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…
A New Tradition
Holiday dinners often involve ham and turkey. After six weeks, you might think turkey is for the birds! In Florida, many families serve a coastal catch or two by adding fresh seafood to their meals during this festive season. Seafood is a delicious way to enhance a favorite dish and it delivers…
Florida citrus is a hot commodity not just for Floridians but for the overall United States. However, the most gratifying feeling is being able to pick your own fruit fresh from your yard. UF/IFAS has been working diligently to provide farmers and homeowners with citrus varieties that can tolerate the destructive Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing or…
Purple is the color of royalty and “Purple Majesty” and “Purple Splendor” are two newly released varieties of sweet potato bred by Drs. Craig Yencho and Kenneth Pecota at North Carolina State University. This same program is responsible for “Covington” which is the typical orange-flesh variety that you find on most grocery store shelves. “Covington”…
Water quality and quantity are issues that cross all political and economic boundaries in Florida. When blue-green algae and red tides occur, they make front-page news and keep these challenges top-of-mind for all Floridians. Agriculture and the water quality debate have been closely intertwined over the years. As a large user of water for irrigation…
The grape of the south, the Muscadine The grape of the south is the muscadine. It is one of the few grape varieties that perform well in the hot climate of the southeastern United States. The native variety of muscadine is called ‘Scuppernong’. Here in Florida it grows well in our poor soil conditions. It…
As autumn unfolds its vibrant tapestry of colors, one striking native shrub stands out, adding brilliant royal purple into the landscape as it feeds migratory birds. Meet the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States, celebrated for its stunning berries and the myriad benefits it bestows upon both wildlife…
Recap of December 2023 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In this month’s webinar, we focused on Hymenoptera, an order of insects that includes wasps, bees, ants, hornets and more. Hymenoptera is an extremely diverse order of insects. Some feed on plants and others are predatory or parasitic. Many Hymenoptera are beneficial insects and provide…
The tiny rosette of parrot pitcher plants is visible only by kneeling close to the ground and moving short grasses and groundcovers away! Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
A colorful cluster of delicate parrot pitcher plants. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension
To the untrained eye, one might…
Amaryllis for the Holidays and Beyond It’s about time to start decking those halls! I love using natural materials and plants as holiday décor, and one plant known for merry and bright is the amaryllis. The amaryllis we buy for our homes and landscapes are hybrids and the genus name is Hippeastrum. …
Amaryllis for the Holidays and Beyond It’s about time to start decking those halls! I love using natural materials and plants as holiday décor, and one plant known for merry and bright is the amaryllis. The amaryllis we buy for our homes and landscapes are hybrids and the genus name is Hippeastrum. …
Death by water intake is a real thing. There are documented cases where people have died from drinking too much water, which is called water intoxication, either because of coercion or drug-induced excess thirst. Mama always said that too much of anything, even something good, is bad. And she was right. Drinking too much water…
