For My Black Thumb Friends

Don't get me wrong...I'm certainly not a horticulturist or expert in any manner of gardening.  I am simply a girl who likes flowers and pretty plants.  I move them around until I find the right place for them both aesthetically and geographically.  However, my "black thumb" friends seem to think I'm an expert so I'd like to give a few pointers so even the "black thumbs" out there might find some success.

The first rule is to begin with easy plants.  That doesn't mean a cactus that requires little water (alas, I've killed a cactus).  I'm talking about finding plants that thrive with little to no effort in your region.  You can find this information easily by asking at your local nursery, or researching for an hour or so for native plants online, at the library, or your local book store. 

When choosing a plant, take note of the light and water requirements.  Arrange the plants that have similar requirements together so not to over or under water, and to provide the correct amount of sun or shade.  Also try to choose plants that are pest resistant or have minimal pest sensitivities.  Most of your native plants are accustomed to native pests. 

Once you've chosen and placed your plants, get to know them.  This may seem strange at first but it's really not that hard, or unlike anything else.  Know what they look like when they're happy and what they look like when they're sad.  Yellowing, veiny leaves may be a sign of too much water, while dry leaves obviously need a drink.  These same signs could point to too much or too little light...be sure to check your light conditions.

Think in terms of yourself...your skin, hair and nails are often the best indicators of health or lack of.  Plants are the same way.  And ask questions.  If you have a neighbor or friend who enjoys gardening, ask for assistance.  Or take a sample or photo of your issue to your local extension office or nursery for advise.  Gardeners are really nice people and enjoy other gardeners.  Don't be afraid!!!

Some examples:

This Ti plant is obviously unhappy.  Native to Hawaii, it thrives in Florida's climate, but is sensitive to the cold.  This Ti appears that it did not make it through our recent freeze.

However, new growth is shooting up at the base of the same stalk.  Cut off the top and let the young growth thrive!

When flowers begin to die or look spent, snip them off to promote new growth.  This is called "dead heading".

This bottle palm has mostly dry brown fronds from the recent freeze.  But the new green leaf shows that it's healthy and will be fine.  I need to cut off the really dead leaves at the bottom.  You wouldn't leave a broken nail hanging on your freshly manicured nails, would you?

These yellowing palm fronds could use a trim...just like a fresh hair cut.

Same goes for this moss rose that looks a bit strung out...cut off the wild, unproductive ends to allow for new, healthy growth.

This is an example of what NOT to trim off...the branch is flexible (not brittle), shows some green coloration, and is showing signs of new growth.  This Croton will be fine.  If in doubt, leave it alone.  You might be surprised by the results.  Plants are resilient, especially in their native environment.

This eugenia topiary is showing signs of stress on it's lower limbs.  It could be the recent cold spell. 

With a closer inspection, the problem reveals itself...scale!!!!  Scale is a nasty pest that can take over quickly if not taken care of.  I'll need to spray a soap/water solution to rid the beast!

Here's another pest that just won't go away (beside the fire ants!)...rust.  Use a copper spray to curtail this one!

Finally, late winter / early spring is the perfect time to inspect the lawn for weeds.  Weeds are easily noticable in my frost bitten, brown lawn...they are bright green and healthy!!  Figures!!!

My best advise is to just give it a go!!  That's what I did in my early 20's and I've been addicted ever since!!!  No one is perfect, and just when you think you've got it, the rules might change and a plant might die.  It's a little like parenting, but plants don't talk back, they're always where you expect them to be, and they love you back without question!!  They are well worth the investment!  Besides, your friends and family will Woooooo and Awwwww over your results!!!

Photo Friday

The morning sun shining on the heavy dew appears like fine crystal or embroidered diamonds in the field!

Making a Comeback!

It's a topic that won't go away...the cold snap that swept across Florida with little regard for the tender tropicals that are unaccustomed to such low temperatures for more than a couple of days at a time.  We don't want to think about the cold air, the frozen moisture covering our precious plants, or the dull shades of brown left behind in our typically colorful landscapes.  We've painstakingly cut back the obvious carnage and kept a hopeful, watchful eye for any sign of new growth. 

I was rewarded today as I strolled through my garden looking for new signs of life!  One of my bottle palms has opened a new green leaf!

This dwarf canna is sending up new shoots.

The mango tree not only came through the freeze unscathed, it is preparing to bloom!

And my beloved bananas are showing positive signs of recovery!!

In addition to the Orange Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Meyer Lemon, Ponderosa Lemon and Carolina Jasmine displaying full blooms, the navel oranges are almost ripe!

The Brown Turkey Fig is sending out new growth...

Both of the Coconut Palms are sending out new healthy leaves.

I scored with this new addition that I obtained today while out for a walk...it had been left out with the trash!  Lucky Day!!

This frost bitten crinum has two new pups along with a lovely flower bud!

And this other crinum is in full bloom!

I'm still holding out hope for this sad bottle palm...it's still sporting a little bit of green.

And this firebush made my day when I found the new growth!!  I thought it was lost for sure!!!  My friend, Florida Girl (Valley in Paradise) reassured me that it would probably be ok...and she was right!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

To top things off, I recieved my first Territorial Seed Company catalog in the mail today.  They have these fantastic fuschia "Gum Drop" and brilliant "Coral Reef" echinacea plants that I feel must become part of my landscape!  Amazing, aren't they?

