Winter Wonderful

You thought I didn't realize it was the first week of spring with my title. Truth is, I admit, I started writing this blog several weeks ago.

It WAS a wonderful winter and I also realize I have been absent from this blog. Not at all absent from gardening. Honestly, could Floridians have asked for a more beautiful winter season?  Winter is probably the time of year I love most. It's so refreshing when the temperatures drop into the 40's at night and the daytime temps rise to high 60's. Dream weather for me.

Although there isn't nearly the maintenance to keep up with in the garden during winter there are still plenty of gardening days to keep a Florida gardener busy. The weather is so inviting with all that beautiful sunshine and less humidity, it makes you want to find ways to be outside,

This year I sprinkled baking soda on some of the winter weeds growing within the lawn and discovered it killed them without killing the grass. It mostly worked on the one pictured and the Oxalis that invades during winter.
FYI: It didn't faze the more difficult weeds like dollar weed. I know. That would have been too good to be true. 

Weeds and more weeds right? Weeds you don't even see during the other seasons. They pop out because it's also their favorite weather. Cool nights, warm days. Rather than let weeds go all winter and collect them all at once when it warms up, I feel so far ahead of the seed heads that can spread the weeds when I'm diligent to pull them along and along. You will love your garden much more when it's time to trim back in spring if you aren't scurrying around also managing winter weed control. It's so much easier to pull weeds when it's cool anyway.

Florida has so many months of hot, sweltering heat that the cooler months inspire me to get in gear on new projects. I wait for a cold winter day to start new planting beds. This year that meant a mid-January weekend. I watched the weather and in anticipation of a day staying in the 50's F (no sweating on that day) I had potting soil and mulch delivered to be ready for my project.

The southwest end of the front garden. It needed a bit of a balancing refresh. The northwest end (next to the driveway) is all plants. I've been thinking since we moved in here that this end needed plants instead of grass.

For over a year I've been mulling over a solution for this corner of the front garden. The grass needed to go, but there are two pine trees that shed badly above this space. If you have pine trees you know how messy they are. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the needles for mulch. But those same needles get caught in every branch of every shrub and literally layer on top and through the branches of underplantings beneath the trees. It's a catch-22. Love the pine needles to collect for mulch; dislike them hanging in the Azalea shrubs and drowning out the smaller ground covers. In the end I've decided to keep the pine trees and make the best of it.

This photo is taken from the opposite view as the one above. The end of my property line is a couple of feet beyond the cardboard. A strip wide enough for one mower swipe.

First I put a layer of thick cardboard/newspaper over the grass, then a layer of approximately 10-12 inches of potting soil (not top soil which is too heavy), then a layer of 2-3 inches of mulch. This combination will smother/kill the grass in 8-10 weeks (quicker in summer with heat and rain.)

In this photo (taken from the street) it isn't finished, but a good start with perennials and low-lying shrubs.

You know I was chopping at the bit to plant it, but I wanted to make sure the grass and weeds were DEAD before I broke through the cardboard with my shovel. It saves me lots of heartache over the long haul when I wait long enough for the smothering to do its duty.

Making decisions about what to plant in this spot has been interesting. I knew for certain I wanted to add Agapanthus. My elderly neighbor supplies me with an extremely hardy and vigorous variety that we haven't been able to find in garden centers. There is a good number of these beautiful lilies planted at the northwest end opposite of this. It should look pretty great when they all bloom at once. That probably won't happen this year. For some reason Agapanthus like to hold out on me for a good year after being transplanted. I dug up about 20 of them from my neighbor's yard to transplant here and so far they all seem to be adjusting pretty well. I just cut off the leaves that yellow from the shock of dividing the bulbous roots.

This was the best BEFORE photo I could find taken in early January.
From the street you can see the entire corner is entirely lawn. It has a gentle slope toward the street/rocks.

From the street you can see the entire southwest corner of my front yard is entirely lawn. It has a gentle slope toward the street/rocks. You can also see the two 50' pine trees on either side of this space. Again, pine needles make beautiful mulch, messy plants.

Photo taken the first day of spring, 2016,  from the street. See, I really do know it's not still winter in spite of my title.

I'm not quite finished with it because, of course, there will be Caladiums.  So far, Agapanthus, 'Little John' bottlebrush shrubs, Coonties, Dystilium 'Blue Cascade' (a new shrub for Florida/me), Foxtail ferns, Giant Apostle's Iris and bromeliads. Every plant choice is low growing (below 4'), drought tolerant, cold hardy, Florida Friendly or Florida native and they all do well in high-shifting shade. Low maintenance was the primary goal!

Another view of the front garden this week with some of the Azaleas deciding to peak for spring's arrival. We like this patch of lawn that breaks the expanse and gives the eye a rest between gardening beds.

