Who we are……..
I’m Dave Schultz, owner of Dave, The Garden Guy, Inc. We are a landscape design and installation firm. We do garden maintenance (not cut lawns), container design and installation; irrigation repair; drainage design and installation. We are located in the Tampa area.
We have been in business for 10 years. We are a small business operation . We primarily do residential work. Always looking to expand in the residential sector. We do however plan to increase our business profile in the area of containers and front entrance appeal for commercial customers (restaurants. store fronts, etc.).
I’m a Master Gardner and have a Florida Horticulture Professional certificate from FNGLA. Numerous certificates regarding horticulture sponsored by UF, The Extension Office, various professional organizations. Along with undergraduate and graduate degrees.
That’s enough of the self aggrandize. Sorry about that – my agent said I had to do that.
Why A Blog?????????????????
Great question and thanks for asking. I have always wanted to write a blog. I think they are cool. Plus I think I’m too old for tik-tok. A great way to get information to folks who have a common interest. A great way to blow off steam and also right the wrongs of the world (at least in the area of gardening).
I think my blog is the 4 millionth in the world of landscaping; however I hope to be different in the following way:
- I’m not doing this to sell you anything. I WILL NEVER advertise my services on the blog (website yes – blog NO). This is to have fun, blow off steam and hopefully help folks become more informed gardner’s.
- I’ll keep the blog current and post at least once a week if not more. Most blogs seem to die after a few months
- I write my own content, unlike so many firms that hire folks to do that for them. You will be able to tell from my writings that I am not a pro when it comes to writing.
- In 10 years of being in this field and hearing so many silly and crazy wives tales about gardening I have been dying to debunk them and tell the truth. Like why you can’t grow Hydrangeas in our area.
- Try to show how to make simple repairs to your irrigation system. I am so tired of repairing homeowner rub goldberg systems. If you are too cheap to hire a professional at least learn how to do it the right way. “Why do it right when you can always do it wrong.”
- Lastly have fun. This is not for the faint of heart. I won’t pull punches, I’ll tell the truth.
- Answer any questions you have or try to help you out the best I can.
Let’s Get Started>>>>>>>>>>>
First things first; This blog only deals with horticulture/gardening/plants/shrubs/activities in the Tampa Bay Region. If you are New Jersey (which I feel sorry for you) we won’t be of mulch help. If you are familiar with the USDA hardiness zones we are 9b. That was established in 2012. Prior to that we were 9a. When I figure out how to do it I’ll link to a map showing the zones.
What does this mean for us:
- We are our own little micro-system. We are not San Diego. What grows there does not grow here.
- Please stop looking at Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living (I love the recipes in Southern Living). Are you familiar with Vivian Howard? You should be. I digress – we can’t grow 80.46% of what you see in those magazines. As pretty as those pictures are; it ain’t gonna happen. The heat and the humidity melt everything that is not acclimated to our climate.
- Yes Virginia – The box stores will sell you whatever they want or have been ordered. Great story ; My wife bought Fuchsia from HD a few years ago. Totally pumped up how pretty it was (it is very pretty) and psyched that it grows her. Guess what? In 2 weeks dead – why? heat and humidity; but Dave if they sell it here it must grow here – WRONG. We are not in San Diego.
- We are pretty limited on what we can plant. Learn to like tropical.
I think that is enough for now. I’ll leave you with 3 key points (to many bullet points – they are easy):
- University of Florida is our land grant university. They wrote the book on Florida Horticulture. If you have any questions about any flora in Florida when you go to search type -edis- after the subject. That’s the “Electronic Data Information System” from UF which contains every single paper every published by the University. You will find everything you need to know – in fact you will know more than than your lawn care and pest care companies. Guaranteed. More on this topic later.
- If you have any questions, reach out to the County Extension Office. They are there to help you. And they are free. The number is: (813) 744-5519. They are located in Seffner.
- If you are planting Poinsettias for the holidays make your life easy. Plant them in the containers. If you bought the cell packs you can’t do that, but if you have 4″ or larger containers you can plant them in the container. Since they will only be in the ground for a short period of time, make your life easy. Plus all of the nutrients they need are in that container/soil.
- If you like growing tomatoes you better plant them this month. You cannot grow tomatoes in the summer. We have 2 seasons. Fall and Spring. Start now; use raised beds. Very critical to your success.
Thanks for your time ….. be great , Dave
