Monthly Archives: December 2023

Seed Saving from the Garden: part 1 of 2

For thousands of years, in an unbroken chain, seeds have been saved from each harvest to be sown the next season. Seed saving provides many benefits to the seed saver. The costs of seeds has notably risen in the past several years, but more importantly the reliable availability of seeds has come into question. Taking…

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Pretty petunias for winter color

While some flowers may be considered old-fashioned, they are still around for a reason – they look good!  And as new generations are introduced to old favorites – many of which have new looks – the adoption and appreciation continues.  Take petunias for example.  As our weather cools off, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved petunias are ideal…

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Festive Feasting with a Healthy Twist

The end of the year is almost here and we all know that means holidays and celebrations are in full swing. The best part of any celebration (besides friends and family, of course)? All of the delicious food! While the food we consume around this time of year is no doubt delicious, it also tends…

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Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife: The Eastern Gray Squirrel

[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jp Valery]This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for…

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Blue for your Florida-Friendly Landscape

Evolvulus – New Flowers Every dayBlue is an important color in the landscape that is not provided by many flowers in our plant palette.  One plant that has been around for decades and is still popular supplies blue flowers in abundance – the genus Evolvulus or Brazilian dwarf morning-glory.  Other than the flowers resembling miniature…

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Florida Black Bears, a New Episode from Naturally Florida

Florida black bears have been in the news, frequently, this year! On today’s episode, we chat about the Florida black bear’s diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears. New Episode from Naturally Florida Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here)…

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Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Groundcovers

Low-Maintenance Groundcovers Groundcovers are low-to-the-ground plants that you can use to help fill out your landscape. Keep reading to learn about some groundcover plants that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Legend Apart from the information presented in the table, the following features will be…

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Plants at Their Peak: Asters! A native mums alternative

A tired mum I spotted. It didn’t even last to Thanksgiving!As the holiday season approaches, many of us eagerly anticipate the vibrant colors and festive decorations that accompany this joyous time of year. While traditional holiday flowers like mums have long been a popular choice for seasonal décor, there’s a Florida-Friendly alternative that not only adds a…

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The Magic of Mulch in the Landscape

Fungi Facts Fungi are known as plants that lack chlorophyll and true plant parts rather they are decomposers that can contain mycelium and mycorrhizae. As a member of the animal kingdom, fungi consist of yeast, toadstools, mold, mildew, truffles, and MUSHROOMS. Mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fungus categorized as edible and non-edible organisms. There are an…

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The Magic of Mulch in the Landscape

Utilizing mulch in your yard is a cost-effective tool that is so often overlooked. It’s surprising to see how many landscapes lack the benefits of mulch.  Proper mulching is crucial for any Florida-Friendly landscape. By adding mulch, you can save water, suppress weeds, enrich soil, and enhance the overall appearance of your yard. Don’t miss…

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