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Skip the Birdfeeder, Plant a Tree

April 12, 2023
Originally published in the Tallahassee Democrat By Rachel Mathes Birdfeeders are great additions to the wildlife-friendly landscape, but they can be a hassle to keep clean and filled up, especially in our brutal summer months. In addition to all the fuss of keeping up a birdfeeder, they do not provide full nutrition for wild birds.…

Long Term Cold Damage to Palms

April 12, 2023
Cold damage to palm trees in West Central Florida is a common issue that can occur when temperatures drop below freezing. The most common type of palm tree in our area is the native sabal palm, also known as the “cabbage palm,” which is known for its tolerance to cold temperatures. Cabbage palms are rarely…

A Recap of the 2023 Seminole County Farm Tour

April 11, 2023
What was the 2023 Seminole County Farm Tour? On the morning of Friday, March 24, 2023, we embarked on our journey of learning about local agriculture and food systems. Two busses started at the UF/IFAS Seminole County Extension Office and then toured around to five of our local farms. Throughout the day, we heard directly from…

Cultivating Generosity – Mental Health Blogging Series

April 11, 2023
By Daniel Gonzalez (UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County) and Chelsea Jones (UF/IFAS Extension Marion County)   Together we are going to embark on a mental health blogging series, discussing each of the  4-H Essential Elements  and how to foster such with youth, youth volunteers, and our fellow educators. The four 4-H Essential Elements are…

April First Friday with Florida First Detector

April 10, 2023
Recap of April First Friday with Florida First Detector In April, we started to learn about wood boring insects. Some of the most common types of wood boring insects are beetles with many species in the families Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionidae. In this month’s webinar, we focused on invasive jewel beetles (Buprestidae) and longhorned beetles…

When a Snake in the Grass is Just a Snake in the Grass

April 10, 2023
Spring means snakes. If you are quiet and observant, you can see the natural world around us speaking Spring.  The birds are chirping more energetically, the butterflies are eagerly seeking nectar and host plants, the wildflowers (weeds to some), are popping up all over.  If you are really lucky, you may see a snake! Most…

Gardening Tip: Roses

April 10, 2023
I heard about a dangerous rose disease. How would I know if my roses have gotten it? The worst rose disease is called Rose Rosette Disease, which is a virus that is spread by the eriophyid mite. Though we have plenty of those unusual 4- Rose specimens infected with rose rosette virus. Photo taken…

Enjoy Seasonal Strawberries

April 6, 2023
 National Strawberry Month is celebrated during the month of May. It’s a good time to think about eating, growing, picking, serving and storing delicious and sweet strawberries. Strawberries are grown year round and Florida grows a lot of berries. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/growing-strawberries/ It is great fun to go to a you-pick farm and pick your own basketful of berries, choose some at…

New River, Who Dis? Snook Habitat Expansion in the Nature Coast

April 4, 2023
Written by Ashley McDonald, UF/IFAS NCBS Research Scientist  Charlie Martin (NCBS) and Kym Holtzwart (SWWMD) netting a stunned Snook (above) on the electrofishing vessel operated by Ashley McDonald (NCBS).  Project Summary The Suwannee River system was targeted this past winter by biologists in electrofishing boats to study a new addition to the local fish community, the…

Gardening Tip: Butterfly Garden

April 4, 2023
A large Tree Nympha (Idea leucone) on a red flowering plant. April 2008 IFAS Extension Calendar Photo. Butterflies in the McGuire Butterfly Garden, flowers, plants. UF/IFAS Photo: Sally Lanigan.Gardener Question: I would like to have some butterflies in my yard, but I don’t know what plants they like. How do I know which plants to…

The Beauty of Blackberries

April 3, 2023
Do you have a favorite fruit? Without a doubt, blackberries would be one of mine. Their sharp, sometimes bittersweet flavors and unique textures offer a cool and refreshing counterpoint to the infamous heat of the Florida summer. However, for all of my delight surrounding the return of blackberries, I know relatively little else…

A Sea of Grass; Part 1 – The Grasses

March 31, 2023
Many in the Florida panhandle are aware of the importance of seagrasses to estuarine ecology.  They have heard this many times before and have heard how important it is to protect them.  Some are aware that they are important as a nursery for many commercial important fin and shellfish.  But fewer are aware of the…
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