Ferrill's Foliage

04/02/2026

APRIL

BULBS TO PLANT: Achimenes. Acidanthera, Allium, Alstroemeria, Amaryllis, Bletilla, (Ground Orchid), Caladium, Calla, Canna, Crinum, Dahlia, Dietes, Ginger, Gladiolus, Gloriosa, Hemerocallis (daylilies) Hosta, Hymenocallis(spider Lily), Hypoxis, Rainlily, Society Garlic, Tigridia, Tuberose, Water Lily, Zephyranthes.

HERBS TO PLANT: Anise, Basil, Bay, Borage, Bouncing Bet, Caraway, Catnip, Chives, Comfrey, Costmary, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek, Scented Geranium, Germander, Horehound, Horseradish, Lamb's Ear, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Mexican Mint Marigold, Monarda, Oregano, Perilla, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Summer Savory, Winter Savory, Sesame, Sorrell, Southernwood, Tansy, Tarragon, Thyme, Common Wormwood, Roman Wormwood, Yarrow.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Alyssum, Balsam, Cleome, Coleus, Cosmos, Marigold, Moonflower (soak for 24 hours before planting), Morning Glory, Portulaca, Salvia, Sunflower, Vinca, Zinnias.

PLANTS TO SET: Ageratum, Ajuga, Joseph's Coat (Amaranthus), Balsam, Begonia, BlueDaze, Candinal Flower, Boltonia, Calico Plant, Carnation, Chocolate Plant, Cleome, Cigar Plant, Cockscomb, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia, Shasta Daisy, Feverfew, Geranium, Gerbera, Gomphrena, Gypsophila, Helichrysum, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Impatiens, Lantana, Lobelia, Marigold, Nierembergia, Pentas, Persian Shield, Petunia, Plumbago, Phlox, Porulaca, Purslane, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Shrimp Plant, Stokes' Aster, Sunflower, Torenia (Wishbone Flower), Verbena, Violet, Yarrow.

VEGETABLES: Bean, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Muskmelon, Okra, Peanuts, Pumpkin, Southern Pea, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Watermelon. Early-month: Peppers Plants, Radish, Squash, Tomato Plants. Tips: When planting squash put a small handfull of 7 dust in the hole, this will keep squash borer away. Turnips planted by squash will also keep borers away.

LAWN: After second mowing, fertilize lawn with 3-1-2 ratio product.

PRUNE: Spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Prune climbing roses and other "once bloomers" as soon as they finish flowering. Divide Chrysanthemums and pinch tips for bushier growth. Thin Peaches 4 to 6 inches apart and plums 3 to 4 inches apart. Thin Apples and pears to one per cluster.

TRANSPLANT: Divide and transplant late summer and fall flowering bulbs. Container grown plants can go into the ground now.

FERTILIZE: Azaleas a second time. Hydrangeas, Camellias, Gardenias, Magnolias and Louisiana Irises also do well with Azalea food. Tomatoes and Peppers should be fed weekly with a liquid fertilizer. Fertilize all houseplants with a complete fertilizer. After blooming, feed bulbs with bone meal. Mulch beds after soil has warmed with 2" to 4" of Pine needles and oak leaves make a good mulch.

03/04/2026

02/18/2026

JANUARY

BULBS TO PLANT: Achimenes, Agapanthus, Amaryllis, Allium, Alstroemeria, Canna, Calla, Crinum, Gladiolus, Hemerocallis (daylilies) Hymenocallis, Hyacinth, Nerine, Ranunculus, Tigridia, Tulip (don't repeat well here in southeast texas) you must dig and chill every year.

HERBS: Garlic Chives, Horseradish, Parsley, Chervil.

PLANTS TO SET: Asclepias, Alyssum, Calendula, Columbine, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox (louisiana), Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Verbena.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Alyssum, Balsam, Calendula, Candytuft, Cleome, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Delphinium, Feverfew, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Lobelia, Naturtium, Petunia, Pinks, Poppy, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sweet pea, Verbena.

VEGETABLES: Prepare beds, adding about 50% humus. Mid month plant asparagus. Later this month plant Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Leaf Lettuce, Onion sets, Peas (English and edible pod), Spinach. Apply high nitrogen fertilizer to establed asparagus beds in the last part of month, to stimulate vigorous growth with warm days of late winter.

LAWNS: Aerate compacted areas, using a four-tined fork, or rent an aerator. Fill low spots with sharp sand or w**d free top soil or a mixture of both to improve drainage. Spread and rake the mixture in such a way that the blades of grass are exposed to light and air.

