Extension Agents get used to hearing that the local Extension Office is the community’s best kept secret. As much as we try to let folks know we’re here, many are still unaware of the services we provide. Even amongst the residents that are familiar with us, some of the services available remain unknown, especially our identification and diagnostic services. Here’s a rundown on some of the services available through your UF/IFAS Extension service.
Taking a soil sample. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
Soil Testing
This is probably our most well-known service, but it’s worth a reminder. For only $3 (pH only) or $10 (pH plus plant macro- and micro-nutrient values) per sample, plus shipping, you can have your soil analyzed in a state-of-the-art facility. To be clear, soil testing only provides a reading of your soil’s chemistry, specifically pH (acidity/alkalinity) and plant nutrient values. It does not provide information on any diseases or potential toxins that may be present in the soil. In addition to the results, you can specify the general type of plant you’re trying to grow (various grass species, vegetables, citrus, general trees and shrubs, etc.) and the report will provide recommendations to adjust the nutrient levels to be sure that plant is able to thrive. Your local agent receives a copy to help answer any questions you may have about the results or recommendations. More about soil and nutrient testing can be found at the Extension Analytical Services Laboratory website.
Experts at the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic can identify diseases present. Credit: UF/IFAS.
Plant Disease Diagnosis
UF/IFAS Extension has a great plant pathology lab on campus, but we also have a great resource close by in Gadsden County at the North Florida Research and Education Center’s (NFREC) Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. For a modest fee of $30, you can submit a sample of a diseased plant, and the lab manager will use the available methods to confirm the presence of disease and identify the disease-causing organism. Just like with the soil test results, you are provided with a recommendation on how to best treat the disease. The NFREC Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic website has submittal forms, contact information, and directions for collecting a quality sample.
Need help with insect id? The DDIS system can help. Credit: UF/IFAS.
Plant and Insect Identification
While your local extension agent enjoys receiving plant and insect identification, there is an online submittal option available to use as well through our Distance Diagnostic Identification System (DDIS). You can set up an account and then upload photos of plants, insects, mushrooms, even diseased plants, and an expert on UF’s campus will do their best to identify it for you. The DDIS website has more information to help you set up a user account.
The Florida Cooperative Extension Service has many ways to help Florida citizens diagnose their landscape issues using science-based methods conducted by experts in state-of-the-art facilities. The above services are just a selection of the diagnostic capabilities available. To see a complete list, visit the IFAS Diagnostic Services website. You can always contact your local extension office, too, for assistance in identifying plants and insects, as well as diagnosing diseases.
Gardening just wouldn’t be any fun without the pests. In this episode of Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE!, the hosts answered some very important questions about different types of pests in Florida lawns and landscapes. Before we talk about some of the specific topics from this episode, it’s critical to know the definition of a pest when it pertains to our yards. A pest is any organism that is harmful and/or damaging to humans or the property of humans such as crops and livestock. Weeds are pests, some insects are pests, and diseases are pests.
Integrated Pest Management or IPM for short is the use of different pest management strategies to help control pests. The UF/IFAS Publication Landscape Integrated Pest Management provides more details on the steps involved in a good IPM program.
As stated above, pests can come in a lot of forms. Pesticides offer control for some pests. The article The Basics of Pesticides provides more information on using pesticides.
Some annual weeds are easier to control as the germinate. Pre-emergent herbicides provide a barrier that kills most annual weeds shortly after they germinate. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late winter before day temperatures reach 65°F–70°F for 4 or 5 consecutive days and in the fall when nighttime temperatures drop to 55°F–60°F for several consecutive days.
The first step of IPM is to scout for pests. More information on scouting can be found in the article Scouting: The tip of the IPM spear from Matt Smith with the UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County.
The larva of many beetle species like to eat turfgrass roots. More information on June beetles and their control can be found in the fact sheet June Beetles (White Grubs).
Snakes usually help us control pests around our homes. If you’re interested in what snake species live in Florida, then you’ll want to read the UF/IFAS publication Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Snakes.
Fire ants are a direct pest of humans and the create some unsightly mounds in the yard. A number of baits are available on the market to help keep them out of the landscape. The article Sustainable Fire Ant Control offers more details on baits and other fire ant control strategies.
Mole crickets are another type of insect that feed on turfgrass roots. The Mole Cricket IPM Guide for Florida is a great place to start if you’re trying to understand this pest better.
If you’re sticking with an edible landscape theme, then you’ve certainly encountered leaf-footed bugs and stinkbugs on your fruit and vegetable crops. Larry Williams with the UF/IFAS Extension in Okaloosa County has written a very informative article on leaf-footed bugs titled Leaf-footed Bugs Are Common On Tomatoes.
Pests can wreak havoc on healthy lawns and landscapes. The resources and advice provided in this episode of Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! will help you maintain a beautiful setting to enjoy. To view this episode of Gardening in the Panhandle LIVE! please visit our YouTube channel.
