A: I always love an opportunity to share proper pruning techniques with the public. These proper techniques have been proven the best for the tree through research provided by the Environmental Horticulture Department at the UF/IFAS. I am going ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesA: We would suggest you start by having the soil tested to determine any nutrient imbalances. The Extension Office will have soil test kits and an overall nutrient test will only cost $7. Once you get the test back from the University of Florida, ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesA: For bearing trees, 2 to 4 pounds of fertilizer should be applied per inch of trunk diameter in February and again in June. If possible, use a fertilizer especially made for pecans – look for zinc on the label or use 10-10-10. Zinc deficiencies ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Hood pears are a good choice for Northeast Florida but this pear will need a pollinator. I recommend you use Baldwin as it pollinates any of those pears requiring pollination. Other varieties which can be planted in our area are Flordahome, ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Pears are great trees for the horticulturally-challenged. They tolerate many different soil conditions, don't require much care or fertilizing once established, rarely need pruning, and can produce bumper crops of fruit for decades, with ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: I am glad you brought in a soil sample so we could test the soil pH for you. We discovered your particular soil was alkaline (over 7.0). Most of our fruit and vegetables prefer a slightly acid soil which is between 6.0 and 6.5. When the soil ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: I appreciate the photo you sent and I suspect the culprit is most likely a disease called Crown gall. Crown gall is commonly found as growths on the roots or stems of plants in the rose family especially the genus Prunus. Prunus includes ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: This information comes directly from a University of Florida publication on muscadine grapes. “The shoots of muscadine grapes arise from buds in the leaf axils of past season's growth. The fruit of muscadine grapes is comprised of 6 to ... READ MORE
Category: Home LandscapesA: The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) is native to the southeastern United States and was the first native grape species to be cultivated in North America. The natural range of muscadine grapes extends from Delaware to central Florida ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
A: Indeed, we can grow mulberries here. Mulberry (Moras spp.) is a fruit producing tree that can provide gardeners tasty fruits. Native red mulberry trees have been enjoyed by people in North America for centuries. On expedition in the mid-1500s ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes