News & Updates

Staying Well through the Holidays

It’s officially Holiday Season!! The holidays are a time for food, family, friends, and celebrations. For some the holidays are their favorite time of year, but for others not so much. No matter where you fall on this scale let’s make this holiday season your best yet by helping you focus on staying well. Check back…

Having a problem with your pond? You are not alone.

Ponds can be a serene and beautiful addition to any landscape, providing a habitat for wildlife and a peaceful spot for relaxation. However, like any other part of your property, ponds can encounter their fair share of problems. Three of the most common issues pond owners face are algae blooms, erosion, and invasive plants. Let’s…

Fall Wildflowers at Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve

Fall Wildflowers at Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve  By Walter Bryant, MGV Any time of the year is a good time to visit the Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve but, in the fall, the native wildflowers blooming in the sandhills are especially beautiful.  The preserve is a long peninsula where the Julington and Durbin Creeks merge. The center of…

The Nose Knows: Aromatic Gardens in Florida

Aromatic plants add delight and wonder to any landscape. Whether brushing a rosemary twig gently as you pass by or being enticed by the delicate waft of jasmine, smell is one of the most poignant of our senses. Smell can draw us back to a particular memory, elicit emotions, and create vivid reactions. Incorporating aromatic…

Plant Profile: Goji Berry

Woodsorrel or oxalis is a cool season annual perennial native to North America. In warmer areas like Florida, it is a perennial and can be found throughout the state. If you spot it in your yard, you might think it to be clover. Closer inspection will reveal three heart shaped leaves, which is a key…

Weed of the Month: Woodsorrel

Woodsorrel or oxalis is a cool season annual perennial native to North America. In warmer areas like Florida, it is a perennial and can be found throughout the state. If you spot it in your yard, you might think it to be clover. Closer inspection will reveal three heart shaped leaves, which is a key…

Check It Out! Invasive Plant Management Guides

After several discussions with invasive plant management groups in Florida, it was recognized that many land managers often lack access to resources about the technical aspects of herbicides for invasive plant treatments. Therefore, a brief but detailed summary was needed for many, common invasive plants. These guides bring together herbicide recommendations for invasive plants in…

November 2023 First Friday with Florida First Detector

Recap of November 2023 First Friday with Florida First Detector In November, we looked at some more Hemipteran pests and focused on invasive whiteflies, aphids, psyllids, and more. These insects all have a piercing sucking mouth part. Many also excrete honeydew which can lead to sooty mold that impacts the plant growth and development. Some…

Palmetto Weevils in Landscape Palms

Weevils are a family of beetles that have their mandibles (mouths) at the end of a very long snout-like projection. Palmetto weevil (Rhynchophorus cruentatus) is the largest North American weevil and is present in many southern states from Florida to the coastal regions of South Carolina and west into coastal Texas. Adults and Larvae   …

Marigolds: Blooms of Cultural Significance

Marigolds, with their vibrant hues and delicate petals, have long been cherished in gardens worldwide. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these humble flowers carry a profound cultural significance in various societies. Marigolds have become emblematic of a rich tapestry of customs and traditions, from their role in traditional ceremonies and festivals to their practical use as…

Too Hot-Hot-Hot for the Datil Peppers

Introduction The datil pepper is an infamous hot pepper grown locally in the Tri-County Agriculture Area (TCAA) of Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns Counties.  Datils are a unique pepper in that they are relatively hot compared to other peppers such as jalapeno and cayenne peppers, but they are also packed with a sweet, robust flavor…

Pretty in Purple

Dilemma: To Prune or Not To Prune in November! Are you tempted to cut or pull spent plants that have gone to seed? Isn’t a neatly trimmed bed delightfully satisfying and aren’t you dying to clean it all up after the chaos of this mad, hot summer? Wait! If you can. Some are putting out…
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