The Neighborhood Gardener – September

Have you registered for the Florida Master Gardener conference yet? There's still time. Make plans to be in Ocala November 2-4, 2009!

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Hurricane Landscaping

Now that hurricane season is at its peak, it’s time again to assess your landscape. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with August and September being the most active months. More

Plant Identification Learning Module Now Available

Each year during the Florida Master Gardener conference, teams compete in the plant identification and judging competition. The Plant Identification Learning Module is an online tool that you can use in preparation for the competition, or if you simply want to learn more about identifying ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also, see the competition rules and glossary.

Plant of the Month: Firebush

Gardeners love this native plant because it produces bright red flowers from late spring until the first frost, and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. And once established, it's almost maintenance free. More

Success Story: Florida-Friendly Living Web Site

Take the guess work out of “going green” with Florida-Friendly Living. This new Web site not only details exterior landscaping practices using the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles, but also provides indoor conservation tips, encouraging homeowners to save water, reduce energy use, and manage household waste with simple “green” practices. More

September in Your Garden

Bahiagrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass lawns should be fertilized with a complete fertilizer. Choose one with slow- or timed-release nitrogen for longer-lasting results. Before summer rains taper off, ensure that irrigation systems are providing good coverage and operating properly.

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. More

Friend or Foe? Friend: Lovebugs

Many people mistakenly assume that the lovebug was "created" at UF and then accidentally released. This is definitely not true! The lovebug is harmless to people and plants, although it is a nuisance. Be sure to wash spattered lovebugs off of vehicles immediately otherwise they can damage a car's paint. More

Calling the Professionals

Whenever you hire a lawn-care or landscape maintenance company, ask if they’re certified in the Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMPs). The GI-BMPs are an environmentally sound, science-based method of caring for your landscape. By Jan. 1, 2014, Florida state law requires all landscape workers to be trained in them. More

Featured Shows on Gardening in a Minute

• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Swiss Chard
• Sunflowers
• Strawberries

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