Landscapes, Gardens & More in the Florida Panhandle

July 2020

Okay folks, its hot. Summer is here and we have plenty of sunshine. It is too hot to do much in the garden after 9:00 am and before about 6:00 pm. So, lets finish gathering the vegetables and storing them for this winter. Don’t forget that late one evening in July, we need to plant a couple rows of peas and maybe a few determinate tomatoes. Put the tomatoes in where they will get morning sun and shade in the evening. This is true especially if we plant our tomatoes in pots.

Don’t forget to till the garden as soon as you finish with the vegetables you are growing to eliminate weeds. The summer can really produce a lot of them before your fall garden. Keeping ahead of the weeds in the panhandle can really be a job. If you let them go and hope to eliminate them just before the fall garden, you are making a mistake. There is no way you can get rid of the seeds that have been produced. Therefore, weeds. Remember if you do nothing but keep the garden mowed while it is dormant, you eliminate all the weeds that are produced.

During the hot summer, remember, to keep cool. Visit your pool or the place your family swims on a regular basis while keeping in mind social distancing. Social distancing is probably the one thing that you can do to protect yourself and family. I sincerely hope that each one of you are successful winning the battle against this virus.

Keep the yard mowed and watered. Don’t forget about your orchard. The weeds and fire ants do not take a break, and neither should you. During the hot months, the fruit trees need water just like your landscape and grass. If the grass is turning brown the landscape and orchard are suffering also.

Special note. June 24th and I have just finished trimming the Christmas trees for this year. We are hoping for a good crop and a super Christmas season. We will also bring in some Frasier firs for those who enjoy a northern tradition.

Keep up the good work and be safe in all you do. Come and see us at Maphis Nursery and Tree Farm, 1534 Orange Hill Road, or call us at 850-638-8243. You may also visit us at www.maphisnurseryandtreefarm.com.