We had some big waves in mid-December, and with that washed up a slew of plastic fragments and bottle caps as well as natural debris such as sargassum seaweed and black mangrove propagules. However, there was something different on our beaches as well – blobs of a white, waxy material. This was new to me, and…
In the weeks before and after the holidays you will find Miami homes adorned with fresh plantings of flowers. Some homeowners opt for inflatable holiday characters alongside an array of bright lights. Plastic Santa’s, dormant during the day, come to life at night. It’s important to remember that our cool season coincides with our dry season. New plants…
Now that Christmas is over, What do we do with the gift plants? We know that the poinsettia is worth keeping, but what about the Christmas Cactus? Can it survive after Christmas? Good News! Christmas cactus is not too hard to grow. You just need to know what it needs. It is usually grown…
Each year on December 4th, we celebrate World Wildlife Conservation Day. This day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and conserve all of the unique and invaluable wildlife that live in our ecosystems. In honor of World Wildlife Conservation Day, follow along with Extension as we highlight animals from Florida’s threatened and endangered…
200 cattle ranchers, industry representatives, and extension professionals attended the Beef Cattle Conference in 2023. Credit: Doug Mayo, UF/IFASRanchers, family members, and ranch hands are invited to attend the 39th annual Northwest Florida Beef Conference and Trade Show to be held Wednesday, February 14, 2024. This event will be held at the Jackson County Extension…
With the December Holidays here, many people may gift or receive some “Festive” holiday plants. In Florida, these plants can grow well beyond the holiday months! Learn about 5 commonly gifted plants and how to grow them year-round here in the Sunshine State. Christmas Cactus This plant gets its name from its colorful showy blooms…
If you have new wild friends visiting you, it is likely that you can thank the heavy rains that we have been getting. Many animals, including snakes, are looking for higher ground. Be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. During these wet periods, animals are out looking for dry areas and shelter.…
Written by Samantha Walter-Cano, Edited by Olivia Zugay
As New Year’s Eve approaches, let’s discuss one of the most frequently made resolutions and ways to stay motivated in achieving it. According to various sources, the most popular New Year’s resolution is to get fit and eat healthily. Despite the popularity of this resolution, it can be…
This month, you will see and hear a lot about rosemary. Rightfully so! It makes for a great festive and aromatic gift during the holidays. It has a lot of positives going for it: Rosemary plants can be enjoyed for years. Rosemary has varied culinary uses in your kitchen. You can use rosemary sprigs to…
Weeds have the potential to reduce Florida’s citrus crop by up to 30% annually. They compete with citrus trees for resources like water, light and nutrients, which can significantly reduce yield and fruit quality.
Goat weed, a native perennial, is found throughout the Southeast, from Texas, east to South Carolina and south to Florida. It poses…
Have you heard of “No Spend January”? Or any kind of “No Spend” month? It’s simply a challenge where you only spend money on essentials, such as housing, groceries, car payment, and so on. The nonessentials, such as getting your nails done, ordering a latte, and going out to eat are all things you would…
Sarasota County is robust with green growing spaces. And, they’ve become easier to find and explore, with our new gardens story map. The story map—an online, interactive tool— showcases the demonstration and community gardens in our extension program. The tool highlights a range of gardens located at Sarasota County libraries and parks, sharing a little of…