Finally, take a moment to check your calendar...February 6th is the Growing Green Festival in Stuart, FL from 12 noon-5pm!  Central Florida Gardener writes, "This free indoor-outdoor event features presentations, activities, resources, living plants, great food, horse manure, live music and even an award-winning Sundance Film Festival movie about dirt (http://www.dirtthemovie.org/).


You can find all the details on Central Florida Gardener's blog: http://centralfloridagardener.blogspot.com/2010/01/growing-green-festival-buffy-at-green.html .

You can also click here for a festival flyer!
www.greenpathsflorida.org/GrowingGreenFestival6February.pdf
I'll definitely attend! Let me know if you're going!!

New Poolside Garden Phase I

When I relocated to South Florida 5 years ago, my landscape goal was to create a tropical paradise...something my native midwestern family had never been able to enjoy unless on vacation!  In doing so, I've created a mowing nightmare in my backyard.  Thus, toward the end of last year, I decided to begin filling in more of my dwindling backyard so the difficult areas to mow could maintain themselves.  During the cold snap, I identified a perfect place to create a tropical garden space...along a narrow strip of grass between the pool deck and the privacy fence.  After a VERY successful visit to the local retail garden shop, I couldn't wait to get started!

At this point, I really must pause to give some credit where credit is due.  I don't usually prefer to promote the large retail garden centers over the local nursery, BUT, this weekend's clearance rack at Lowes made it possible for me to begin my poolside garden.  I happened to be in the right place at the right time!!

I used some of the plants to fill in where the cold had left some empty spots in my front landscape.  But the rest was used to begin Phase I of the poolside garden!!  Here's the space BEFORE with only two Queen Emma Crinum lilies.

 

The plan is to clear the entire fence row, but I only had time / plants for a portion of the space (Phase 1!). Here's Phase 1 cleared of grass (and weeds!) with plants laid out (note the poor Queen Emmas have been drastically cut back from the cold...but they'll be fine).

I divided pots of plants, creating two and three individuals out of the one...making the most of my money!  These plants will spread by the end of summer, filling in the space very nicely!

After a long day's work and a sore back, Phase I is complete!

But there's still more to do!  The strip will be cleared all the way to the house.  While the Cannas and Crinums are the focus next to the pool, I'll plant a Ponytail Palm, Firecracker Plant (maybe) and some dwarf Mondo Grass in the Phase II space.

So what specifically is planted in this little space?  First, of course my favorite, the Queen Emma Crinum Lilies.

The complimentary flowers consist of cannas...two kinds were divided from my front yard...  the dwarf peach canna...

and the Tropicanna Phaison with it's gorgeous foliage and bright orange blooms. 

The new addition is the stunning Tropicanna Gold!  (I had to add some of this out front too...I couldn't resist)

The ground cover consists of Liriope,

Ferns

Sedum

and Dianthus for some temporary color!

Stay tuned for Phase II.  For now, I have the job of keeping the dogs out of the newly planted space and providing my back with some Advil!!

There's Still Time to Replace the Damage!

OK...the frosty Florida temps have passed (we pray!) and plants damaged by the cold have been trimmed, although plants may continue to develop signs of damage from the cold for a month or more.  Besides the obvious signs of frost bite (dead, brown leaves), other signs of stress may include curling leaves, split bark, yellow leaves, wilting and cracked stems.  It may take some time for the garden to look its best again!

However, your garden may have experienced the worst...death, especially in the vegetable garden!  My beans and herb garden were completely devestated.  However, hope is not all lost.  There is still time to plant or replant.  Try these veggies for quick results (plant to harvest time is listed):

Bush beans, 50-60 days

Beets and cuc, 50-65 days

Leaf lettuce, 50 or less days

Mustard greens, about 45 days

Radishes, 20 days

Spinach, 45-60 days (prefers cool weather)

Summer squash and zucchini, 45-60 days

Turnip greens, 45-60 days

Additionally, this is the perfect time to create a map of your landscape.  Mark the map by roughly drawing the structures and major plants, trees, hedges and beds.  Then note where plants sustained the most damage, where frost or ice formed, and what survived.  Use this map to plan for additions and changes to your landscape.  Choose plants that are adaped to the microclimates on your property for better survival next time mother nature turns her cold shoulder your direction!

If you aren't sure what cold hardiness zone you live in, you can click on the link and enter your zip code to find out. http://www.garden.org/zipzone/

There's another map that is very beneficial...the heat zone map, used much in the same way as the cold hardiness map, the heat zone map shows the various heat levels of individual regions.  Plants may be able to tolerate the cold zone, but may not be as tolerant to the summer heat.  In South Florida, we understand this concept well.  The intensity of the summer sun is sometimes more damaging than the brief cold spells experienced in the short winter months.  To find out what heat zone you're in, check out the map by clicking on the link: http://www.ahs.org/pdfs/05_heat_map.pdf

So, while your garden is recuperating, take this time to replant damaged veggies and herbs, and plan your garden according to the various microclimates within your landscape.