Inspired by whimsical terracotta pollinator-designed pots sporting bees, ladybugs, butterflies, hummingbirds, and dragonflies, this container is full of pollinator attractors in yummy shades of orange.
Crossandra Is a wonderful perennial that will thrill all year long until the first frost. The hummingbirds and butterflies will love them too.
Sunpatiens® Compact Orange These bright orange flower-packed plants are perfect for any pot. They can thrive in 6 hours of sun to up to 4 hours of shade. A perfect easy care pot filler.
Orange Marigold This classic heat loving flower will bloom spring through fall here in Florida. The compact variety fills in nicely.
Gaillardia also known as blanket flower, it comes in many shades or orange yellow and red. It is heat, drought, salt, and deer tolerant. They do well as cut flowers too.
Creeping Jennyone of our all-time favorite spillers. This bright green mass of small heart-shaped leaves will mix perfectly, able to take full to partial sun.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Our first full month of Summer calls for reminders of tasks to complete, which is the basis of the Earth Works July Tips for Lawn and Garden.
-Closely Monitor Plant Watering Needs. July Tips for Lawn and Garden could not be complete without a focus on watering. Manually adjust automatic irrigation watering schedules during frequent rainfall or install a rain sensor to prevent overwatering. The likelihood of rain increases in July, the second month of hurricane season. Too much water harms many of the landscape plants, the same as too little water. Monitor soil moisture in your gardening containers by pressing a finger into the soil as potted plants will dry out at a different rate than the surrounding soil. Excessive water will encourage fungus growth that can damage lawn and garden plants.
-Keep Weeds and Pests Under Control. Winter weed pressure on the lawn and garden has been replaced with a seasonal crop of Summer weeds species possibly arriving from birds, insects, and the wind from adjacent properties. Post-emergent herbicides are commercially available for ridding your lawn of Summer weeds that have already gotten a foothold in the lawn. Hand-pulling weeds requires much more effort and is less likely to rid your lawn of every last weed for the season. However, organic gardeners typically prefer hand pulling or letting nature take its course in many instances. Earth Works Lawn Fertilization and Lawn Pest Control provides weed and pest control, including some hand-pulling of weeds.
-Maintain Plant Fertilization Schedules, Including Reduction in Nitrogen Lawn Fertilization. July is a peak growing period for various plants with different fertilization needs. Many houseplants benefit from weekly balanced fertilization. Various heavy feeding plants in the landscape require monthly fertilization to grow and bloom to their full potential. However, we should likewise be mindful of reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus applied to lawn turf in the rainy season. This reduces the likelihood of your fertilizer contributing to stormwater runoff pollution that Florida county Fertilizer Blackout periods aim to prevent.
-Stake Growing Plants That Need Extra Support. Wide varieties of plants benefit from staking up as Summers warmth and the ample water supply that July brings results in the rapid greening up and growing of plants that began in Spring. Periwinkles, Salvia, Pencil cactus, tomato plants, and hibiscus are examples of the wide variety of flowering plants, houseplants, vegetables, and shrubs that benefit from the support staking provides. Cages are also available and commonly used for vegetable staking but are available to support other plants in the landscape. Staking new trees to protect against their falling during high winds and hurricanes is also an important consideration.
-Flowering Deadheading. Removing dead blooms, so-called deadheading, makes for prettier plants while strengthening them by eliminating the effort and energy consumption put out to convert flowers to seed. Taking flower cuttings indoors is another method that removes the need for some of the deadheading.
-Prune Trees July is a great time to prune a wide variety of trees flush with new growth, some of which would be harmed by pruning at other times of the year. Remember the 3D rule of pruning: remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Avoid over-pruning trees, such as so-called crape murder which results in weak new stem growth that has difficulty supporting their cascading flower clusters. Likewise, for palm frond pruning leave no less than a 9 and 3 configurations of the clock after pruning. Always be careful not to overdo it when pruning, as new growth benefits the tree’s health.
-Plant Summer Crops Due to the scorching heat that’s caused tomato plants to wither, most of the vegetables recommended for growing in July are root crops. These include beets, broccoli, cabbage, collards, lettuce, radishes, and turnips. Herbs and other specialty crops can be grown in containers placed in areas protected from the worst elements of Summer. Meanwhile, we hope you’ve enjoyed a bountiful harvest from your late Winter and Spring plantings. Also, review the recommendations for July plantings from the University of Florida.
-Replace cold-season annuals with warm-season varieties for Summer and Fall color. While some of us still have Dusty Millers standing tall from last Winter, most cold-season annuals, including violets and petunias, have long since withered. Warm-season annuals include Begonias, Caladiums, Gazanias, Marigolds, Pentas, Salvia, and Sunflowers. Plant these directly in the ground or containers for festive colors that brighten moods through the holiday season. For planting ideas see our July Container Gardening Recipe.
-Mulch flower beds The value of mulching wraps up our July Tips for Lawn and Garden. Mulch is helpful for more than curb appeal and protecting plants’ roots from the cold. During the summer, mulch in garden beds reduces solar radiation on the soil, helps maintain moisture, and reduces soil erosion. Pine straw used as mulch has the added benefit of quickly degrading and adding organic matter to the earth that’s typically in short supply and vital for healthy soil ecology.
-Keep detailed records of what did well in the garden. Before memories get fuzzy, keep detailed records of what did well this Spring & Summer to better plan for a future growing season. Some areas of the yard may receive too much or too little sun for your new plantings. With this knowledge, you can do better next year. What types of fertilizers and frequency of use worked best for your desired results? What kinds of pests did you encounter, and did your pest management methods work well or need tweaking given the same situation next year? Documenting the questions and answers that are important to your gardening effort will help you grow a more successful garden and landscape in the future.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Everybody loves a succulent pot! The combinations of colors, shapes, and textures are endless. What makes them even better is that they are low maintenance and can take our North Florida sun and heat! Be sure your pot is well-draining and the soil is not a water-retaining formula. Cactus and succulent soil would be best. Overwatering can cause these plants to rot. Then add some pea gravel and rocks to polish off the desert look.
Aloe Vera makes an excellent centerpiece for your succulent pot, and when it blooms, it has striking red spikes that are sure to thrill. Break off a leaf and use the gell-like sap to ease sunburns and insect bites!
Sedum Lemon Coral The spikey chartreuse foliage looks like it would be thorny and prickly, but it is pretty soft and terrific as a spiller falling over the edge of containers. It loves heat and can tolerate dry soils.
Portulaca Scarlet is a heat-lover and sun-worshipper. It is also drought-resistant, which makes it an excellent choice for late spring or summer.
Sedum Blue Jelly Bean is a perfect filler spreading to 36″ wide. This succulent features thick, blue-green leaves resembling jelly beans with red tips.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Summertime is the perfect time to invite fluttering friends to our yards. Many favorite pollinator plants are blooming in their full glory! You can’t go wrong combining these full sun, heat-tolerant, pollinator-attracting beauties.
Penta Tall Red Ruby is an excellent choice for a thriller plant growing to 36″ high and producing deep red, butterfly-attracting blooms consistently all season.
Salvia Rockin’ Blue Suede Shoes This Proven Winner variety of salvia is deer resistant, long-blooming, and a favorite of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Coreopsis Gold & Bronzefills in with a sunny pop of yellow color. It is easy to grow and provides long-lasting cut flowers all summer.
Lantana Anne Marieis a perfect filler spreading from 24″-36″ wide, easy to grow, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, prolific bloomer, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Swamp Milkweed is easy to grow; both larval host and nectar source for the Monarch Butterfly!
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
While preparing to enjoy Summer here are your June lawn and garden tips to make it even better in the lawn and garden.