SHRUBS: Transplant any flowering or foliage shrub as needed. Remove all dead wood. Prune crape myrtles. Cut unwanted nandina canes to the ground. Pick up and burn old camellia blooms (don't compost them). Replenish mulch in beds.


WINTER PROTECTION: Stay prepared by keeping covers handy and eyes on tempertures.

TOOLS: Clean, sharpen and oil mowers, edgers, pruners, tillers, hoes, and ect.. Drain old gas and replace before using.

ROSES: Annual pruning should be done from the middle of January to the middle of February. Clean up all dead leaves. Replenish mulch. Plant bear root roses. Don't forget the root stimulator.

FRUIT TREES: Plant bear root or container grown fruit trees, Pecans, Grapes, Blackberry. Prune all established fruit trees if not done in fall.

Bigger is not always better. A small garden is often more productive and enjoyable than a larger one.

02/18/2026

FEBRUARY

BULBS TO PLANT: Achimenes, Agapanthus, Amaryllis, Allium, Alstroemeria, Canna, Calla, Crinum, Dahlia, Gladiolus, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Hymenocallis, Hyacinth, Nerine, Ranunculus, Tigridia, Tuberose, Tulip that have been pre chilled, Zephyrantes.

HERBS: Dill, Fennel, Garlic Chives, Horseradish, Lemonbalm, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Summer Savory.

PLANTS TO SET: Asclepias, Alyssum, Calendula, Candytuff, Chrysanthemum, Columbine, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Feverfew, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Liatris, Lobelia, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Pansy, Petunia, Penstemon, Phlox (louisiana), Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Verbena.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Balsam, Calendula, Candytuft, Cosmos, Cleome, Larkspur, Linaria, Marigold, Nasturtium, Petunia, Pinks, Salvia, Stock, Verbena.

VEGETABLES: Early to mid month plant Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Onion sets, Peas (English and edible pod), Potatoes (Irish) if using fresh potatoes after cutting dust with sulfur. Store 1 week in open tray then plant. Plant any time this month Beets, Collards, Kohlrabi, Spinach, Radish (sow some every other week) Turnip.

TREAT HYDRANGEAS: Lime makes blooms pink and aluminum sulfate makes blooms blue, the choice is yours.

Finish pruning roses and remember no more then 2/3 of the growth.

Hold off feeding ornamentals until March. Too early fertilizing will encourage new growth that will get frost bit.

Complete winter pruning; this includes all summer flowering shrubs and evergreens. Don't prune spring bloomers like azaleas, bridel wreaths or mock orange or you will remove potential blooms.

Feed pansies and other winter bloomer a good well balanced fertilizer, like 13-13-13 every 4 to 6 weeks. Keep faded blooms pinched off to encourage new blooms.

Control early spring insects like thrip on glads and aphids on young tender growth. Spray with malathion and follow directions. Try something natural like 1 Tbl liquid ivory soap and 1 tps olive oil in 1 gal of water and mix.

Spray fruit trees with dormant oil if you haven't done it yet. This kills over wintering insects. Do it before your trees get their first spring growth.

Complete all transplanting: Get as much stuff in the ground now so they can have a good start on spring. Divide and transplant perennial herbs. As you transplant don't forget to use root stimulator.

02/06/2026

11/25/2025

DECEMBER

BULBS TO PLANT: Agapanthus, Allium, Alstroemeria, Anemone, Amaryllis, Calla, Crinum, Daffodils, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Hyacinth, Iris, Sparaxis, Sprekelia, Tulips (that have been pre-chilled) Rainlily, Watsonia. Tip: when planting bulbs put bone meal in hole.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Gaillardia, Godetia, Larkspur, Lupin, Naturtium, Petunia, Poppy, Sweet Pea.

PLANTS TO SET: Alyssum, African Daisy, Aspidistra, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Cornflower, Daisy, Dianthus, Gerbera, Liatris, Lupin, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage And Kale, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Physostegia, Pinks, Scabiosa, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES: Lettuce (leaf types), Radish, Spinach. Protect cool weather vegetables from hard freezes with frost cloth.

Prepare soil in old and new beds by cleaning out dead plants, leaves, and trash. Add humus, peat and compost to enrich soil.

Plant new shrubs and trees. When planting trees and shrubs know how tall, wide, and if they have invasive roots. Use root stimulator when transplanting and no fertilizer for the first 6 weeks.

