Lawn & Garden

Purpose

We assist homeowners and horticulture professionals with research-based information.  Master Gardener volunteers are also available to assist homeowners with their gardening questions. 

Call 475-5230 or stop by the office at 3740 Stefani Road.

Extension Sitings

Vegetable Planting Guide - Click here for info on crops and planting.

Sugar pod peas can be planted now. You may start seeds directly in the garden and in about 60 days you will have pods ready to pick for fresh eating or adding to a stir fry.  For small garden spaces you may try the Oregon sugar pod which grow about 28 inches in height.  Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 3 -4 inches between plants.  Harvest pods when they are about 4 inches long. 

A few blooms are opening on the Contorted quince. This shrub which eventually grows about 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide is an interesting edition to the winter garden. The twisting branches and light pink blooms add interest to a garden spot when the garden is full of greens and browns.

 

It is very important to rountinely harvest vegetables from the garden for plants to remain productive. Leaves of lettuce, Swiss chard, and radish bulbs will add flavor to your evening meal each week. Cut broccoli heads when they are fully developed but before the individual flower buds open to show yellow flowers. Cut about 5-6 inches below the flower heads. Smaller flower heads will emerge below the cut.

The majority of snakes found in landscapes are harmless.  This Gray ratsnake was ‘hanging out’ on the Living Wall in the Extension office Therapeutic garden.  It’s diet includes frogs, lizards, birds and eggs, moles, mice, rates, squirrels, and rabbits.  It is a beneficial part of our garden. 

Soil Testing - Before adding fertilizer or lime to your lawn or garden, make sure it is needed. Download the soil testing form to send a sample to the University of Florida for analysis.

See the UF crape myrtle publication on pruning.

Learn about growing palms in Escambia County.

Stop Crape Murder! Hatracking or topping is not necessary each winter to produce flowers next year. Learn more about crape myrtles and pruning in our area.

Additional Resources

IFAS Books

• We are currently sold out of Simply Southern but the newly revised version will be available next Fall/Winter.