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Venus Lookingglass – Wild Weeds

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Clasping Venus’s Looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata Clasping Venus’s Looking-glass is an annual herbaceous wildflower in the bellflower family. The bell-shaped flowers have five bluish-purple petals and develop on the leaf axil. Not all flowers open but they still produce seeds since the flowers are self-pollinating. The leaves are…

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Weekly “What is it?”: Mistletoe

A Victorian-era Christmas card depicting a couple under the mistletoe.I know, I know, nobody really thinks about mistletoe unless it’s Christmas time and folks are kissing under it.  But it’s winter, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and there’s still plenty of mistletoe to be seen in the leafless winter landscape. You may have noticed it way up…

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Bog Gardens in the Home Landscape

In celebration of World Wetlands Day, celebrated on February 2nd, we will continue our exploration of the world of bog gardening. In one of my previous blogs, Introducing the Bog, we learned that bogs are poorly drained areas, rich in accumulated plant material, and often found near an open body of water. They are essential…

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Equipment and Tools for a Commercial Tropical Fruit Grove

Jessica M. Ryals, Agriculture & Sustainable Food Systems Agent UF/IFAS Extension Collier County Jeff Wasielewski, Commercial Tropical Fruit Agent UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County Next to labor, equipment can be one of the largest expenditures in commercial farming operations. Estimating equipment needs and costs will help you be more successful and efficient in your operation. Click…

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Be aware of these common toxic plants, experts say

Weeds and invasive plants can be a nuisance to a home or business landscape, and some of them are also toxic to people or animals. A new UF/IFAS publication details some of the most common poisonous plants found in Florida residential landscapes. Ingestion of poisonous plants make up only 3% of Poison Control cases, but can be fatal…

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Florida opens grant program for Ian-, Nicole-damaged beaches

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent the following information Jan. 31 regarding a grant program for beach restoration projects resulting from Hurricane Ian and/or Hurricane Nicole damages: For Immediate Release: Jan. 31, 2023 Contact: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov DEP to Launch Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program for Impacted Coastal Homeowners ~Applications will be…

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The Joys of Growing Elephant Garlic

The Joys of Growing Elephant Garlic One of my all-time favorite vegetables to grow and eat is elephant garlic. While related to garlic, elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is actually considered a bulbing leek. Like garlic, it is in the genus Allium, a family of flowering plants that includes over 600 different species of onions, leeks, and garlic…

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Egg-onomics of Keeping Backyard Chickens

It’s no secret that the cost of eggs has risen dramatically in the past several months. What was once one of the lowest cost sources of animal protein has now become fodder for internet memes with people making hyperbolic comparisons between the cost of an egg and the cost of a diamond engagement ring! As…

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