Have a question about your landscape project?
Fill out the form below and the Landscape Renovator will review your question and post the answer here.
Submitted by: Mara Delgado from Palm Coast, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
A landscaper suggested to put down some Parsonil Juniper in front of my lawn for my house, to be honest I HATE THEM. Would you suggest something a bit more happier or coloful that I maybe can ask for?
Answer:
I feel your pain! I don't particularly like them either. Parsonii grow 18-24' high, substitutes could be; Dwarf Jasmine 6-10', Super Big Blue Liriope 12-18', Schillings Holly 24-30'. Or a couple natives; Mrs. Shillers Viburnum 24-30', Coontie 18-24'.
Submitted by: Rob Jordan from orlando, FL
Category:
Lawns
Question:
Our yard is quickly deteriorating due to moles. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them and restore our yard?
Answer:
The moles are in your lawn grazing on the insects. The insects are there grazing on your grass. Get rid of the insects and your moles will go over to your neighbors yard. Pick up an insecticide at your local garden center.
Submitted by: Nancy Ulerich from Longwood, FL
Category:
Lawns
Question:
I cannot grow St. Agustine grass on my 1 acre property. We have had all sorts of answers as to why $6000 worth of it is now all Burmuda grass, 4 years later. Then we did a soil test that shows the soil is 97% sand and it has no water retention capability. Our plan was a golf course, so maybe my house was built on a sand trap. What are my options? I do not wnat to spend $10000 on grass to have it overtaken by Burmuda grass again because the St. Agustine cannot hold water in the sand.
Nancy
Answer:
Unfortunately there is no herbicide to keep the Bermuda grass from invading the St. Augustine. Well, other than Round-up and that will kill everything. The problem is the Bermuda grass is probably in your neighbors lawn and will eventually be back in yours. I'm sorry the only suggestion I have other than just letting your lawn be a mixed salad of different greens, turn your lawn into a Burmuda grass lawn.
Submitted by: Lea Anne Cobb from Brunswick, GA
Category:
Lawns
Question:
We are about to lay sod in the yard. How is the best way to prepare the ground.
Thanks
Answer:
To keep it simple...Remove all rocks, roots( cover with soil if to large), and all thatch or old lawn debri. Bring soil to a clean smooth grade. Lay sod and keep watered for the first month.
Not so simple... Check your PH and adjust if needed. If you are replacing an old lawn that had problems you should solve those problems. Check PH, fix irrigation, check pest problems.
Submitted by: Amy Tagye from Oviedo, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
In the current heat - can you cut back on plants and bushes, such as azelea?
Answer:
The heat shouldn't effect a well established plant from being pruned. If you need to prune severely I would wait for more rains to come...Since it took me a week to get to your question the rains have showed up. So you can prune crazy!!
Submitted by: Jeff Lambert from orlando, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
If I decide to have the majestic beauty hawthorne put in our backyard, it says they require full sun. my yard is pretty shady, will they do well in the shade as well?
Answer:
Unfortunately this plant does not do well in the shade. However, I've been in your yard and the back right corner gets 4 to 5 hours of sun. This should be enough to grow a nice plant with plenty of blooms.
Submitted by: Kiero J. from Apopka, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
What should I be plantig for annuals this time of year I have no luck at all. Mostly a sunny area.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Kiero
Answer:
Wax Begonias are always a safe choice. This is a tough time of year. Nights are still a little cool with sometimes hot days. Our cool weather annuals are about to go by. So... say good-by to Snap Dragons, Pansies, and Petunias. Say hello to Begonias, Coleus, and Impatiens(shade).
Submitted by: Sonja J. from Windemere, FL
Category:
Back Yard Design
Question:
I have an area that I want a natural fence and my neighbors tell me that Viburnum is a good choice. What do you think??
Sonja
Answer:
Good choice if you have alot of room and don't mind pruning 10-20 times during the season.Viburnum is a great, fast growing, tough plant.If you have a tight space Podocarpus would be a great sub.
