How to Control Nutsedge
Nutsedge, commonly called “nutgrass”, is one of the most important and difficult to control weed pests in the world. Found in nearly every growing situation, from crop fields and vegetable gardens to landscapes and turfgrass lawns, I bet every person reading this has...
Who’s That Piercing My Plants?
There are lots of plant pests out there, and it can take a trained eye to tell which one is doing damage. Many of the insect pests that feed on crops and ornamentals have piercing-sucking mouthparts. These insects do not chew on leaves and leave holes behind; instead,...
Choosing the Right Dooryard Fruit Varieties
We have many choices of fruit that can be grown in the Florida Panhandle. For us hobby or dooryard growers, fruit trees can be an interesting crop to manage and most find it to be a beautiful addition to home landscapes. However, temperature and variety selection are...
Ginger Lily Adds Fragrance and a Tropical Flair to North Florida Gardens
If you’re looking for colorful flowers with superpowered fragrance, look no farther than ginger lily (Hedychium sp.). This group of plants packs a punch with big, bright flowers, intoxicating fragrance and bold tropical foliage, all in a robust herbaceous perennial...
It’s Hot, Consider Planting a Shade Tree
Spending time outdoors during the Florida summer is not for the faint of heart. It’s hot! And it’s humid! Just moving around outside for a moment in the early morning causes you to break out in a sweat. Most evenings, even after the sun is low in the western sky, but...
Springtailed Invaders
A month or so ago I was leaving for work and I noticed a strange substance near the entrance to the house. The substance was blue and my first thought was crushed chalk from my kids writing on the sidewalk. Upon closer investigation I realized the substance was...
The “Dirt” on Soil
Potting soil, potting mix, garden soil, topsoil. The bags are all sitting side-by-side on the shelf at the garden center. Your challenge is to figure out which one you need for your project. What’s the difference? To begin with, none of them are dirt. The Soil...
Video: Growing and Saving Blackberries
Blackberries are one of the easiest fruiting crops to grow in the North Florida garden. Fruits mature during the month of May and early June. If you don't plan to eat your blackberries fresh, learn some quick tips from UF IFAS Escambia County Extension for saving...
National Pollinator Week June 21-27, 2021
Are you one of those that hear the word “pollen” and sneeze? For many, allergies are the only association with plant pollen. But pollination – the transfer of male pollen grains into the female flower organs to create fertile seeds – is an essential part of a healthy...
Don’t Blame Pests for Dry Spots in Your Lawn
Every time we have a dry period in spring or summer, I get those predictable calls about some mysterious pest that's playing havoc in lawns. Without realizing it, the caller usually describes a textbook example of dry spots in a lawn. And many times that’s what...