What to Plant
Annuals/Perennials/Wildflowers: Summer bloomers include vinca, coleus, pentas, gaillardia, blue daze, salvias, and ornamental pepper.
- Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals
- Perennials: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/perennials
- Florida Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/
Herbs: While summer is too hot to start most herbs from seeds, others, such as oregano and mint, do well if started from small plants.
Vegetables: Plant tropical vegetables, such as boniato, calabaza, and chayote this month.
- Tropical Vegetables: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/tropical-vegetables
Palms: Continue planting palms while the rainy season is in full swing. Support large palms with braces for 6–8 months after planting. Never drive nails directly into a palm trunk.
- CIR1047/EP001: Transplanting Palms in the Landscape: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP001
What to Do
Trees: Hurricane season is upon us, but don’t “hurricane” or “pineapple” prune palms. For all tree and palm pruning, hire an ISA-certified arborist.
- International Society of Arboriculture: International Society of Arboriculture > For the Public (isa-arbor.com)
- Lawn and Garden Care: Pruning: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn-and-garden-care-pruning
Lawns: Determine the cause of any lawn problems before taking action. If an insect is the culprit, treat only the affected area. Rule out disease or sprinkler malfunction.
- Insect Management in Your Florida Lawn: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/insect_management_in_your_florida_lawn
Fertilizer Bans: Numerous Florida municipalities prohibit applying fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). Does such an ordinance exist in your area?
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Fertilizer Ordinances App: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/fertilizer-ordinances/
Vegetable garden: Use summer heat to solarize the soil for fall vegetable planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now.
- Soil Solarization: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/soil_solarization
Irrigation: Summer rains typically provide ample water for plants. Over-irrigating can lead to root rot, wasting water, and money. Install an inexpensive rain shutoff device that will override an irrigation system when it rains. If one is already installed, check that it is operating properly.
- Lawn and Garden Care: Irrigation: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn_and_garden_care_irrigation
Pests on ornamental plants: Warm months often mean more insect pests. Inspect plants often and intervene early.
Lawn and Garden Care: Pest Management: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/lawn-garden-pest-management
Tropical fruit trees: Check for damage to fruit or leaves and take action to minimize the effect of insects and/or disease on developing fruit or the overall health of the tree.
- Tropical Fruit: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/tropical_fruit
