We get a lot of questions from folks dealing with plant and pest issues in their landscape about “what to spray”, or “how to fertilize”. Often times we want the quick fix. What if there was more to having a thriving landscape than ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
We don’t often think about the roots of trees until there is a problem. A forester friend of mine called it a “fencepost mentality”. Being underground, they are often out of sight out of mind. However, without well-functioning roots trees ... READ MORE
Category: , Home Landscapes, HorticultureOur landscape trees rarely die of old age. Usually there is something we have done or failed to have done that shortens the lifespan of our landscape trees. Sometimes it is easy to forget that they are living things that need certain conditions ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, HorticultureWhen we are having problems with our lawns or plants, the first thing that comes to mind is often that it is a pest or disease. We often overlook that it could be a problem with the soil. One of the first questions that I ask when folks come ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn
The South Florida "swale" or tree lawn/parkway as it is called in other parts of the country, describes the green space between the sidewalk and the street. Swales are designed to hold excess water from rain events, allowing the water to percolate ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
Recently, I was asked by a retired couple to look at some trees on their property that an "arborist" they hired said needed to be removed. The trees were not perfect, they were older water oaks but the "arborist" in this case told them that ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
If there was ever a plant that was considered royalty in southern landscapes the camellias would undoubtedly be it. They have been grown in our gardens for over 200 years. With origins in Asia, it is thought that there are over 20,000 varieties ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
A Rock Yard is Not Florida-Friendly Rocks increase heat and can stress plants and increase plant pests and disease. They are usually imported from other states. Rocks do not support Florida's wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds and ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Why Palms for the Central Florida landscape? The real question here might be, “Why not palms for the Central Florida landscape?” Palms provide a geographic aesthetic that separates Floridian gardening and landscaping from much of the rest ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Why Hire an ISA Certified Arborist? I like to compare trees to people. If you were sick, or needed something serious, like an amputation, you would want someone educated in that area helping you, right? This is what an ISA Certified Arborist ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture