Written by Jack Creveling, our Golf Course Superintendent.

With winter winding down and temperatures warming up, it’s important to start preparing your landscape for success in the months ahead. Many perennial plants including roses, hibiscus, and Ti plants produce tighter, more desirable growth when they are cut back to remove older material.

Fertilization

Plants used for yard landscaping, such as turf grass, should be fertilized around the beginning of March to provide nutrition as the growing season starts.

Mid February

Planting Annuals

Planting annuals in the spring is a great way to enhance the color of your landscape, as well as provide curb appeal that will separate your yard from the rest of the neighborhood. If you are a homeowner, be sure to plan out your landscape before planting so that you can perfectly place the plants and achieve your desired results.

Late April

Maintenance

Another thing to think about as you prepare your landscape is the maintenance required for each plant. Know what each plant requires before taking action so that you know how much time and resources are needed for upkeep. Required maintenance may include:

• Watering
• Extra fertilization
• Different levels of sunlight
• Pest control

For detailed information about the required maintenance for common regional plants, a great resource is the University of Florida IFAS Extension web page. Have fun preparing your landscape for success!