Pest Patrol: Chinch Bugs & More – What to Watch for

Spring is here—and so are the bugs. As temperatures rise, lawn and garden pests become more active and can quickly take a toll on your landscape if left unchecked. That’s why we’re launching a new monthly feature to help you spot and stop common pests before they do serious damage.

Each month, we’ll highlight a few of the usual suspects, show you what to look for, and share the best ways to manage them—naturally or with targeted treatments.

This month, we’re kicking things off with a video about chinch bugs—a tiny menace that can cause big problems in your lawn. We’re also spotlighting three more pests you may encounter: mole crickets, grubs, and aphids. Scroll down to learn how to identify each one and what to do if you find them.

Chinch bugs are one of the most destructive lawn pests in Northeast Florida—especially in St. Augustine grass. In this video, Chad from Earth Works in Jacksonville, FL explains how to spot early signs of chinch bug damage, where they typically hide (like along sidewalks and driveways), and how to confirm their presence using a simple float test.

You’ll also learn:

✔️ Why drought-stressed lawns are most vulnerable

✔️ The difference between chinch bug and sod webworm damage

✔️ How and when to treat using contact insecticides

✔️ Why quick action is critical to avoid permanent turf damage

If you’re seeing browning patches in your lawn and wondering if chinch bugs are to blame.

This guide will help you take the right steps. 

Common Lawn & Garden Pests

Mole Crickets

1. What They Look Like: Light brown, about 2 inches long, with large front legs that look like tiny shovels—perfect for digging.
2. Where You’ll Find Them: These pests tunnel underground, usually in lawns or vegetable beds, and are active at night. Their presence is often spotted by raised, loose soil and ½-inch wide tunnels.
3. How to Control Them:

• Apply beneficial nematodes or insecticides labeled for mole cricket control in early evening.
• Water the lawn before treatment to draw them closer to the surface.
• Late spring and early fall are key treatment windows.

Grubs

1. What They Look Like: “C”-shaped, dirty white larvae with darkened rear ends and reddish-brown heads, ranging from ¼ to 2½ inches long.
2. Where You’ll Find Them: In the root zone of your lawn or garden beds, often under the turf. They feed on plant roots and tubers, causing grass to brown or lift easily.
3. How to Control Them:

• Apply grub-specific insecticides in late summer or early fall when young grubs are near the surface.
• Beneficial nematodes are a great organic control option.
• Keep your lawn healthy and well-aerated to discourage infestation.

Aphids

1. What They Look Like: Tiny, pear-shaped insects (1/32 to 1/8 inch) that may be green, yellow, black, pink, or brown.
2. Where You’ll Find Them: On the undersides of leaves, tender stems, or flower buds—often in clusters.
3. How to Control Them:

• Spray plants with a strong stream of water to dislodge them.
• Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavier infestations.
• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to keep aphid populations in check.
• Watch for curled leaves or stunted growth—aphids also spread plant viruses.

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Palms We Love (and Why You Will Too)

Whether you’re going for a coastal vibe, a courtyard accent, or a full tropical escape, palms are the cornerstone of that classic Florida style. With the right mix of height, texture, and climate tolerance, they can transform any space into a relaxed, resort-like retreat—right at home in Northeast Florida.

Inside Matt’s Garden Shed

This month, Matt spotlights two essential fertilizers that help palms stay strong, green, and resilient in Florida’s challenging climate. These go-to products are key for maintaining healthy fronds, preventing deficiencies, and supporting long-term growth in your landscape.

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Spring Into Pruning: Tips for a Healthier Garden

Spring is the perfect time to shape up your landscape—and a little thoughtful pruning goes a long way toward keeping your plants healthy, blooming, and looking their best.

Pruning Basics for All Plants

What to Prune in Florida This Spring

🌸 Azaleas & Other Spring Bloomers

Prune right after flowering. These plants bloom on last year’s growth—cutting too late removes next year’s flowers.

🌼 Crape Myrtle & Summer-Blooming Shrubs

These bloom on new growth, so prune in late winter or early spring. You can even cut them back hard—they’ll still bloom beautifully!

💐 Hydrangeas

Most types bloom on old wood—prune before midsummer to avoid cutting off buds. Newer reblooming varieties are more forgiving.

🌿 Foliage Shrubs (like Loropetalum & Ligustrum)

These can be shaped almost anytime—just avoid heavy pruning in late fall when growth won’t harden off before winter.

🌳 Clipped Hedges (Boxwood, Podocarpus)

Shear frequently in early spring to maintain a tidy shape. Stop by late fall to prevent frost damage.

🌹 Roses

For repeat bloomers like Knock Out and Drift roses, prune in early spring to remove winter damage and shape the plant. For once-a-year bloomers, wait until after flowering.

🌼 Perennials & Annuals

Deadhead often to keep the blooms coming. Leggy plants? Cut them back by half to encourage stockier growth and rebloom.

🍊 Citrus Trees

Remove suckers from the base of young trees. Mature trees need little canopy pruning—only cut to remove freeze or disease damage, or to prevent crowding.

Now’s also the perfect time to bring in the pollinators—birds, bees, and butterflies are buzzing, and our wide selection of hardy perennials and dazzling annuals will keep them coming back all season long.

Hope to see you soon,

—Matt & Rhonda, Garden Center Managers

Inside Matt’s Garden Shed

Where Matt shares his favorite go-to products every gardener should keep on hand.

From tried-and-true essentials to clever time-savers, these picks help make lawn and garden care easier and more effective.

