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GIP Live Foodscaping: Questions and Answers

GIP Live Foodscaping: Questions and Answers

by | Apr 3, 2025

The Northwest District Agents discussed foodscaping by answering questions submitted by program participants. Included are the panelist’s answers along with supporting publications for the questions.  You may view the session on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEMXmaZqRTU

  • Suggestions for only 4-6 hours of sunlight in an oak tree hammock.
    Bell peppers can grow in some shade in containers or in the ground. Leafy lettuces for the cooler months.
    Publication: Peppers in the Shade, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS368
  • What is the best citrus for North Florida?
    Satsuma would be a cold hardy selection with delicious fruit. Owari and Brown Select grow well in Panhandle. Tangerine and Meyer lemon is intermediate in cold hardiness. Start fruit in about a year but remove those early to but energy into the tree.  Look for harvesting fruit in about 3-5 years.  Look at our citrus publication for citrus fertilization with a fertilizer that contains zinc and iron.
    Soil test to match plants with the right locations.
    Publication: The Satsuma Mandarin, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CH116
  • What fruit trees can I grow?
    Choose a variety adapted to our area. Peaches, pears, plums, some citrus, Pineapple guava, Loquat. Choose ones with chill hours for our area. Look at Auburn and Georgia selections rather than Florida selections which are more adapted to central and south Florida.
    Publication:  Dooryard Fruit Varieties, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG248
  • What about companion planting?
    One plant will benefit another – attracts beneficials, provides chemicals for a purpose. Use a trap crop that attracts insects to catch them before they move to your desirable fruit.
    Marigolds is an example of use around some edibles to reduce nematodes.
    Publication: Companion Planting, What is It? https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2023/02/21/companion-planting-what-is-it/

 

  • I need to add soil to my native/food garden. What are considerations?
    Sandy soils may need some amendments. Compost should be mixed in and not grow straight in compost. Maybe add ½ inch.
    Soil test first so you don’t add too much nitrogen through amendments.
    Publication: Soils and Fertilizers, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/soil-and-fertilizer/

 

  • I have 3-4 blueberry bushes and they are 2-4 years old and haven’t fruited. What is wrong?
    Know the cultivar so you are sure they have a cross pollinator.  Need the right conditions too.  Blueberries set in the fall so if fall pruning, you may have cut off flowering structures. Soil pH is critical. Blueberries like acidic soil and they will struggle in higher pH soils.
    Publication: Blueberry Gardener’s Guide, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359
  • How do I grow lavender in the landscape?
    Lavender likes low humidity and drier conditions.  Soil should be well drained and plants need good air circulation.  Maybe try Phenomenal lavender.  Grow in a pot that is very well drained and don’t amend soil when planting in the ground. Prune as needed to open up plant.
    Publication: Lavender, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP337
  • Which apple trees grow best in North Florida?
    You can grow a tree but it does not produce well due to lack of proper chill hours. Try the Shell apple which is more adapted to north parts of the counties.
    Our area may get 500-600 hours of chill generally.
    Publication: Dooryard Fruit, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG248
  • What about edibles near saltwater?
    Many edibles won’t like saltwater intrusion.  Cowpeas, black eyed peas are the most salt tolerant. Some of the cuburbits (squash, pumpkin, zucchini, gourds) can tolerate some salt.
    Grow some plants in a protected area or in containers.  Consider some of the shrubby edibles that match the pH at the coastal sites.
    Publication: Soil Salinity and Vegetables, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/miami-dade/documents/disaster-preparation/post-hurricane-and-disaster/Soilsalinityinfodraft.pdf
  • How to protect plant from insects without pesticides, including squirrels?
    Reduce stressed by planting in the right spot and providing care.  You will also have many diverse plantings in a foodscape to allow beneficial to help manage pest. Monitoring the garden is very important to catch problems early and physically remove.  Consider safer options when pesticides are needed that are labeled for food crops.
    Might use some screening for small mammals and fencing for large animals. Motion activated sprinklers and scare devices such as ribbon, foils.  Chemical repellents that contain capsaicin.
    Publication: Natural Products for Pest Control, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN197
  • Publication: Deterrents for Nuisance Wildlife, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW371

 