Spring and summer bring an explosion of color to gardens, and among the most resilient yet misunderstood flowers are marigolds. Growing up in a small Caribbean town, marigolds were everywhere. Locals called them “Stink and Pretty” or even “graveyard flowers” for their bold scent, but their benefits were undeniable. Whether used in traditional medicine, religious rituals, or tucked into garden beds to keep pests at bay, marigolds have always been more than just a flower.
More Than Just a Bloom
Belonging to the Tagetes genus, marigolds come in a variety of cultivars, each offering unique traits and advantages. Beyond their beauty, they play essential roles in soil conditioning, pest control, especially against nematodes, and companion planting.
A Closer Look at Marigold Varieties
Marigolds fall into distinct categories, each with different growth habits, flower forms, and benefits. The two most common types are Tagetes patula and Tagetes erecta.
French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
Compact and bursting with warm hues of orange, yellow, and mahogany, French marigolds are excellent pest deterrents. Often planted alongside vegetables, they help manage soil nematodes while thriving in borders and containers.
African or Perfection Yellow Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
Despite the name “African,” this species hails from Central America. Taller and more dramatic than French marigolds, it produces large, showy golden blooms ideal for cut flowers and mass plantings.
Signet Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
Delicate foliage, small dainty flowers, and an edible twist—Signet marigolds are a favorite for adding color to salads and attracting pollinators. Plus, their milder scent makes them perfect for gardeners sensitive to stronger fragrances.
A Common Mix-Up
It’s worth noting that while often called “Pot Marigold,” Calendula officinalis is not part of the Tagetes genus. Though it shares similar colors and benefits, calendula is better known for its medicinal properties and edible petals.
Calendula in the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, Spain. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra.
Next time you pass a tray of marigolds at a plant sale or see them brightening a garden bed, take a second look. These unassuming blooms do far more than add beauty—they may just be the unsung heroes of your summer garden.
Sweet potatoes (Ipomea batata) are a much ballyhooed southern food staple. Valued primarily for their tuberous roots, they also boast an edible leaf. That, however, is not the end of their story. Some cultivars find use strictly as an ornamental. While not the subject of this article, you will typically find these dangling over rock walls or cascading from a hanging basket. While these can be quite impressive, this article will focus on the edible version of this plant, and its nutritional benefits.
UF/IFAS photo: M. Bailey
What Cultivar?
As with any vegetable, these have been heavily bred to optimize growth and yield in our southern environment. In Florida’s Panhandle, ‘Centennial’ and ‘Beauregard’ are two varieties that perform admirably. They have a vining growth habit and are very productive. For those gardeners with less space, ‘Vardaman’ sweet potatoes. This cultivar has a bushy growth habit rather than a trailing vine.
Planting
Sweet potatoes are not planted by seed, but rather from a “slip”. These are the vegetative growth from the mature sweet potatoes. While it is possible to grow these yourself, it is better to utilize certified disease-free slips from a reputable garden supply store. Use slips that are 6 to 9 inches long, planting them in rows 48 to 54 inches on center, with plants spaced 12 inches apart.
Sweet potatoes can be planted in early spring through late June. These plants thrive in sandy soils, which are typical in the Panhandle with very little fertilization (approximately 0.04 lbs. of N on a 10 x 3-foot row). The downside to sweet potatoes is their exceptionally long growth season of 100 to 150 days after planting.
UF/IFAS photo: J. Criss
Pests
There are some pests which you’ll need to be wary when growing sweet potato. Most notably of these is the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius). Even small amounts of damage from this insect can induce sweet potatoes with a foul taste. Control them through cultural practices such as turning your soil several months prior to planting, and adequate irrigation. Wireworms and beetle larvae are also concerns with sweet potatoes. Sample for grubs throughout the growing season, remove vegetation post harvest, and rotating your crops will keep these pests at bay. If all else fails, there are insecticidal options available. Consult your local extension agent to choose the appropriate option.
Sweet potato weevil UF/IFAS Photo: L. Buss
Time to Cure
Post harvest, sweet potatoes should be placed in a dark 85° room with 90% humidity for about two weeks. This is known as curing and will convert some of the starches of this vegetable to sugar making it slightly sweeter. Once the curing process is finished, store them in a cool, dry pantry at temperatures below 50°. This will keep them a viable staple in your pantry for several months.
The end result of all this work will be a food high in vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber that can be used for anything from home fries to pies.
To Sum Up
Growing your own vegetables in your own garden is a very rewarding experience. Sweet potatoes are an easy way to produce a lot of food for your family. If you’d like to know more about growing sweet potato, please consult these document. For more information on this topic or any other horticultural concern please contact your local U/IFAS extension office here.