JUNE WEATHER FOR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA
Summer begins on the Summer Solstice, June 21, the year’s longest day. And June 1 is the official start of hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an active season with 19 named storms. “The past six years have had more U.S. land-falling category 4 and 5 hurricanes than the past 50 years combined,’ according to New4Jax. Temperatures were average for May. However, the rainfall was two inches higher than usual. Nearly all of it fell in three days during the latter half of the month. The rainy season in Jacksonville begins in June, averaging 7.5 inches of rain, but last June racked up just under 10 inches of precipitation. How many inches will fall this June, and can your drainage system handle it if the storms bring as much rain in as short a period of time as they did last month? Frequent light rains are better than drought, followed by storm flooding. Plants can become heat-stressed during extended dry periods. Heavy and infrequent rain increases the likelihood of flooding and stormwater runoff carrying soil nutrients and fertilizers away, weakening your landscape and causing pollution downstream. Although area water restrictions limit lawn irrigation to twice per week watering, make sure the lawn is getting full coverage from the sprinkler heads. New plantings, transplants, and dry spots in the lawn require supplemental hand watering.
JUNE PLANTINGS FOR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA Cool-season vegetables and annuals are out for the June planting schedule. However, our subtropical climate in Northeast Florida during the month of June is perfect for planting shrubs, fruit-bearing & flower trees, palms, and Summer & Fall blooming perennials. Matt, Rhonda, and Dennis are combing through availability lists of growers’ inventories to provide you with a big selection of planting options right for the season you visit the Earth Works garden center.
JUNE PRUNING & DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS FOR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA You may have gotten a preview of drainage problems on your property during the heavy rains of May. Ensure no leaves, limbs, or debris clog up the gutters that are designed to drain water away from your home and other structures. Suppose your French drains and drain boxes have gotten covered or filled with dirt and debris. In that case, they need to be cleaned out before heavy rains. That will reduce the risk of flooding, and standing water, which quickly suffocates lawn turf and other vegetation and is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and fungus. Consider Earth Works typical drainage solutions and schedule a design consultation if necessary. If you are already having issues with insect infestations and fungi visit our garden center and speak with one of our garden center associates about our fungicides and other helpful products and how to use them.
Have gutters cleaned out to avoid drainage problems.
Remember that the five D’s of pruning are to do so when they are dead, dying, damaged, disfigured, or showing signs of diseased wood. Your Spring bloomers should typically already be pruned as they set buds on old wood. In contrast, Summer bloomers won’t set bloom until Winter or early Spring. Also, check your trees for boring insects that can weaken them and cause limbs or trees to fall in high winds. While a stately oak can live over 100 years, it can be weakened by nutritional deficiencies and insect infestations. As a result, they can become waterlogged and drop damaging limbs in bad weather.
JUNE FERTILIZATION & SOIL AMENDMENTS FOR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA Non-native plants unaccustomed to area soil and climatic conditions benefit significantly from fertilizers with specific blends of macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Potassium) and micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur). Plant lovers often complicate their landscape designs by mixing many varieties of plants and grouping them based on looks rather than nutritional needs resulting in more work and upkeep. Earth Works landscape designers work with clients creating designs that take into account what the homeowner wants and what the plants need. Sun, wind, temperature, and soil conditions make every landscape someone different, with microclimates varying significantly from one yard and region of town to the next. If you aren’t an avid gardener and don’t have the time to invest in your garden, a landscape design plan, installation, and lawn care services are for you. If you want to build on your gardening success stories or start anew, visit our garden center and bring your questions to our friendly staff.
JUNE POND CARE FOR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA One essential item of June pond care is ensuring you have an adequate oxygen supply. Dissolved oxygen levels in pond water can reach dangerously low levels for fish as water temperature increases. Adding supplemental aeration can improve fish health and improve water clarity. “Aeration does not only enhance water quality by stabilizing pH, reducing alkalinity, preventing anaerobic conditions, and removing carbon dioxide, but can also greatly decrease the cost of pond treatments,” according to Hoffman’s Waterxscapes. There are many aeration kits on the market that Earth Works makes available for purchase at our pond store to improve your pond water quality. Learn more about the science of dissolved oxygen in ponds from our blog “Low Dissolved Oxygen: Koi Summer.”
The Jax Pond Tour hosted by Earth Works on Saturday, June 11 is your opportunity to get ideas for building a pond or water feature that suits you or possibly upgrading an existing one. The ponds are typically cleaned during the cooler months making June a great month to see Earth Works pond designs at their peak performance. Please bring your questions to the pond owners and consider their advice.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Brighten up those shady areas in May with a container full of colorful plants. This recipe will do fantastic in dappled light conditions or can even take a few hours of the morning sun. This design combines rich burgundy with deep pinks and bright shades of green for contrast.
Cordyline Auntie Lou, with its rich burgundy leaves, makes the perfect backdrop for this part shade color combo.
Hydrangea Summer Crush®, one of the “Endless Summer Series” with its floral quality raspberry blooms, and compact size is an excellent choice for container gardening.
Caladium Heart & Soul® from Proven Winners is a sun or shade caladium variety. Its splashy leaves make a great contrast against the burgundy Auntie Lou.
Creeping Jenny is a favorite spiller for container gardens. Although it can be in the sun, partial shade is best in the heat of the summer.
Sunpatiens® Pink Candy or any impatient in the pink family will add a constant colorful bloom to the mix.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
We open May Lawn and Garden Tips recognizing that Mothers Day arrives on the second Sunday of this month the second and final month of Spring before the heat and showers of Summer arrive. Daily high and low temperatures increase 5-10 degrees, typically averaging between 70°F and 87°F. As traffic at the neighborhood garden center suggests, May is prime time for working in your yard, and tending to the lawn and garden ahead of Summer. While April rainfall was 5.22 inches and on paper exceeding the 2.93 inch average for the month, 4.5 inches of it came down in only today’s, April 7 & 17. Heavy rain for a few hours followed by days of drought conditions results in soil erosion and stormwater runoff that isn’t optimum for landscapes or the environment. The other four days of rain in April were clustered together with long dry spells most of the month. Our lawns and gardens do better with three weekly rain events that for best results require supplemental irrigation and hand watering during dry periods. Don’t wait until after the damage is done. Look for signs of heat stress and supplement your plant’s water supply, which besides hydration reduces their susceptibility to pests and disease. May is normally slightly drier than April ahead of nearly tripling the rainfall during June and July, when monthly rainfall averages are 6.5 inches. Hurricane Season starts June 1.
MAY LAWN AND GARDEN TIPS: PLANTINGS Suppose you didn’t get your pollinator-attracting flowering perennials and annuals planted in April. May is a good time in the middle of Spring to keep planting. A few of the long list of bloomers ready to pick out and plant from the Earth Works garden center include Begonias, bougainvillea, coleus, coral honeysuckle, cuphea, hibiscus, lantana, mandevilla, milkweed, passion vines, roses, and salvia. Did we mention palm trees? Yes, we have a wide selection of both small and large, container and field-grown palm trees in stock with designers and staff that can pair you up with the right variety. How about houseplants? Did you make it to our Houseplant Social? Lots of great houseplants are in stock.
It’s not too late to grow herbs and vegetables. While it can be a little late for tomatoes that don’t like the oppressive heat of summer switch from planting seeds to growing seedlings that already have a good start in their growing cycle. Container gardening is a terrific option for starting a wide variety of plants. It allows you to move them to varied light positions and see where they are best suited for your landscape design. Earth Works garden center, landscape designers, and lawn care staff are available to assist you in developing a beautiful, healthy, and manageable lawn and garden.
MAY LAWN AND GARDEN TIPS: PRUNING
In May, your plants should already be putting out new growth, and for ones that aren’t, look for Winter cold, disease, or parasite damage. Prune your spring flowering plants and hedge plants such as azaleas and oleander back after blooming to allow maximum growth ahead of their next bloom cycle on new growth. Remove dead, damaged, and diseased growth. Consider sterilizing your lawn and garden equipment with diluted chlorine/bleach solution to avoid transferring fungus, disease, pests, and parasites from one shrub or plant to another.
MAY LAWN AND GARDEN TIPS: FERTILIZATION
Your fertilization needs are going to depend on the nutrient requirements of your specific plants, soil composition, and fertility. Native plants are adapted to local soil conditions and need less fertilization than plants categorized as moderate and heavy feeders. Heavy feeders such as fruits, vegetables and flowering ornamentals benefit from weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly fertilization that can include a combination of foliar sprays, teas, and time-release granular. We recommend Espoma Organic’s full line of products enriched with beneficial mycorrhizae fungi for improving root function. We stock Espoma OrganicsBiotone for new plantings planting and other formulations to fertilize established plants.
“Macronutrients are essential for plant growth and a good overall state of the plant,” according to AGQ Labs. “The primary macronutrients are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Of the 60 chemical elements that comprise plants, 16 of them are essential. Of those 16, some are extracted from the air in the form of CO2 or water. These are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. If for now we set aside leaf fertilization and the three above-mentioned elements, the remaining 13 are extracted from the soil. These are divided into macronutrients and micronutrients, all of which are essential for crops.”
Soil pH can bind up nutrients, making them unavailable in slow-release granular. In contrast, foliar sprays deliver those same micronutrients to the plant. Thus, it’s also essential to know your soil pH, a free test with recommendations for amendments where necessary by the University of Florida is encouraged. For more information, read “Soil Testing in Northeast Florida.”
MAY LAWN & GARDEN TIPS: PEST CONTROL
If your soil forms crusts and pools water, it’s compacted and not allowing proper percolation or nutrient absorption. Consider doing core aeration and top dressing to increase the organic matter in your soil and improve soil retention and the bioavailability of micro-nutrients. Be on the lookout for signs of weeds, insects, mold, and fungus in the lawn and garden. We recommend treating Leaf miners and other varieties of sapsuckers with Spinosad, a derivative of the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora available in Capt. Jacks Deadbug Brew. Protect pollinators and other beneficial insects by reducing reliance on synthetic controls with spot treatments of organic solutions of neem oil and the beneficial bacteria strain Bacillus thuringiensis sold by Bonide as BT. Be on the lookout for pests and address their potential threats in advance of infestations.
When using weed and feed products in May avoid those with a pre-emergent herbicide and opt instead for the post-emergent as temperatures are above 55F. Reduce plant stress and susceptibility to pests by planting in the best light position and fertilizing appropriately for that specific plant variety. Get a quote for Earth Works Lawn Fertilization and Pest Control service.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Proudly serving clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
The warm weather has arrived. Here is the perfect planter to soak up the heat! The mixture of warm tones and hot colors creates that tropical feel, and the copper-toned pot adds a touch of glamour. Of course, this combo would look fabulous in just about any container. Although this recipe uses full-sun plants, a little afternoon shade will help keep it blooming until the next frost.
1. Canna Lily’slarge tropical leaves and tall, striking blooms thrill.
2. Bronze Coleus fills in with nice contrasting color and texture from the canna leaves.
3. Sunpatiens will fill and spill with bright blooms covering the plant.
4. Gold Lantanais a hardy heat-loving bloomer that will bring in the butterflies.
Design tip:If your planter is against a wall, place the canna lilies in the back. For a pot seen from all sides, plant in a centered format.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Spring has sprung as we are into April, our first month of Spring, as gardeners rush to tend to all our lawn and garden care needs here in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Lawn and garden tips would not be complete if we didn’t start by encouraging you to make a plan for all you want to accomplish in the lawn and garden, pay attention to local weather, start planting and tending to fertilization, pruning, and pest control needs.
Making A Plan: Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail
While people acknowledge the need for an architectural design plan before building a house, the benefits of landscape design plans aren’t as readily appreciated. A home can collapse if not adequately planned. A tree planted in the wrong location can crush home and tear up driveways and water and sewer lines. Landscape planning should be as simple or complex as needed to accomplish your goals. Typically the more time spent thoughtfully considering the details of your landscape and creating a plan to implement means more enjoyment in your outdoor living space with fewer headaches and costly unwanted surprises.
Weather:Prepare for the worst and hope for the best Spring ever!
