As in my last posting, pests continue to be a problem – not just insects, but also weeds.
While driving around Central Florida recently, I noticed that many homeowners had numerous broadleaf weeds either flowering or developing seed heads, not only in lawns but landscape beds as well.
How many of you applied a combination “weed and feed” product to your lawn this spring, (usually early to mid March)? If so, how successful were you? Judging from what I’ve seen, most weren’t very successful. IFAS doesn’t recommend using weed and feed products in our area, even though local stores promote this. They just don’t work as they should. What you should have done was to apply the appropriate herbicide based on your type of lawn first in early spring when the weeds are young and actively growing, followed up 2 to 3 later with an application of a slow release fertilizer, such as 16-0-8.
Because of our current weather conditions, I don’t think that applying a herbicide at this time will help; if anything, it may cause possible damage to your lawn.
I would however suggest that mowing own the weeds before seeds have a chance to ripen will help in addition to hand removal of weeds in plant beds.

As a Master Gardener, I’m starting to receive numerous concerns about our hot dry weather and its impact on our landscape.
Spider mites are becoming a serious pest problem and many of our landscape plants, including trees, are showing signs of stress. To avoid any further problems, I suggest you thoroughly hand water your plants to keep them healthy, otherwise they’ll become more vulnerable to stress which make them easier targets for pests; and may even result in die back.
Check your plants and the soil beneath them. If dry, thoroughly water them.

Good luck and happy gardening.