This is a great time of the year to garden, but there is one recurring task I dread each spring. This is about the time of the year when I have to pull up my petunias. Many, or most, are past their prime. It is not the flowers that are looking bad but the foliage. That makes it even harder to pull them up. I go day by day deciding if I need to remove them. They are in a very conspicuous area in the front yard, so I hate to let them get too bad.
I did pull out a few last weekend but couldn't bring myself to remove them all. I am hoping for another week or two. The area will be planted with portulaca, and I couldn't resist buying the first flat at a garden center last week.
They are a medium pink with double blooms and I tucked them into small open areas. They will have plenty of room to spread once I remove all of the petunias and pansies. The portulaca did great in that same location last summer and they were loaded with blooms into early winter, so I would expect the same this season.
I also replanted the containers by the front door. The largest pot was full of begonias that had been planted there at least five years ago. I decided it was time for fresh soil and plants. I repotted the container with begonias again since they were very happy in the heavy shade and bloomed all yearround.
I added a few more pots by the door also. A smaller pot of begonias is joined by two pots of coleus. The pot of New Guinea impatiens I purchased a couple months ago is still thriving. The shaded area limits the choices, and these plants should thrive with the neglect that is sometimes bestowed upon these containers.
I bought a good potting soil with a slow release fertilizer. This will preclude me needing to fertilize for three or four months. I have discovered that a good potting soil leads to healthier container plants and is well worth the extra money. Don't try topsoil or compost in containers. It is too heavy.
If you decide to mix your own potting soil, use about one-third topsoil, one-third compost and then some perlite or vermiculite. I have found it easier and less expensive to buy potting soil.
I'm happy to report that hanging the computer discs from my peach trees has greatly discouraged the squirrels. I am harvesting from both trees now. One has yellow flesh and the other has white. They are small but tasty. Both were labeled "Tropic Beauty Peach," but obviously one isn't. The tag says "excellent semifreestone peach with yellow flesh," so I don't know the variety of the white-fleshed one. The University of Florida released them, so with a little research I can probably track down the name.
Blueberries, tomatoes and bell peppers are still going strong. With just six blueberry bushes and with them not located in a perfect area (they could use more sun) I don't get enough to freeze, but it's nice to use them fresh in cereal or muffins in the morning. I have discovered that my Labrador retriever loves them also. She eats the ones that fall on the ground, but then what won't a black Lab eat?
Once the last of the peaches are gone, I will do a light trimming. Just crossing branches and those growing straight up in the middle of the tree need to be removed. The trees are only supposed to get 15 feet high so they should be at their maximum height now. I'm hoping that is the case because if they get any higher it will be difficult to harvest the fruit.
The sunflowers that grow beneath the trees are about ready to be pulled up also. I planted seeds one year and for the last four or five years they have reseeded themselves.
The Johnny jump ups are also doing great around the peach trees. One small packet of seeds was planted there six or seven years ago and they continue to reseed also. They seem to have "good" years and "bad" years. This must have been a good year, because they are all over that side of the house. I love these flowers and am pleased that they seem to have naturalized there.
When I purchased the portulaca, I also picked up a Lantana Florida Red Mound. It is labeled as being "compact, continuous blooming, not seedy and non-invasive." These characteristics cover most of what many find to be unappealing about other lantanas. The plant is supposed to remain a compact 2 feet by 2 feet. I'm eager to give it a try, but have not yet decided where to plant it.
I also picked up some beautiful raspberry colored dianthus for the front yard. They should last well into summer and often will last a number of years if they are happy in their location.
The seeds I randomly threw in one of my beds out back are doing great. There are daisies, and lots of poppies from red to yellow to an absolutely gorgeous red and white flowered variety. Baby's breath, marigolds, zinnias, and asters are also included. It is quite a menagerie but in this informal bed looks great. The flowers do require supplemental water. I have been using water from a rain barrel so was glad we have had a little rain.
It has gotten hotter and unfortunately, I think the hot summer weather is probably here for many months. We all know the humidity will continue to get higher also and it will be less comfortable in the yard. Hurry and complete any large projects you wanted to get done this spring and then slow the pace as the temperature increases. Get ready to enjoy this spring's projects from an easy chair with a cool drink!
-Mary Collister of Valrico writes about how to garden successfully in Florida's climate and offers problem-solving tips for your home garden. Mail questions to: Mary Collister, Brandon Times, 426 W Brandon Blvd. Brandon, FL 33511.
