Lichen is a harmless, either gray or greenish organism that often grows on the trunks or branches of trees. Since lichen will grow on almost any stationary object, it is more likely to be found on mature trees than fast-growing young trees that often shed their bark as part of the growth process. This moss-like […]
Garden Center Blog
Lichen: What It Is and What to Do
November 4th, 2015St Augustine Grass Growing and Cutting Tips
August 21st, 2012Deep blue-green, fast-growing and easily cultivated St. Augustine is uniquely suited to our climate and is one of Florida’s favorite turf grasses. Use these helpful tips to keep your St. Augustine lawn looking its best all year long. Never cut more than one-third of the total length of your lawn. Cutting grass too short interferes […]
Eliminate “Black Sooty Mold” from your Plants
July 20th, 2012Black sooty mold is a fungus that makes regular appearances in the Florida landscape, especially during the summer months. It will attack almost any plant, including ornamental shrubs and citrus trees. Infected leaves appear coated with a greasy black film that readily rubs away, revealing the healthy green leaf below. It spreads quickly from plant to […]
Get Rid of Pests Invasive to Your Plants
July 4th, 2012White flies, aphids and mealy bugs are the Florida gardener’s worst enemy. These invasive pests can quickly infiltrate and colonize a garden. Although they first attack tender, new growth, they rapidly spread to older leaves, twigs and stems, wreaking havoc on established plants within as little as 72 hours. How to Tell if You Have […]
Tampa Bay Summer Storms Don’t Water Plants Enough
May 21st, 2012Are your plants dying of thirst? The persistent drooping foliage or yellowed leaves you notice may be the result of more than high summer temperatures. The frequent, intense afternoon cloudbursts typical of the summer months often lead Tampa-area homeowners to believe that their trees, lawns and gardens are adequately watered. In fact, short periods of […]
Treating Fungal Leaf Spot in Tampa Bay Ornamental Shrubs
April 10th, 2012Customers often call with concerns about their formerly healthy ornamental hedges and shrubs. Once brilliantly green and thriving viburnum, Indian hawthorn or other evergreen bushes are now sporting yellowed foliage marred with brown mottling or spots like the ones on the right of the picture below. Fungal leaf spot is a common problem in the […]
Preventing Root Rot in Your Dooryard Citrus
February 3rd, 2012Foot rot and root rot are both symptoms of Phytophthora, a serious soil-borne disease that infects all citrus varieties. Although its effects are most devastating to commercial growers, it can still attack trees grown in the home landscape. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take before planting to keep your citrus trees healthy and […]
“Winterize” Your St. Augustine Grass in Tampa
October 31st, 2011As the first few cool nights happen upon the Tampa Bay area, most of us are extremely relieved and, once again, realize it is not 78 degrees and humid every night of the year in Central Florida. It also signals an opportune time to give our lawns a “wintertime fertilization” to make sure it survives […]
Apollo Beach Woman asks about her Brown Grass
September 27th, 2011A woman came in to the nursery last week with an unfortunately common problem in her back yard. After competently caring for her lush yard in the same house for over thirty years, she returned home from a 10 day vacation to find the grass was almost completely dead except for a few green patches. Finding the source […]
Fertilizer is Crucial for Growing Citrus Trees
August 23rd, 2011Most everyone who buys a citrus tree for thier yard is hoping to pick some off to eat every year as they fruit. One customer that came in to the nursery was very typical of those that have trouble growing citrus trees. He had a Sunkist tangerine tree, a younger four year old tree with a […]