Gardening

When you think of gardening, you reach for the usual tools like pruning shears, rake or shovel and head for the yard. While these basics will always be the staples in the gardening shed, there are a number of useful and unusual gadgets out there to make gardening chores easier and more fun to do. Full story »

Summer has officially arrived. July is one of the hottest months with high temperatures averaging 90 degrees and lows averaging 75 degrees. The rains are here in earnest. We can expect at least 8 inches of rain making July also a very wet month. Full story »

Ganoderma Butt Rot is a widespread palm disease affecting trees all over Marco Island and the southeastern United States. This disease has been found in about 40 or 50 species but it is thought that all species are probably susceptible. Full story »

Tropical ornamental shrubs are an important element in the home landscapes of South Florida. Some have brightly colored leaves or flowers much of the year. Almost all are evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves year round. Full story »

The summer rains of June have begun! Our gardens are about to grow at incredible speeds as they come out of the stressful dry spring months. Lawns, shrubs, trees and weeds will seem to grow at uncontrollable rates. Full story »

When it comes to landscaping, simplicity equals good design and low maintenance. Low maintenance landscapes are designed so that every shrub, tree and flower-bed will all have definite functions. It is best not to over plant and to eliminate as many frills and flower beds as possible. Fewer, well placed gardens help reduce landscape maintenance. Full story »

I have a lot of people ask me at this time of year what is wrong with their mahogany or gumbo limbo trees as they are losing their leaves. I often compare the Florida spring to the northern fall season. Many of our trees are deciduous in the months of April and May. Full story »

While we had some very beneficial rains recently, the weather forecasts call for no rain for the next week. We have already entered into drought conditions again. With our water pressure problems beginning to worsen, the lawns are drying up in large numbers. Full story »

As we get further in the summer season heavy rains can flush nutrients from the soil. Following is a guide to help you with the symptoms of various nutritional deficiencies you might see. Full story »

Wow! Two rainy days last week. This much-needed water will help to refresh our drought-stricken lawns and gardens. It will also activate the fertilizer applied this spring which will add strength to help them better survive the rest of the dry season. Full story »

In 2004 and 2005 our plants went through five hurricanes without respite in between to recover. Plants burned by wind and salt had just started re-budding only to be burned again and again. Full story »

Learning how to propagate plants is an exciting way to share your plants with others. Plants can be propagated by sexual or asexual means. Sexual propagation is starting plants from seed. Full story »

When the bougainvillea is in bloom everyone wants to know what the beautiful flowering plants at the Jolley Bridge are. This plant is without a doubt one of our most bright and colorful tropical plants. While they will flower somewhat all year, the height of the flowering season is now through late spring. Full story »

One of the spring chores I spoke about last week was cutting back shrubs. Now and through the summer months is the time to do any major pruning or cutting back of shrubs and trees. With the fast, summer growth rate nearly upon us the plants will regrow and look beautiful for next fall season. Full story »

March is here. It is usually the start of our dry season but, unfortunately, we have been in a dry season since this time last year. Spring time can be very hard on our lawns and shrubs as the temperatures will begin to rise and we will become increasingly dry. Full story »