What to Plant
Annuals/Bedding Plants: New varieties of coleus do well in sun or shade and provide vivid colors and patterns for months. See Annuals: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_annual_landscape_plants
Bulbs: This is an ideal time to plant many bulbs. Consider blood lily, caladium, or canna. Louisiana iris and others make beautiful cut flowers. See Bulbs for Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers
Figure 4. Yellow canna
Credit:UF/IFAS
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Herbs: Plant heat-loving herbs, including basil, oregano, sage, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary. See Herbs: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs
Vegetables: Continue planting warm-season crops. Mulch well to prevent weeds and provide irrigation if rainfall is lacking. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening
What to Do
Pests: Monitor landscape plants for aphids that feed on tender new growth. See Landscape Pest Management: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscape_pests
Beneficials: Identify and conserve beneficial insects. These insects should be encouraged in your yard! See Beneficial Insects: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_beneficial_insects
Perennials and bulbs: Divide clumps of bulbs, ornamental grasses, or herbaceous perennials to expand or rejuvenate garden beds or to pass along to friends. See Bulbs for Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers and Perennial Landscape Plants: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_perennials
Lawn insects: Rule out cultural problems, such as lack of water, that resemble insect damage before applying a pesticide. See Turfgrass Pest Insects: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_turf_pest_insects
Lawns: Apply fertilizer after new growth has started—usually early April in north-central Florida and mid-April for north Florida and the panhandle. See Lawn Fertilizer: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_lawn_fertilization
Shrubs: Choose from a wide variety of shrubs to add to the landscape now. See Shrubs: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_shrubs and The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_v090110.pdf
Trees: Consider planting a spring-blooming tree, such as fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus), Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina), or redbud (Cercis canadensis). See Southern Tree Fact Sheets: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
Mulch: Add mulch to minimize weeds and conserve moisture during dry weather. Organic mulches break down and add nutrients to the soil.