The Neighborhood Gardener – June

Angel's trumpet

Happy gardening!

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34th Annual State Master Gardener Conference

The highly anticipated State Master Gardener Conference will take place October 18-21, 2015. Whether this year's conference will be your first or fifteenth, there will be something for all of Florida's Master Gardener volunteers. In addition to 24 educational sessions, there will be exciting keynote speakers including John Moran, one of Florida's best landscape photographers. More


Wendy's Wanderings

Wendy WilberThis month marks the beginning of summer. For Floridians, there are a lot of markers to the month of June—hurricane season, the end of the school year, the rainy season starting, and reaping the harvest of our spring gardens. More


Risky (Tree) Business

compostMaking sure the trees surrounding your home are healthy is always important. Not only are unhealthy trees unattractive, they can be a serious safety hazard. But it's equally important to remember that not all trees are a risk; they play a vital role in your landscape. The best way to determine if your trees are healthy is to contact a professional. But you can do some scouting in your own landscape and determine if some of your trees are a risk and should be looked at. More


Plant of the Month: Oleander

GardeniaOleander (Nerium oleander) may have a bit of a bad-girl reputation, but it is a truly beautiful addition to the Florida landscape. All parts of the plant are toxic, so be sure to plant it far from small children and curious pets. Oleander will grow best in zones 9a-11 and can handle even the poorest of soils. Plant yours in full sunlight for ideal flowering, and while it is very drought-resistant, supplemental irrigation in the driest months will help your oleander thrive. More


June in Your Garden

Many gardeners are wrapping up their spring garden harvests as temperatures start to climb. Cover crops are a great way to control weeds and add nutrients to the soil while you take a break from tending to your vegetable patch. Cowpeas, sunhemp, and sorghum are some popular annual summer cover crops.

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: Oleander Caterpillars

oleander caterpillarOleander moths are quite beautiful.They're sometimes called polka-dot moths due to the spots on their bodies and wings. But it's the larval stage you should keep an eye out for. Oleander caterpillars are voracious eaters and can quickly defoliate a plant. Removing larvae-infested foliage is the most environmentally friendly method of control. More


Do You Have a Success Story?

We're looking for inspiring, Florida-Friendly success stories from your county. Submit yours today to Emily Eubanks.

What's Going On?

If your Master Gardener program or Extension office is having an event, be sure to share it with us.