Feed winter bloomers like alyssum, dianthus, pansy and others every 4 to 6 weeks.

Run mower and trimmer engines dry of gas, drain and change oil now or in spring. If in needed of repairs take to shop now to avoid rush later. Clean and oil all tools before storing for winter.

Perennials need tops cut off and mulch well.

Sending christmas cards? Put a sprig of rosemary in the christmas card for a fresh smell.

Winter prune evergreens like holly, yews and junipers. Save the trimming for holiday decorations.

Finish winter mulching

11/25/2025

November

BULBS TO PLANT: Agapanthus, Allium, Alstroemeria, Anemone, Amaryllis, Bletilla, Calla, Crinum, Crocus, Daffodil, Freesia, Hyacinth, Hymenocallis, Ipheion, Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Muscari, Narcissus, Ornithogalum, Ranunculus, Sparaxis, Sprekelia, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

HERBS TO PLANT: Borage, Burnet, Caraway, Catnip, Celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Lemon Balm, Mexican Mint Marigold, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Winter Savory, Sorrell, Thyme, Yarrow.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Calendula, Candytuft, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gaillardia, Hollyhock, Lupin, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Pinks, Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Verbena, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ajuga, Alyssum, Bluebonnet, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Columbine, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gazania, Hollyhock, Indian Blanket, Liatris, Lupin, Nasturtium, Ornamental Cabbage And Kale, Pansy, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Physostegia, Pinks, Primula obconica(german primrose), Salvia, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Violet.

VEGETABLES: Carrots, Chard, Lettuce (leaf types), Mustards Greens, Radish, Spinach, Turnip. If any chives, garlic or multiplying onions need to be transplanted do it now.

Thin out and transplant overcrowded perennial seedlings

Continue cleaning beds, adding healthy debris to your compost pile. Clean up and replenish all mulch for the winter. A thick layer of mulch will protect roots from freezing and winter drying. On tender plants mulch the crown.

Rake leaves from yard. Too many leaves will damage grass. Add leaves to compost pile.

Complete planting of spring bulbs, except for tulips and daffodils which should be chilled for 4 - 6 weeks before planting.

Plant new fruit trees, shrubs and trees. When planting fruit trees know if they are self pollinating or if they need a pollinator. When planting trees know how tall, wide, and if they have invasive roots. Don't forget the root stimulator.

MUMS - When they have finished blooming, cut flower stalk almost to the ground, leaving just the lowest group of leaves per stalk, this will encourage root growth.

Quick freezes are coming. Plastic covering should not touch plants but can be used on top of sheets, newspaper or what ever else you use. Cover must be removed when the temperature rises.

Add organic matter to your strawberry beds, this will ensure a good crop next spring.

Soil test should be done every 2 to 3 years to determine soil needs.

Run mower and trimmer engines dry of gas, drain and change oil now or in spring. If in need of repair take to shop now to avoid rush later. Clean and oil all tools before storing for winter.

09/30/2025

Things to do in 
OCTOBER

BULBS TO PLANT: Allium, Anemone, Amaryllis, Calla, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Cooperia, Dietes, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Hymenocallis, Iris, Louisiana Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Narcissus, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Sparaxis, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

HERBS TO PLANT: Borage, Burnet, Caraway, Catnip, Celeriac, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Comfrey, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Lemon Balm, Mexican Mint Marigold, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Winter Savory, Sorrell, Thyme, Yarrow.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Bluebonnet Calendula, Columbine, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Daisy, Delphinium, Gaillardia, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Pinks, Poppy, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ajuga, Alyssum, Bluebonnet, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Columbine, Daisy, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gazania, Gerberas, Hollyhock, Indian Blanket, Larkspur, Liatris, Nasturtium, Pansy, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Physostegia, Primula obconica(german primrose), Salvia, Sedum, Shrimp Plant, Snapdragon, Stock, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES: Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kohlrabi Lettuce (leaf types), Mustards Greens, Multipling Onions, Radish, Spinach, Turnip. Be sure to dig your sweet pototoes before the first frost.

ROSES need only to have the dead wood cut out . Wait until January - February to do your heavy pruning. Feed only slightly with a rose food now and then again in March

Continue cleaning beds, adding healthy debris to your compost pile. Clean up and replenish all mulch for the winter.

Cut tops of perennials after they have bloomed. Divide roots and transplant anytime from now until March, the earlier the better. Try to do this now when the weather is cooler and there is not so much to do. Don't foget the root stimulator.

