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Armyworms |
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Teresa,
My yard appears to be overgrazed by sheep
(and there are none!) and I found what
appear to be armyworms (many) out there.
The yard is around an acre in size. What
should be done? I live near
Lady Lake.
Thanks,
Barb M.
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Dear Barb:
Sorry
to hear you're being bugged so much. How often are you
fertilizing your lawn and at what analysis? The more
fertilizer, the higher the nitrogen analysis, the more
insect problems you will have because fertilizing makes
the turf delicious. Here are some UF/IFAS publications
that you can read that will help you. Look at the
pictures first and see if this is the creature you are
seeing in your lawn.
Thank
you for emailing! Write anytime!
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I.D. |
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I have spent several hours trying to id the
"bug" in the photos. i live along the orange
canal (off lake griffin) and had several of
these at my budlea bush right along several
beautiful butterflies. one suggestion was an 8
spotted moth, but the wings were smooth and
the body so brightly colored. when it
flew...the wings appeared to rotate as in a
helicopter. any ideas....or suggestions as to
where to get it id'd?
thanks,
carol g.
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Carol
It's an oleander moth.
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Rainwater Collection |
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Hi,
I am wondering if you have any resources (links)
that can help me construct
a rain collector for my small patio garden. I
believe there are companies
that have retrofit gutter diverters and tank
collectors.
Your help would be appreciated!
Paul W.
Lake Mary, FL
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Dear Paul:
You can
build your own! Here's a great link to an easy rain
barrel:
Good
luck! Send pics!
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Using Sand as Mulch |
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Dear Teresa,
What are your thoughts on using sand as mulch.
We live here in
florida and have a beautifully
landscaped backyard with our mulch being sand.
Our association is on the fence regarding
using sand. Please let me know your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Carla
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Dear Carla:
There are
many reasons that sand is not good to use as a mulch.
-
Sand
would allow weed seeds to germinate. You need to
block sunlight from penetrating sand, dirt, soil, to
reduce weeds.
-
Sand does not keep soil moisture in the ground. Mulch
reduces evaporation of moisture from the root ball.
-
Sand does not reduce stormwater runoff.
-
Sand
would add any organic amendments to the landscaped
area.
I
recommend using 2" to 3" of mulch, either organic
(preferred) or non-organic (rock, pebbles, rubber) around
shrubs and trees, keeping it away from the trunk of the tree
5" to 6".
Thank
you for emailing.
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Radio Show |
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Teresa,
I
was listening to your show yesterday; I was unable
to write down the vegetables you stated was a good
time to plant right now. Could you please email me
the list of vegetables?
Thank you,
Christina
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Christina! Great - You can plant all cool season
vegetables. Here is the IFAS publication that has all the
vegetables listed.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021
Good luck!
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Sod Replacement |
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When is the best time of the year to replace sod (St
Augustine)?
Robin
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Any time of the year is fine.
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What is the Best
Grass Seed for Central Florida? |
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Teresa, the best gardener, May I trouble you
to advise me on how to restore a yard damaged by
chinchi bugs to its former condition? I live near
Kissimmee, Florida and have a lawn about 1000
square feet with St. Augustine grass. This Summer, a
small area was destroyed leaving behind dead roots.
I intend to plant another kind of grass seed which
is hardy and can resist likely attacks of insects.
Could you please recommend a good grass seed? If
so, where can I buy it and what is the best
time of the year to do the seeding? Any related
suggestions in this regard will be welcome.
Thank you.
Visvapa
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Visvapa:
The best
grass seed is
Argentina Bahia. It's best to seed your lawn during
spring and summer. You can get it at any nursery, lawn center,
or retail store. All turfgrasses have pros and cons,
depending on level of maintenance, watering and
fertilization. This publication will help you. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LH006
Thanks for
emailing
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Spider Egg Sack ID |
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Dear Teresa,
Over the weekend we cleaned away several outside
spider webs that contained spherical
creamy-white egg sacks that were very pointy or
spiny.
