Gardening Tips
By Monique Swann of Creative Porch & Garden
July, 2006
The following article is taken from Monique Swann's Newsletter
I hope you enjoyed the last newsletter! We finally got some rain, yeah!! Summer is definitely here, we can all feel it. Since the heat is hard on some of us older folk, and we can no longer stay out there for hours like we used to, its important to note that we can use some help. Most gardeners resist this idea since we feel we must have total control over our own gardens at all times even if its going to the weeds! So why not think about gettting some help this time of year. There is no shame in this since most of us have way too much to do already and we are having a hard time keeping up with it all. I suggest you think about hiring a kid to help you this summer. They are out of school and need a job, we could use a beak, they need the money and we save our backs, hey it's a win-win situation all the way around!! The price is reasonable and we still get to have our manicured lawns!!
PLANTING - This time of year is difficult for the gardener to establish new buds, it's very hot and even though it's raining, it's not consistent enough for new plantings. Keep your soil extra moist for any new planting. Storms may damage your annuals this time of year. Some of the annuals that are quick to recover from storm damage are coleus, impatients, periwinkles and wax begonias. however, periwinkles and begonias are sensitive to "wet feet".
LANDSCAPE - What's up with those pesky vines that are invading our favorite flower beds, small trees, and shrubs? This is the ever threatening to take over SKUNK VINE (paederia foetida), prevalent in north and central Florida. It spreads by transport of rooted fragments and seeds, so be careful when removing them.
There is no "over the top control" so you have to pull them out by the root, however if you can get to them and spray them thoroughtly to run off, you will have better control. I suggest using a mixture of Brush Killer (tryclopyr) and Quick Pro (blyphosate and diquat), it mixes easily in your tank and you are ready to go out there and show those pesky vines who is in control!!!
TURF - It's too hot to do any type of total weed control right now, spot-kill weeds as needed. If your lawn is yellowing a bit try using an iron-only application, remember that a lawn that isn't so lush will actually be LESS pest resistant! Pest problems that occur this time of year include chinch bugs, lawn caterpillars (sod webworm) and mole crickets. A good broad spectrum insecticide is Talstar.
DECORATING TIP: Arbors, arches, trellises and benches make a wonderful addition to any garden, they enhance your view, they provide seating, shade, and a place for your climbing plants to hold on to.
