Why Does Soil pH Matter?

Why does soil pH matter? The foundation of every successful garden starts with quality soil. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, turf, shrubs, or any other plant matter, you must be aware of your soil pH and understand that it can change periodically. Soil pH influences the plant’s ability to consume nutrients. When soil pH is…

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UF scientists start to discover how to keep fruits and vegetables fresher before they arrive at the grocery store

When you’re perusing the produce section, you’re looking for fresh fruits and vegetables. If not eaten within a few days after harvest, many age quickly and get thrown out, leading to food waste, say University of Florida experts. Fruits and vegetables age differently after they’ve been harvested, so Tie Liu wants to know how crops age…

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Foolproof Palm Care: Dwarf Palmetto

Credit: David A. Fox, UF/IFASThe Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) is a native palm which can grow in North-, Central-, and South- Florida. It is also known as Blue-Stem Palmetto due to its blueish-green fronds. As with other palms in the Sabal genus, the Dwarf Palmetto provides a nectar and food source  for pollinators and birds respectively. Planting Site The…

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Weekly “What is it?”: Climate Smart Floridians

Several years ago, a group of Extension Agents and specialists created a series of classes called “Sustainable Floridians.” The course was designed to teach new and long-time residents about ways to conserve natural resources, energy, and water. Participants were encouraged to get involved in local community decision-making about environmental issues. The course had a module…

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Foolproof Palm Care: Scrub Palmetto

One of a handful of native palms, the Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia) is a smaller and less common relative to the ubiquitous Saw Palmetto. It is slow-growing and like the Saw Palmetto, produces berries which provide food for wildlife. Its flowers are also a nectar source for butterflies.Planting Site The Scrub Palmetto prefers full sun but will…

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Gopher Apple – Wild Weeds

Licania michauxii   Gopher apple is a low-growing woody shrub that aptly received it’s name since as an important food source for gopher tortoises. The fruit is also edible to humans but virtually tasteless. You’ll find this plant occurring in Florida sandhills, pine and scrubby flatwoods, scrub, coastal dunes, and pine rocklands. Blooms typically…

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Why won’t my tree fruit?

There are a number of controllable factors that combine to create a tree healthy enough to fruit. A healthy tree must have a strong root system, adequate light, proper pruning, proper nutrition, the right age, proper pollination, no mechanical damage, been planted properly, and adequate irrigation. The question, “Why won’t my tree fruit?” is one…

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