The Neighborhood Gardener – July
Happy gardening!
Master Gardener volunteers, don't forget to register for the 34th Annual State Master Gardener Conference to be held this October.
Pollinator Hotels
While some may run for the hills when anything with a stinger flies by, gardeners know that it might be a helpful pollinator. Having pollinators like bees and wasps set up their home right in your garden can be great for your plants. And while you can't tell a bee where to nest, you can provide pollinators with an ideal structure should they decide to move in—a pollinator hotel. More
Wendy's Wanderings
Whew! Is it too hot to garden? Floridian gardeners have to be as heat tolerant as our plants and come up with our own summertime coping techniques. We sneak out early or venture out once the sun goes down. More
David Shibles Retires as Polk MG Coordinator
Dr. David Shibles retired last month after 15 years as the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator for Polk County. Dr. Shibles took a program with only two members when he arrived and turned it into an active organization with more than 100 members. As Lakeland's Ledger.com reports, he leaves behind a "green legacy." More
Plant of the Month: Royal Poinciana
Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) provides South Florida landscapes with dappled shade in summer with wide, spreading branches and brilliantly-colored flowers. It prefers frost-free areas and will grow in a variety of soil conditions. With a potential height of 40 feet and a canopy as wide or even wider, many find that royal poinciana is best for larger landscapes. More
July in Your Garden
While some may find it too hot to work in the garden right now, you can put the climbing temperatures to use and solarize your garden. Effective solarization takes 4 to 6 weeks, so start now to get your garden ready for fall planting.
For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida's gardening regions—North, Central, and South.
Friend or Foe? Foe: Spittlebugs
Named for the frothy mass they produce as nymphs, spittlebugs can surge in numbers during rainy, warm months, feeding on plants and turfgrass, especially centipedegrass. On ornamental plants, these pests can be managed by spraying the plant with a good, strong stream of water. If your lawn is being damaged by these bugs, reduce thatch in your lawn and avoid overwatering as spittlebugs can't survive a dry environment. More
Success Stories
- We're looking for inspiring, Florida-Friendly success stories from your county. Submit yours today to Wendy Wilber.