The soon-to-arrive month of July in panhandle Florida is known as a period for maintaining one’s landscaping and gardening efforts. While it is great to be outside for recreational activities, the lawn and garden chores can be a bit tedious in the heat and humidity currently occurring.
Still, there are some very productive activities which can be done in the home landscape and garden which do not require an excessive or extraordinary effort. These actions, when undertaken consistently, even though not exceptionally physical, can yield savings in both time and resources.
First and foremost is to monitor the home landscape and garden. Literally watch what is happening on a regular basis multiple times weekly if not daily.
A critical activity in summer is to monitor for destructive insects. Their high rate of reproduction is allowing them to invade and damage more landscapes and gardens. If left uncontrolled, they will continue to reproduce and destroy.
To paraphrase the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, “All your landscape and garden is a stage, and all the birds, bugs and diseases merely players who have their entrances and exits”. In short, there is a lot of unnoticed activity which can create all kinds of drama if left uncontrolled.
Watch the insects which are appearing and identify the problematic species such as grasshoppers and stinkbugs. In a year with ample foliage the bugs have had plenty to eat, so the reproduction rate has been high.
As each new generation hatches, they immediately start the hunt for something to eat. With the summer progressing, the insect population begins to reach critical mass in areas where there is no counterbalance to their presence. Early detection and treatment are key.
The same can be said for diseases and weeds. When landscapes and gardens go into the night wet from late day and evening rains, the establishment and spread of fungal problems is likely to increase. Again, early detection and treatment are key to successfully controlling each situation.
Now is an excellent time to use the summer heat to solarize garden soil in preparation for the upcoming fall vegetable garden planting. It usually takes four to six weeks to kill weeds, diseases, and nematodes, so start as soon as practical.
Another low impact task for fall gardening preparation is to start tomato and Halloween pumpkin seeds now. Watch for insects and disease symptoms as both seedlings are susceptible to these pressures during this period.
Cucumbers, peppers, and southern peas, can still be planted. Each will yield before the first frost and cold weather ends their production.
If gardenias and azaleas have not been pruned, the end of the window of time to accomplish this is rapidly approaching. Both should be completed no later than the middle of July or the 2025 bloom will be reduced.
If the addition of a palm is in the home landscaping plan, now is the time to install it. Take advantage of the consistent rains to get this shrub or tree acclimated to it new home.
These tasks now will yield in the months to come. Just get started early in the day before the temperature becomes too oppressive.
Leave a Reply