GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR FLORIDA

Garden Checklist (for all Southern states except Florida and Texas)
Texas Garden Checklist

Impatiens
For foolproof color in shady areas, plant impatiens now, and enjoy them throughout the summer. They prefer moist, well-drained soil. Pinch the top inch or so off impatiens when planting to make them bushier. Fertilize according to label directions with a product such as Sta-Green 9-Month Indoor/Outdoor Plant Food 18-6-12. Outstanding impatiens include 'Impact Orange,' 'Deco Pink,' 'Impact Red Improved,' 'Impact Rose,' 'Infinity Salmon,' and 'Super Elfin White.'

Entire State

• Lawns--If you didn't fertilize your St. Augustine lawn last month, do so now. Use a product such as Pennington Centipede & St. Augustine Weed & Feed With Atrazine 18-0-18 or Scotts Bonus S Weed and Feed 29-3-4. Carefully follow label directions, especially if using a weed-and-feed product. Wait till April to fertilize centipede lawns because this grass will not make good use of the nutrients until the soil has warmed. Use a product such as those mentioned above.

North and Central

• Flowers--After mid-March, plant flowers that will give color from spring through summer. Ones that tolerate heat include angelonia, coleus, globe amaranth, lantana, melampodium, pentas, wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri), salvia, 'Mona Lavender' plectranthus, and narrow-leaf zinnia.
• Azaleas--When these shrubs finish blooming, prune them if they are too large or leggy. Water weekly during dry weather to encourage new growth. To learn more about this shrub, read "Azaleas Made Simple" on page 79 of the March 2004 issue of Southern Living.
• Vegetables--After midmonth, seed snap beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, Southern peas, squash, and watermelons. Set out tomato and pepper plants, or put them in pots. Plant in full sun.

Central and South

• Palms--Use a product such as Vigoro Palm & Ixora Food 6-5-12 or Scotts Palm Food 15-5-15. If you use a weed-and-feed product containing atrazine on your lawn, keep it well away from palms because it can harm them.
• Citrus--Fertilize citrus with a product such as Schultz Expert Gardener Citrus & Tropical Granular Plant Food 10-4-10. Spread the fertilizer over the entire area beneath the tree's canopy and slightly beyond. Water young citrus once a week during periods of no rain.
• Hibiscus--New selections of tropical hibiscus include 'Bridal Veil' (single, white), 'Powder Puff' (double, white), 'Red Dragon' (double, scarlet red), and 'Full Moon' (double, pure yellow). Plant in full sun to partial shade in soil that is moist but well drained.