The Lawn Guide Series takes the mystery out of lawn care and maintenance. The book describes how to properly plant, fertilize and water as well as recommendations on how to address the inevitable lawn problems.

A Guide to Florida Grasses offers an introduction to this vital and frequently neglected plant family. This richly illustrated reference includes complete details pertaining to the identification, structure, distribution, and uses of more than 200 of the most common grasses found in Florida and nearby states. With over 500 color images--some picturing species that have never been described with a published image--correctly identifying and selecting members of this important plant family has never been easier. Environmentalists, hikers, and nature lovers can take this book into the field or enjoy it at home. A Guide to Florida Grasses will be accessible and invaluable to professional botanists, commercial landscapers, homeowners, and plant enthusiasts alike.

"Gardeners should look no further than the Florida Lawn Handbook to help green up their lawns. It's chock-full of 'how to do it' information from the University of Florida's turf experts. Now there is no excuse not to have an attractive, earth-friendly lawn."--Tom MacCubbin, host of "Better Lawns and Gardens," Orlando, Florida This comprehensive, eco-friendly guide takes the mystery out of proper lawn care and maintenance in Florida. Written in practical language by turfgrass experts, this new edition is completely up-to-date and contains the most recent lawn management information, including approved pesticide and fertilizer practices. Color plates identify various grass types, weeds, diseases, and insects--including those that are good for your lawn. Chapters address: --the 8 Florida grasses: turf, bahia, Bermuda, buffalo, carpet, centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia --selection, adaptability, establishment, and maintenance for each type of lawn, with comparative data for each --soil analysis and fertilization --yearly calendars for lawn care and culture --mowing, watering, and calibrating sprinkler systems and fertilizer spreaders --overseeding for winter color --preparing a lawn for drought and low temperatures --weed and thatch control --how to choose a lawn maintenance or landscaping service --safe pesticide application and use --integrated pest management strategies --complete diagnostic information by type of grass for identification of weeds, grass diseases, insect problems, nematodes, and other pests like moles, armadillos, fire ants, and gophers Kathleen C. Ruppert is environmental horticulturist and Robert J. Black is consumer horticulture specialist with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida.

Gardening experts Georgia Tasker and Tom MacCubbin present advice on choosing plants for the diverse landscape of Florida. More than 160 entries provide information on planting, growing, and caring for a myriad of plants.

Everything you need to know to keep your lawn looking its best! Written in practical language by turfgrass experts, this new edition is completely up-to-date with the most recent lawn management information. Color plates identify various grass types, weeds, diseases, and insects—including those that are good for your lawn. Chapters cover selection, adaptability, establishment, and main­tenance for each type of lawn; soil analysis and fertilization; yearly calendars for lawn care and culture; mowing, watering, and calibrating sprinkler systems and fertilizer spreaders; overseeding for winter color; preparing a lawn for drought and low temperatures; weed and thatch control; safe pesticide application and use; integrated pest management strategies; and complete, illustrated diagnostic information for weeds, diseases, insect problems, nematodes, and other pests.

More and more Florida residents are deciding to replace highly fertilized, over-watered, pesticide-dependent lawns with native plants. They want to reduce their carbon footprints; save time, water, and money; and attract birds and butterflies. But where to begin? This illustrated guide will help you create new outdoor spaces that are both sustainable and beautiful. Taking the common ⅓-acre lot as an example, Ginny Stibolt and Marjorie Shropshire provide a sample layout for a basic native plant landscape. They use a grid system that allows gardeners to work on their yards in small sections instead of trying to revamp the entire landscape at once. The grid system can also be reduced or expanded for yards of varying size. By breaking down the process into individual steps, creating a Florida garden is achievable for beginners and experts alike. The first step is assessing your property and choosing which plants to keep and which to remove. Then, design your landscape to soak up more stormwater through the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, or ponds. The next steps involve planting trees, understory plants, and installing butterfly gardens. There are additional instructions for building wild areas into your landscape to provide habitat for birds and pollinators; creating a flexible outdoor room perfect for your family's needs today and into the future; and using plants to cool the air, provide screening for privacy, buffer incoming winds, and reduce noise. By following these methods, anyone can convert all or part of their yard into a more natural area without using pesticides or artificial fertilizers, which will save money, reduce pollution, and help support wildlife. Complete with detailed diagrams, a timeline for growth and maintenance, and lists of suggested plants for each step, this guide will help readers set up an environmentally friendly habitat and give them the time and peace of mind to enjoy it.

More comprehensive than ever, the Complete Guide to Florida Gardening explains in step-by-step fashion how to create one's own personal outdoor paradise. Addressing the needs of gardening notvices, seasoned hobbyists, and horitculture professionals alike, Stan DeFreitas has, once again, created a reference book that no Florida gardener should be without.

In this revised and updated 2nd edition of Florida Gardener's Handbook, gardeners in the Sunshine State are handed all the know-how they'll need to grow a lush, productive garden. The environmentally sound growing info for both edible and ornamental plants found here is your green thumb map to success. With profiles of more than 300 plants proven to thrive in Florida's unique climate, including shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, vegetables, fruits, tropical plants, lawn grasses, and more, you'll be able to select the best plants to create a beautiful landscape or a high-yielding edible garden. Helpful charts highlight sun and shade requirements and offer clear and concise plant variety information. Month-by-month care and cultivation guides are offered for each plant group, guiding your journey—even if you're a first-time Florida gardener. Authors Tom MacCubbin and Georgia B. Tasker, along with pro gardeners Robert Bowden and Joe Lamp'l, address the many challenges of Florida gardening, including a changing climate and saltwater gardening information. The how-to methods for planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and much more are rich with information essential to Floridians. This comprehensive and extensive guide is the best resource for growing in the Sunshine State. Whether you live in Nassau County, the Florida Keys, or somewhere in between, the Florida Gardener's Handbook has you covered. Florida Gardener's Handbook is part of the Gardener's Handbook series from Cool Springs Press. Other books in the series include Midwest Gardener's Handbook, Carolinas Gardener's Handbook, Northwest Gardener's Handbook, and many others.