The Neighborhood Gardener – February
Happy Gardening!
Cut Flower Care
Cut flowers are a popular gift, particularly for the biggest gift-giving day in February, Valentine's Day. From Asiatic lilies to zinnias, proper care is the key to a long-lasting arrangement, and UF/IFAS Extension has some helpful tips. To keep your thoughtful floral present looking its best, treat your bouquet to a few simple steps. With some fresh water, a sharp pair of kitchen shears, and that handy little packet that's typically included, your arrangement will last much longer. More
Invasive Plant Awareness
National Invasive Species Awareness Week is generally at the end of February; this year, it's February 27 – March 3. This is a national event intended to raise awareness and identify solutions to invasive species issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national, and international scales. Invasive species have a negative impact on the economy, environment, or humans where they are introduced. Sometimes, the terms we use to describe problematic plants can become conflated and confusing. (Cat's claw vine photo by Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org) More
Wendy's Wanderings
We are in between seasons here in Florida. It doesn't feel like winter, but we don't trust the weather enough to think that it is officially spring. This is the time when we find ourselves dreaming about bountiful spring gardens and a yard full of blooms. It is in this time that we gardeners are most vulnerable—suggestible, actually—to spending money on crazy plants and inappropriate varieties that we see in catalogs or on the internet. More
Plant of the Month: Strawberry
February and March are peak months for fresh strawberries in Florida and to celebrate, strawberry festivals are happening around the state. Florida consistently ranks second in the U.S. in the commercial production of strawberries behind California. And almost all of our strawberries are grown in Hillsborough and Manatee counties (approximately 95 percent). While it's not time to plant these tasty fruits—that happens in the early fall—you're likely to find Florida strawberries in grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the state now. More
Herbariums
Have you ever wondered what exactly a herbarium is? It's a collection of plant specimens preserved, labeled, and stored in an organized manner that facilitates access. Established in 1891, the University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS) is the oldest and most comprehensive herbarium in Florida. Marc Frank, Extension Botanist with the University of Florida Herbarium, gives us some history on herbariums and their scientific importance. (Photo: Kent Perkins, collection manager at the UF Herbarium) More
February in Your Garden
Now is the time to fertilize your citrus and other fruit trees. Fertilizer requirements will vary between different fruits so be sure to check the recommendations for your specific trees. See the UF/IFAS publications, "Citrus Culture in the Home Landscape" and the "Temperate Fruit for the Home Landscape" series for more information.
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.
What's Going On?
If your Master Gardener program or Extension office is having an event, be sure to share it with us.