Symphony Isles - Apollo Beach, FL

Information about the pruning of the palms in the common areas of Symphony Isles. Click here for the pdf file.

FALL TIPS

LAWN & YARD CARE

FLORIDA SHOWS TRUE COLORS IN FALL LANDSCAPES:

Fall is for planting, so as the weather cools, think about adding more color to your landscape. Annuals are in full bloom at your local stores. Those flowers that do well in the Fall are: Petunia, Impatiens, Penta, Coleus, Begonia, Geranium, and Salvia. (Click on the flower name for more information.)

Annuals are sold in small containers and offer suggested planting locations (sunny, partial sun) so do your homework and pick those flowers that are adapted to your special location.

Once planted, finish off with 2 to 3 inches of mulch and give plants a good deep watering. Those flowers will reward you with great color during the Fall months.

There is no better time than this month to improve a problem lawn. The general rule is: when you have more than 50% weeds, you need a new lawn. But that doesn’t mean you have to replace all the grass. Replace only the areas that are full of weeds you cannot control.

The rainy season may return this month; until the storms start, water as usual (on your scheduled day). Now is a good time to recheck your watering system and look for dry spots. Hand watering is normally the best solution.

Use a medium mixture (10-10-10) with/without weed control, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Check for Chinch Bugs (yellow spots that enlarge). Visit your local store for Solution products

Seldom do citrus need major pruning or shearing at this time of year. You may remove extra long shoots or remove limbs that may be in the way.

Measure the trunk circumference (6 inches above the ground). Weigh out ¼ pound of citrus fertilizer for each inch of trunk circumference. Scatter under the spread of the tree and out past the drip-line.

PALMS:
Trim dead fronds and those that interfere with traffic. Palms can be fed now if you use a slow release; normally June is the best month to feed.

Any change in the footprint of your house landscaping requires Architectural Committee approval. New landscaping should be planned to use mature plants to cover an 80% area within two to three years.

There is nothing like the summer season to find shady spots where sod won’t grow. Sometimes it’s a tough decision, but grass may not grow in heavy shade. This means you should consider another type of ground cover which may be mulch or a shade-tolerant planting. Remember, Architectural Committee approval is required if major changes to the landscaping footprint are needed.

Don’t just reach for a pesticide, brown areas could be just dry soil. Run your irrigation system to see how much water is falling on the brown areas; many times a simple adjustment solves the problem. If dry areas get adequate water but are hard to wet, sprinkle a soapy solution over the grass before watering or use an aerator to make holes in the soil to improve penetration.

If you missed feeding this spring, you can catch up with a light application in June. Yellow and lighter green-colored turf can be cured with an iron-only application or a product that has iron as one of the major ingredients.

May/June is normally the preferred time for citrus. Just apply a slow-release citrus fertilizer in the following manner: Measure the trunk circumference (6 inches above the ground). Weigh out ¼ pound of citrus fertilizer for each inch of trunk circumference. Scatter under the spread of the tree and out past the drip-line.

Use a slow-release palm fertilizer which should continue to feed your palms over the warm summer months. Keep palms trimmed by removing dead fronds and those that interfere with traffic.

Proper watering is important for the hot summer months. Hillsborough has eased water restrictions starting June 1. Even numbered addresses can water Tuesday and Saturday; odd numbered addresses can water Wednesday and Sunday. St. Augustine grass can be established in the summer/rainy season.

The time for selective control is over. Use of weed killers during the hot weather may damage the turf. Dig out or spot kill weeds with herbicides during the hot time of the year.

Forget the fertilizer for trees for another month or two unless you are behind. If you are on a monthly feeding for palms, remember. only a light application is all you need.

A healthy lawn is more resistant to pest problems, but somehow the lawn pests still cause damage. Check the lawn weekly for signs of decline, especially chinch bugs.

Just about all perennials have been producing lots of growth. August is mainly a good maintenance month; check plant growth, do some grooming and encourage bigger, fuller plants. Such as Bird of Paradise: Remove old flower heads and declining leaves. Check for scale and control as needed.

Remove dead fronds and seed stalks and trim fronds that interfere with street traffic.

Chinch Bugs attack St. Augustine lawns and cause brownish dry patches. Sunny areas usually are attacked first. Your local garden store can provide the proper pesticides to control insects.

St. Augustine will grow very well during September. If the summer has left you with a few open spots, try adding some sections of sod or plugs. This may be all that is needed to add desirable turf to damaged areas.

Just about every lawn is ready for a fall feeding. Use a complete slow-release fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Select a product labeled for Lawn Feeding, and always apply fertilizer to a dry lawn.

Trim the dead fronds and especially those that are hanging in the street. Fall feeding time is here, use a good palm fertilizer.

The weather cools in September and October, but don’t be fooled … protect yourself from the sun and heat!