Despite challenges from diseases, land development trends and extreme weather, Florida’s citrus industry contributed $6.935 billion to the state’s economy in 2020-21. A just-released report from University of Florida economists, “2020-2021 Economic Contributions of the Florida Citrus Industry,” estimated the economic contributions for the most recent citrus marketing season for which data are available. Citrus…
Have you checked your PPE kit lately? In honor of pesticide safety month, here is a reminder to go through and check your PPE kit – particularly the items you don’t use very often. Checking your PPE frequently will help ensure that you know How to Maintain PPE so it can always protect you. …
If you do landscape maintenance, or own a landscape design company, perhaps you strive to be a cut above the rest? If so, then becoming a Florida-Friendly landscaping professional may be for you! The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program offers a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional (FFLCP) designation to individuals who have completed the required training in FFL principles and are familiar with…
Need an excuse to not mow your lawn in March? UF/IFAS Extension agents in the Florida Panhandle are asking residents to skip their soon-to-be-weekly outdoor chore until the calendar flips to April. The idea for “No Mow March” is borrowed from “No Mow May,” a concept begun in the United Kingdom that has now spread…
In Part 1 of Reducing Health Advisories, we discussed how owners of septic systems could develop a management plan to reduce such health advisories. In Part 2 we look at another option for septic system owners – converting to the local sewer system. You might begin by asking – “why would I want to…
Weekly “What is it?”: Bycatch Reduction Devices The US Department of Commerce’s official “dolphin safe” logo, used on tuna cans to indicate verified safe fishing practices. Courtesy of NOAAIf you’ve ever spent any time fishing, you know it’s rare to catch exactly what you want on the first bite. Even more so, when large nets…
Bottlebrush: Florida Friendly or Foe?
Bottlebrush is a common plant in the landscapes of Florida; you may know it for its showy red blooms that, resembling bottlebrushes, coined the tree’s name. Although it thrives in both south and central Florida, bottlebrush is native to Australia, which is also home of the extremely invasive Australian Pine…
Tips from the Help Desk… What’s killing my palm? by David Austin Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator Palm trees are forever a symbol of Florida. Nothing says tropical quite like a palm tree. As sure as I’d want to own an apple tree in Maine, a palm tree must have the same draw…
Recap of February First Friday with Florida First Detector
Crapemyrtle bark scale, Photo credit: Gary Brooks, Bayer Crop Science, Bugwood.org.
In February, we talked about Invasive Scale Insects and covered identification of species commonly found in Florida and a few that were recently detected in Florida. Scale insects can be challenging to identify. Closely related species…
By Master Gardener Volunteer/Guest Blogger, Mary Frances Meier
Pentas make a hardy perennial for Florida’s summer heat. The red ones are a favorite of butterfly and hummingbird gardeners. Photo by David Austin
The Highlands County Master Gardener Volunteers will offer a spring plant sale on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00…
Many of us know that being physically active is good for our physical health, but did you know that physical activity is also beneficial for brain health? Physical activity is especially important for the brain health of children, as they are in the lifecycle phase of constant learning, growth, and development! The term physical activity…
Welcome back, readers! This is a special blog post. This edition is written by Connor Cronin, our new intern at the One Health Center. She is very excited to share her thoughts with you about Sustainable Development Goal 11 and One Health. As many of you already know, SDG 11 is focused on making cities…
