Gardening in the Panhandle |

Mulch, a Plant’s Security Blanket

by Ray Bodrey | Oct 22, 2019 | Compost, Mulch

Thankfully, cooler temperatures have finally made it to the Florida Panhandle, but it took until the middle of October. The last two months surely taught us lessons about helping our gardens beat the heat. One strategy to help plants cope with extreme heat or drought...

It’s Almost Time for the North Florida Fair

by Mark Tancig | Oct 22, 2019 | Fall 2019

The 78th Annual North Florida Fair is coming to Tallahassee November 7 through the 17. Many of us look forward to our annual dose of funnel cakes, cotton candy, rides, and racing pigs. Others are preparing to show off their wares. It’s a tradition that goes way, way...

Landscape Fabric: A Good Option for Controlling Weeds?

by Mary Salinas | Oct 22, 2019 | Florida Friendly Landscaping, Garden Design, General Gardening, Mulch, Professional Horticulture, soil management, Weeds

Gardeners are always fighting the endless weeds that pop up in landscape and flower beds. When homeowners put in a new landscape bed and want to prevent future weed invasions, many think that putting down landscape fabric is a great way to keep the weeds from emerging...

Tips for Getting a Non-Irrigated Lawn through a Drought

by Daniel J. Leonard | Oct 8, 2019 | herbicides, Irrigation, Lawns, Mowing, Rain, Turf, Watering, Weeds

For a state that receives around 60” of rainfall a year, it is sure dry in Florida right now! In the Panhandle, the majority of our annual rainfall occurs in in bunches during winter and early spring via near-weekly cold fronts, in the mid-summer as a result of...

Pomegranates in the Panhandle

by Matt Lollar | Oct 8, 2019 | Best Management Practices, Edible Landscape, Foliage, Food Systems, Fruit trees, General Gardening, Irrigation, Ornamental Shrubs, Pomegranate, Rain, Shrubs, Watering

Last week at the Panhandle Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Dr. Ali Sarkhosh presented on growing pomegranate in Florida. The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is native to central Asia. The fruit made its way to North America in the 16th century. Given their origin, it...

Get Your Trees Ready For The Winds of October

by Les Harrison | Oct 8, 2019 | Hurricanes, Mushrooms, Trees

On the doorstep of autumn, the weather is making its seasonal change in north Florida. It has been a bit cooler in the mornings, but the afternoons still qualify as hot. What the winds of October will blow in is still anyone’s guess, but last year it was Hurricane...

Make a Plan for Next Year’s Chamberbitter Management

by Beth Bolles | Oct 8, 2019 | Florida Friendly Landscaping, General Gardening, herbicides, Irrigation, Mowing, Weeds

Weeds identification and management is still one of the most common questions we receive at the local UF IFAS Extension office. Learn about the chamberbitter weed that can grow in turf and ornamental beds and the multi faceted approach that is necessary for...

Video: Examples of Native Edibles

by Matthew Orwat | Sep 17, 2019 | Native plants

Here's an interesting and informative video about native edibles, from our colleagues in, Orange County, Central Florida. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9VbVDA5C08

Timing is Everything: Pruning Azaleas for Maximum Bloom Potential

by Matthew Orwat | Sep 17, 2019 | Fall Gardening, Shrubs

Although Northwest Florida is well known for its beautiful Azalea displays every spring, many do not understand that these shows of bloom could be sacrificed completely by pruning at the wrong time. Pruning Azaleas in the fall will result in a loss of spring bloom the...

Watch for Stinging Insects

by Mark Tancig | Sep 16, 2019 | Insects, Pollinators

As summer comes to a close, many gardeners are getting their landscapes back in shape after the long, hot summer months. There are likely some large weeds and/or vines that have taken over areas where they are not wanted. As you begin to hack these back, it is wise to...