News & Updates

Video: Shrub Pruning Tips

Many shrubs can benefit from a little pruning. Choosing what to prune to maintain a plant’s natural look can sometimes be a challenge. Get a few tips on pruning shrubs with cane type growth from UF IFAS Extension Escambia County. by Beth BollesSource: UF/IFAS Pest Alert Note: All images and contents are the property…

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Attracting Birds to your Autumn Yard

As we celebrate the fall and winter holidays,  you may spend more time at home wandering around your yard. Notice any new sounds? Or flicks of color fly by? Florida is home to over 500 species of birds (credit: Florida Ornithological Society), and this time of year can be particularly exciting for birders. As birds migrate…

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UF/IFAS experts on bed bugs and how to keep them from hitchhiking to your homes from your travels

With recent media exposure of bed bug activity impacting travelers worldwide, the public perception of this species tends to draw some concerns over its potential for harming humans and pets. University of Florida experts at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) weigh in with science-based research on recognizing the species, their impacts on humans…

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Do You Have Toxic Houseplants?

Like many people seeking enrichment during the COVID-19 pandemic, I sought discovery of new hobbies including indoor plant cultivation. I started with a few houseplants. Their growth and beauty would be a physical reflection of hard work and some much needed signs of positivity. I attempted brief research on these starter plants, focusing on water…

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Plants for Gardening or Gift Giving During the Holiday Season

With the holiday season in full swing, there are many ways to incorporate gardening into your holiday festivities. One of the most common ways is to use holiday plants as house/garden décor or even gift-giving. Surprisingly, Florida’s climate is suitable for many popular holiday plants. The important part is learning how to care for these…

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Plants at Their Peak: Red Cedar, the Superior Holiday Evergreen!

‘Norfolk Island’ Pines being sold locally compared to tastefully decorated Red Cedars at the 2023 Green Living ExpoWhy you should choose Native Red Cedar Over Norfolk Island Pines for a Florida-Friendly Holiday Season   As the holiday season approaches, many households eagerly purchase festive plants. One commonly purchased plant for the season is the ‘Norfolk…

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Unearthing the Benefits of Hydroponic Lettuce

This blog was written by Luis Acosta, a 4-H Teen Ambassador in Miami-Dade County. “Eat Your Greens!” Most people have heard this saying several times throughout their childhood. Leafy greens are good for the human body because of their rich nutritional value in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. With technological innovations, modern farmers have begun to grow…

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Plants for Gardening or Gift Giving During the Holiday Season

Written by Samantha Walter-Cano, Edited by Olivia Zugay With the holiday season in full swing, there are many ways to incorporate gardening into your holiday festivities. One of the most common ways is to use holiday plants as house/garden décor or even gift-giving. Surprisingly, Florida’s climate is suitable for many popular holiday plants. The important…

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Cottonmouths of Our Barrier Islands

I am going to end 2023 with an article on a project I hope to conduct in 2024.  It will focus on insular cottonmouths and will focus on the western panhandle, though those in the eastern panhandle might be interested and could help.  For obvious reasons, conducting this project as a citizen science one is…

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Controlling “Florida Snow” in St. Augustinegrass Lawns

“Florida Snow” The weed now commonly called “Florida snow” is Richardia grandiflora, a creeping perennial that reproduces by seeds and stem fragments. There are three other Richardias, or pusleys, found in Florida, none of which are native to the state. “Florida Snow” becomes most evident in the fall and winter when flowering reaches its peak. Florida Snow typical of some…

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