After a dry March, water and fertilize

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

March was a dry month, so be sure and check your irrigation system. If there is no rain, water about every 7-10 days, putting down 3/4 of an inch of water every time.

It's also a good time to clean up old and dead materials from last year, mulch and plant your garden. Prune plants as needed, limiting what is pruned to 1/3 of the total plant. If azaleas need hard pruning to shape or produce a fuller plant, do it just after they finish blooming.

Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize
You can begin fertilizing your landscape plants, as warmer temperatures are on the way. Fertilize azaleas, camellias and other acid-loving plants with an acid fertilizer or one labeled for azaleas. Fertilize palm trees with a slow-release palm or citrus fertilizer with 4% magnesium.

If your fertilizer has a lower percentage of magnesium, you can use Epsom salts. Fertilize hibiscus, roses and poinsettias with a fertilizer containing the minor elements in the ratio of 3:1:2.

March is also a good time to start fertilizing citrus trees. You can use either a citrus or palm fertilizer; then, spread out the rest of the fertilizer applications (usually about three more applications) following bloom in April or May until October. Citrus trees are generally heavy feeders, so be sure to follow instructions on the bag. Spread the fertilizer uniformly around the drip line of the tree and do not place it close to the tree trunk. Water the fertilizer into the soil.

Add colorful annuals
Replace your tired winter annuals with varieties that will provide color now and into the summer months. These include alyssum, begonia, coreopsis, dusty miller, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, impatiens, marigold, penta, petunias, salvia, verbena and zinnia, to name a few.

Vegetable gardening
If you enjoy a vegetable garden, now is the time to amend the soil with compost or organic matter. Warm-season vegetables and fruits that can be planted include beans, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes and watermelon.