Carol Cloud Bailey, Special to TCPalm Published 10:00 a.m. ET June 3, 2020

Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) is native to South and Central Florida, Mexico, and the West Indies. It is sometimes used as a replacement for Ficus in formal hedges. The frequent pruning required to shape it into a square, formal hedge stresses the plants, making them more susceptible to pests such as caterpillars and Guava rust disease.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED BY CAROL CLOUD BAILEY)

Recently, the topics of this column have been about caterpillars, pests, native plants, and appropriate management. It seems to me there is much misinformation about gardening, landscaping, plants, and how to manage in Florida. It is different here; we grow things at different times than most of the country and plants grow the entire year instead of for a few months.

I often receive email disagreeing with what I have written in this column. Nothing wrong with that, I often learn from such email as it prompts me to read, talk to qualified experts, and observe local conditions. If I find Im wrong, I endeavor to say so reporting the correct information.

However, I have learned nothing changes folks long held thoughts of old wives tales, myths, and the my neighbor says/does syndrome better than a good education. The best way to grow a beautiful lawn, tree, cutting garden, container full of veggies, or anything else is to simply start, armed with the best research-based information available.

While many of us are still spending a lot of time at home, why not try out online education about gardening? I suggest you try some tailored to Florida conditions and backed by qualified resources and research. Here are a few to check out.

Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) is native to South and Central Florida, Mexico, and the West Indies. It is sometimes used as a replacement for Ficus in formal hedges. The frequent pruning required to shape it into a square, formal hedge stresses the plants, making them more susceptible to pests such as caterpillars and Guava rust disease.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED BY CAROL CLOUD BAILEY)

Native Plants of South Florida (https://nativeplantclass.weebly.com/lesson-1.html) is an online class built by friends Dr. George Rogers and John Bradford. Every so often George and John offer this course as an instructor-attended course. However, it is also built for self-paced instruction and is free to do so. Please be aware no instructor will be present to look over the images requested for the class or answer questions. You will learn all about the plants for this area and the proper place for growing.

The Florida Museum on the campus of the University of Florida is presenting Gardening for Pollinators online (https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/events/blog/gardening-for-pollinators-2020/). The course is self-paced and takes about 45 days to complete. The course focuses on bees and butterflies and how to create and manage gardens to support them. The cost of the course is $15 dollars and it is available through August.

Florida Gateway College in Lake City offers Horticulture Certificates online for a more involved horticultural education. Check out the wide variety of available courses at https://www.fgc.edu/discover/academic-programs/horticulture-and-landscape/. This is a state college and may require admission and course cost are per credit hour.

We also have institutions of higher education close by where in-class or online education opportunities are available. Indian River State College and Palm Beach State Collegehave horticulture programs and classes are registering now.

Each of Floridas 67 counties has a branch of the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences Extension Service. Some Extension Offices are presenting online course and seminars taught by the local Agent or Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are trained by the University of Florida experts and work out of these offices. Check out http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ for publications, programs, and info on finding the local Extension Office.

Gardening myths, misinformation, and old practices are rampant in the landscape and gardening world, beat the heat, join a class, or virtually visit the local Extension Office and get the lowdown on doing it right.

Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Send questions to carol@yard-doc.com or visit yard-doc.com for more information.

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Gardening in Florida: Education is the key to gardening correctly - TCPalm