GARDEN CALENDAR

1. Get free tree seedlings on Friday Jan 19 for Florida Arbor Day. Call 209-0430 for locations.
2. Transplant hardy items while they are dormant to prevent shock. Move tropicals come spring.
3. Do not prune cold damaged plants until spring.
4. Order seeds of Florida recommended vegetable varieties
5. If you cover plant to protect from cold, cover like a tent do not cinch around the trunk.
6. Inspect holly, camellia, evergreens for scale insects on leaf backs can apply oil spray.
7. Dormant lawns need less water, irrigate weekly. Over watering, encourages weed activity.

1. Apply a dormant oil spray if scale insects are on camellias, sagos, or hollies.
2. Put organic amendments in garden and planting beds several weeks before planting.
3. Start flower & vegetable seeds for spring transplanting.
4. Complete pruning of dormant trees, shrubs, and roses.
5. Do NOT prune hydrangeas, azaleas or climbing roses.
6. There is still time to transplant shrubbery this month.
7. Fertilize citrus & other fruit trees late this month.
8. Check pH in new beds to see if its changed. Bring soil samples to EXT office for pH testing.

1. Fertilize the lawn with slow release fertilizer if needed, once grass has greened up.
2. Spring plantings should be hand watered daily for 2 weeks, to hasten establishment.
3. Prune and fertilize azaleas, camellias and spireas, once blooming has finished.
4. Make sure you keep newly planted shrubs well watered to hasten establishment.
5. Vegetables should be planted by mid-March (esp tomatoes) to assure good harvest in time.
6. Take advantage of discarded oak leaves by incorporating into beds or use as a mulch.
7. As plants begin to grow, adjust irrigation timer on 12th for DST watering schedule.

1. Check weekly for insects or diseases invading your lawn or new growth of landscape plants.
2. Keep annual flowers blooming by pinching expired blossoms. Install heat tolerant annuals.
3. Feed vegetables & fruit trees per fertilizer label.
4. Keep vegetables picked as they ripen. This discourages pests and can increase production.
5. Sod can be placed to repair winter kill. If using grass seed water daily until grass emerges.
6. Check palms for nutrient deficiencies and correct with palm fertilizer.
7. Be on the lookout for citrus leaf miners on new leaves. Apply oil spray to deter activity.
8. Attend EPIC Flower Expo at the Ag. Center each mid-April.

1. Prep for hurricane season by knowing how to secure patio furniture, potted plants, etc.
2. Replenish mulch to conserve water & combat weeds. Mulch should be three in deep, max.
3. Fertilize fruit trees to maximize production.
4. Inspect St Augustine grass for chinch bug damage in hot sunny areas. Active now until Nov 30.
5. Check trees and shrubs for nutritional needs.
6. Stay on top of weeds by pulling them or use sprays until prohibited by 90º F temps.
7. This could be a dry month. Watch for signs of water stress in plants.
8. Apply for a Master Gardener Class.

1. Remove fading vegetable & flower plants from the garden. Leaving them will encourage pests.
2. Plant field peas or sweet potato cover crop if veg garden to remain fallow during summer.
3. Turn off irrigation systems when natural rainfall occurs. This can reduce pest activity.
4. Control weeds in gardens so they do not seed.
5. If rainy, insect and disease populations are rising. Scout to see if controls are warranted.
6. Watch for manganese deficiency on new growth of palms & cycads, especially along coastline.
7. Inspect lawns for chinch bugs. Treat active areas five feet out, not the entire yard.

1. St. Augustine lawns may require an iron application if they appear yellow.
2. Check supplies in your hurricane kit for freshness and know your evacuation route.
3. Use a rain gauge to track rainfall and utilize irrigation system accordingly.
4. Pull up dying annuals or vegetables so they do not harbor pests
5. Plants will root well from cuttings now. A 4-6 inch cutting is desirable.
6. Empty containers with rainwater to deter mosquitoes.
7. Take frequent breaks & stay HYDRATED when outdoors. Limit outdoor activities to dusk & dawn.
8. Solar treatment of soil in vegetable gardens will help control nematodes.

1. Insect populations peak, scout landscape weekly. Apply controls as needed.
2. Start seeds indoors for the fall or cool-season garden.
3. During wet periods, check for fungus (brown areas in lawns). Cease irrigation helps.
4. When pruning palms remove browned fronds only, never green ones.
5. Last month to plant grass seed and expect good results. Water daily until sprouting occurs.
6. Trim back tropical plants like plumbagos, lantana, and hibiscus as they flower on new growth.

1. Plant most vegetables early this month to produce before our first killing frost.
2. Fertilize young trees and shrubs to increase cold hardiness. 8-0-8 or 10-0-10 will work.
3. Give your lawn and fruit trees their final fertilization for the year.
4. Divide bulbs to reduce competition and encourage blooms.
5. Amaryllis do not need a rest period. Divide daylilies and replant.
6. Continue checking lawn for pest damage and reduce populations with appropriate treatment.
7. Don’t prune poinsettias after Sept 10, as it may interfere with flowering in December.

1. Plant cold-hardy trees and shrubs to give them a long establishment period before spring.
2. Plant herbs to use in holiday meals.
3. Keep inspecting for pests. Insects will feed heavily in preparation for winter.
4. Transplant perennials. Mulch heavily and keep the soil moist to hasten their establishment.
5. Use fallen leaves for compost and mulch.
6. Root prune plants you intend to transplant this Winter.
7. Plant mums or petunias for fall flower display.
8. Last month to prune evergreen landscape plants until Spring.
9. Attend the Datil Pepper Fall Festival Oct. 7 & 8 at the St. Johns Co. Extension Office.
10. Clean up potted outdoor plants before bringing inside for winter. Check for insects, etc.

1. Remember to mulch plants for cold protection Use leaves or pine needles for free mulch.
2. Reduce irrigation on Nov. 1 to once weekly.
3. Check camellias, hollies, sagos & pittosporums for scale. Control with dormant oil spray.
4. Plant ryegrass seed now for a green winter lawn. Sow 10 pounds/1,000 sq. ft.
5. Proper time to plant onions & strawberries.
6. Plant alyssum, dianthus, pansy, petunias and snapdragons for winter color.
7. Have frost covers handy just in case. Our first freeze can occur around Thanksgiving.
8. Register for our December centerpiece class, call 209-0430 for more information.
9. Wildflower seeds can be sown this month.

1. Continue to transplant small trees and shrubs during their dormant phase.
2. Plant a camellia for winter color in the yard.
3. Water plants heavily at least 24 hours before freeze...helps to increase cold tolerance.
4. Group outdoor potted plants tightly to increase cold resistance.
5. Ryegrass will need to be fertilized and mowed.
6. Many bulbs can be planted now for spring and summer bloom for next year.
7. Place holiday plants in good sunlight and cool temperatures for long-lasting blooms.
8. Prune dormant, fruit and ornamental trees, now.
9. Harvest all citrus, only if a freeze below 28 degrees is expected to last for several hours.
10. Do not harvest just because a freeze is predicted.
11. Have a Happy Holiday Season!