March 2009: Around Your Garden Florida

Flowering Trees
Celebrate spring by planting a flowering tree, which will serve as a harbinger of the season for years to come. In North and Central Florida, place a flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) in partial shade. A redbud can be put in full sun to partial shade. For a slightly later bloom period, try a fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus). It follows the dogwood with fluffy clouds of white flowers. In Central and South Florida, plant a pink trumpet tree (Tabebuia heterophylla), which will grow to a height of 20 to 40 feet. For a smaller tree, plant one of several types of frangipani (Plumeria sp.).

Entire State
Editor's Pick―For long-lasting blooms inside―six weeks or more―buy moth orchids (Phalaenopsis sp.). When selecting them, choose those that have just one or two flowers open but lots of buds. Place in bright, indirect light. Keep the planting medium slightly moist. Avoid cold drafts and areas around heating vents.

Lawns―Wait until your grass greens up completely before feeding it. In North Florida this may be as late as April. Feed with a fertilizer that contains no phosphorus, such as Pennington Centipede & St. Augustine Lawn Food 18-0-18 or Vigoro Ultra Turf Centipede Turf Fertilizer 15-0-15. Water the lawn only as needed; overwatering causes thatch.

North and Central
Vegetables and Herbs―Find a sunny spot in the garden to start vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, eggplant, and snap beans. Try herbs such as basil, cilantro, Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and thyme. If you have more sunny spaces, try melons such as cantaloupes and watermelons.

Central and South
Colorful Shrubs and Vines―Plant now to give your garden continuous tropical color through the summer. Popular flowering shrubs include hibiscus, bush allamanda, ixora, and spicy jatropha. For areas that won’t receive frequent irrigation, try dwarf poinciana (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), also called peacock flower, and yellow bells (Tecoma stans). Reliable flowering vines for sunny areas include allamanda, mandevilla, and butterfly vine.

South
Palms―Keep these tropical mainstays looking good with regular fertilization. Give palms their spring feeding with a special fertilizer such as Vigoro Palm & Ixora Food 6-5-12 or Lesco 8-10-10 Palm and Tropical Ornamental Fertilizer. Continue feeding every other month through the summer.