I did not take any pictures as I did not think
it was a big deal.
I mentioned it to a friend who has been on a
crusade this morning trying to convince me that
these are BLACK WIDOW egg sacks.
The information I am finding on the Internet is
inconclusive to me as to whether the Black Widow
egg sack is "spiny". The most notable
characteristic of the sacks at our house was
that they were VERY spiny and nearly perfectly
round. (We saw no spiders and the sacks were
intact and had not obviously hatched).
My question is two fold, if you have a moment or
a link to a web page.
1) Does the Black Widow lay a spiny egg sack?
2) Do other types of
Central Florida spiders lay a spiny egg
sack?
Thanks in advance for the information / help.
Deborah
Thank You!!
You are a genius and you are amazingly timely with your
responses.
I vote you a RAISE with any of my tax money!!
That is 100% exactly my egg sacks.
Which isn't particularly good news, but at least it is
valid identifiable news and not a guess.
I will definitely go out and look for any others. I hate
killing anything, but I can't encourage breeding of a
venomous spider so close to home.
Have a great day.
Deborah
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They are venomous but not
aggressive. People control them by squashing the egg sacs.
Poisons usually aren't effective.
Glad you wrote!
I agree - if it was any other spider, I would say let it go,
as they take eat palmetto bugs, cockroaches, etc. But the
only way to take care of this brown widow spider is by killing
the egg sacs. If you do that, the brown widow's will
disappear.
Thanks for emailing - please feel
free to write anytime.
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Planting Around Oak
Tree |
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Hi There!
I am getting ready to landscape my small yard.
I have a huge old oak tree in my front yard and
I love it. My problem is because my yard is so
small, the space where the oak tree grows is
full of oak tree roots. Can I dig and plant
around this tree without hurting it? The chunk
of my yard where the oak grows is about 50 x 15,
and right now it is basically just a tree and
roots(some sticking out of the ground) dirt and
some weeds.
Can you give me any pointers for safely planting
around my tree? If anything happens to it, I
will have to sell my house and move.
Thanks,
Dia M.
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DeEtte:
Be careful
digging with a large shovel around the roots. Oak tree
roots can spread out 100' or more in all directions from
the trunk. What I suggest is buying small groundcovers (4"
pots and 1 gallon pots) and tucking them in between the
roots and digging holes with a small shovel where you have
the depth. Don't use a lot of fill over the roots as they
are surface roots and too much dirt planted over them would
be detrimental to the tree's health. You can add soil to
the areas between surface roots.
Remember to
take before and after pictures so you can see the roots of
your hard labor!
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Harvesting Banana
Fruit |
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Teresa,
My Mom & I just found your article on "Growing Fruit
All Year Round - Part II Bananas. She has a
banana tree bearing fruit but we're not clear the
best time to cut the fruit.
Your article states:
"Bananas are ready for harvesting when the fingers
are plump, green and almost ready to turn yellow.
Lou Arbolida ( ARBSFRUIT@aol.com),
aka "Nanaman", who is the president of the Tropical
Fruit Club of
Central Florida says a good rule of
measurement is to notice when the first petal opens,
mark the date on the fruit with a pencil. From that
date to twelve weeks later, the fruit should be
ready to be cut down."
Our questions are:
1) Do you wait the full 12 weeks before cutting any
of the fruit down OR can you only cut the bunches
you suspect are ready, anytime during the twelve
week period?
2) Do you cut just the fruit OR do you cut the
entire stem the fruit & flower hang from?
p.s. The tree is in Southeastern United States
(Augusta, Georgia)
Thanks!
Ann & Karen
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Ann & Karen,
You wait
until the fruit has been on for "about" twelve weeks. This
is usually decided by how large the fruit is, or that the
fruit at the bottom turning yellow. You cut the
entire stalk (hand) off above the fruit.
Bon-appétit!
