Marigolds are commonly used in decor as garlands, necklaces and wreaths during Hindu weddings or in Hispanic celebrations such as Day-of-the-Dead (Nov. 1st).
Hi! I’m Karen Stauderman, a Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent for the University of Florida based out of Volusia County. Often in extension, we receive lots of questions on what to grow…
Florida is full of options for growing fruits at home and an often overlooked option is the pomegranate. Pomegranates are best adapted to a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. This does not match Florida exactly but they do have decent cold tolerance and some varieties can produce a good crop. However,…
Use Asiatic jasmine as a turf substitute in the landscapeAsiatic jasmine is a common groundcover used in many local landscapes that can in fact make a nice turf alternative in selected sites. Actually, not related to jasmine – so don’t count on the flowers – Asiatic jasmine is a groundcover that is versatile and even…
June 6th is World Pest Day. And what better way to “celebrate” the pests which eat our crops than to expose their wicked ways. We should be aware that, around the world, we all fight some of the same insect pests. The following are the 10 most common plant crop pest insects worldwide. You may even…
Recap of June First Friday with Florida First Detector Oak trees are important to our environment with various species growing throughout the world and 24 species native to Florida (90 in the U.S.). With the wide distribution of oaks, especially in the Eastern U.S., it is important that we protect these trees from invasive pests…
Have you heard of Thrips parvispinus and Lebeck mealybug, two of the newest invasive pest species to impact horticulture in Central Florida, and are interested in learning more? The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center will be hosting an invasive species pest alert update for Thrips parvispinus and Lebeck mealybug on Wednesday, June 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.…
Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat that can be harmful to your heart and blood vessels. Not all fats are the same. Saturated fat is found in foods such as pork, lard, lamb, beef, poultry skin, shortening, whole milk, and butter. Saturated fats can also be found in coconut oil and palm oil.…
Strength training is not just for bodybuilders – it’s for everyone! Come join us and learn how to properly use dumbbells and have fun too! Our strength training classes are designed for mid-life and older adults. Classes include resistance training, balance training, and flexibility exercises. This is a 6-week program that meets 2 times each…
UF/IFAS Mosquito Experts
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Lab (FMEL) in Vero Beach, FL. FMEL Assistant Professors Dr. Eva Buckner, Dr. Yoosook Lee, and Dr. Lawrence Reeves are impressive experts in the field of medical entomology which is the scientific study of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. They…
Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1st until October 31st every year in Nassau County of northeast Florida. During this time, sea turtles are actively nesting and relying heavily on coastal habitats. They forage in and around the dunes and may be seen re-entering or emerging from the ocean. Check the list below to…
Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Pink Sundew Drosera capillaris Pink Sundew is an insectivorous wildflower, catching insects for its nutrient source. You’ll find this interesting plant in wet areas, primarily pinelands, savannas, and bogs but also along pond edges or other high moisture areas. The plant blooms in the spring and has…
Felt-like damage on a Mexican PetuniaWhen does a blight on a plant look like a disease, but is not? A Mexican petunia with a disease-like condition that is actually caused by microscopic mites is the answer! Many gardeners who have Mexican petunias experience this plague from time to time. It looks just like a fungus…
