Landscape Tree Protection
When maintaining proper care of your trees and shrubs in your lawn or landscape it is important to not damage stems and trunks. It is best practices to keep the area around the tree clean, but it needs to be done properly. Mowing and weed eating is not...
Nature’s Recycling: The Art of Composting
As we transition from the dog days of summer into (hopefully) the cool weather of fall, it is a great time to consider the nutrient levels of your garden soil. One of the best things you can give your garden is the foundation of healthy soil, but to do that you may...
Ganoderma, a Deadly Disease of Palms
No plant is as closely associated with Florida as a palm tree - the native sabal palmetto is the state tree, in fact! While this and several other species of palm are hardy even into the cooler regions of the panhandle, there are occasionally problems that arise with...
Discover the Sweet Potential of Persimmons at the UF/IFAS Persimmon Field Day
Persimmons are an increasingly popular fruit crop in North Florida that are prized for their rich flavor, vibrant color, and adaptability to the state's climate. With varieties ranging from astringent to non-astringent, persimmons offer growers and consumers a diverse...
Anthracnose and Aster Yellowing Diseases Recently Diagnosed
My last Gardening in the Panhandle article was about the many diagnostic services provided by UF/IFAS Extension. In this article, I get to share the results of those services concerning samples recently submitted to the North Florida Education and Research Center...
Summer is Too Hot for Lawn Herbicides
Hot, summer months are not the time to be using most lawn herbicides. One issue is the heat of summer. Most lawn herbicide labels include statements such as the following. “Do not apply when temperature exceeds 90°F.” “Do not broadcast apply this product when air...
Why Say No to Invasive Species
Identifying the plants present in your gardens and landscapes is a critical skill. These plants are the sculptors of our local environment. As such, it’s important to understand how they affect local ecology, and what services they may provide. Three overarching...
Kalanchoe Species in Florida: Invasive Threats and Management
Kalanchoe Species in Florida: Invasive Threats and Management Several species of Kalanchoe, widely distributed through horticulture as popular containers and landscape plants, have escaped cultivation and become invasive in Florida. Of the approximately seven species...
Will you Bee a Citizen Scientist?
We are just around the corner from the 2025 Great Florida Pollinator Census, and we need your help! 2024 was the first year Florida joined the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a pollinator stewardship project launched by University of Georgia in 2017. In our...
SoilKit for Turfgrass Soil Sampling
You have probably heard about the SoilKit testing option that is available at local UF IFAS Extension offices. Why would you want to use a new testing kit when the traditional soil testing kit is still available ? UF IFAS Extension SoilKit is an option for those who...