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Banana Trees |
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Teresa:
I live in
Gallatin, Tn., about 20 miles north of
Nashville. I have successfully grown trees for
many years, but of course, have to dig them up in the
winter and store them until next year. This year, it has
been so hot all summer, that I actually have bananas on
one of my trees. I was hoping that you could help me with
a couple of questions.
1. Is there any way to preserve the tree and save the
fruit thru the winter?
2. Can you tell me what kind I have just by the pics?
A transplanted Florida girl, Kay
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Kay,
They've
survived quite well. Now, will they be able to grow the
bananas fast enough to beat your winter? I don't know.
There's no way to dig them up and continue their fruiting
process unless you have a huge container to put them in and
you can keep the sun shining and warm temperatures.Since
bananas need at least two growing years to produce fruit. I
would suggest building a hothouse/conservatory next year and
growing them inside that. If not, you may be able to get the
bananas to flower but they won't be able to survive a normal
TN winter.
I'm sorry,
I can't tell what type of banana they are from the pictures.
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Banana Tree
Question |
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Dear
Teresa,
We have
several “banana” trees in the yard. Some time ago we rather
haphazardly replanted them and they began to grow, a lot. So
we take care of them and prune them and fertilize them and
now they are making a stalk of bananas.
A couple of
pictures of the tree and bananas are attached.
Do
you know what kind of banana tree this is? Are they ft to
eat?
Thank you,
Robert W.
Windermere, FL
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|
Yes, there are so many varieties of bananas, I don't know
what they are, they don't seem to be ladyfingers as they
look more elongated and thinner than ladyfingers. They will
be fit to eat when they ripen. If the bananas have been
there for three months, they can be cut down and allowed to
ripen in a cool, dark spot like a closet. (in a paper bag or
cardboard box)
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/fruitnuts/banana.asp
I've
attached my article on growing bananas. Bon-appétit!
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Palm Tree in Yard |
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Dear
Teresa,
Attached
are two pictures of a palm tree in our front yard. It has
white discoloration under the fronds. Do you know what it
might be and/or where we can look for a treatment?
Thank you,
Robert W.
Windermere, FL
Dear
Teresa,
Attached
are a few pictures of a “weed” in our yard. It looks almost
like a small clover but has a hard stem and small yellow
flowers. It is very hardy and is winning the competition
with the grass.
These
pictures were taken from about one foot distance. Can
you tell me what this weed is? Are there suggested control
measures?
Thanks,
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|
This
is cycad scale. You will need to use a horticultural oil to
get rid of these insects. Spray the tops and bottoms of the
fronds, the trunk, and the surrounding mulch area. You will
need to spray once a week for three weeks. The scale,
although dead will not go away without some scrubbing or
spraying with a water hose. Keep your palms fertilized with a
palm fertilizer that has macro and micronutrients every three
months to keep your palms healthy. For more information on
cycad scale you can check out my website at
http://cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/insecta.html . Thank you
for sending the pics!
Use
a broadleaf herbicide to spot treat these weeds. Keep your
yard mowed at 3" to 4" - the highest level of your
lawn mower. Don't overwater, and don't fertilize
with high nitrogen. Use iron-only products in summer.
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Stingweed |
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Good morning
I have a weed problem in the winter with something
referred locally as Stingweed. This is a plant that grows
in the shade and overtakes my lawn. When I step on it, it
stings my feet.
What is this? How do I prevent it? Thank you
Karen M.
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Karen:
Stingweed is a colloquial name. It will probably be in the
nettle family. I need a picture or the scientific name to
identify it, but you can get rid of it by using Round-up on it
according to instructions. You may have to repeat the
application two or three times depending on how widespread and
thick. Maintaining a regular routine of eradicating it every
year as you see it start to sprout will help you keep it under
control.
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Philodendron |
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Hi
I have a large split leaf philodendron planted very close
to our
house. It has fallen over. Can we transplant it? I am
concerned the
roots are moving under our slab.
