Spotted Fall Tree Leaves: Harmful or Innocuous?
In gardening, brown or black spotted leaves are most often an indicator of disease problems or growth issues. This causes us to worry and seek answers as to why this is occurring. This is good since the first step in solving a plant growth or disease issue is...
False Foxglove: A Unique Fall Wildflower
Fall is the absolute best season for wildflower watching in the Panhandle! When mid-September rolls around and the long days of summer finally shorten, giving way to drier air and cooler nights, northwest Florida experiences a wildflower color explosion. From the...
Beginning Beekeeping Publications from GIP Live
We hope that you enjoyed the live Q&A with the University of Florida Extension Agent Evan Anderson and Research Coordinator Chris Oster of the UF Honey bee Research and Extension Lab. Below are the questions with the publication links that were provided during the...
Spring into Fall Bounty
By Matthew Orwat and Judy Corbus As fall begins we often begin to think about the successes and failures of our vegetable gardens. Two of my successes this past summer have been pepper and basil. A variety of peppers work great as transplants in mid to late spring....
Fall Preparation in the Garden!
Yes, that’s right! We made it through the hottest part of the year and we are looking ahead to fall just around the corner! I am excited to be discussing September and what we can do to prepare for fall in the garden. As the nighttime temperatures start to cool...
Creating Space for Wildlife
Florida has all the elements of a wild animal’s paradise. The state has abundant rain and water sources, lush vegetation, plenty of food, and tons of nesting and hiding places. In our state and national parks, conservation easements, open waters, and acres of ranch...
Plant Growth Abnormalities
Every so often while I am enjoying a walk through the garden, I notice a growth pattern on a plant that is just not normal. One of the more interesting patterns I see is called fasciation. This is a distortion of plant tissue that often causes flattened, curved, or...
Bats are Beneficial for the Community
Bats bring a beneficial component to your property and community. A Big Brown Bat can catch and consume 3,000 to 7,000 mosquitos a night.
Snakes in the Home Landscape
Here in Florida, we have snakes. Some may say we have lots of snakes. While their presence may be something to be expected out in wild areas, homeowners often find it alarming when these creatures show up near places where we live. The reaction is often a simple one:...
Hickory Gall and Anthracnose, a Deadly Combination?
As homeowners, we do value our trees and no one wants to lose a shade tree especially on the house's south side in Florida. On a recent site visit, a hickory tree had multiple concerns. Upon closer inspection, the tree had a bacterial infection about 30” off the...