A Victorian-era Christmas card depicting a couple under the mistletoe.I know, I know, nobody really thinks about mistletoe unless it’s Christmas time and folks are kissing under it. But it’s winter, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and there’s still plenty of mistletoe to be seen in the leafless winter landscape. You may have noticed it way up…
In celebration of World Wetlands Day, celebrated on February 2nd, we will continue our exploration of the world of bog gardening. In one of my previous blogs, Introducing the Bog, we learned that bogs are poorly drained areas, rich in accumulated plant material, and often found near an open body of water. They are essential…
Jessica M. Ryals, Agriculture & Sustainable Food Systems Agent UF/IFAS Extension Collier County Jeff Wasielewski, Commercial Tropical Fruit Agent UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County Next to labor, equipment can be one of the largest expenditures in commercial farming operations. Estimating equipment needs and costs will help you be more successful and efficient in your operation. Click…
Weeds and invasive plants can be a nuisance to a home or business landscape, and some of them are also toxic to people or animals. A new UF/IFAS publication details some of the most common poisonous plants found in Florida residential landscapes. Ingestion of poisonous plants make up only 3% of Poison Control cases, but can be fatal…
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent the following information Jan. 31 regarding a grant program for beach restoration projects resulting from Hurricane Ian and/or Hurricane Nicole damages: For Immediate Release: Jan. 31, 2023 Contact: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov DEP to Launch Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program for Impacted Coastal Homeowners ~Applications will be…
Nourishment, a common thread woven through school gardens, and for many it is the reason to have them. Why would teachers have a school garden? After all, for some- it adds another responsibility, to an already full plate. It can require time in a day that doesn’t seem to have enough minutes to spare. And…
The Joys of Growing Elephant Garlic
One of my all-time favorite vegetables to grow and eat is elephant garlic. While related to garlic, elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is actually considered a bulbing leek. Like garlic, it is in the genus Allium, a family of flowering plants that includes over 600 different species of onions, leeks, and garlic…
Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Caroline Warwick Interested in learning more about begonia production and the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center’s begonia breeding program? Join us on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a in-service training and workshop, Genetic Diversity of Begonia and its Potential Uses in Breeding and…
It’s no secret that the cost of eggs has risen dramatically in the past several months. What was once one of the lowest cost sources of animal protein has now become fodder for internet memes with people making hyperbolic comparisons between the cost of an egg and the cost of a diamond engagement ring! As…
A natural disaster can significantly impact a family’s financial life. For example, in the aftermath of a hurricane, flood, or other incident, families often face skyrocketing costs for repairs and replacements that can significantly disrupt their finances. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), around 40 percent of households affected by a natural disaster…
Occasionally our Extension Office receives phone calls from apartment and condominium owners concerned about cockroach populations in their apartment and their apartment complex. All it takes is one resident or one vendor to unknowingly introduce German or American cockroaches to a building. If the cockroaches are not identified and treated quickly, a problem typically emerges. …
People don’t often think of Florida when they think of winter, but a lot that happens in the natural world. There are birds migrating, leaves falling, animals finding mates, and much more! In this episode, we explore the exciting world of winter in Florida. New Episode from Naturally Florida Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s…