Susan D. deFrance
Associate Professor
Department of Anthropology
P.O. Box 117305
University of Florida
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Dear Susan:
I'm not
concerned about the roots hurting your home's foundation
unless you have a very old or poorly constructed house. You
can transplant it anytime of the year but right now would be
a good time for it to establish itself before any winter
freezes you receive in your area. You want to keep all
plantings around the house at least 2 feet away, no
irrigation hitting your home to keep your foundation as dry
as possible. Keep all large canopy trees (over 15' mature
size) at least 30' away from your home.
Thanks for
emailing!
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White Scaly
Fungus |
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Hi Teresa,
I have several bushes/shrubs in our front yard with a white
scaly fungus on them (see photo). We sprayed several times
with a fungicide, but it doesn't seem to help at all. What
can you recommend?
Thank you,
Tammy
Here is a better photo.
Actually, the color is more like light green.
Tammy
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|
Dear Tammy:
It doesn't look like scale... it looks like lichens. The
picture is not real focused on the critters. Whether it's
scale or lichens, its not a fungus and a fungicide won't
help. If it's lichens, there is no problem, there is no need
to do anything. If it's scale, then you would need to use a
horticultural oil. If you can send me a better picture
that will help.
Tammy,
It's lichens. No worries although lichens do appear on
plants, shrubs and trees that appear to have stress. If
you're watering more than twice a week, or it's an excessively
wet or shady area, or if it's not getting fertilized, this may
be the issue. There is nothing to put on the lichens.
Analyze the area to see what's causing stress.
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Retention
Ponds |
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Ms. Watkins,
My homeowners association
has asked me to gather
proposals to landscape one of
our retention ponds. If this goes well, we
would landscape the other
ponds as well. I am writing you to ask
your advice on how to
proceed. I would very much like to have
you look at the pond with me,
and also give me guidance when it is
time to review the proposals I
receive.
Thank you for your kind
attention.
Sincerely,
Caroline B.
Winter Park, FL
Ms. Watkins,
I spoke with the
President of our
homeowners
association, and
the City of
Winter Park does
not own,
landscape, or
maintain our
common areas. I
am seeking three
bids to
landscape one of
our retention
ponds, and the
company selected
will, of course
pull the
required permits
and will also be
familiar with
the storm water
ordinances.
Thank you though
for directing me
to the city,
because I should
also be
acquainted with
those
ordinances.
I am not
familiar with
the Florida
Yards &
Neighborhoods
program. Can
you tell me a
little about it?
Would you be
available to
give me advice?
For example, I
have asked the
company that
currently cares
for water
quality and
control of weeds
in the ponds, to
provide me with
a list of
chemicals they
use. I was told
that they may
not be able to
tell me, because
they don't want
other companies
copying them.
This answer
troubles me. I
should think
that we have the
right to know
what chemicals
are being used
in the ponds.
Sincerely,
Caroline B.
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|
Dear Caroline:
Thank you for contacting me. The very first step
you need to do is contact and meet with the City
of Winter Park's Stormwater Department to find out
what permitting, requirements, that your HOA need
to follow to comply with the City of Winter
Park's stormwater ordinances. City Engineer Don
Marcotte, P.E. will be able to tell you who you
need to talk.
I
would like to be able to help you with your plans
but at this time, the city of Winter Park does not
sponsor the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program.
If that changes in the future, I'll let you know.
Caroline:
You can click on the link in my signature and it
will take you to the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
website. It is a program that helps educate
homeowners, builders & developers, and landscapers
on water conservation and nonsource water
pollution.
Any company you contract with should
provide you with a list of chemicals that they use
every time they treat the landscape. Any
use of chemicals in landscapes are mandated
through federal and state laws. The company has to
keep records for every landscape they take care of
to keep their pesticide and herbicide licenses.
All companies use the same chemicals.
Replies like that should make you very suspect
as to their entire practices and charges.
I
would recommend that you or a representative
attend a Florida Yards & Neighborhoods landscaping
workshop. I am teaching one tonight at the
Orange County Extension office at
6021 S Conway Road, Orlando. You're
welcome to attend. If you cannot come tonight,
future workshops are listed at
http://cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshops.html
You'll be very pleased with the information you
learn to enable you to deal with landscapers.
