Why Garden?
Gardens have a delicate and meaningful existence, they are beautiful, they can sustain us, and they offer us the opportunity to re-engage with the natural cycles of the earth. We can experience the joy of… Read More
Category: Agriculture
From The Garden Bench: Swamp Sunflower
A Native Fall Winner: Swamp Sunflower by: Norma Kisida, Master Gardener Volunteer As summer flowers fade, we still have many later blooming native plants to bring us color and provide food for wildlife. One that… Read More
Befriend the Beetle!
Sending sinuous tendrils forth, the air potato vine (Dioscorea bulblifera) can grow as much as 8 inches each day during our summer growing season. This invasive vine, considered one of the most aggressive invasive plants… Read More
It’s getting hot out there…protect yourself!
photo credit Jay Janner | American-Statesman Report shows 215 people died in Florida from heat-related causes in the last 10 years. Of the 215 people who died from heat-related reasons, the highest number of fatalities occurred in… Read More
Fruit Crops: Growing Grapes
Getting Started Fruit crops, like growing grapes, provide rewarding yields throughout the year when diversifying your plant selection. In other words, choose several types of fruit trees and different cultivars within each fruit tree type…. Read More
Cover Crops: Benefits or Misfits?
Cover crops provide benefits to all types of growers, whether it’s hay production, small or large, fruit or vegetable production, or home gardeners. Additionally, beekeepers can benefit from the use of cover crops since cover… Read More
Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Application deadline for financial assistance is October 1 GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 21, 2021 — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until October 1 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental… Read More
Managing Honey Bees to Manage Swarming
Beekeepers manage honey bees for many reasons: honey production, other honey bee products, pollination services, reduce Africanized genetic traits, or as an enjoyable hobby. Managing honey bees takes time, patience, knowledge, and skill. Watching and… Read More
Hurricane Season Begins: Federal Program Protects Public Safety
Hurricane Season Begins Federal Program Protects Public Safety GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 1, 2021 — Hurricane season officially begins today and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) may be able to help if your area suffers damage from a… Read More
Plant Vampires
Have you ever been bitten by a mosquito? The bite can be annoying, and in some cases, it can cause an allergic reaction, welts. While feeding, mosquitos also transmit harmful diseases. Did you know that… Read More