Recap of July 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In July, we talked about invasive pests of pine. Florida has about 17 million acres of forestland with a significant portion covered in pine. The state also has a significant pine industry. Florida produces around 750 million board feet of pine annual used both within…
What is Florida First Detector?
Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals.…
Recap of June 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In June, we dove into the basics of nematodes. Nematodes are all around the word, many are free living and some are parasitic on plants and animals. On plants, their damage can look similar to a lot of other things that go wrong with plants…
Recap of May 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In May, we covered the basics of invasive snails and slugs. Snails and slugs are a type of mollusk called a gastropod. Slugs are different than snails in that they typically lack a visible shell. For slug identification, we look at characteristics like the body…
Recap of April 2024 First Friday with Florida First Detector
In April, we took a closer look at the pest group thrips (Order: Thysanoptera). While there are over 7,000 species of thrips around the world, only a handful of them are pests on plants. Most thrips feed on fungi or decaying matter like leaf litter.…
As I wait in line at the garden center to pay for my new spring plant purchase, I see big stacks of “weed & feed” and other lawn fertilizers conveniently located to grab and go on the way out the door. The images of lush green grass and guarantees of a thicker lawn plus many…
Are you a fan of fresh aromatic herbs in your dishes? If so, growing herbs right at home might just become your new favorite hobby. In this guide, we’ll explore how to grow basil from the comfort of your own home, including some commonly grown varieties that do well in Central Florida. We’ll also highlight…
The answer might be – it depends! Are you mulching a large landscape bed of trees or shrubs, or more delicate annuals or perennials? Are you creating a mulched pathway? Do you have a wildflower area? Read on for a few facts, tips and myths about mulch choices. For more complete information, check out the…
I started my journey as a farmer four years ago without experience (I have a bachelor’s in industrial design), but I knew I needed to find a way to do it right. Having all your money between soil, sun, and water is a considerable risk. Even though I didn’t have knowledge of how to make…
The Burkinabe poultry sector can become safer and more productive by improved farm and market practices. This is not easy and does not happen overnight. However, this challenge does not stop a dedicated team of researchers under the leadership of Dr. Michel Dione from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) from taking on this challenge.…
When shopping for groceries you have a variety of food options to choose from that range in food costs. You may select healthy foods, for family or cultural preferences, or cost. With food costs continually on the rise you may think to yourself, can I eat healthy on a budget? The answer is yes you…
Dating back to 360 million years ago, ferns are one of the oldest plant lineages. They are a lovely choice for filling out shaded areas of the landscape. Keep reading to learn about some ferns that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Legend Apart…
