October 2024
Your newsletter this month features what to do in the landscape, what's blooming now, upcoming workshops, and more!
Welcome to October in Your Central Florida Yard!
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.
Let us know how we can help by contacting our Plant Clinic with your questions!
Happy Gardening, Central Florida!
There’s a new BONUS episode of the podcast all about spooky season planters! Listen here, and then participate in our short podcast survey by clicking this link.
Listen to: Crafting Spooky Season Planters
Disaster Resources from UF/IFAS Extension
How to check and maintain your septic system before and immediately after hurricanes
Hurricane Recovery Round-Up – Includes information on finding a certified arborist for tree care, replacing documents, and filing insurance claims.
Post-Hurricane Wildlife Encounters – Wildlife may be disoriented or stressed; use caution when approaching. This blog post discusses different wildlife reactions to hurricanes and information on when to call FWC.
Find all disaster prep and recovery information here.
Your Central Florida Yard Monthly Checklist:
Your Lawn in October
Preemergent herbicides can be applied to control winter weeds ONLY when there are 4-5 consecutive nights of 55-60 degree temperatures.
Avoid using weed and feed products.
This is the last month to apply your fall lawn fertilizer.
Your Landscape in October
Plant cool season annuals such as dianthus, pansy, and petunia.
Plant bulbs such as lily, agapanthus, and lily.
Apply a controlled-release fertilizer to plants that are under performing in the landscape.
What’s blooming now?
Check out the October blooms in the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Demonstration Garden in Bartow.
Clockwise from top left: butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), jatropha (Jatropha integerrima), plumbago, (Plumbago auriculata), and beautyberry (Callicarpa americana).
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://polk countyextension.eventbrite.com
Florida-Friendly Demonstration Garden Tour
Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 am
Location: UF/IFAS Extension Service, Bartow
Register here
Florida Native Gardens
Friday, October 25, 12:00 pm
Location: Lakeland Electric Building, Lakeland
Register here
Beautiful Native Plants for Your Central Florida Yard
Tuesday, October 29, 2:00 pm
Location: Studio 37, Mulberry
Register here
Podcast
The new podcast from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is here! Find Your Central Florida Yard where you listen to podcasts. New episodes are out the first week of every month. For more information about the podcast, check out our blog post.
Listen to the latest episode here.
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