Category: Home Landscapes

Virtual Course helps Mangrove Trimmers Brush Up their Skills

by Savanna Barry
August 17, 2022

by Ana Zangroniz and Savanna Barry What are mangroves? Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that reside in low-energy, intertidal areas. They like to grow in warm areas, or where the temperatures do not hit lower than freezing for ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Coastal Habitat, Coastal Systems, Florida Sea Grant, InsideNatureCoast, Mangrove, Mangroves

Donor marsh at Duke Energy Mariculture Center making donations!

by Savanna Barry
February 16, 2021

In 2018, we worked with Duke Energy’s Mariculture Center in Crystal River to establish a large salt marsh nursery in one of their culture ponds. We needed the donor marsh because habitat restoration requires access to plant material. Establishing ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Coastal Habitat, Coastal Systems, Donor Marsh, Florida Sea Grant, InsideNatureCoast, Living Shoreline, Marsh, Restoration, Shoreline Restoration

Can you give me a list of trees which fare better in storms?

by Rebecca Jordi
October 3, 2017

First, the faster growing trees often have the weakest limb attachments which is the reason so many people choose live oaks. I am going to provide you with a list of trees for this area which start with the highest wind resistance going down ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Wind Resistant Trees

I am finding black, leaking areas on my sabal palms. What could be wrong?

by Rebecca Jordi
September 7, 2017

I had to schedule a site visit to your house for this problem. It is Thielaviopsis trunk rot which is caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa. Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on itself or the canopy suddenly falls off ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Palm Trunk Disease, Thielaviopsis

The Conscientious Gardener

by Rebecca Jordi
August 21, 2017

Most gardeners have a deep seeded (no pun intended) desire to have an attractive landscape so managing pests without harming our beneficial insects can be a challenge. Every conscientious gardener should be aware of which insects are beneficial ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Beneficial Insects, Conservation, Special Topics

Q: What vine could I use to replace the invasive Chinese wisteria?

by kathywarner
July 19, 2017

Q: You identified the plant I brought into your office as an invasive plant, the Chinese wisteria. But I love the purple flowers. I removed it but do you have a suggestion for a vine I could use to replace it? A: American wisteria is the ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Wisteria Frutescens

Q: Can you recommend some plants that can tolerate salt?

by kathywarner
July 18, 2017

A: Some possible choices of shrubs are Pittosporum, Yaupon Holly, Lantana, or Silverthorn (Elaeagnus pungens). Ask you local nursery about dwarf varieties which would be a good choice to grow in pots. There are several varieties of Lantana ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Salt Tolerant

Q: My compost pile is growing mold and it looks terrible. The area seems to pool water. What can I do?

by kathywarner
July 18, 2017

A: It would appear the area is too wet and the site is not allowing enough air to circulate around the pile. You could re-grade the area to ensure proper drainage. It is possible to raise the whole bed which would allow the water an opportunity ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Compost

Q: I have some plants I want to be sure survive any freezing temperatures. What should I do to protect them?

by kathywarner
July 18, 2017

A: Watering landscape plants 24-48 hours before a freeze can help protect plants. A well watered soil will absorb more solar radiation than dry soil and will reradiate heat during the night. This practice elevates minimum night temperatures ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Cold Protection

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