to good earth. Use them wisely!

Links: July in the Florida Garden http://www.a-garden-diary.com/

Perennials http://www.bayeradvanced.com/g/g_p.html http://www.gardentimeonline.com/Perennia...

Vegetables http://www.gardenguides.com/Vegetables/v...

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