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lA Note from

Matthew Barlow

Do April showers bring May flowers? Maybe up North—but here in NE FLorida, we usually face dry conditions during late winter and early spring. Every year is a little different, but as the weather warms up, it’s important to keep a close eye on anything you’ve recently planted. If you haven’t checked your irrigation system yet, now’s the time. A little extra attention now can make all the difference in helping your new landscape take root and thrive.

Matthew’s Garden Tips

Essential Watering Tips for Freshly Planted Landscapes

Spring Plantings Need a Little Extra Love 🌿

It’s planting season in Northeast Florida! But even the healthiest new trees, shrubs, and flowers need consistent care to thrive—especially when it comes to watering. Nursery plants are used to daily water and need time to adjust to life in your yard.

Why Watering Matters

Sprinklers alone often aren’t enough. New plantings need targeted hand watering or a drip system to get their roots established and ensure long-term success

Watering Guidelines

When to Water Less

✔️ After heavy or frequent rain

✔️ In consistently damp soil

✔️ In deep shade or with drought-tolerant plants (though they still need help early on)

GARDENING PRO TIP

Water in the morning or late evening.

Never between 1–4 p.m. when most water is lost to evaporation.

Inside Matt’s Garden Shed

Where Matt shares his favorite go-to products every gardener should keep on hand.

From tried-and-true essentials to clever time-savers, these picks help make lawn and garden care easier and more effective.

Chad’s Lawn Care Advice

Lawn Watering Tips

With the arrival of daylight saving time, Duval County’s watering restrictions have shifted—and with spring heating up, it’s time to make sure your lawn is getting exactly what it needs to stay healthy and green.

Know Your Watering Days – Duval County Restrictions

Here’s a quick guide to the current watering schedule in Duval County, now that we’ve sprung forward:

Watering Guidelines for Established Lawns

A healthy lawn requires different amounts of water depending on the season and temperature. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Newly Installed Sod—Especially St. Augustine

New sod needs extra attention to take root and thrive, especially in Florida’s fluctuating spring weather. Here’s what to know:

• Week 1–2: Water daily, ideally in the morning. St. Augustine sod typically needs ¼ to ½ inch of water per day, depending on temperature and wind.
• Week 3–4: Water every other day.
• Week 5–6: Transition to your regular watering schedule based on season and temperature.
• Avoid mowing until roots are established (usually around week 3).
• Avoid foot traffic (and furry feet!) during this establishment period.

☀️ Hot and dry weather? You may need to water twice daily in the first two weeks. Cool and cloudy? Scale back a bit. 

LAWN CARE PRO TIP

If your lawn has just been sprayed for pests, weeds or fertilization, please keep children and pets off the turf for at least 2 hours, or until the grass is completely dry to the touch. This helps avoid irritation and ensures the product has been absorbed properly.

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Matthew Barlow

Garden Center Manager

Matt moved to Northeast Florida over twenty years ago after being bitten by the “plant bug” in a greenhouse in Houston, Texas. Since then he has been passionate about learning as much as he can about every plant he encounters. In his free time he relaxes in his backyard while tending to his vegetable garden and bonsai trees.

Matthew’s Garden Tips

Fertilizing Made Simple

Hey everyone, it’s Matthew from Earth Works! Let’s break down fertilization to help you feed your plants effectively.

Find the Right Fertilizer at Earth Works

We carry a wide range of organic, synthetic, hybrid, solid, and liquid fertilizers. Stop by and chat with me, Matthew—I’d love to help you find the perfect fertilizer for your plants!

Matthew’s Garden Tips

A Simple Guide to Spring Vegetable Gardening

Growing your own vegetables can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but in Florida’s sandy soil, it takes the right approach to be successful. Earth Works Garden Center Manager Matthew Barlow shares his lessons learned from years of trial and error, so you can grow healthy, thriving vegetables with confidence.

Best Vegetables & Herbs to Plant This Spring

✅ Tomatoes – Start early for best results

✅ Peppers – Bell, jalapeño, banana, and more thrive in warm weather

✅ Cucumbers – Perfect for trellises and raised beds

✅ Squash & Zucchini – Fast-growing and productive

✅ Green Beans – Easy to grow, bush and pole varieties

✅ Eggplant – Loves the heat and produces all summer

✅ Okra – A summer staple that thrives in Florida’s climate

Chad Lakin

Lawn Maintenance Operations Manager

Chad has been a dedicated member of Earth Works for nine years, serving as the Licensed Certified Operator. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he brings extensive expertise in operations and maintenance. Chad attended the University of North Florida (UNF) and continues to play a vital role in ensuring efficiency and excellence at Earth Works.  

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Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica produces the larger, showier blooms most people picture when they think of a camellia. Flowers appear from late winter into early spring. Japonicas prefer partial shade and grow more slowly, making them a natural choice as a focal point or specimen plant. They can eventually get quite large, so give them room.

Camellia sinensis: the additional option that you can drink

Most people don’t realize that the tea in their cup comes from a camellia. Camellia sinensis is the species behind green, black, and oolong teas. The leaves are harvested, dried, and processed differently depending on the type of tea being made.

Unlike the ornamental varieties, Camellia sinensis is grown for its foliage rather than its flowers. It thrives in warm, humid climates with acidic soil, which makes Northeast Florida a reasonable place to try growing it. It won’t give you the big showy blooms of a japonica or sasanqua, but if you’re interested in a working tea garden, it’s a surprisingly viable option for this part of Florida. Camellia sinensis is hardy in zones 7 through 9, so Jacksonville’s climate is within range.

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