Article contributed by Sandy Vanno, Pasco County Master Gardener
- Every year, Americans make promises to themselves to
improve their lives. Here are a few promises that you
may want to make in your garden to assure a happier and more
environmentally-friendly 2008.
Don't buy plants on impulse only to later learn they do not
perform well in our area. Do your homework to learn
the plant's needs before shelling out money and time only to
be frustrated.
- Learn how to program the irrigation system. Turn
off when it is not necessary to water. Instead, watch
for grass blades to fold and then water only at that time.
With winter's cooler weather, irrigation is needed only
about every 10-14 days, if there is no rainfall.
- Learn which insects are good and "bad." If you
must treat an insect problem, start with the least toxic
product, such as insecticidal soaps or horticultural oil.
Should they not work, work your way up the pesticide column,
next choosing pesticides with "Caution" label warnings,
while avoiding the more toxic products with "Warning" or
"Danger."
- Mulch landscape plants with a 3- to 4-inch organic
layer. Choose pine needles or leaves from your trees
or purchase recycled products like pine bark or melaleuca.
Avoid cypress mulch because these wetland trees are being
harvested quicker than they can grow. Melaleuca is the
most desirable mulch. It is harvested from invasive
plant stands, retains its color well, and is least
attractive to termites.
- Only fertilize landscape plants during the growing
season (mid-March to mid-October) and 2-4 times at the most.
Purchase fertilizers with at least 30% slow-release
nitrogen. Look for fertilizers that are low in
phosphorus such as 8-0-24. Keep fertilizer away from
bodies of water by leaving a 3- to 10-foot "no fertilizer"
barrier between landscape and the water.
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| For more information about gardening month-by-month, visit
the Extension Web site at
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn%5Fand%5Fgarden/calendar. |
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