2025 Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! Webinars Begin March 6th
Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! is launching Season 6 with new topics starting on March 6, 2025! Each episode is delivered live on Zoom Webinar then posted to our YouTube Playlist. If you would like to join us live and help drive the panel discussion, be sure to...
Chickasaw Plum
The native Chickasaw plum is a beautiful smaller tree (12-20 ft mature height) that is perfect for front yards, small areas, and streetscapes. True to its name, the Chickasaw plum was historically an important food source to Native American tribes in the southeast,...
Soil Sample – How To
Taking soil samples is an important step in maintaining soil health and maximizing your plant growth. Good crop, grass and landscape production often require the application of fertilizer and lime in the spring so late winter soil sampling will help you prepare for...
Winter Pruning in North Florida: What to Cut and What to Leave Alone
Cool weather in North Florida often inspires gardeners to grab the pruners and “clean up” the landscape. But, winter pruning should be selective and intentional. The right cuts can improve plant health, structure, and flowering, while pruning the wrong plant at the...
Should I Overseed My Lawn with Ryegrass?
If your drab dormant lawn is getting you down, you might be tempted to overseed your Centipedegrass with ryegrass next fall and enjoy lush green grass all winter long. The idea of a pretty green lawn breaking up the brown of winter is indeed alluring. There are...
The Nine-Banded Armadillo
Owners of lawns and landscapes occasionally find that something has dug holes in their turf or plant beds. Sometimes this is the work of squirrels, but another common resident of our area can be much more of a digging pest. The nine-banded armadillo, in its search for...
Locally Abundant, Globally Special
Most folks are familiar with the concept of supply and demand and how it affects cost. The more numerous a product, the lower the cost. The cost also reflects value, so the more abundant something is, typically the lower the value. This idea of abundance being tied to...
Pruning Peach and Plum Trees
Peach and plum trees are prone to diseases and often produce inconsistent yields. The best way to remedy these issues is with proper pruning. Annual pruning reduces disease incidence, improves fruit quality, and increases tree longevity. So when should trees be...
Time for Taters
Whelp, the new year has come and gone. We find ourselves facing the beginning of a new gardening year. This naturally brings out the question of what can even be planted this time of year with all the cold that has set in over the last week? Luckily for you, IFAS...
To Eat or Not to Eat Fall Colors with Ornamental Kale
As cooler weather settles across the Florida Panhandle, many homeowners refresh their landscape beds with plants that provide vibrant seasonal color. Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and ornamental cabbage are reliable, eye-catching choices for fall...
Pruning Overgrown Shrubs
Q. My oleander shrubs are overgrown. How severely can they be pruned? A. Oleanders flower on current season’s growth. So, if you prune just before new growth occurs, you'll still get flowers. However, severe pruning (removing 1/3 or more of the plant), may result in...