Category: UF/IFAS Extension

A Comprehensive Look at Ctenophores in Charlotte Harbor

by Emma Van Gheem
August 14, 2026

If you've ever taken a stroll along the shoreline in Charlotte Harbor, you may have noticed dozens or even hundreds of clear, gelatinous organisms drifting just beneath the water's surface. During certain times of the year, they can appear in ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Bioluminescence, Charlotte County, CharlotteHarbor, CoastalEcosystems, CombJellies, Ctenophores, Estuary, GulfCoast, Marine Invertebrates, MarineLife, MnemiopsisLeidyi, SeaWalnut, SouthwestFlorida

Oh, Poop! Is that what I think it is?!

by Kate Rose
July 14, 2023

In recent years, Charlotte Harbor (and the Southwest coast of Florida in general) has seen the periodic episodes of floating grey and brown carpet-like blobs. Their appearance, and the fact that they sometimes have a strong smell, gives the ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Algae, Charlotte Harbor, Florida Sea Grant, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Harmful Algal Blooms, Nuisance, Seagrass, Water, Water Quality

Foolproof Palm Care: Florida Silver Palm

by Marguerite Beckford
November 7, 2022

Although Florida is home to countless numbers of palms, the list of palms that are actually native to Florida is remarkably short, among them being the Florida Silverpalm (Coccothrinax argentata), so named because of the bluish-silver undersurface ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Ornamental, Palms

Foolproof Palm Care: European Fan Palm

by Marguerite Beckford
November 7, 2022

Among the short list of cold-hardy palms which can tolerate temperatures below freezing, the European Fan Palm (Chamerops humilis) is the only one native to - you guessed it - Europe. It is also one of the slower-growing palms, but its curved ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Ornamental, Palms

Foolproof Palm Care: Bamboo Palm

by Marguerite Beckford
October 28, 2022

Bamboo palms (Chamaedorea erumpens) and many closely related species in the genus, are among the few palms that thrive in shade and low-light conditions. For this reason, they are widely used as potted indoor palms and in interiorscapes. Their ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Flowering, Gardening, Low-maintenance, Ornamental, Palms

Foolproof Palm Care: Paurotis Palm

by Marguerite Beckford
August 31, 2022

Palms swaying in the breeze are typically associated with a tropical or subtropical climate but in the plant world, palms have a unique characteristic: because many of them grow with an elevated canopy similar to trees, in lay-terms, palms are ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Ornamental

Animated pumpkin seeds – take a closer look!

by Ralph Mitchell
August 3, 2022

Are your eyes playing tricks with you, or did you just see what looks like a crawling pumpkin seed? No, it's just a household casebearer! This seed-shaped, case-bearing caterpillar is not an uncommon sight in our area. Homeowners often ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Caterpillars, Household Casebearer, Moth

2022 – New year’s gardening resolutions

by Ralph Mitchell
December 31, 2021

It has been a great gardening year, but 2022 is ready for cultivation and planting! Take time for some personal horticultural reflection and goal setting in the gardening department! The New Year is a great time to make some horticultural ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Landscape Design, Turfgrass

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