Fall Leaf Colors Are Just Around the Corner
Fall is a season that is synonymous for two great joys in life…..football games and the changing leaf colors! However, in Florida we just don't have the incredible burst of vivid fall leaf color as our northern neighbors enjoy each year, but we do have enough...
Fall Gardening in the Sunshine State
Even though it’s still 98 degrees outside, it’s the time of the year to be looking ahead to plan a fall garden. With the optimal climate of Northwest Florida, the fall season offers gardeners a time to refresh their plots and prepare for another productive season....
A Salvia for Late Summer Color
Salvias are a popular group of plants for attracting pollinators and adding lots of color to the landscape. A unique salvia that offers velvety flowers is the Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha. In our heat, Mexican bush sage can tolerate partial shade and likes...
Rat Snakes
It’s warm here in northwest Florida, which means our cold-blooded reptile friends are on the move. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen a snake at work, one at home, and received snake photos from my neighbors’ and parents’ yards. A fear of snakes seems to be both innate...
Ticks: A Seasonal Threat to Outdoor Enjoyment
The warm temperatures of summer bring a wide array of pests and one of my least favorites is ticks. If you’ve ever experienced their itchy bite, you know ticks can certainly put a damper on gardening and being outdoors in general. In our area, ticks are present...
‘Tonto’ Crape Myrtle – the Perfect Small Tree for Small Yards
Despite being a near-perfect ornamental for the Panhandle, Crape Myrtle is often misused. Though there are dozens of commercially available varieties in all shapes and sizes, many people choose the wrong one for their yard. The most commonly sold cultivars ‘Natchez’...
Video: Great Southeast Pollinator Census Details
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census began in Georgia in 2019 with the goals of increased pollinator habitat, teaching the public the importance of insects, and providing useful data to researchers. 2024 is the first year for Florida to be included and we want to...
The Chemical Properties of Soil
Managing your soil is easily the most critical task in gardening. Well-managed soils retain water and nutrients, making them available to your plants, thus enabling them to thrive. It may seem daunting, but with a bit of knowledge, you’ll quickly discover that soil...
Dog Days of Summer
The “Dog Days” are the hottest, muggiest days of summer. In the northern hemisphere, they usually fall between early July and early September. The actual dates vary greatly from region to region, depending on latitude and climate. It is miserable right now, but fall...
Discover the Charm of Muscadines
Discover the Charm of Muscadines Imagine walking through endless rows of lush grapevines, each brimming with clusters of plump, juicy muscadines. Scientifically known as Vitis rotundifolia, muscadine grapes are a species native to the southeastern US, with a range...