Gardening in the Panhandle

UF/IFAS Extension
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The Physical Properties of Soil

The Physical Properties of Soil

Understanding soil composition is crucial for successful gardening. Soil is the slow interaction of parent material with regional climates, topography, and soil biota over millennia. The breakdown of parent materials results in layers of material called horizons. A...

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Why Are My Tomatoes Dying?

Why Are My Tomatoes Dying?

The value of tomatoes produced in Florida in 2022 was $323,000,000 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Survey and sometimes I feel like I’ll spend that much trying to get one perfect tomato in my garden. Nothing beats the taste of a fresh homegrown...

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The Mealybug Destroyer

The Mealybug Destroyer

Scouting is an important part of keeping pests in check and gardeners are often up to the task.  As you routinely enjoy the beauty of your ornamental and edible plants, you are likely to catch a pest sighting before it gets out of control.  One insect that may trick...

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Pine Bark Beetles – With Warming Weather Comes More Activity

Pine Bark Beetles – With Warming Weather Comes More Activity

Pine bark beetles can cause the loss of multiple pines in a landscape. Learn to recognize the symptoms of bark beetle attacks in pines and remove trees that have become infested. Preventative insecticides will not work once the tree is colonized. Preventing damage and stress to pines in the landscape is a key preventative measure to avoid bark beetle issues. Bark beetles are most active in the spring through fall and go dormant in the winter. Spots from the previous year can reactivate in the following spring. Identify trees that show symptoms and use removal and preventative treatments to minimize further tree loss to bark beetles.

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