Strawberry transplants in Florida are traditionally bare-root short-day cultivars produced in the north and planted in early October for November harvesting. Bare-root transplants are field harvested in such a way that leaves are removed, wounds created that pathogens… Read More
Container production of blueberries is becoming more popular because it allows increased control of the rooting media. High organic matter and low pH are more easily maintained in containers than in Florida soils, but water retention can be… Read More
Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced by burning organic matter (usually wood) under low oxygen conditions. It can be used as a soil amendment to increase the fertilizer holding capacity in soils, making the fertilizers slowly… Read More
Blueberries are not easily grown in Florida soils because of high organic matter and low pH needs. The media for growing blueberries requires good drainage (total porosity of 50-85%), a pH of 4.2-5.5, and a relatively low nutrient… Read More
Declining Citrus with Greening People often ask me what they can do with their declining citrus to make them productive again. There are numerous diseases that cause citrus to decline, with the latest being citrus greening. Greening is… Read More
What interesting type of fruit can you grow for an edible landscape in central Florida? Many of the tropical fruit that people associate with Florida are not quite hardy enough here. We have just enough cold to prohibit… Read More
Florida strawberries are grown as annuals started from northern-sourced cold-treated young plants set out in September and October. Bare-root plants with their leaves retained yield earlier than plants with leaves removed. However, frequent irrigation (8-14 hours/day for the… Read More
Growing fruit in your backyard is as old as our Country. George Washington would not have had a cherry tree to cut down if there had not been fruit trees in the yard. Although it may be a… Read More
As a child and even as a young woman in my twenties, I did not enjoy Brussels sprouts. It was the one food I would not eat, that is until my neighbor brought me the fresh little cabbages… Read More
By Brooke Moffis Many homeowners moving to Florida hope to grow a citrus tree and a palm to enjoy in their new subtropical yard. Citrus is associated with Florida because it has been grown by both residents and… Read More
