Florida Gardening

Q. I am new to gardening and live in Florida with sandy soil and warm to hot temps! What do you suggest I try for my first time that will not die?

A. Yes for your first time and the timing involved here right now I would like you to buy those six packs of small plants which you see everywhere. Go to a good local nursery and see what is being offered. Florida is very particular in its weather and rain or lack thereof. So if they have a pretty plant type for sale then they know the customers will buy it and grow successfully!

Having sandy soil is very good for the drainage so that you do not overwater [a very common no-no!] and allows the roots to grow so readily. But the lack of nutrients in it is a factor you must face. Therefore I want you to buy a good outdoor garden fertilizer as Scotts Hyponex Rapid Grow or Miracle-Gro. Follow the directions but generally it is about one tablespoon per gallon water once every two weeks.

Also please enrich your sand with any:
peat moss
leaf mold
bone meal
blood meal
compost
dehydrated odorless steer manure
garden loam featuring organic materials

The packets of plants will have some instructions on them complete with which ones are best in full sun others in partial shade. Planting depth and distance apart are listed. Then please write down names and varieties for future reference. Add comments as the season progresses.

Here are some to look for:

Marigold zinnia cosmos daisy petunia snapdragon hollyhock alyssum lobelia ageratum geranium [larger in 4" pots is good] pelargonium [ditto]