gardening

Bradford pear trees fall apart with time

FLORIDA — Question:  My beautiful Bradford pear tree now has large limbs beginning to break away from the tree. Can…

12 months ago

Neighborhood lawn guru kills lawns, leaves town: Choose reliable advice

FLORIDA — I remember going into a neighborhood to diagnose a lawn problem in Crestview during spring a number of…

12 months ago

Learn how to create a beautiful Florida-friendly cottage garden

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- On Wednesday, March 18, the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Okaloosa County will provide a…

1 year ago

Topping crape myrtle trees in Florida is bad practice: Larry Williams

FLORIDA -- You’ve probably seen crape myrtle trees pruned to look like a coat rack. Hopefully, you’re not guilty of…

1 year ago

Wait to fertilize, but apply preemergence herbicide now in North Florida

FLORIDA -- If weeds were a major concern in your lawn last summer, the coming weeks are the time to…

1 year ago

Early flowering magnolias provide winter landscape color

FLORIDA — In addition to our native Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, there are several other magnolia species to consider for…

1 year ago

Let trees adjust to being transplanted before fertilizing, pruning

FLORIDA — People do many things to newly planted trees, such as improper pruning and fertilization, that interfere with tree…

1 year ago

Wait to prune cold-injured landscape plants

FLORIDA — Recent freezes have resulted in many people questioning whether to prune or not to prune cold-damaged plants. The…

1 year ago

Inviting birds to your Florida landscape

FLORIDA -- There are many birds that you can enjoy right in your own backyard and neighborhood. There are a…

1 year ago

Growing Together: Reflecting on your feedback and charting a path for 2024

FLORIDA -- In a December 2023 article, I asked for feedback from readers of this column. As a result, I…

1 year ago

Things to know before amending sandy soil in Florida

FLORIDA -- There is a difference between mulching and amending the soil. Mulching involves placing a material such as pine…

1 year ago

Florida trees and the Bible

FLORIDA — In the Christmas story, as recorded in the book of Matthew, wise men presented gifts to baby Jesus.…

1 year ago

What to plant and do in December in the North Florida landscape and garden

FLORIDA -- With cooler temperatures, shorter days, and winter and Christmas on their way, you may not be putting much…

1 year ago

Year ‘round color is a matter of timing in Florida

FLORIDA -- With a little planning, you can have a shrub or tree in flower every month of the year…

1 year ago

Avoid stimulating tender landscape growth now

FLORIDA -- It is not too early to be thinking about the effect of cold weather on our landscapes. On…

1 year ago

Blooming dilemma: Treat tulips like annuals in North Florida

Q. Will tulips grow and bloom in North Florida? A. Some of the northern bulbs are poor performers this far…

1 year ago

Has this column been helpful to you in 2023?

FLORIDA -- With today’s column, I’m asking you to provide feedback to me via email. I consider this column to…

1 year ago

Scary things happening in our Florida landscapes

FLORIDA -- Scary things are happening in our landscapes as we approach Halloween. The reality of what happens deep down…

1 year ago

Fall lawn care for Florida and October plant clinic

FLORIDA — If your lawn has a history of winter annual weeds such as henbit, wild geranium, annual bluegrass, chickweed, and…

1 year ago

Inspect and manage trees before high winds strike

FLORIDA -- Recently, I spent some time with my uncle at his home in Perry, Florida. Perry and Taylor County…

1 year ago