Essential Tips for a Thriving Summer Garden in North Florida
Gardening in North Florida during the summer can be challenging due to the intense heat and humidity. However, with the right strategies, you can maintain a thriving summer garden that not only survives but flourishes. In this guide, we’ll explore essential summer garden tips, including the best shade trees for Florida, how to care for St. Augustine grass, the benefits of water features, and effective pest control methods.
Creating Shade with Florida-Friendly Trees
Shade trees are crucial for any North Florida gardening plan, especially during the summer months. The right trees can provide natural cooling, reduce water evaporation, and protect your plants from the harsh sun.
Live Oak
The Live Oak is a classic Southern tree known for its sprawling branches and dense canopy, providing excellent shade for large areas. Its impressive longevity and resilience make it a staple in North Florida landscapes. With its ability to tolerate heat, drought, and strong winds, it is perfectly suited for the region’s challenging climate, adding both beauty and practicality to any shade garden.
Southern Magnolia
The Southern Magnolia is a true icon of the South, known for its large, fragrant white flowers and glossy, evergreen leaves. This tree not only provides ample shade but also adds year-round beauty to any garden. Its deep roots make it drought-resistant, while its dense canopy offers excellent cooling.
Florida Flame Maple
Known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall, the Red Maple is a fast-growing tree that provides excellent shade. It thrives in Florida’s climate and can adapt to various soil types, making it a versatile choice for many landscapes.
Bald Cypress
A native to Florida’s wetlands, the Bald Cypress is well-suited to both wet and dry conditions. This deciduous conifer is unique in its ability to thrive in waterlogged soils, making it perfect for areas prone to flooding. Its soft, feathery foliage creates a light, airy shade that cools without overly darkening the landscape.
By planting shade trees, you can significantly improve your garden’s resilience during the hottest months, making them a key component of your summer garden tips.
Add a Splash of Cool with Water Features
Incorporating water features in your garden is another excellent way to combat the Florida heat. Ponds, fountains, and water gardens not only cool the surrounding air but also add visual interest and attract wildlife.
Ponds
Create a stunning centerpiece for your garden with a pond that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also cools the air through natural evaporation. By adding aquatic plants like water lilies and lotus, which are well-suited to Florida’s heat, you can keep the water cooler while also introducing vibrant colors and serene beauty to your landscape.
FOUNTAINS
The sound of water from a fountain adds a soothing element to your garden while also cooling the air.
WATER GARDENS
Cultivating aquatic plants like water lilies and aquatic grasses around a water feature can create a beautiful, low-maintenance area in your garden.
Water features in the garden are not only functional but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space, making them a great addition to your North Florida gardening strategy.
Caring for St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in Florida, but it requires specific care to thrive during the summer. Proper lawn care in Florida involves understanding the unique needs of this grass type.
Watering St. Augustine grass needs deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root growth, which is essential for surviving the Florida heat.
Mowing Set your mower to a height of 3.5 to 4 inches to keep the grass blades tall, providing natural shade for the soil.
Pest Control Chinch bugs are a common pest in St. Augustine grass. Regular monitoring and appropriate garden pest control measures are essential to prevent infestations.
By following these summer garden tips, you can maintain a healthy and green lawn even in the harshest conditions.
Choosing the Right Shade Garden Plants
Creating a shade garden is a smart way to utilize shaded areas in your North Florida garden. Shade garden plants thrive in lower light conditions and can add lush greenery to your landscape.
By selecting the right shade garden plants, you can create a cool, inviting space that complements the rest of your landscape.
Hostas
These plants are known for their large, colorful leaves and are ideal for filling in the lower layers of your shade garden.
Caladiums
With their vibrant, heart-shaped leaves, Caladiums bring a splash of color to any shaded spot in your garden.
Impatiens
Impatiens are vibrant, low-maintenance flowers that thrive in full to partial shade, offering continuous blooms in a variety of bright colors throughout the growing season.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, producing large, colorful flower clusters in shades of blue, pink, and white. They add lush beauty to shaded areas, blooming beautifully in moist, well-drained soil.
Final Thoughts on North Florida Gardening
Successfully gardening in North Florida during the summer requires a thoughtful approach that includes the right plants, trees, and features to withstand the heat. From planting shade trees for Florida-friendly cooling to incorporating water features in the garden and providing proper lawn care in Florida, these strategies will help you create a thriving summer garden. By following these essential tips, you can enjoy a beautiful, resilient garden all season long.
Services
- Landscape Design & Installation
- Paver Patios, Paver Walkways, Paver Driveways
- Firepits, Retaining Walls , Seat Walls,
- Landscape Lighting, Drainage design & Installation,
- Lawn Care Services, Lawn Maintenance, Lawn Fertilization
- Lawn Pest Control, Lawn Weed Control
- Aeration and Top Dressing
- Water Features, Koi Ponds,
- Waterfalls, Bubbling Fountains
- Garden Center & Pond Supply Store
General Services Areas
Jacksonville (Jax), Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Ponte Vedra, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Orange Park, St. Johns, Nocatee
Location
GARDEN CENTER
12501 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32246
LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS
(not open to the public)
St. Johns Bluff
1057 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Hours
Monday-Saturday 9-5
Sunday 10-5
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
New Year’s Day • Easter • Memorial Day
July 4th • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve • Christmas Day