Storm Damage to Fruit and Nut Trees

Storm Damage to Fruit and Nut Trees

Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend of Florida last week causing damage to a variety of crops.  While some areas may have been devastated by flooding, fruit and nut trees were mainly affected by heavy winds.  Usually, younger trees are more susceptible to being blown...
Elderberry – An Alternative Crop for the Back Forty

Elderberry – An Alternative Crop for the Back Forty

The American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) is a multi-stemmed bush that produces edible berries and flowers.  Little research has been conducted on this crop despite its growing popularity as a preventative treatment for the common cold and for its...
The Pollinating Power of Bumble Bees

The Pollinating Power of Bumble Bees

  There are five social species of bumble bees (Bombus spp.) native to Florida, and each is an important pollinator throughout the state. European honeybees provide about 85 percent of our pollinating activity that is vital for supplying one-quarter to one-third...