Condo Gardening Tips

February 2007

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

At the end of this month many properties are starting spring maintenance activities such as applying fertilizers and doing re-plants of any landscaping that has been put off during the winter months.

With our mild conditions throughout the winter many plants did not slow down growth that much as they normally should so it’s a good idea to start fertilizing and also mulching areas where weeds are becoming a problem. Weed activity will be on the increase from now until the early summer so if you don’t use mulches generously you may spend a lot of labor and money on weed removal.

Any leftover pruning from last season that has not been completed on large trees or palms should be completed as early in the year as possible so you don’t waste a lot of growth on those plants. Hopefully we will have another mild hurricane season this year, but it’s good to prepare your landscape now rather than wait till May or June to do it when many tree trimming companies are heavily booked and may not be able to fit your schedule.

I will be having condo field days in March and April in the north and central county areas. Look for announcements on those as to locations and dates.

If you have any questions on maintenance activities at this time of year, don’t hesitate to call the Palm Beach County Extension office and we can provide the answers. Dial 233-1750 in the north and central county areas or 276-1260 in the south county area.