Dilemma: To Prune or Not To Prune in November! Are you tempted to cut or pull spent plants that have gone to seed? Isn’t a neatly trimmed bed delightfully satisfying and aren’t you dying to clean it all up after the chaos of this mad, hot summer? Wait! If you can. Some are putting out…
We can’t manage what we can’t measure. With an accurate soil test, a strategy can be made to solve even the most difficult of problems in our pastures. When was the last time that you took an accurate soil sample in your fields? You typically need to test your soil at least once a year…
It is the time of year to start implementing cool-season forages in your pastures. Our perennial warm season pasture grasses in Florida become dormant in the fall and winter months because of the shorter days, cooler temperatures, and frosts. Planting a cool-season forage provides many benefits to your herd. These grasses are usually higher in…
A Stunning Cluster of Yellow Cestrum FlowersThe botanical name given to plants is always exacting in that no matter where you are in the world, the Latin name is used. Common names associated with plants often get in the way and can introduce confusion, but they also can bring descriptive color at a glance inspiring…
People usually ask about planting a butterfly or pollinator garden in the spring, just before our weather turns hot and dry. October, though, is the best month for starting wildflower seeds, therefore it has been selected as Native Plant Month. When Seeds Set If you observe wildflowers, most have set seeds by August and September.…
Beekeepers must have good management practices within their apiaries to succeed. One of these practices is splitting their hives when necessary to avoid the loss of bees through swarming.
A swarm of bees on a tree. Swarming is a natural process of honey bee colony reproduction. Photo Credit: Jonael Bosques, UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County.
What…
Autumn weather means that leaves will be falling, and this might make it a good time to reassess your landscape professional needs. When choosing a landscaper, picking one who is well-versed in Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM practices can help you save money and help preserve the environment. When flora is planted and managed with locally focused, environmentally sustainable…
People usually ask about planting a butterfly or pollinator garden in the spring, just before our weather turns hot and dry. October, though, is the best month for starting wildflower seeds, therefore it has been selected as Native Plant Month. When Seeds Set If you observe wildflowers, most have set seeds by August and September.…
Did you ever feel like you had a burning secret, something that you wanted to scream to the world because it is so good, yet so few people knew about it? This is how I feel about persimmons. I’ll scream here. While they are a spectacular fruit borne of relatively low-maintenance trees, persimmons unfortunately reside…
South Florida’s lush landscape and subtropical climate make it a paradise for both humans and a diverse range of wildlife. However, in recent years, an invasive species has become a growing concern for the region, especially concerning our beloved pets. The invasive cane toad, also known as the Bufo toad, has established itself in South…
If your lawn has a history of winter annual weeds such as henbit, wild geranium, annual bluegrass, chickweed and lawn burweed, you can apply a preemergence herbicide to prevent these weeds from emerging. Apply it during October when nighttime temperatures drop to 55° – 60°F for several consecutive nights. This will be just before the…
Poisonous Plants in and Around Your Florida Home. Disclaimer. The following information is intended for use in Duval County. Florida is a diverse state with different growing conditions. If you garden outside of Northeast Florida, check with your local UF/IFAS Extensions agent for assistance. As the nights draw in, we turn out thoughts to the Holidays…
