Who in the world is Tom MacCubbin?

Well, if you live in Florida you probably already know. But if you're live outside the state you're probably not familiar with Florida's foremost expert on lawn and garden issues.

Tom has hosted the "Better Lawns & Gardens" radio program for more than 18 years and is heard every Saturday morning on more than 20 radio stations throughout Florida.

Tom is the author of the articles on this web site plus a horticultural column and a weekly feature for the Orlando Sentinel. He's also written 6 books including "Florida Home Grown", the "Edible Landscape", "Month by Month Gardening in Florida", co-author of the "Florida Gardener's Guide", and was a contributor to the 1997 "Sunset National Garden Book".

Over the years, Tom has hosted "Florida Home Grown" and "Indoor Gardens" on public television stations in Florida and the southeast. He also makes appearances on Bright House Network's news channel in Central Florida.

Tom's "real" job has been the Orange County Urban Horticulturist until he retired in April, 2007. He was employed by the county and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - a division of the University of Florida at Gainesville. He is now an Extension Agent Emeritus with a full professor equivalent at U of F. His primary assignment has been to assist Florida homeowners in the development and maintenance of home gardens, landscapes, turf and ornamentals which he continues through his many media programs.

Last, but certainly not least, we must mention the woman behind the man. If you're a listener to "Better Lawns & Gardens" you may be familiar with the voice in the background from Tom's wife Joani.

Joani has served as co-producer and call screener of the radio show for several years. We're not exactly sure, but we suspect that Joani does the majority of the gardening around the MacCubbin household.

Joani has "her own little corner in the garden". Visit Joani's Corner.

- Jim Poling, Webmaster - "BetterLawns.com"