Weekly Garden Tip

November 5, 2006

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

Weather conditions have been perfect for working outside in the home landscape and many people are taking advantage to do re-landscaping that should have been done earlier in the year. We don’t have a lot of heavy rainfall now which would help plants establish more quickly, but it’s still OK to do any type of major landscape installation whether it’s putting in trees, hedges, or bedding plants. Most local retail nurseries and garden centers have excellent inventories of all types of plant material so if you’re in the mood to do some replanting or additions, this couldn’t be a better time.

Don’t forget, too, that plants make great additions to screen rooms and porch and pool areas so include those wherever practical. Outside in the landscape many people are getting the lawn in good shape for the upcoming season and if you forgot to fertilize last month do so now to keep grass healthy going into the winter season. You can also do re-sodding or replacement if needed, too.

Colorful bedding plants are available in abundance at your favorite garden center and if you want color in the landscape whether it’s a large bed or just a few plants scattered among existing landscaping, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding good varieties that would please you.

If you have fruit trees, citrus now is getting enough cool weather to start coloring nicely and many early season oranges and tangerines are already on the market. Lemons and limes, too, should be available soon if not already and if you want to add citrus to your landscape, nurseries locally are selling citrus trees again and you can purchase citrus and grow your own.

Many people who have palm trees are finally noticing a little improvement as we get into cooler weather, but you won’t see palms that were badly damaged by the hurricanes the last year really back to normal until the following spring so make sure that palms are fertilized regularly about every 3 to 4 months and this will help them make a faster recovery.

If you’re looking for landscape ideas, you might visit the Mounts Botanical Garden at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. They’ve been doing a lot of replanting, too, and there are several new gardens that have been planted that showcase flowering plants and give you suggestions on what to put in your own landscape.

The new fragrant garden at the garden entrance is a favorite and the garden is open 7 days a week. For information about the garden you can call 233-1757.

If you have questions about your landscaping or want some advice on plants that aren’t doing well or what types of plants are better for certain areas, the Palm Beach County Extension Service is a source of useful information and it’s free. They have many types of publications on a wide variety of plants and related topics such as plant management and you can get excellent advice over the phone through their horticultural hotline. For free advice dial 233-1750 in the north and central county area or 276-1260 in the south county area.