Are there Scorpions in the Panhandle?
There are many species of insects and Arachnida (Arachnid) found in the Florida Panhandle. A specific arachnid that often brings fear and dread is the scorpion. There are 3 species of scorpion found the Panhandle. The Florida Bark Scorpion is commonly found in and...
Storm Cleanup an Opportunity for Practicing Florida Friendly Landscaping Principles
Small debris recently littered area lawns, but these materials are no "trash". Credit: Adobe Stock Hurricane Idalia recently tore through the Big Bend area, battering the coast and taking down trees, leaving thousands out of power. While much of the panhandle was safe...
This Heat Really Makes You Appreciate a Shade Tree
If there is anything that is more refreshing than the cool shade of a tree on a hot August afternoon, I cannot quite think of it. Here on the Gulf Coast, the thought of the heat in the “Dog Days of Summer” conjures up images of the dogs lying by their owners’ rocking...
Plant This, Not That
The plants you bring home from garden centers and nurseries may look beautiful in your landscape, but they might be invasive species that could escape your yard and quickly spread into natural areas, becoming an ecological and economic nightmare. Florida’s...
Roll it out if it’s curled up!
Identifying the Bean Leafroller (Urbanus proteus), also known as the longtail skipper, is crucial for gardeners. Here's how to recognize them: inspect your garden for rolled leaves with irregular edges; if found, gently unroll them to reveal potential bean leafroller...
Discover the Joy of Fall Gardening: Online Guide and Backyard Series
Fall is just around the corner, and that means it is time to start kale and collards, root vegetables, and salad greens. Photo by Rachel Mathes. In spite of this record-breaking hot summer, it might be surprising to realize that we are just a month away from the onset...
Persimmon Field Day
Please join us for the Persimmon Field Day on Friday, October 20th, from 8:30 – 11:30AM at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC), located at 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL. This is a free field day on growing persimmons in North...
When It’s Too Hot to Garden. What to Do?
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s been hot outside. Like really, scorching, hellacious, dog days hot. In this weather pattern we’ve been in, it’s hard to make yourself do non-essential stuff outside that doesn’t involve swimming and so our gardens...
Different Pruning Methods for Different Plants
Anyone can prune but not everyone prunes correctly. In order to prune correctly, you need to understand how plants respond to pruning. When a pruning cut is made on a stem or limb, new growth will develop just a few inches below the cut. This is because of a hormone...
Herbicides Work Better on Happy Weeds
Weed control is never ending in Florida landscapes. If there is a bare area of soil, weeds take advantage of that void and make themselves at home. Ideally, we would use good cultural practices that minimize weed invasion, but if prevention is ineffective and you need...