Plants that grow in tropical environments (such as Florida) are faced with nutrient deficient soils. Many of the swamps and bogs, wet flatwoods, and even dry mesic flatlands are poor in Nitrogen and Phosphorus. These elements are essential for growth. Luckily these areas are also home to many insects which are rich sources of Nitrogen,…
Arguably the most popular insect in our landscape, Butterflies are beloved by all. Now everyone can easily start a Butterfly Garden to attract and raise butterflies … guaranteed! Here are two easy steps on How to Attract Butterflies and keep them coming to visit your garden. Adult Nectar Source. Adult butterflies feed mostly on nectar and…
What better way to add color into your Florida Garden than to include the versatile Salvia. This is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with a thousand species worldwide. Salvias will grow in full sun to shade, sandy soil to mucky soil, in ground or in containers. And, Salvias are fast growing, flower…
What makes a plant a succulent? Succulents are plants with the ability to hold water in their thick, fleshy tissue. Water storage can occur in leaves or stems. A cactus holds water in the stem while a jade plant holds water mostly in the leaves. What are some types of succulents that grow well in…
Introduction Among the ten species of geckos found in Florida, only one, the Florida Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus), is native to the state, the additional ten non-native species found in the state having arrived in cargo or via the pet trade. Among them are the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) first identified in 1910 in Florida, the Tropical…
The number one priority for cow-calf ranchers should be providing the management needed to wean calves from 90% or more of the cows in a herd on an annual basis. Simply said, but challenging to accomplish, as this is one of the key determining factors for profitability of a cow-calf operation. Cattle from Bar L…
American Heart Month is observed every February to raise awareness about heart health and encourage people to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, but the good news is that you can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy.…
A pitchfork mixing food and garden compost.
Food waste is one of the main drivers in Florida’s dependence on landfills, which fuel greenhouse emissions and promote climate change.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills contribute annually up to 14 percent of emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas, and are a major contributor to global warming.…
Why is handwashing important? Handwashing is one of the best ways you can help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy. It is one of those personal hygiene activities we need to prioritize. Bacteria and germs can enter your body and make you sick if you don’t properly wash your hands. Bacteria can get…
Countless species of flora and fauna have been lost in what is now being labeled as the Anthropocene extinction event. Fortunately, two local species have not only escaped from the brink of extinction but have rebounded as humans have improved our behavior. This success story holds valuable lessons in how we can save other imperiled…
We promised to share new blogs on many of the beautiful plants that will create an incredible show of color during the winter holidays. Plants in this series are suitable for zone 10a to 11 b. Please note we recommend you plant any of the featured plants in the series when our rainy season begins…
Introduction: Florida, known for its diverse agricultural landscape, is embracing a new addition to its crop repertoire – bitter melon. This unique and resilient vegetable is making waves in the Sunshine State, offering farmers a fresh opportunity for cultivation. In this blog post, we will explore the journey of bitter melon as a new crop…