I've removed a lot of grass in this new garden already, but mostly in the back yard. I don't have plans to remove anymore in the front after this. Do you remember my front yard projects from my old garden? There wasn't a blade of grass left in that front yard by the time I took out one section at a time. 

The weather this week in West Central Florida? A surprisingly cool front came through making the beginning of spring feel a bit more like Florida's winter wonderful! I'm loving every minute of it. Happy spring.

Happy gardening,
Meems


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All material (text and photos) © 2007-2016 is authored by Meems for Hoe and Shovel Gardening Blog. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

Florida Garden Iris

Many years ago I researched which Louisiana Iris might be suitable for my Florida garden. I'm sure there are more types than what I have, but this one was what I started with. I ordered 'Sinfonietta' from an online source and 6 bare root plants were mailed to me.

As I do with most brand new plants that I don't have full confidence planting, I placed them in two different locations in my old garden. When we moved to the house next door last summer of course the Louisiana Irises were among the list of plants I wanted to be sure to bring with me.

This new garden has more space in more areas with more sunshine. I just said more three times in one sentence. You get the picture right? Louisiana irises can take full sun. In my garden each patch gets between 3-6 hours. Which seems to be plenty.

To get 'Sinfonietta' started here (after digging/dividing from my old patches) I cut off all but about 4" of greenery, knocked off the soil and planted them in three different locations here. Their greenery perks up in the winter season. They have adapted well in this new garden. Blooms started right on time in mid to late March. One of the locations bloomed later than the other two and still has a few flowers while the others are finished for the year. Yes, it's a quick bloom time. But, oh, what a beautiful display while it last.


For more on irises you might also like:
Irises That Won't Shrink From Florida's Humidity
More Irises for Florida
A Must-Have Iris
The Irises Have It
Louisiana Iris

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If you've just arrived to this page as a new gardening friend or perhaps missed the back story about how we moved from our home and garden of 30 years to the house next door you can catch up here... http://www.hoeandshovel.com/2014/07/a-new-journey-bitter-and-sweet.html



All material © 2007-2015 by Meems for Hoe and Shovel Gardening Blog. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

Time to Trim Gingers

Florida had a mild winter. Well, West Central Florida did anyway. It was even milder than last year and last winter was mild. Anything that didn't get trimmed in the fall actually put on new growth due to our warm soil and gloriously warm winter sunshine.

Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet var.) in my front garden BEFORE I trimmed it.

I started my spring pruning in early February. I know we are supposed to wait, but I had big faith we wouldn't have a freeze at that point. It seems pretty safe to start trimming in protected areas. You know, the places under large oak trees where plants are mostly insulated from the cold anyway. My shell gingers in the front garden as well as the back garden are rarely affected by cold because of the trees.

If you haven't already trimmed your shell ginger plants, now is the time to do it. Buds for their late-April/early-May bloom will be forming soon so you probably don't want to wait any longer.

After their trim.

Here's a link to a step by step how-to trim these gingers I wrote previously with lots more info on these lovely perennials. Enjoy your spring garden and your spring clean up. I am loving our Florida cool nights/mornings this week. I hope you are too!

Happy gardening,
Meems

Spring Transition

Camellias and blue skies go well together.

Florida is always a wee bit early to the Spring Party. Our winter is more like spring than winter. Brightness abounds through our mild winters and transition right into spring without much pomp and circumstance. 

Formosa Azaleas have been blooming since December in a stunning show of pinks, purples and whites around here.

This winter was mild and for the most part pretty perfect in my view. Much like last year and the year before.

The oaks in the back garden at Hoe and Shovel putting on new growth is a glorious sight.

Our oak leaves don't shed until late winter. They start falling off the trees in February to make way for the new light green growth that rapidly follows.

My Cilantro has already flowered. Those tiny white flowers attract our favorite pollinators.

Plentiful sunshine and mostly warm days keeps the bees around. 

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' blooms year round. Seriously. I LOVE her!

Many of the perennials keep right on blooming through winter. 

Purple Firespike (Odontonema callistachyum) waits until late winter to blast forth with tubular spikes of pinkish-purple loveliness. 

Others wait patiently for their time to bloom. When it's their turn they don't disappoint.

Self-seeded Nasturtiums love our mild winter/early spring weather (me too ~ did I say that already?).

Annuals pop back out from seeds scattered in previous years. 

B. Nelumbifolia  ~ just the immature beginning of this beautiful show.

February and March is the cue for many of the begonias to send up their stalks of glory. For the rest of the year it is their leaves we adore. But winter/spring flowering begonias that last surprising long are a vision.

Nun's Orchid

Nun's orchids are a terrestrial plant that peak this time of year. A stunning short-lived bloom that's worth every minute of beauty.

Pink Powderpuff (Calliandra surinamensis)

Flowers come in all forms in this sub-tropical climate. Some are almost other-wordly.

Queen's Wreath (Petrea volubilis)

Ahhh, spring! All things are fresh and renewed! In Florida we cherish the mild weather while it lasts. 

