Frequently Asked Questions?

1. I tried the fruit on my citrus tree and it was sour! How do I know when my fruit is ripe?

All citrus trees have a suggested time period of maturation. First know what type of tree you have and when you might expect it to be ripe.

• Early Season (October to January): Naval Orange, Marsh Grapefruit, Hamlin Oranage, Ruby Red Grapefruit

• Mid Season (December to February): Pineapple Orange, Star Ruby Grapefruit, Minneola Tangelo, Murcott (honey) tangerine, Dancy Tangerine

• Late Season (March to June): Valencia Oranges

• Meyer lemons- November to March

• Keylimequat- September to spring in this area or mild years- Year-round

The best “rule of thumb” is the taste test. Once your fruit is “in season”, take one off and try it. If it is too sour or not ripe enough, leave it for another couple of weeks and try again. Remember, your dooryard fruit may not be the color of the grocery store fruit to be ripe and it will not ripen off the tree.

2. Can I move plants/trees now?

In December to January many plants and shrubs will be dormant and can safely be transplanted. To prepare a very large plant for transplanting, use a shovel to cut a deep circle around it about a month before moving. By cutting the wide roots like this you are encouraging a new series of roots closer to the plant to grow. This will help get it re-established. When ready to move, be sure to dig a few inches in from the circle you cut. Make sure to have the hole ready where the plant is to go in advance. Water well once replanted to keep the roots moist until well established. Do not put fertilizer in the hole or on the plant when re-planted- this can burn the roots. Fertilize when well established again.

3. What do I need to do to protect my plants from the cold?

Plan ahead for freezing temperatures if you have plants that you know will suffer damage. Bring plants that are in containers inside for the night. Cover plants with frost cloth to help keep them warmer. We at VerdeGo offer a heavy weight frost cloth that is what professional growers use. When covering plants, remember that frost damage on foliage may still happen when the cloth sits on the foliage but keeping the plant and roots warm so there is a better chance of recovery, is your goal. The morning of a predicted freeze, water your sensitive plants with the garden hose to help assist with the moisture loss that will happen with the freeze. Lastly, if your plant gets nipped with frost at all- do not run out and trim it! As hard as it may be to look at it for a couple of months- trimming it will expose more of the plant to freezing. Wait until spring to trim!

4. We are often asked “Is this a good time to plant?”

The answer is YES! All cold hardy trees and woody ornamentals prefer to be planted during the cooler months and it’s much more enjoyable working in the garden now rather than the hot summer.  All hardwood trees like Oaks, Maples, Elms, Magnolias, Holly and Crape Myrtles can be planted now.  Some of our cold hardy palms such as Sylvester, European Fan Palm and Pindo Palms can also be planted now. Many, many cold hardy shrubs and flowering plants can be planted now that will easily weather Florida Winters with no damage at all. What you don’t want to plant this late (except in containers that can be protected) are the semi-tropical zone 10-11 plants like Hibisicus, Allamanda, Bougainvillea, and Crotons.  The semi tropical should be planted BEFORE cold weather arrives. Once they are established, if damaged, they can come back from the roots in the spring.  Verdego still offers beautiful, blooming tropical plants this time of year, with the recommendation they be planted in containers for protection.