Gardening: An education on nonnative plants
I have often encouraged Marco Island residents to become better stewards of our land by learning good horticultural practices and how to identify and remove invasive, exotic plants. When nonnative...
View ArticleGardening: Decorate those palms
Christmas in Florida. The balmy weather, palm trees swaying in the gentle breezes off the Gulf of Mexico with Christmas lights twinkling on their fronds and yards with green grass and colorful flowers.
View ArticleShift gears for the new year
January is here and we will still experience cold temperatures since it is the second coolest month of the year. The average will be in the 65 degree range with highs in the 70s or low 80s and lows in...
View ArticleGardening: Hibiscus has tremendous flower variations
Hibiscus plants are blooming profusely all over Marco right now. This plant seems to love the cold weather. Perhaps it is because the severe cold helps control some of the insects that constantly cause...
View ArticleGardening: Protecting your pink hibiscus
As I mentioned in my last column, many pests can feed on hibiscus making this a very high maintenance choice for your landscape. Chewing insects include caterpillars, grasshoppers, snails and slugs,...
View ArticleGardening: Fruit trees ... the bear essentials
Blossom and fruit drop and fruit splitting are fairly common problems for fruit trees. While losing blossoms and small fruit from your fruit trees can be disturbing it is usually a natural process.
View ArticleGardening: Learning how to propagate plants is an exciting way to share your...
Plants can be propagated by sexual or asexual means. Sexual propagation is starting plants from seed. Multiplying of plants from vegetative plant parts such as shoots, roots and leaves or bulbs and...
View ArticleGardening: Hissssss-teria over snakes
Snakes and alligators are two of the most feared species we live with on the edge of the Everglades. According to National Geographic News, Florida has unfortunately developed an established population...
View ArticleGardening: Do you have snails or cutworms
It is nice to see the flower beds full of annuals like impatiens, begonias and petunias in yards around the island. Unfortunately, some voracious flower eaters are also delighted to see the flowers....
View ArticleGardening: Spring harkens hot and dry ahead
March is here. It is usually the start of our dry season but, unfortunately, we have been in a dry season for a while.
View ArticleGardening: Winter recovery calls for fertilization
March has arrived. It is time to fertilize lawns, plants and trees. While this was a very warm winter some are very cold and this fertilization helps plants recover from any cold damage done in the...
View ArticleGardening: There are poisonous plants on Marco
Many shrubs and trees we plant in our landscapes can be poisonous to humans and animals. Some are toxic if ingested and others may be irritating to the skin.
View ArticleGardening: The fruit of our labors
So many fruit trees are flowering and setting fruit right now. Citrus, mango, avacado, pineapple, and many more. Two of my favorites are the jaboticaba and surinam cherry.
View ArticleGardening: Many methods to manage pests, less pesticide
The harmful effects of pesticides and other toxins on our environment are increasingly in the news. Because of our tropical climate we have more pests and diseases than most areas and therefore use...
View ArticleGardening: Preparing for summer growing season
After our colder winter months it is time to start thinking about pruning the shrubs in the yard to remove any cold damage or just to renovate, reduce size and prepare them for the summer growing...
View ArticleGardening: The water we need to feed our lawns
It’s spring and we need rain. This much needed water would help to refresh our drought stricken lawns and gardens. It would also activate the fertilizer applied this spring which will add strength to...
View ArticleGardening: Bougainvillea in bloom
When the bougainvillea is in bloom, everyone wants to know what the beautiful flowering plants seen all over the island are. This plant is without a doubt one of our most bright and colorful tropical...
View ArticleGardening: Rains are good, but they bring a pest
The recent rains may have been enough to be somewhat of a relief for our parched lawns. While this rain will help to slow the damage caused by the drought it is also going to cause a population of...
View ArticleGardening: The return of the royal palm bug
I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to Switzerland. Spring was just budding forth when I arrived so the fields were full of wild flowers, tulips and daffodils. The climate there is similar to...
View ArticleGardening: Readying your lawns for storm season
With two named storms before the official beginning of hurricane season, we could be in for a busy season. With that said you should know how to minimize wind damage in your landscape.
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