This year there is so much work to be done in the garden as we transition from our mild winter. I'm still working on trimming and pruning. At least it is *growth* I'm trimming and not dead, damaged branches. 

What's going on in your garden as spring is unfolding?

Happy gardening,

Meems

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Dripping Happy

The phrase 'April showers bring May flowers' was not written my a Floridian.

In Central Florida it is a true gift to receive any substantial rainfall in the month of April or May. Spring is our dry season.

With our dry season most often come drought conditions and watering restrictions ensue.
Our county is allowed one day to irrigate. For your own county restrictions you can click here. Did you know watering thoroughly (rather than often and more shallow) only one day per week actually encourages roots in your lawn and plants to go deeper and builds drought tolerance?

Yesterday we received a much needed gift of rain. It was a good, steady rain that tapered off and on to a drizzle and soaked the parched, sandy earth of my garden.

This morning it was still dripping with liquid happiness. The nutrients contained in rain are unlike any other substitute.

Our true rainy season can begin anytime from June to July as it coincides with hurricane season. Rain will continue through October while humidity and temperatures are high. Most of Florida will receive an average of 50" during this period.

Tree cover helps to hold in moisture as does good mulching habits. Even so, without rain for weeks even in the best conditions the garden dries out.

So we are thankful today for the heavens opening up on our little 'ole garden and bringing some much needed relief.

Refreshed and renewed!

I hope your garden (and you, too) is singing happy songs today. I know I am and I'm sure I can hear hallelujahs of thankfulness coming from my plants.

Happy gardening, Meems

**all photos taken today ~~ click on any photo for description/location.

Graceful Colors In Flight

Oh, it has been a spring to remember! Wonderfully mild temperatures with a stellar winter melding into this current season when we celebrate all things bright and new.

So it is no surprise that the butterflies stayed with us magically right through winter. We saw caterpillars feeding and chrysalises hanging on in January.

The current population of them is more like what we typically see in summertime. We are quite happy about the presence of these graceful critters at any time in the garden. As you can see from these particular photos Verbena bonariensis is a popular favorite among them.

Dragonflies play an important role in this subtropical environment. They are agile predators of numerous insects. They are equipped with powerful speed to hunt down flies, mosquitoes, and gnats out of the air. They feed on ants and termites as well. I do adore watching them in flight.

In the bright sunlight the buzzing and flitting about of beneficial insects is evident around the flowering plants especially. Syrphid flies, green sweat bees, bumble bees, honey bees, and many tiny flies that I do not know the names of sing their buzzing song as they diligently pollinate the flowers and edibles.

Splendidly colored wings and bodies to cherish in any garden. The underside of the bright orange Gulf Fritillary (below)is a masterful work of art.

Each one of these helpful beauties is a great reason to avoid the use of pesticides and insectides. Nature, when left to balance on its own, has a wonderful way of overriding the small amount of bad with the abundance of good.

The average lifespan of a butterfly (varies with each species) is only about 1 month. Isn't it amazing that the numbers of them in the garden doesn't seem to fluctuate!

They are busy creatures in their short life time. Each species needs their respective host plants to lay their eggs and provide food for the larvae. Once they mature into adults they will be looking for flowering plants to retrieve their nectar. Little do they know how much enjoyment and entertainment they provide to the gardeners who diligently work to attract them. :-)

Which butterflies are you seeing now in your garden?

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Bromeliads for Groundcover

Have I said it enough times yet? Florida's winter was the mildest we've had in the past 5 years. I can't help it... I'm still in awe over the spring garden without the effects from frost damage. Bromeliads in my garden started putting up their colorful bracts in December and they just keep getting bigger and brighter.
I'm growing them directly in the ground under the oak trees because they make an easy clustering ground cover. Unless they get frost damage. Which they did not this year... wait... I DID already say that.

Planting them under a tree with lots of big roots is easy. They need very little dirt to live in. Some of them can live completely without dirt. I'm experimenting with some of the epiphyte types that don't require any soil. (More on that in a later post).

The maintenance requirements for them are almost zero when placed in the right environment. In my experience they do well with well draining soil. Bromeliads multiply all on their own by making pups or offsets and spreading faster than you realize until you are reminded by a photo occasionally.
The vivid and exotic colors are eye-catching and, in this case, add some spice to the brightly lit edge of the shady areas.

I hope you are getting the most out of spring in your garden. I am in love with the Florida weather this week! Happy weekend... Meems

Glorious Spring!

There is SO much happening in the garden daily! Each day brings a new surprise or unexpected wonder as the glories of spring unfold. I hope you are venturing into the beauty of this marvelous season as often as possible. I know I wish I had even more time to be in the garden! This week I'm snatching up bits and pieces of time and looking forward to the next time I can spend a whole day snipping, pulling, planting, potting ...

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Glorious spring days to you! Meems