Edwin R. Duke, Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences; FAMU Cooperative Extension, Tallahassee, FL 32307. Samuel E. Hand, Jr., Associate Professor and Director of Industry Credentialing Training Programs, FAMU Cooperative Extension, Tallahassee, FL 32307.
As stated in an earlier column, pruning plants in the home landscape depends on the species of plant, not the season of the year. Some shrubs and trees start the spring with the growth of new branches which will produce blooms in late spring or summer. Some flowering shrubs bloom only on new wood which…Read more
When a gardener is anxious to get started in the spring garden, a task commonly undertaken is pruning. Most trees and shrubs benefit from annual pruning because pruning has a major influence on a shrub’s flowering habit, shape, size, and pest problems. A regular pruning schedule protects plants, people, and property from injury, pests and…Read more
North Florida has a relatively mild climate, but most of the state does occasionally experience below freezing temperatures. The lowest temperature on record in Florida occurred in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899 when the temperature dropped to – 2° F (two degrees below zero). Fortunately, temperatures haven’t fallen that low since. Recently, on January 29,…Read more
Every pesticide, whether organic or synthetic, sold in the United States comes with a pesticide label. That label is a legal document detailing the expectations for the safe, proper and legal use of the pesticide by the applicator. The purchaser and/or applicator is assuming certain responsibilities when deciding to use a pesticide. Using such a…Read more
Many gardeners use some type of chemical to control weeds, insects and diseases. The companies marketing these chemicals have spent millions to hundreds of millions of dollars funding extensive tests to determine the optimum application methods for their products. Unfortunately, many gardeners operate under the premise of “instructions are for others.” There are complaints that…Read more
Bidens alba, in the Aster (sunflower) family, is a common weed or wildflower, depending on your viewpoint. Commonly known as Beggar’s Tick, or simply Bidens, it is considered native to Florida and subtropical regions of the Southeastern United States. It has been deemed naturalized or invasive in tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, South America…Read more
Once a landscape plan is established, what is the next step? Most gardeners will say, “Right plant for the right place.” But is this simply choosing a plant whose genetics match up with the soil type, light levels, temperature range, and soil pH? If this is all, then a vital step has been overlooked in…Read more
About 80 species of Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) are found throughout the world, 21 of which are native to some region of Florida. Some species are more common than others, but all of the Florida species are identifiable by their bright golden inflorescences which appear in late summer to early fall. Goldenrod plays several important roles…Read more
Just like most other aspects of life, a successful garden begins with a plan. If you want a successful and functional landscape, before you ever visit a nursery or buy the first plant, you need a well thought out design. Mistakes in the landscape can be avoided by following a simple set of steps used…Read more
Trees are an important part of our landscapes. They add beauty, they improve the environment, they stabilize the soil and prevent erosion and they can play an important role in energy saving. However, they also may present a risk to the public’s health, safety and welfare. This story will address a number of issues that…Read more
