By now you should have seen some new growth on shrubs and trees. Patience is the byword with palms. Many will only put out 3 – 6 new fronds a year. If planning on doing some pruning – please…only remove fronds that have at least one third of their surface damaged or dead. Palms need to maximize their ability to photosynthesize. The oldest frond supplies the needed nutrients for the newest frond.
We are experiencing a severe drought situation – it’s dry and our landscape plants would really benefit from fresh rain water.
APRIL’S TO DO LIST:
• Your goal, starting the first of the month, should be to set up your plants (shrubs, trees, palms and turf) to be the healthiest possible as we continue through the dry season and inch toward the rainy season, beginning sometime in June. Because Local Fertilizer Ordinance (Lee County Ordinance #08-08) bans the use of any form of nitrogen and phosphates/phosphorus June 1 through September 30, plants can become depleted. This is a special concern when there have been heavy rains to either wash away recently applied fertilizer, or, when a drench literally leaches it out. Hungry plants are stressed plants.
• Fertilize everything you didn’t fertilize in March and use only a high quality, slow-release form. Good fertilizer is expensive.
• Palms that may have suffered from root or bud damage during the winter benefit from fungicide and micro-nutrient supplements.
• Fungus…it’s definitely among us. Though our temperatures have been chilly vs. cold or frosty, our subtropical and tropical plants suffered. Rain + chilly temps = fungus. It’s been appearing on turf and shrubbery. This is a typical statement for April to reflect the weather experienced during the first quarter. Typical seems to be more atypical these days. Always use common sense when it comes to the treatment of plants.
• Water restrictions are an ongoing and serious part of gardening in SW Florida. Planting native plants that are geared for 8 months of drought followed by 4 months of deluge should be strongly considered. Work with, not against nature. Unless you are willing to hand water, resist planting during the dry season and wait until the summer rains begin the end of June-first of July. I realize many associations and independent homeowners start itching to plant color during the “high” season. It can be precious dollars wasted. Even salt tolerant plants are watered with fresh water when nursery-grown. Most shrubs, including drought tolerant ones, take 3 months to establish roots beyond the perimeter of their original pot. A new 3-gallon shrub requires a gallon of water every other day for about 60 days.
• Prune scraggly, overgrown plants and those with dead branches if not done so already. First remove crossing and broken branches. Then prune for shape and to encourage re-flowering.
• Want more flowers? Florida’s flowering shrubs bloom on new wood. If the plant is constantly pruned, leaving only older wood, flower production will be severely limited.
• Apply herbicide to your turf when the temperature is below 85 degrees. This is another standard statement for this time of year. But, we’ve already had temperatures in the 80s as of the end of February. Just remember broadleaf herbicides can harm turf, or at a minimum turn it yellow.
