Big Time Landscaping Concerns:February//MarchIf you don't want your shrubs to look like our communities, if you prefer nicer looking shrubs and lawns, read this.
This column will provide you with information gathered from the Palm Beach County Cooperative Service and The University of Florida. The stuff that I write about works. It won't work overnight; though insects can cause enough damage in one night that you can see possible results in one night. It isn't necessary to sign on for a spraying service that sprays and resprays on a monthly basis. Those little critters do build up an immunity. So, if you are having a problem you can purchase an insecticide to care of it. Treat the perimeter of your home and lawn. Don't forget that newly hatched insects need to be treated 10-14 days later..otherwise you'll have the same problem all over again.
By the time March rolls around you could fertilize everything!
Get plants the nutrients they'll need for their Spring flush. Seriously, Palm food for the palm, Citrus for the citrus, read the directions and don't skimp. A good palm fertilizer with micro nutrients can be used for many plants some may be listed on the bag itself. You can and should use it for ixora, heliconias, palms and other tropical plants. Another thing to keep in mind when buying a tropical/Palm fertilizer is that it isn't necessary for the first number on the bag (which indicates how much Nitrogen is in it ) to be high. 12, or even 10 is high enough! I promise. anything else will just make you cut the lawn more frequently and during the winter you should be enjoying the reprieve and cutting on a as needed basis once every 2-3 weeks. If you're cutting more frequently; then your feeding and watering way too much. If it rains shut off the sprinkler.
Watering once, and possibly twice a week is plenty at this time of year. AND HELLO, when you water try to conserve it (the water). Watering should be done in the early morning hours, ending just before 8 AM. It's a proven fact that this is the best time. I'm not making it up. If you need help with your timer call me and I'll help. Watering early washes in the dew/condensation from the night..there is often less wind. Less wind means you'll lose less to the air or evaporation. This isn't just a seasonal thing either it's an annual habit you should develop to get good growth, and roots.With the cool weather you can also safely treat your lawns to a
weed and feed. Again you must follow directions. Just because you have a lot of weeds, does not mean you can use double the amount of weed and feed cause, you will kill your lawn. Make certain your irrigation heads are spraying and working. Sediment can get into a sprinkler line and clog a head. If your grass looks dryer in some areas check the sprinkler head.February and March offer pleasant weather for mulching. If you didn't get the job done before the winter set in, it's never too late.
Mulch should be 3 inches thick at the very least. Never mulch directly on top of a stem or trunk, leave a 1 inch gap around plants.There's so much too say. Here's more. Don't do any radical pruning now, no heavy trimming. Of course you can remove any unsightly dead palm fronds, or any other dead thing you may have...including oranges and grapefruit on the ground.
Why no heavy punning you ask??? If we should happen to have a frost (and we have had some cool evenings), your plants tend to die back a bit. I noticed the other day that some of my healthier plants had yellowed leaves form and are losing them...yes, a cool spell can do that. Since plants exchange food thru their leaves and if we prune and then a cool spell; well that can spell disaster for some cold sensitive plants.
That's enough. If you'd like information on some plants, veggies to grow at this time of year...don't hesitate to call.
Happy GardeningJOY
994-1346