Gardening

August is here and temperatures this month will have highs of about 90-95 and lows in the mid-70s. With more than 8 inches of rain this is usually one of the wettest and most humid months. I can’t imagine a month wetter than July was but I suppose a tropical storm or two could easily bring us that much rain and more. Full story »

If you are one of the people who say, “It’s summer so I can turn off my sprinklers!” this column is for you. Full story »

Grubs are migrating to the surface to begin feeding on lawn roots. Those little mounds of dirt about six inches across, with a hole about the size of a thumb, which appear in lawns in June and July are made by the ox beetle to lay their eggs. Full story »

You should be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it. Two months ago we were all praying for rain and boy, is it raining! Full story »

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 »