‘Ask the Gardener’ Archives
What is an Agave plant?
I recently received a call from a local resident on Marco Island, who was wondering what type of cactus he had in his front yard and would it be possible for me to identify it. Well Mr Hubbard you are the proud parent of an Agave Americana (Century Plant). Over 300 species of Agave have been described, but only about 200 are currently [...]
Summer is coming . . .
Well, summer is on its way and the Florida heat is coming upon us, so now is a good time to get some key landscaping chores out of the way. Start by cutting back any leggy or overgrown plants, and remove dead or dying branches from trees and shrubs. If you haven’t fertilized your lawn yet, do it now (following the recommended application rates, [...]
Simple Rules to care for your Bougainvillea
Light & Temperature Bougainvilleas are tropical plants, being native to Brazil, that thrive in areas outdoors with low rainfall and intense heat. For maximum blooming, they need direct sunlight for at least 5 hours per day. Bougainvillea thrives in hardiness zones 9 and up (Marco Island is a perfect setting for just that). For you [...]
Top 10 Tips for the Home Gardener
From South Florida Water Management District; 1) Water infrequently, deeply and thoroughly - Most lawns need about 3/4 to 1 inch of water once per week, or once every two weeks when the weather cools. Water can come from rain, or from irrigation. Infrequent but deep watering will encourage deep rooting, healthier and hardier plants with a [...]
