Scouting – Early Detection Saves Your Harvest
As you eagerly await the bountiful harvest from your spring and summer garden, remember that pests are also eyeing your crops. Scouting for pests is essential to maintain plant health and ensure a plentiful harvest. The Importance of Scouting Scouting involves the...
False Hope for Cold Damaged Citrus Trees
The widespread multiple night hard freeze that occurred in North Florida near the end of December 2022 resulted in numerous citrus trees becoming severely damaged. The above ground portion of many of these trees died as a result of the extreme cold. I talked with...
Why Are My Tomatoes Dying?
The value of tomatoes produced in Florida in 2022 was $323,000,000 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Survey and sometimes I feel like I’ll spend that much trying to get one perfect tomato in my garden. Nothing beats the taste of a fresh homegrown...
Green Industries Best Management Certification, aka the “Fertilizer License”
In most Florida waterways, stormwater runoff is the primary source of pollution. If you think about what gets washed down the drain during a typical rainstorm, it may include anything from trash and construction dirt to oils, gasoline, and chemicals from surrounding...
Native Florida Flowers for Native Pollinators
Florida’s diverse ecosystem is home to a variety of native plants that provide resources for local pollinators. Native flowers are not only a beautiful addition to any garden but also play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our environment. Planting native...
The Mealybug Destroyer
Scouting is an important part of keeping pests in check and gardeners are often up to the task. As you routinely enjoy the beauty of your ornamental and edible plants, you are likely to catch a pest sighting before it gets out of control. One insect that may trick...
Pine Bark Beetles – With Warming Weather Comes More Activity
Pine bark beetles can cause the loss of multiple pines in a landscape. Learn to recognize the symptoms of bark beetle attacks in pines and remove trees that have become infested. Preventative insecticides will not work once the tree is colonized. Preventing damage and stress to pines in the landscape is a key preventative measure to avoid bark beetle issues. Bark beetles are most active in the spring through fall and go dormant in the winter. Spots from the previous year can reactivate in the following spring. Identify trees that show symptoms and use removal and preventative treatments to minimize further tree loss to bark beetles.
Tis the Season for Plant Dieback – Here’s How to React
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had multiple questions regarding trees and shrubs that aren’t looking too hot. These types of calls are common this time of year – it has gotten hot and dry, and plants have fully emerged from winter, causing issues that have been...
Funny Looking Growth on Azalea and Camellia Leaves
Q. Some of the leaves on my azalea and/or camellia are swollen and light green. What caused this? A. This is caused by a fungus that has been relatively common this spring. The fungus Exobasidium vaccinii causes leaves and flowers to become swollen or thickened,...
Daylilies in the Landscape
Overview of Daylilies Spring has begun, and the flowers are making their debut en masse. The daylily is an exceptionally versatile plant that grows in various colors, shapes, and habitats (Hemerocallis spp.). This plant garners its name from a combination of Greek...