Author: Edwin Duke and Sam Hand

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.

Composting: Tips and Tricks

Composting is the biological process of recycling organic matter (i.e., leaves, lawn clippings, plant food scraps, etc.)  into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. When organic waste is recycled, the resulting product, compost, can be used to improve soil quality and help plants grow. Home gardeners have relied on compost for generations….Read more

The Importance of Proper Tree Maintenance

If you own a home on a lot with large trees, it is wise to evaluate the health of the trees and whether they present any threat to persons or property which may result in a liability risk to you. This includes threats to your own property and to adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. To…Read more

Palm Pruning: Guidelines and Techniques

Palms are a prominent part of our Florida landscapes. They are often included because they are considered low maintenance.  It is important to remember that low maintenance does not mean no maintenance.  One of the maintenance tasks which must be performed is pruning.  Palms require regular pruning to keep them attractive and safe.  Knowing how palms grow is…Read more

The Beginner’s Guide to Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of landscape maintenance and done for a number of reasons.  A plant’s appearance is important for the well-groomed garden, and pruning may be done to alter the plants shape, height or width. In some cases, an old, overgrown shrub may be rejuvenated by proper pruning, and pruning may be used…Read more