Dig and store caladiums before the foliage dies. Allow the bulbs to dry in an open flat then shake off the dried soil and dust with sulphur to control fungus.

Remove dead wood from trees and shrubs. Watch for stinging caterpillars.

LAWNS: Watch for brown patch in St. Augustine grass. These circular brown patches are caused by a fungus that is activated by cooler weather. Control with Terraclor or Daconil.

Reduce watering of houseplant. Cut food in 1/2 for the winter for the days are shorter and they need less of both.

Camellias need to be watched for scale. If needed spray now.

Prune fruit trees when leaves begin to fall. Remove all dead, weak and overcrowded growth. Prune back main branches to control size and shape. Spray with dormant oil when temperature is between 30f and 60f.

BULB & PLANT MART SALE THIS MONTH CALL OR GO TO THEIR WEB SIGHT FOR DATES AND TIMES.
The Garden Clubs of Houston 4212 San Felipe PMB 486
Houston, Texas 77027-2902
Telephone 713 526 5199

Home

09/18/2025

AUGUST

BULBS TO PLANT: Caladiums, Colchicum, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Hemerocallis (daylilies), Louisiana Iris, Lycoris, Zephyranthes

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranthus, Balsam, Bluebell, Bluebonnets, Calendula, Candytuft, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Lupin, Marigold, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Snapdragon.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Gaillardia, Geranium, Marigold, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Shrimp plant, Stokes Aster, Verbena, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Start your fall garden between now and August with Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Squash. Tip: When planting squash put a small hand full of 7 dust in hole to keep squash borer away. The late part of this month start your potatoes.

LAWNS - St. Augustine should be mowed to a 2" to help protect the roots and reduce stress. Avoid using w**d killer when the temperatures are above 85f.

Crepe Myrtles will continue to bloom if you remove faded blooms and seed pods. Keep a check for powdery mildew. Try watering in the morning to control this problem or control with triple action 20.

Keep azaleas and fruit trees well watered. Spring blooms are developing.

Fertilize fruiting vegetables weekly after first fruit has set for higher productivity. Feed mums every 2 - 3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color. Gardenias can be fed with azalea - camellia food. Fertilize roses for fall blooms. Feed berries and fruit trees that show poor color and growth.

Prune photinias for red fall color. Thin camellia to one bloom per cluster for bigger flowers. Pinch mums for the last time. Remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Blackberry canes which have born fruit need to be cut down to the ground. Then fertilize with a high phosphate fertilizer.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

FLIES IN THE HOUSE? Try this; a zip lock baggie half full of water, tack it above doors or on the wall and no more flies. The flies see it and think it is a hornet nest and will stay away. This can be used anywhere including barns, kennels, or chicken coops. Nice and safe.

BLACK SPOT ON ROSES ? Try this mix 2 teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of ivory soap with a gallon of water. Spray the whole bush. Reapply every 4 to 5 days until stops are gone.

Watering roses and crape myrtles in the morning will help prevent this problem all together.

09/01/2025

Things to do in September

BULBS TO PLANT: Allium, Anemone, Calla, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Cooperia, Dahlia, Dietes, Hemerocallis (daylilies) Hymenocallis, Louisiana Iris, Lilies all types, Lycoris, Narcissus, Oxalis, Ranunculus, Scilla, Watsonia, Zephyranthes.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Alyssum, Arctotis, Bell of Ireland, Calendula, Columbine, Cornflower, Delphinium, Gerbera, Naturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet Pea, Viola.

PLANTS TO SET: Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Butterfly W**d, Calendula, Candytuft, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gaillardia, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Phlox, Physostegia, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Stokes Aster, Verbena, Violet.

VEGETABLES late this month as weather cools Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kohlrabi and Mustards Greens.

Dig and divide perennials like daylilies, iris, violets, cannas and other spring bloomers.

Keep watering to ensure good spring blooms on flowering trees and shrubs. Bloom buds are already set and lack of moisture now will cause lack of blooms in the spring.

Take cutting of coleus and geraniums for potting and replanting in the spring.

Fertilize mums every 2 - 3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color.

Keep w**ds under control. Mulch will help. Mulching is not meant to eliminate your garden chores, it just makes them easier.

ROSES - Continue feeding, watering and mulching. As cooler weather approaches, water in the morning to discourage mildew and black spot.

As weather cools clean up beds. Dispose of all old stalks and dead leaves. Dust with sulphur to control fungus. Add fresh mulch if needed.

