The middle of June is usually (and hopefully) the start of our rainy season. If we get 1 to 2 inches of rainfall per week, you can turn off your sprinklers for that week. This will save you money on your next water and/or electric bill.
A hearty rain can eliminate the need for watering lawns for up to two weeks. Over-watering promotes fungus and root rot and wastes water from underground drinking water supplies. In fact, some counties have started to restrict watering to once a week, so use your water wisely. Try to utilize drip irrigation wherever possible for shrubs and perennials. Wetting the foliage from irrigation systems causes many fungus problems on plants.
Potted plants have their own microclimates and may require watering twice a day during our hot summer days. A drooping plant can signify a dry plant; it can also be a sign of over-watering, so check the soil to determine which condition you have. Leaves folding upward or in half also are a sign the plant needs water.
If lawn watering is necessary, follow the guidelines of the St. Johns Water Management District. Water twice a week, putting down 1/2 to 3/4 an inch of water each time. Dry, brown spots in your lawn, may signify that that area is not getting sufficient water -- whether too much or too little. Adjust the sprinklers to alleviate that stress factor. If left unchecked, diseases and insect problems may quickly start to develop.
If the turf starts becoming pale green overall you can apply a chelated iron (Ironite or Liquid Iron), to green up a lawn without excessive growth. Due to the rapid growth periods of spring and summer, raise your mower height to ensure no more than a third of the grass blade is cut at a time. Except for the dwarf varieties, St. Augustinegrass should be cut to 3 1/2 to 4 inches. Bahiagrass also is kept at a 3- to 4-inch height. Zoysiagrass and Centipedegrass are mown at 1 1/2 to 2 inches and Bermudagrass is kept at a 1/2- to 1-inch height. Rake up dead patches of grass and thatch. Repair and patch bare areas with sod or plugs.
Water recommendations from the University of Florida for newly planted lawns are as follows:
· First 7-10 days, water 2-3 times daily. Short (5 to10 minutes) try to keep plant material from drying out 7 to 10 days after planting.
· Once a day: Apply 3/8 to 1/4 inch of water more will be wasted due to short roots
· Next 7-10 days: Every other day apply 3/8, 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water.
· 3-4 weeks after planting: 1 to 2 times a weekl apply 3/8 to 1/2 inch of water.
Crops that can be planted are okra, southern peas and sweet potatoes. Tomatoes, lima beans, eggplants and cucumbers should be ready to harvest in June. Once plants are finished being harvested, remove and turn the soil over. Apply a fresh layer of compost or peat humus and work into the soil and let the garden rest over the summer. If you have melons, pumpkins, winter squash or any other long season vegetables, check for leaf fungus, mildew or leaf spots. Avoid overhead irrigation and keep leaves off the soil. Mulch with pine needles or leaves underneath the plants and fruits to help keep them dry. Remove any diseased leaves and destroy. Chemical sprays of fungicides may be necessary if symptoms are severe. Bring in samples to the Extension office for diagnosis before spraying with any chemicals.
Blueberries are in season now and ready to harvest. Valencia oranges should be checked for ripeness.
Some citrus will start dropping fruit. This is natural, as the tree drops excess fruit it cannot support. The remaining fruit will be larger. Dropping fruit allows the tree to use available nutrients for the remaining fruit production.
Do not mulch around citrus trees. If you need to kill vegetation around the trees, hand pull the weeds or use Roundup, but do not get it on the leaves or it will harm the trees. Roundup kills most plants by absorption through the leaves and decomposes as soon as it hits the ground.
Check mulch levels around all flowering beds. If the mulch level is less than 2 inches, add more. If black spot is showing up on roses, treat weekly