Garden question?

[ping]

From New England where all the plants are dormant this time of year, so outdoor gardening is not an option. However, my (new to me) home in the Villages has flowering plants. What I need to know, is Florida in the "winter" an acceptable time to do any planting? I would love to add some additional color to my yard, but am I wasting time and money. The garden sections of the big box stores are displaying a very limited variety of plantings....is that because not much will grow this time of year? Any info would be helpful...thank you

[njbchbum]

What with the recent and soon to be cold nitetime temps I would expect that new plantings would have a tougher time surviving now rather than when this cold passes.

We brought hibiscus and poinsettia with us from home last winter and nursed them thru the cold spells on the enclosed lanai until we could plant later. They are beautiful this year! And I am still covering them as if they were "tender" during the 30 degree nites!

[Barefoot]

From New England where all the plants are dormant this time of year, so outdoor gardening is not an option. However, my (new to me) home in the Villages has flowering plants. What I need to know, is Florida in the "winter" an acceptable time to do any planting? I would love to add some additional color to my yard, but am I wasting time and money. The garden sections of the big box stores are displaying a very limited variety of plantings....is that because not much will grow this time of year? Any info would be helpful...thank you

I would only plant or prune after danger of frost has passed.

[DAnder2829]

Whatever TV's plants is a great clue. Also took gardening classes at Fairfield Farms. For the winter, we've planted pansies since they are "cold hardy".

[Bonanza]

We just had our entire property landscaped three weeks ago. Ours is a new home and up until that time, the only thing we had was sod because it was a requirement.

We had over 100 shrubs and plants plus a few trees installed by Earthscapes. They did an incredible job which included sod removal, sprinkler revamping, mulching and a number of other things. Yes, you can plant this time of the year and no, you won't see much growth, if any.

If you have the work done by a landscaper, they should give you a guarantee. If you are doing it yourself and buying your own things make sure you purchase plants and shrubs that will grow here. Don't fertilize until early Spring, make sure you give adequate water and double check on a guarantee so you will be covered in the event your things croak!

Good luck!

[Happydaz]

You can plant pansies or violas for winter color. They grow beautifully in this weather. Just make sure to add a lot of good soil amendments to the native soil. The flowers will do well untill the heat comes in May. I have my whole front borders planted in pansies, sweet alyssum, dianthus and some other cold hardy flowers. I planted them among the shrubs as well as along the edges in a mass planting of color. I fertilize then every two weeks with Miracle Grow or you could use Osmocote. I just added a new patch last week and I got the pansies at Home Depot. Lowes probably has them too.

I am from New Hampshire and I am enjoying my 'Winter Garden!" I tore out my summer Vinca flowers in November to make way for the pansies, et al.

[shcisamax]

I was advised by Tri County waiting to plant perennials til mid February is a safer route. Planting then gives them almost a year of acclimating and taking root before they get smacked with challenging frost. As for those pansies, go for it.

[Bogie Shooter]

From New England where all the plants are dormant this time of year, so outdoor gardening is not an option. However, my (new to me) home in the Villages has flowering plants. What I need to know, is Florida in the "winter" an acceptable time to do any planting? I would love to add some additional color to my yard, but am I wasting time and money. The garden sections of the big box stores are displaying a very limited variety of plantings....is that because not much will grow this time of year? Any info would be helpful...thank you

This will help. (a Google search will give other sites with information)
Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Plants, Florida Gardening, Lawn Care (http://www.floridayards.org/)
UF/IFAS Extension: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program - FFL (http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/)

[2newyorkers]

I plant pansies and petunias every November and they survive the cold. There is also ornamental Kale, cabbage and other flowering plants. Snap dragons will also survive unless it gets very cold.

[Madelaine Amee]

I drove B.Vista this morning from Belvedere to Lake Sumter and the ground crews are redoing all the beds with pansies. They LOVE the cool weather.

[jnieman]

We learned long ago to plant what the Villages plant. They seem to know what will grow here. Also we did find some winter petunias and snap dragons at the landscaping place on 466 just before you get to rolling acres road. Sorry don't remember the name of the place. They said they are good to 20 degrees.

[PaPaLarry]

We just had our entire property landscaped three weeks ago. Ours is a new home and up until that time, the only thing we had was sod because it was a requirement.

We had over 100 shrubs and plants plus a few trees installed by Earthscapes. They did an incredible job which included sod removal, sprinkler revamping, mulching and a number of other things. Yes, you can plant this time of the year and no, you won't see much growth, if any.

If you have the work done by a landscaper, they should give you a guarantee. If you are doing it yourself and buying your own things make sure you purchase plants and shrubs that will grow here. Don't fertilize until early Spring, make sure you give adequate water and double check on a guarantee so you will be covered in the event your things croak!

Good luck!
I think they were just looking for color in flowering plants. Don't think they were talking about bushes etc. There's plenty of time for landscaping in the months ahead, as you know, with all the landscaping you have done. But, pansies, petunias, and snap dragons grow well this time of year for color.

[Bonanza]

I would only plant or prune after danger of frost has passed.

Hi Barefoot. You can plant during the dormant season. I wouldn't plant anything that has been field dug and take a chance if you aren't fairly experienced with plants, but potted plants for the most part are okay. Everyone just needs to know what survives in this area and what doesn't. I've noticed that some garden centers, Home Depot and Lowes offer things that aren't suitable for this area over the long haul.

Also, not all plants and shrubs should be pruned after the danger of frost occurs. As a for instance, azaleas should be trimmed immediately after the flowers fade. Roses the same thing but there is a definite way roses should be pruned and most people aren't aware of the proper way, unfortunately.


For those who aren't sure about plants and what to do and/or how to do it, don't ask anyone for their "opinion;" ask someone who is knowledgeable.

[Bonanza]

What with the recent and soon to be cold nitetime temps I would expect that new plantings would have a tougher time surviving now rather than when this cold passes.

We brought hibiscus and poinsettia with us from home last winter and nursed them thru the cold spells on the enclosed lanai until we could plant later. They are beautiful this year! And I am still covering them as if they were "tender" during the 30 degree nites!

You are correct! Hibiscus and poinsettias are tender and do need to be covered when it gets that cold.

BTW -- I love your snowman!

[ping]

Thank you everyone who responded. I took the advise and planted bright yellow pansies by my front door for that cheerful splash of color. I also took a gamble and planted 2 croton bushes for the yellow/red orange leaves. Hope they do okey. Again thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

[ping]

Thank you everyone who responded. Your suggestions and recommendations were greatly appreciated. I have implemented one suggestion immediately.....planted bright yellow pansies by my front door. Adding that sunshine color to the front of the house, just makes me smile. Thanks.