March may seem a little early to worry about fungal diseases, but recent prolonged wet weather and warmer temperatures have made the climate just right for a variety of leaf diseases in the Florida Panhandle. One in particular, Blackspot (Diplocarpon ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureConsidering it is the month of Valentine's, roses are an appropriate subject to discuss. Not bouquets couriered to various locations all over town, but bushes in the landscape that have been strategically neglected over the winter. Now their ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureThis is the time of year when we often see crapemyrtles unnecessarily topped: main stems that are several years old are cut back, often leaving branch stubs 2 – 5 inches or more in diameter. Topping is sometimes called heading, stubbing, ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureTallahassee Democrat October 4, 2013 By: Trevor Hylton Last winter we established an orchard at the Leon County Extension Office. I planted 14 different species of fruit trees which are adapted to this area. Because of limitation ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, HorticultureAfter severe weather of any kind, homeowners must often spend a considerable amount of time dealing with impacts to their landscapes. Below are a few lessons we have learned from hurricanes and tropical storms in the past. Many thanks to fellow ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureAlthough Northwest Florida is well known for its beautiful Azalea displays every spring, many do not understand that these shows of bloom could be sacrificed completely by pruning at the wrong time. Pruning Azaleas in the fall ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureTallahassee Democrat August 9, 2013 By: Stan Chapman We are blessed in Tallahassee to have so many amazing trees and a rich urban canopy. Unfortunately, that urban canopy is under constant stress from development and construction activities. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural ResourcesFew things move a local homeowner into action faster than a big storm moving into the Gulf of Mexico. After filling up at gas stations and running out to home improvement stores, many start trimming limbs and removing trees. The destructive ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureGuest Article for the Tallahassee Democrat July 26, 2013 By David MacManus There are a many uses for low growing, compact shrubs that grow to a height of 3 feet or shorter, for our purposes, we will call them dwarf shrubs. Dwarf shrubs ... READ MORE
Category: Home LandscapesPruning Palms Guest Article for the Tallahassee Democrat Photo by Dr. Tim Broschat, University of Florida: An over-pruned Sabal palmetto. April 25, 2013, Release for Tallahassee Democrat By Ed Duke Palms are a prominent part of our Florida ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes