Building A Hurricane Supply Kit
The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1st and runs until November 30th, which means that’s it’s important to have a hurricane supply kit on hand just in case disaster strikes. Circumstances may require you to evacuate your home at a moment’s notice or hunker down and shelter in place to…
Thinking about all those Florida mangoes, what is your favorite way to enjoy fresh Florida mangoes? Fresh cut, mango salsa, chutney, mango jam, mango butter, smoothies? In my opinion, mangoes are best when fully ripe and fresh from the tree, eaten over the kitchen sink. Most of the early season mangoes are finished producing by…
Recap of August First Friday with Florida First Detector
In August, we talked about invasive pests on citrus. Historically, the citrus industry has been super important in Florida and continued to be today. Despite challenges in citrus production in recent years, Florida is still a top producer of citrus. The Florida citrus industry was valued…
Many people enjoy frequent snacking. There are so many choices to choose from! Some snack choices can be unhealthy and others healthy. Healthy snacking is important at any age. Why not make the most of your snacking by choosing healthy food choices that benefit your health? By choosing nutrient-dense snacks, you are providing your body…
Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Florida Paintbrush Carphephorus corymbosus Florida Paintbrush is a showy, herbaceous wildflower, blooming from late summer into fall. You’ll find this plant in pine, scrubby, and dry to mesic flatwoods, sandhills, and ruderal areas. The large flattop of flowers is very attractive to pollinators and commonly visited by…
As the UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension Agent for St. Lucie County, I am often stomping through the county’s amazing abundance of nature preserves. I have demonstration sites for biological control of invasive plants and I also teach Florida Master Naturalists and others about the natural systems we have in the county. Usually my excursions end with amazing…
When you hear the word “pollinator”, what is the first insect that comes to mind? If I had to guess, you would probably say honey bee. European honey bees play an important role in agriculture as pollinators and honey producers, but there are hundreds of native pollinators often overshadowed by the beloved honey bee you…
Water quality and quantity issues are considered one of the greatest challenges facing our planet today. Access to clean drinking water and sufficient irrigation to cultivate food crops, hydrate livestock, and quench the thirst of our ever-evolving landscapes is fundamental for the continued well-being of society and our natural and modified ecosystems. Historically, much of…
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, which means that it’s important to have an emergency supply of food just in case disaster strikes. It is recommended that you have at least a 7-day supply of food on hand, and that you stockpile foods you and your family like and will eat. Here…
Countless species of flora and fauna have been lost in what is now being labeled as the Anthropocene extinction event. Fortunately, two local species have not only escaped from the brink of extinction but have rebounded as humans have improved our behavior. This success story holds valuable lessons in how we can save other imperiled …
This year’s UF/IFAS Extension Collier County Annual Mango Morning class partnered with the Florida Forest Service to teach participants how to properly plant and prune mango trees. After an indoor lecture, we took 50 class participants into the Collier Extension Fruit Grove to pick up some tools and try out the techniques for themselves.
When tropical fruit trees…
One of my favorite parts of living in Florida is having more access to tropical fruit. The classic sweetness of mango, the distinct and delicate flavors of guava and papaya, and the almost chocolaty taste of sapodilla are simple yet profound delights. These delicious fruits are also versatile, and can be enjoyed on their own, with…