Twig girdler (cutting insects) increase activity in the cooler weather attacking the soft summer growth on trees, especially mimosas, pecans and oaks. Spray trunk and branches with malathion every two weeks through October.


Start compost pile

Prune to remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Lightly prune pyracanthas so berries will show.

07/13/2025

JULY

BULBS TO PLANT: Crinum, Hemerocallis (daylilies).

HERBS TO PLANT: Keep blooms pinched off basil, to encourage more leaves. If you have more leaves then you can use try this put leaves in blender with some water mix then put in ice tray to freeze once frozen take cubes out put in baggies and when you need fresh basil put a basil cube in the dish. Put a sprig of rosemary in your car for a refreshing smell.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Balsam, Castor Bean, Coleus, Cockscomb, Cosmos, Cleome, Cosmos, Four O Clocks, Gaillardia, Marigold, Perwinkle, Portulaca, Sunflower, Tithonia, Torenia, Zinnia.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Aspidistra, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Geranium, Lantana, Portulaca, Salvia, Sedum, Shrimp plant, Stokes Aster, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Okra, Southern Pea, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato. Start your fall garden between now and August with Peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, and squash. Tip: When planting squash put a small hand full of 7 dust in hole to keep squash borer away.

Want fall color ? Plant some annual seeds like zinnia, marigold cosmos and petunia. You will have color until frost.

Fertilize peaches and plum with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This will encourage good, green growth from now until frost.

ROSES will need to be pruned slightly to keep in shape.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

HERBS THAT REPEL PEST:
Peppermint, spearmint, tansy, and wormwood repels ants.
Garlic repels rabbits and peach borers.
Dill, Borage, and opal basil repels tomatoe hornworms, and the list goes on and on. A great book on herbs is Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Herbs

USES OF HERBS: Baths -- Some are soothing while others are stimulating, dyes, culinary, crafts, companion planting, medicinal, for insects and other uses. Most are not hard to grow. Try some this year. Do your research.

A GARDENER'S PRAYER
Thank You God for Sun and Showers
Thank You God for Each Lovely Flower
Thank You God for each Stately Tree
Through All These, You Speak to Me

06/10/2025

Things to do JUNE

BULBS TO PLANT: Amaryllis, Canna, Crinum, Dahlia, Hemerocallis (daylilies).

HERBS TO PLANT: Keep blooms pinched off basil, to encourage more leaves. Put a sprig of rosemary in your car for a refreshing smell.

SEEDS TO PLANT: Ageratum, Balsam, Castor Bean, Coleus, Cockscomb, Cosmos, Four O Clocks, Marigold, Perwinkle, Portulaca, Tithonia, Torenia, Vinca, Zinnia.

PLANTS TO SET: Acalypha, Ageratum, Ajuga, Balsam, Begonia, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Carnation, Chocolate Plant, Chrysanthemum, Cockscombs, Coleus, Copper Plant, Cosmos, Croton, Daisies, Echinacea, Feverfew, Gaillardia, Geranium, Gomphrena, Lantana, Lobelia, Marigold, Periwinkle, Portulaca, Purslane, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Stokes Aster, Torenia, Verbena, Vinca, Zinnia.

VEGETABLES: Malabar Spinach (a climbing summer spinach) likes a little shade. Okra, Southern Pea, Peanut, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Water Spinach

Take cuttings of your favorite soft stemmed plants like angel wing begonias or coleus to save for next year.


Camellias and Azaleas are setting blooms for next season. Make sure they are well mulched fed and watered. They will reward you when they bloom. Yellowing leaves on azaleas shows lack of iron.

MUMS - Keep shoots pinched back to encourage more branching and blooms.

Strawberries need fertilizing. Apply when dry 2 - 3 lb of a well balanced fertilizer per 50 foot row as soon as you have finished your harvest.

LAWNS - St. Augustine should be mowed to a 2" to help protect the roots and reduce stress. Keep mower blades sharp. It makes a cleaner cut and keeps grass healthy.

Pinch the blooms of caladiums and coleus. Keep dead heading spent flowers off other flowering plants.

Continue w**ding and cultivating. Replenish mulch as needed. Mulch 2" - 3" deep will hold down w**ds and hold the moisture in the soil so mulch, mulch and mulch some more.

ROSES: This month is the best time to do propagation of antique or old garden roses.

A midsummer pick -me -up. Petunias get leggy in the middle of summer. Cut back stems to 6" and then feed and water. Within a few weeks they'll have color again.