September 2024
Your newsletter this month features what to do in the landscape, what's blooming now, upcoming workshops, and more!
Welcome to September 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!
Your Central Florida Yard Monthly Checklist:
Your Lawn in September
Rains and high temperatures can contribute to insect and disease issues. Continue to monitor your lawn for signs of damage.
Although your sprinkler systems should still be set to "off", now is the time to make sure your system is properly maintained. Check with your local water utilities to see if they offer rebates for rain shut-off devices, smart controllers or other water-saving devices.
Your Landscape in September
It is a good time to divide and replant perennials.
Make sure mulch is 2-3 inches deep to keep weeds down.
Check for wildflowers going to seed. Collect or let them self-sow.
Consider adding river rock to areas where heavy rains might wash away mulch. This is an attractive way to allow water to soak into the ground and keep the area neat and tidy.
Growing Fruit in the Home Landscape
Click here to access our on-demand series. The series includes short videos on growing pineapples, bananas, citrus, peaches, and designing your landscape with fruit trees.
Atala Butterfly & Coontie Cycad
There have been Atala butterflies sightings in and around Polk County, and while there is much information on the butterfly and its history of near extinction, it is important for homeowners and landscape managers to be on the lookout when they spot damage to coontie cycad in the landscape. Learn more here.
What’s blooming now?
Check out the September blooms in the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Demonstration Garden in Bartow.
Clockwise from top left: Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra), beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and buttonsage (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://polk countyextension.eventbrite.com
Vegetable Gardening
Thursday, September 19, 4:45 pm
Winter Haven Public Library
Ready, Set, Conserve: Rain Barrels
SATURDAY WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 21, 9:00 am
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Brenneman Auditorium
1702 US Highway 17 South, Bartow
Learn and Play: A Family Herb Workshop
Tuesday, September 24, 4:00 pm
Lakeland Public Library--Larry Jackson Branch
Edibles!
Saturday, September 28, 9:00 am
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Stuart Center
1702 US Highway 17 South, Bartow
Ready, Set, Conserve: Rain Barrels
Tuesday, October 1, 5:30 pm
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
Brenneman Auditorium
1702 US Highway 17 South, Bartow
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