Chinese Cabbage Becoming Increasingly Popular in Panhandle Gardens
Looking for a mid-season vegetable to plant in your garden? Look no further, Chinese cabbage is a great option. This cabbage matures quickly and is ideal for growing in winter's shorter days and cooler temperatures. Figure: Bok Choy Harvested & Prepared in a...
Yaupon Holly
For most of the year, yaupon (pronounced “yo-pon”) holly is the nondescript evergreen backdrop to forested areas throughout the Panhandle. But in the fall, these plants are bursting with brilliant red berries. There are 9 holly species native to our area, all with...
Celebrate Trees in January
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is Arbor Day 2024. Florida recognizes the event on the third Friday in January, so the next one is January 19, 2024. Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees...
Video: Shrub Pruning Tips
Many shrubs can benefit from a little pruning. Choosing what to prune to maintain a plant's natural look can sometimes be a challenge. Get a few tips on pruning shrubs with cane type growth from UF IFAS Extension Escambia County....
2024 Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! New Year – New Format
Since 2020, we have delivered timely webinars using Zoom and Facebook Live to reach Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! viewers. In 2024, we are changing things up just a bit. Due to changes in the way Zoom and Facebook interface we will only be transmitting live through...
Propagating Plants by Leaf and Cane
The subject of plant propagation by leaf and cane is a continuation from my article on propagating plants by layering, written in late October. Plants can be generated in multiple ways with leaf and cane techniques emerging as a possible indoor winter and early...
Edible chitosan coating: A sustainable approach to extend the shelf life of blackberry fruit.
Chitosan is used as an edible coating material to extend the shelf life of perishable commodities. It is a natural polysaccharide derived from chitin, a main component found in the exoskeleton of crustacean such as crabs, shrimps and insects. Chitosan is nontoxic,...
Autumn Color is but a Plan Away
The long summer days are beginning to wane, the mercury is starting its slow march down the thermometer, and your landscape displays all the signs of winter. It’s the time of year that many gardeners dread. Fear not, my fellow parishioners of the soil. I’m here to...
Chickasaw Plum
The Chickasaw plum is covered in beautiful small white flowers in the spring. Photo credit: UF IFAS 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...
The Gulf Frittilary Butterfly
Migratory animals are no stranger to our neck of the woods. Every year, Florida is host to countless creatures as they make their way from one place to another in search of food, nesting sites, or just a change of scene. From hummingbirds to manatees, it can be...