Jacksonville’s rainfall totals for March 2022 were something for the record books with 9.95 inches of precipitation, three times the average rainfall for the month. That was the 6th highest amount of rainfall for March in 150 years. March rains made up for the precipitation shortfall from the driest Winter (Dec.-Feb.) in a decade that temporarily at least dampened concerns over drought conditions and wildfires. However, the threat of drought is never far off in Northeast Florida, considering our well-draining sandy soils dry out fast.
In March, the cool nights prevented the fungus damage that would have followed from warmer nighttime temperatures later in the Spring and Summer. However, roses and many other plants in the area are exhibiting the black spot symptoms of fungus. Organic home remedies for Rose Black Spot fungus, Diplocarpon rosae include a combination of a tablespoon of baking soda, white vinegar, and horticultural oil in a gallon of water to use as a foliar spray. Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide solution such as one tablespoon (for 3%) or 1/4 teaspoon (for 35%) in a cup of water can treat Diplocarpon, and other fungi such as that found on milkweed weed leaves. Commercially available ready mix fungal treatments worth considering include Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide.
Water As Needed
April’s average rainfall total is 2.93 inches. Abide by your municipal water restrictions, which in Duval County allows for twice-per-week irrigation during Spring and Summer with additional watering for new landscapes, and unlimited hand watering. Xeriscaping with native plants and those with low watering requirements conserves water, saves you time and money, and reduces concerns associated with high-maintenance plants requiring frequent watering.
Tend To Your Soil
Periodically have soil samples tested to know the pH and other factors that impact your plant’s ability to grow and flourish. Periodic soil aeration and nutrient enrichment with a top dressing reduces compaction and stormwater runoff, and increases plants’ nutrient uptake. Poor drainage conditions threaten the structural integrity of structures and increase the risk of fungus, root rot, and choking off the oxygen supply to beneficial microbes in the soil. Earth Works provides aeration and top dressing services, products, and a wide range of drainage solutions.
What Can I Plant in April?Essentially Everything!
Unlike other seasons which don’t provide optimum conditions for planting, the Spring season is Go Time for almost everything you’d want to plant or transplant. Plant your favorite perennials and include Spring annuals for an extra dose of seasonal color. The moderate morning low temperatures and afternoon highs provide the ideal conditions to safely plant palms, trees, shrubs, vines, and flowering plants, fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
Lawn and Garden Fertilization
Fertilize only when your lawn turf is actively growing. Our warmer temperatures of April are perfect for doing so. Consider our blog on the use of Weed and Feed products.
Fertilize ahead of June through Sept nitrogen fertilization blackout periods that are in place for many Florida counties. Duval County does not prohibit nitrogen fertilization during the rainy season. Still, it is less effective due to runoff resulting in water pollution, algae blooms, and fish kills.
Lawn Weed & Pest Control
Pre and Post emergent lawn pest and weed control products are part of our lawn care maintenance programs that do-it-yourself property owners and gardeners likewise do. There are separate categories of weeds, including cold and warm-season varieties and those that thrive in wet and-or dry environments that may be present at any given time on a property. The treatment protocols to deal with all these factors are complex. Likewise, the prevalence of lawn pests such as chinch bugs and sod webworms is weather and soil-condition-dependent. We strongly recommend homeowners consider professional lawn maintenance such as ours for your ongoing weed and lawn pest control needs.
Visit the Earth Works Garden Center for Saturday Sip & Shop from 10AM-3PM for more lawn and garden tips and speak with one of our designers over a complimentary beverage. And for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Earth Works Gardens hosts Jacksonville’s Saturday Sip & Shop gardening events each week during Spring 2022. Are you looking for a place to take your mind off of all the stress of the week? Relax with a drink while you shop and find your Happy Place at the corner of Beach and Kernan. Don’t miss out on this beautiful outdoor shopping experience at Earth Works Gardens. Grab a drink and do some shopping at Jacksonville’s Saturday Sip & Shop Gardening Event!
Find your happy place at Jacksonville’s Saturday Sip & Shop Gardening Event at Earth Works Gardens from 10AM-3PM.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
