JUNE 2025
Your newsletter this month features what to do in the landscape, what's blooming now, upcoming workshops, and more!
Welcome to June in Your Central Florida Yard!
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!
There is still time to sign up for our summer camp! See details below.
This camp is full of fun nature-related art projects, crafts, archery, tram rides, and short outdoor activities (it’s hot out!)…we hope your nature explorer can join us!
Your Central Florida Yard Monthly Checklist:
Your Lawn in June
Continue to monitor your lawn for pests. A quick walk around the yard every couple of days is a great way to check for problems, scout out insects and enjoy your landscape.
Monitor rainfall with a rain gauge and apply 1/2 inch of irrigation water per application if needed. Make sure your rain shut-off device is working--it's the law!
Many turf issues look similar--get to know some of the common diseases to watch out for as the rainy season starts.
Your Landscape in June
As the rainy season starts, it is a good time to plant palms.
Annuals that thrive in the summer include celosia, coleus, vinca and portulaca.
Plant flowering perennials such as pentas, salvia, cigar flower, shrimp plant and gaura.
Lightly prune flowering shrubs that bloom year-round
Hurricane season has officially started
Bookmark and save the following resources from UF/IFAS to help you prepare and recover from storms:
Recording of our Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Tips for the Landscape webinar
UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation and Recovery Website
UF/IFAS Disaster Handbook
On the Blog
A Gardener’s Story with Betty: A Special Bonus Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast
Growing and Cooking with Herbs: A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast
Colorful and Carefree: Growing Crotons in Your Central Florida Yard
What’s blooming now?
Check out the June blooms at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Demonstration Garden in Bartow.
Clockwise from top left: beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), scorpion tail (Heliotropium angiospermum), perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata), and wild lantana (Lantana involucrata).
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
Your Central Florida Lawn
FOOD AND PRIZES Courtesy of Lakeland Water Utilities
Tuesday, June 3, 12:00 pm
Lake Crago Rec Center, Lakeland
Register here
Pollinators: Gardening for the Little Heroes of our Planet
Saturday, June 14, 9:00 am
UF/IFAS Extension Service, Stuart Center, Bartow
Register here
Growing and Cooking with Herbs
Tuesday, June 24, 4:00 pm
Lakeland Main Library, Lakeland
Find us here this month:
Winter Haven Farmer’s Market
June 14, 2025
Lakeland Farmer’s Market
June 21, 2025
Lake Wales Farmer’s Market
June 28, 2025
The Nectary Nursery
June 28, 2025
Are you listening to Your Central Florida Yard Podcast?
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