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Tree
Planting |
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|
I am a homeowner on 10 acres
in
Apopka, I have approx
3-4 acres of what I am
assuming are Live Oaks
approx 60-70 ft tall, 90 %
are dying or dead.
I am considering planting
Pines or others to start to
re-forest .
Any suggestions for type of
tree (Slash Pine?, oaks?)
and are there any programs
where I can buy trees?
Thank You.
Larry S.
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|
Dear Larry:
Thank you for contacting me. Here is a resource
in regards to replanting your acreage.
You can call Chris Otremba with the Department of
Forestry at
352-360-6676
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Landscape Designer |
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|
hi Teresa
I have a small 1800 sq ft
townhouse with court yard in
front
and back that needs
landscaping. I am looking
to connect
with someone who looks to use
native species and
xericscaping -
as well as be attuned to Earth
Energies and the faery realm
in the design and
installation.
I live in the Springs
subdivision in
Longwood Florida - do
you
do work in this area or can
you recommend someone who
does?
thanks so much.
Janet
P.S.
I
forgot to mention that the
wekiva river goes through
the Springs subdivision and
that it backs up to the
Wekiva River State Park.
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|
Dear Janet:
Thanks for emailing. I love the idea of gardens
using fung shei and allowing fairies to move
in. Attending one of my FYN landscaping workshop
would be a great start and would enable you to
know what exactly you want and how to implement
your desires into your design. If you don't want
to do the work, you would then know what kind of
questions to ask so that you get exactly what you
want. You can find my workshops listed on my
webpage.
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|
Landscape/Nursery Referrals |
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|
Hi Theresa,
My wife and I attended
your "new residents" workshop
last Feburary and were
grateful for your
knowledgeable presentation.
We hope to begin our
landscaping project for our
home in
Altoona, FL this
winter. Do you
personally do any design
consulting?...or Could you
recomend any nurseries
that would offer landscape
designs where their design fee
would be credited
toward plant purchases? The
information booklets we
received from your
workshop are very educational,
but what we need at this time
is creative
design input. Any help you
could give us as a way of
pointing us in the
right direction would be
gratefully appreciated.
Thanks for your time and
consideration of this matter.
Dean and Cathy McC.
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|
Dear
Cathy and Dean:
Thank you so much for writing. I'm sorry that I
don't do landscape designs as part of my scope of
work, and I've never heard of a landscaping
nursery doing designs for a fee that would be
credited to plant purchases. My suggestion is to
attend a landscape design class at the Lake County
Extension office or the local community college
campus in your area. If you can't do that, going
to a local nursery and asking them to help you
design a landscape. Some may do it for free.
You're right, this winter would be an ideal time
to start a landscape renovation. Good luck!
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|
Fall Bulbs |
|
|
Hi
Thank you for taking the
time to read my email.
There is a very tall Norfolk
Island Pine planted within
one foot of my home, the
tree has three rather large
trunks. I have been told
that the root system of this
tree will cause damage, if
not already caused, to my
homes foundation. Also I
have been told that the
trees root system might also
cause damage to the sewer
and water lines to the
house.
Is this true, Should the
tree be removed
Thank you
Michael M.
Lake Mary, FL
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|
According to Dr. Ed Gilman, noted UF/IFAS researcher
and tree specialist, there are few documented cases
of any tree roots causing foundation
problems in any soil type except clay. Here is the
University of Florida's publication on Norfolk
Island Pine.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST083 The tree
won't cause damage to the sewer and water lines
unless there are already water and sewage pipeline
cracks to begin with. Without seeing the tree and
it's placement next to traffic areas into and
around your home, the only reason I see it being
taken out (at this time) is if it is impeding
traffic or lower branches hurting someone. You
could always limb it up to prevent someone getting
hurt.
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Fall Bulbs |
|
|
Teresa,
Will you please tell me what
ones of these are zoned for
here? Their literature
doesn’t say.
Gina
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