Submitted by: Deja P. from Orlando, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
I have a Hibiscus plant that has overgrown the area,on the side of my driveway.can I cut it back or should I scrap it and get another plnt? I love the color.
Thanks
Deja
Answer:
Yes you can cut it back, but I would scrap it and plant something more in scale with your space. Your Hibiscus blooms on the tips of the stemes, if you keep cutting it you don't see any flowers.
Submitted by: David Polchlopek from Oviedo, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
I have heard many rules to when it is a good time to gut back my Azeleas and am totally confused.Before they bloom, after they bloom ???????Help me Landscape Renovator.
Answer:
Wow true Azalea Anguish! A good rule of thumb is to prune plants after they have bloomed. You can still prune during the growing season, but remember Azaleas set their blooming buds in the fall. Late season pruning may leave you bloomless next spring.
Submitted by: Mary Pugliese from New Brunswick, NJ
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
We have a 25 foot tall Red Maple in our front yard. It is a beautiful tree, but it is growing too large. Can we relocate it to our more spacious back yard with out running the risk of killing the tree..or ourselves in the process?
Answer:
Yes...ok I guess a little advise could help. If you have a little time cut the roots approx 3' away from the tree's trunk. This will allow the tree to create a better root ball by growing new roots close to the trunk. Transplanting this tree is best when it's dormant, early spring or fall. A Vermer digger would be easiest for this job since the root ball can weigh 1000lbs. and more.
Submitted by: Kelly Hauser from Apopka, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
Andy,
We have a few crepe myrtle trees in our front garden. I have noticed our neighbors pruning them down to the trunk. Should we be doing the same?
Answer:
You don't have to. Wow, that simple. However, if you need to keep your crape a certain size or it needs a little shaping you can prune it. A better pruning time would be right before the seeds mature. This fakes the crape out and it will re-flower. Now thats cool!
Submitted by: pat from braintree, MA
Category:
Back Yard Design
Question:
Hello, I just purchased a home that has a back yard that goes into a marsh/swampy area (which is not part of my property) but the marsh makes the back half of my yard really really soggy, even when it hasnt rained for weeks. Is there anything i can do to just have normal, dry grass there or would i be able to build a patio or deck over the soggy area?? any information will be very helpful and i appreciate you taking your time to answer my question
Answer:
It's always great to hear from my home state gardeners. Especially nice to give advise since I graduated from U-Mass with my landscape architects degree. Your problem is the same my southern gardeners have as well as everyone that has heavier soils and soggyness. Taking away the surface water with 'French' drains should solve the problem. A 4in. perforated sock pipe surrounded with 3/4in. crushed stone and filter cloth set 1-2in. below grade to allow the grass to grow over. WOW, I did'nt know I could speak French. Builing a patio or deck over this area will also make a usable space.
Submitted by: Bob Giguere from Orlando, FL
Category:
Trees and Shrubs
Question:
Why have my red ti plants turned to brown ti plants?
Answer:
Well, I'm guessing it got real cold at your house, and your Ti look like they turned to brown mush. Hopefully they will come though the winter freeze with just leaf fry. Cut them back to 6in.-2ft. and wait 2-3 months for bushy Ti.
Submitted by: Randy Blyth from Clermont, FL
Category:
Lawns
Question:
I would like to replace my existing St. Augistine lawn with a thinner bladed grass. Are there any particular strains that I should investigate that would be more hearty than others in the Florida heat?
Answer:
Alot of my customers ask the same question. You want what our northern gardeners have...Bluegrass, Fescue, and Ryegrass. Ahhh the fine bladed grasses. Try Zoysia empire. I've had pretty good luck with this one.
Landscaping Tip for June
Transplanting Trees With Ease....
Andy Robinson, The Landscape Renovator, explains in detail the best method for transplanting trees and other foliage.
View Video
