Author Archives: AskthePlantMaster

Unknown's avatar

About AskthePlantMaster

I have 50 years of horticultural experience, am currently a Master Gardener in Central Florida. In addition, I'm a Horticulture Instructor and retired Parks Manager and Arborist. I love plants and would love to help you with yours!

Lawn Care Issues

Posted on October 25, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Have you noticed any light green yellowing areas in your lawn?  If so, this usually indicated a need for fertilizer, especially one containing iron.  Apply a slow (controlled) release fertilizer and water in following application. Soil insects are still with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fertilizing Lawn and Garden, Insects, Lawn Care, Lawn Pests, Plant Pests | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fall – Winter Garden Activities

Posted on October 2, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

If you have a vegetable garden, time to plant cool season crops such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, onions, greens, etc.  Plus strawberries. If not already done, it’s also time to plant cool season flowers such as alyssum, begonias, celosia, petunias, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fall Florida Gardening, Landscape Gardening, Plant Pests, Winter Florida Gardening | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pest Update

Posted on September 18, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

A few days ago I posted on my blog an update on pest problems in our area; now there’s more to be concerned about, including: Lawn Pests – Brown Patch – Look for distinct circular patches of yellow-brown colored turf … Continue reading →

Posted in Brown Patch, Chinch Bugs, Lawn Care, Lawn Pests | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lawn Fertilization

Posted on September 18, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Have you given your lawn its final feeding for this year?  If not, now’s the time to do so.  Suggest you use a slow (controlled) release fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 2(N) – 0(P) – 1(K), and remember to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fall Florida Gardening, Fertilizing Lawn and Garden, Summer Florida Gardening | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Current Florida Summer Gardening Problems

Posted on September 10, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Due to the large amounts of rain we’ve been receiving lately, many of us (self included) are experiencing problems of standing water in our lawns.  If not corrected, this can cause rotting, disease, and death of our lawn grass.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in grasshoppers, Insects, Plant Pests, Summer Florida Gardening | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Teaching Gardening Class Notification

Posted on September 10, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Beginning Oct 4th, 2012, at 1 p.m. I’ll resume teaching gardening classes at DeBary Hall in DeBary, FL.  There’s no charge for any of these classes.  My first one, “Welcome to Florida, we do things differently here”, is geared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Classes, Landscape Gardening, Plant Knowledge | Leave a comment

Lawn Care

Posted on August 21, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

I recently attended a lawn care class called “Turf for the Cheap and Lazy”.  I was surprised at how many homeowners mow their lawn when it’s wet.  This is not a good practice as it puts added stress on our … Continue reading →

Posted in Lawn Care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Weeds

Posted on August 21, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Did any of you watch Sunday Morning on CBS on Aug 19th 2012?  They had an interesting story on weeds.  What impressed me about the story and what I’d like to pass on to you is that many weeds have … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Pests, Weeds | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sustainability of our Landscape

Posted on August 21, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

If you were to look in the dictionary for a definition of sustainability, you would soon discover that it is a very broad topic with numerous definitions, dependent on what you want to sustain.  As it relates to our landscape, … Continue reading →

Posted in Landscape Gardening, Plant Knowledge | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fall and Winter Vegetable Garden

Posted on August 10, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Now is the time to get busy making plans if you’re going to have a garden this fall.  Next month you’ll begin planting it.  It’s also time to plant seed for tomatoes, cabbages, etc.  If you’re growing your own transplants, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fall Florida Gardening, Vegetable Gardening, Winter Florida Gardening | Tagged , , | Leave a comment