Gardening in raised beds is becoming more popular as more people try growing their own food. Using raised beds is like growing plants in large containers. The planting area is raised above the existing soil level and usually enclosed within a structure to form a planting bed. Raised beds offer many advantages. Traditional gardening takes …
Trees and the shade they cast provide welcome relief from Florida’s intense sun and heat, but gardening in shade can be challenging. Lawn grasses in particular are difficult to grow in moderate to deep shade. They typically need at least 6 hours of sun, although certain species and cultivars can adapt to less. Additionally, most …
Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural intensification is reducing populations of pollinators, including native bees and monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), all over the world (Goulson et al. 2015). Recent evidence indicates that features of urban landscapes such as warmer temperatures and less viable habitat reduce the number and/or diversity of pollinators that live in these …
CREATING WILDFLOWER HABITATS IN GOLF COURSE OUT-OF-PLAY AREAS Read More »
Florida homeowners have many reasons to consider converting their existing residential landscape to a Florida-Friendly Landscape. Most importantly, a Florida-Friendly yard is an environmentally sound yard that conserves and protects Florida’s waterways, soil, wildlife, and energy. Using the right plants in the right place can filter harmful stormwater runoff, improve the landscape’s soil, provide wildlife …
Golf course nutrient management programs commonly include the application of both nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). These macronutrients are required by turfgrass in greater quantities than any other element except carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (Carrow et al. 2001). Soil tests are commonly used to make nutrient recommendations. However, soil test calibration curves have never been …
NITROGEN TO POTASSIUM RATIOS FOR FLORIDA GOLF COURSES Read More »
Scale insects and mealybugs are ubiquitous in managed landscapes. Although they are most commonly managed in the landscape on ornamental plants, this group of insects can also be damaging pests of warm season turfgrasses. To date, little research has investigated management strategies for these pests in turfgrasses, and few products are labeled or tested for …
Managing Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Turfgrass Read More »
Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are common insects in Florida’s natural areas. They are among the most abundant herbivores in grassland ecosystems and are an important source of food for wildlife, especially birds. There are about 70 species of grasshoppers in Florida. Some species are quite rare and endangered, or unique to Florida. Grasshopper species tend to …
Florida has very different climatic and environmental conditions and this can harbor many different types of insects that could be problematic for your lawn. The following is a list of the most popular insects: BILLBUGS An adult billbug is a black beetle (weevil) that has a “bill” or snout. The chewing mouthparts are at the …
TARGET AUDIENCE The present document is a tool for turfgrass professionals, sod growers, landscape managers, and extension specialists to develop herbicide programs that reduce the risk of herbicide resistance (HR) evolution in turfgrass systems. INTRODUCTION Herbicides are the most common and effective tool for weed control in turfgrass. However, weed species are capable of adapting, …
Turfgrass Herbicides: Mechanisms of Action and Resistance Management Read More »
Homeowners are generally discouraged from using fungicide products to manage diseases of the lawn and landscape for the following reasons: Fungicide products have been developed to help manage specific plant diseases. There is no one product suitable for every situation. Correct diagnosis of the disease being treated is necessary to select the appropriate fungicide products. …
Homeowner’s Guide to Fungicides for Lawn and Landscape Disease Management Read More »
