Fruit & vegetable plantings

53. Select larger tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants for the garden.

54. Remove cool-season crops completing their harvests and add the seeded crops.

55. Store packs of unplanted seeds in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

56. Many gardeners are growing plants in containers; use large containers for large plants.

57. Fill container gardens with a good quality potting soil.

58. Clean containers and start with new soil at each major planting. 59. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to the surface of the soil as instructed on the label. 60. Consider growing some vegetables hydroponically.

61. Just a bit of chilly weather turned banana leaves yellow; remove as needed.

62. Trim tropical fruits unaffected by cold as needed to keep them in bounds.

63. Citrus greening has become a devastating problem; remove severely affected trees.

64. Control citrus psyllids at each flush of growth; use sprays or soil treatments as instructed.

65. Apply minor nutrient sprays to citrus trees at each flush of growth.

66. Finish granular spring feedings of all fruit trees.

67. Start sweet potatoes to have transplants for May.

68. Plant tropical vegetables that won’t mind the summer heat and humidity.

69. Complete herb plantings before hot weather arrives; many grow best in containers.

70. Feed vegetable plantings lightly every three to four weeks or use a slow-release fertilizer as labeled.

71. Help maintain a moist soil with a 2- to 3-inch mulch layer with all but citrus.

72. Add edible fruit bearing trees, shrubs and vines to the landscape.

73. Blueberries need a very acid soil; have the soil pH checked before planting.

74. Grow blueberries in pine bark fines or add them to non-acidic soils.

75. Transplant papaya seedlings to the landscape, keep moist and feed monthly.