DESPITE THE WARM weather we had over the holidays, just after the New Year we had our first cold snap. That means along with some of the normal gardening routine for this season, there are some precautions you should take to keep your plants and lawn safe in the event we have another cold snap in the near future.
One of the best pieces of advice is to watch, react, and take care of things that may be damaged by any cold temperatures. Be ready to cover your plants and trees in the event freezing temperatures roll through our area. Also, now would be a good time to re-apply a winterizer product to promote a stronger root system and provide some added protection from a surprise cold front. A healthy lawn means a happy homeowner, and winterizer is one of those tools that will help get the job done right.
While these needs are important, some regular maintenance still must be done to keep your lawn and garden healthy. If you have grapevines, now is the time to prune them back. Trees and shrubs also are at their most dormant now and should be pruned or transplanted.
This is a great time of year to pick up some azaleas and put them in the ground. Also, you might also want to continue feeding vegetables and annual flowers lightly every two weeks. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be happy with the results.
CREDIT
column by WILLIAM “BILL” DOTY
BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is owner of Doty Farm and Garden Supply Inc., founded in Winter Haven in 1954. Bill graduated from Winter Haven High School and Florida State University. Growing up, he learned valuable lessons in listening and asking questions and was a student of the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and with the readers of Central Florida Ag News monthly.
