Now is the Time, |
November 7, 2013 |
A little taste of cool weather and then
it is right back to fall in Florida, which really is a wonderful thing. While news
reports talk about the first snowfall across parts of the country, we're enjoying low 80s and sun-filled
afternoons.
So what are you doing in your yard during this beautiful time of year?
It is a great time for planting fall-blooming shrubs, hardy fruit trees, roses
or a new shade tree. If you aren't sure what to do in the garden at this time of the year, come out to Kerby's this Saturday for our last workshop of
the fall season on Winter Gardening and Plant Protection. You'll learn all about what you can do in the garden from now until spring and we'll share our
tips for protecting sensitive plants in your garden. After the workshop, stroll the boardwalk and check out all of the gorgeous
flowers that make Fall in Florida a wonderful time of year.
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In This Issue
A Great Time to Plant
All Roses
Florida Peach and | |||||
Cape Honeysuckle Tecomaria capensis This tall shrub loves full sun and tolerates any weather that Florida can throw at it. The butterflies and hummingbirds can't keep away from it, and the gorgeous orange(pictured) or golden flowers add lovely fall color to a landscape. |
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Protection - When frost or freeze approaches, the best thing you can do is be prepared to cover your plants. Make sure that you have frost blankets and anchoring pins on hand so that you don't have to make a last minute trip to Kerby's for supplies and have a plan for covering up your most sensitive plants. Make sure that you cover plants all the way to the ground, resting the blanket lightly on the plant and then anchoring the blanket to the ground with the anchor pins. Not attaching the blanket allows cold winds to creep under easily and either blow the blanket off, or push out the warm trapped air that is protecting the plant.
Water Well - The day before cold comes in, make sure you give your plants a good soaking. A lack of water when cold, dry winds are blowing can cause double the damage to your plants. Water plants at the roots only. Water on the leaves doesn't help and can cause more damage for landscape plants.
Stop Fertilizing - By now, you should have done your fall fertilization on all of your plants. At this point, you want to hold off on any general feeding until springtime. Too much fertilizer right now may encourage growth spurts during warmer days, and this new growth is extremely sensitive to cold, no matter how hardy the plant.
Avoid Some Pruning - On sensitive shrubs, you'll want to avoid pruning unless absolutely necessary. Pruning stimulates growth which can lead to weaker plants. A plant that is a little taller or wider than you want can be a good thing, as it will provide a little extra insulation. The winter is a great time to prune roses, crape myrtles, evergreens, and any deciduous trees.
Double Protection - If you're a fruit nut and have exotic tropical fruit trees, consider doubling the protection by using multiple layers of frost blankets. For covering trees, have a few stakes on hand to prop the blankets up so they aren't pulling the leaves and branches down.
These are a few tips you can use to protect your garden this winter. The
best protection is being prepared for whatever mother nature throws our way.
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Workshop:
Protecting Plants
and Winter Gardening
Florida is known for warm weather and sunshine, but even here in central Florida, the occasional frost or freeze comes our way. Be ready this year, by attending this workshop. You'll learn the best ways to protect plants from cold weather and we'll demonstrate the proper way to cover plants to make sure all of your favorite shrubs, trees and flowers are warm and snug this winter. We'll also talk about what to do in the garden at this time of year, after all it is Florida and we can play in the yard all year long!
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Kerby's Nursery 2311 S. Parsons Ave. Seffner, FL 33584 (813) 685-3265 www.kerbysnursery.com |
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