April 2025
Your newsletter this month features what to do in the landscape, what's blooming now, upcoming workshops, and more!
Welcome to April in Your Central Florida Yard!
The weather is heating up and this is often a tough time of the year for plants that are not drought-tolerant. If you notice you have wilted plants and/or plants that seem to need extra hand-watering, consider replacing them with plants from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Guide. Additionally, this is the time of year to make sure that your irrigation system is properly functioning, plants are grouped by water needs, and recommended mowing practices are followed. Refer to the watering efficiently guidelines for more information.
If you are not sure what to do in your central Florida yard at this time (or any time) of year, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic and we can help!
Also, consider getting yourself educated at one of our workshops. Make sure to check our event page for any updates and new workshops added.
Have you been staying up-to-date with our monthly podcast, Your Central Florida Yard? We are excited to share information to help you garden successfully, and if you are listener, we would love your feedback and ideas for episodes. Our latest episode is linked at the end of the newsletter and we have some fun episodes planned for this year. Subscribe, rate, and review if you enjoy it!
Let us know how we can help by contacting our Plant Clinic with your questions or visit a with a Master Gardener Volunteer at a local farmer’s market booth (see schedule of markets at the end of the newsletter).
Happy Gardening, Central Florida!
Your Central Florida Yard Monthly Checklist:
Your Lawn in April
If applying a spring fertilizer, choose a fertilizer with little or no phosphorus unless indicated on a soil test (the middle number on the bag should be zero).
Do not apply a weed and feed product.
Check your sprinkler system for uniform coverage and repair any broken heads.
Don't forget that sometimes dry spots can be mistaken for pest damage-make sure you know what "that brown spot" is before you determine the treatment.
Your Landscape in April
Continue to monitor your plants for pests and disease.
Plant daylilies now.
Divide clumping perennials, ornamental grasses, and bulbs.
Add pollinator plants to your landscape. Find a list here.
Plant herbs and vegetables among your ornamental plants. Learn more about landscaping with edibles here.
Springtime and the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Learn more about these pesky jumpers here.
What’s blooming now?
Check out the April blooms at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Demonstration Garden in Bartow.
Clockwise from top left: pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), Panama rose (Rondeletia leucophylla), Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii), and Long Key locustberry (Byrsonima lucida).
Gardening Workshops & Webinars
Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Gardening and Landscaping experts at our monthly workshops! For full workshop descriptions and to register, go to: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com
Blooms in Balance: Growing Gardens on Less Water
Friday, April 18, 10:00 am
Kelly Rec Center, Lakeland
Register here
Make and Take Terrarium Gardens
Monday, April 21, 6:00 pm
Swan Brewing, Lakeland
Register here—space is limited!
Family-Friendly Gardening Workshops
Get ready for a sensory adventure in this hands-on workshop presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS Extension)!
Perfect for families, this creative experience is fun for all ages and skill levels. All supplies provided. Registration required.
Larry Jackson Branch Library
1700 N Florida Avenue, Lakeland
Wildflower Warriors
Friday, April 18, 10:00 am
Herb Explorers
Saturday, May 24, 10:00 am
Find us here this month:
Winter Haven Farmer’s Market
April 12, 2025
Lakeland Farmer’s Market
April 19, 2025
Lake Wales Farmer’s Market
April 26, 2025
Are you listening to Your Central Florida Yard Podcast?
In this special episode you will hear from Master Gardener Volunteer, Celia. Hope you enjoy!
The podcast from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Your Central Florida Yard is here to help you successfully garden in this unique part of the state. New episodes are out the first week of every month. For more information about the podcast, check out our blog post.
Find us here:
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County website
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
YouTube
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
1702 US Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33831
863-519-1041
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk
Gardening Questions?
Email the Plant Clinic: polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu
Anne Yasalonis
Residential Horticulture
Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Julie Schelb
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Coordinator