Imagine lillypads floating atop a pond swirling with the stunning patterns of koi and beautiful birds bathing on river rocks at its edge. A pond adds an element of serene, natural beauty to your yard and can even increase the value of your property. To transform your property into a tranquil setting with a water garden, you will need a …
Trimming Trees before Hurricane Season
Well, we made it through a pretty tough hurricane season. Hopefully you, your family and your property fared well. It seems time just flies, so it won’t be long before it is almost June – time once again to prepare for hurricane season. One great way to prepare for hurricane season is by trimming your trees. Trimming your trees before …
Gardening Can Improve Your Mood…Among Other Things
Gardening is proven to make you happy. It can actually ward off depression and unhappiness. A Gardener’s Magazine poll even reports that 90% of gardeners feel that gardening improves their mood, and 80% of gardeners polled were satisfied with their lives – as opposed to a 67% life satisfaction rate among non-gardeners. Scientific research at a number of universities shows …
Rocks Can Make All the Difference: Using Rocks for Landscaping
We may not always think about it, but rocks can add an entirely new level to our landscaping – a unique visual element with different, interesting textures and shapes. Landscaping rocks can help you create a natural oasis – a majestic backdrop to cascading flowers in your flower beds or a dramatic water feature. Rocks can create beauty, depth and …
Different Types of Soils and Their Uses
Different types of soils are comprised of varying amounts of minerals and nutrients, as well as drainability…providing much different levels of support to plant life. In fact, the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables is dependent upon the nutritional content of the top soil in which they grow. There are over 20,000 types of soil. The most common soil types: …
A History of Palm Trees
The palm, with over 2,500 different species, has long been revered for its rich history. Back in the day, a famous botanist commissioned by the Crown to research the plant life in the English colonies, described a wide array of palm species in Florida and its surrounds. Palms are so prevalent here that the palm tree is currently Florida’s state …
Best Florida Plants
We are very lucky to live in Florida. Our growing season is nice and long, ensuring that we can enjoy our plants for so much longer than northerners can. There are so many plants that flourish here… Tulips, hyacinths and some irises and lilies need a cold, dormant period, so you are out of luck if you planned on planting …
Summer’s Flourishing Flora
The summer elements can be harsh on plants, but if you know what to plant to beat the summer heat and sun, you can bet your yard will flourish. There are a few questions to ask yourself first, and then let the planting begin! If you live on the coast, your garden may fare better with plants that tolerate high …
How to Best Care for Your Yard in the Summer
While spring is more about yard preparation, summer is a time for maintenance. Proper lawn maintenance promotes healthy root systems, so that your lawn will be more drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and disease. Here are a few tips for summer yard maintenance in Florida: Fertilize only when grass is actively growing. In Florida, that would exclude winter months. Do …
Best Plants for Spring
Spring has sprung! Florida gardeners can grow plants and vegetables year-round, but spring is the time when warm weather returns, temperatures have not reached their hottest and everything restarts its growing season. Some great summer annuals that can be planted in the spring are caladium, which requires full to partial shade; salvia, which is more partial shade to partial sun; …