  • What are the most common vegetables for small spaces?
    Some plants will need at least 12 inches of depth such as tomatoes.  Lots for winter edibles do well in small spaces and containers. Consider a patio version of the plant.  There are small selections of Pineapple guava and Pomegranate although they may produce smaller fruit.
  • How easy is it to grow in containers?
    You can grow in the ground with good soil and if you can work with plants on the ground.
    Containers allow you to create the right soil environment easy.  You do have to manage water carefully as the heat builds up.
    Publication: Growing Vegetables in Containers, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/growing-vegetables-in-containers/
  • What are the best tomatoes for the area?
    Determinate and cherry will perform a little better.  Choose early or mid producing plants to get fruit
    Panelist’s favorites are:
    Everglades and Sungold, Early Girl, Cherokee Purple is an heirloom
  • What edibles can handle full sun?
    Most fruit plants like sun since they are needing lots of energy.  Water must be available when rainfall is lacking.
  • Three fruit trees have not produced in 3 years. What do we need to do?
    We really need to know what they are first.  Do they need a plant for cross pollination? Are they flowering but not fruiting? How are they planted? Deep planting will cause a plant to struggle.  Contact your Agent for more help.
  • Will glyphosate residues from a fall application carry over to spring?
    Chemicals are regulated extensively so follow the label directions for safety. There should not be residue issues with this pesticide.
    Try to manage weeds with other techniques like mulches, handpulling, directed watering, soil solarization, etc.
    Publication: Use of Glyphosate and Herbicide Alternatives for Weed Control in Florida Landscape Planting Beds, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep580
  • What are some native plants for foodscaping?
    Blueberries, blackberries, Chickasaw plum, pecans, persimmons, Maypop, Mulberry.
    Use native plants to attract animals such as beautyberry.
  • Where can we find compost?
    Cotton gin to get cotton gin trash will need to be composted first. Manure from equestrian centers or zoos.  Make sure it is composted too.
    Peanut processing facility.
    Escambia County has bloom compost from ECUA.
  • Note: Amended soil with compost can be flammable. Ash can benefit garden if needed. Test soil pH first so you don’t add too much.

 

 

Red Buckeye Signals Spring is Coming

Red Buckeye Signals Spring is Coming

by | Mar 6, 2025

One plant that signals our change in season is beginning to bloom in natural areas and woodland gardens. The Red buckeye, Aesculus pavia, is forming large spikes of red flowers and the attractive palmate leaves are unfurling.

Red buckeye in the late winter sunshine. Photo by Beth Bolles UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.

If you enjoy a more natural landscape, Red buckeye is a perfect fit. It often has open growth with multiple branching stems which give it more of a shrub look in many landscapes. Plant size can vary from 8-15 feet. The blooms are beautiful and the tubular flowers can be visited by overwintering or returning hummingbirds.

Single bloom with palmate leaves. Photo by Beth Bolles UF IFAS Extension Escambia County

Although plants can tolerate full sun, plants look their best with some afternoon shade as the summer progresses. A high canopy that allows filtered sun would be excellent throughout our summer weather. Choose a location with moist, well drained soils. In general, plants will drop leaves earlier than other deciduous plants in your landscape so make sure your location is a spot to show off the late winter/early spring blooms.

A precaution with the Red buckeye is that the fruit is toxic for people and pets. The large capsules will contain several seeds which can drop and grow new plants. Squirrels will also enjoy the seeds.

Video: Easy Steps for Pruning Crape Myrtles

Video: Easy Steps for Pruning Crape Myrtles

by | Jan 29, 2025

Crape myrtle trees are often aggressively pruned each winter regardless of the location. Learn three steps from the University of Florida IFAS Escambia Extension to selectively prune your crape myrtles to maintain an attractive tree form in your landscape.

Japanese Maple – A Stunner for Some Panhandle Landscapes

Japanese Maple – A Stunner for Some Panhandle Landscapes

by | Dec 13, 2024

When looking for a small tree that provides a visual impact in the landscape, nothing beats a Japanese maple.

In North Florida, we have landscapes with some suitable conditions for growing a Japanese maple but these trees are not for every site. Japanese Maple plants prefer some shade, especially in the afternoon, and protection from winds.  If you have a high tree canopy that allows for filtered sun throughout the day, many cultivars will grow well with this light. Soils should be moist but well drained with good organic matter.  Areas with higher pH soils such as home foundations or around concrete patios usually show plants with poorer growth and nutrient issues.

This specimen is suited to its spot with acid soil with a high Live oak tree canopy. The fall color is beautiful. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.

Many people love the leaf color of Japanese maples, either burgundy leaf forms or selections with beautiful fall color.  The palmate leaf shape also adds interest, along with varying degrees of coarse to finer textures.

My favorite characteristic of the Japanese maple is the growth form. Trees often have a layered appearance with branches extending outward, making a beautiful small canopy.  Many selections have smooth bark but one cultivar, the Pine bark maple, has plated bark that looks like a pine tree.

Pine bark Japanese maple form and fall leaf color. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.

Interesting bark of the Pine bark maple. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the growth rate is slow to moderate, be sure to research the plant size of the cultivar you want.  There are small tree forms that will reach an average of 20 feet and plants that only grow about 5 feet in twenty years.  Our cool season is the best time to plant a Japanese maple if your landscape is suited for this tree.