Tag: Panhandle Gardening

Weekly “WHO is it?”: Sheila Dunning

by Carrie Stevenson
March 5, 2025

I’ve only dedicated one of these blogs to an individual before, after the passing of Navarre’s beloved Kayak Dave. But after losing a friend and mentor earlier this week, I knew it was time for another personal tribute. Sheila Dunning ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources
Tags: Estuaries, Flowers, Habitat Conservation, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Shrubs, Trees, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife, Youth Science Lessons

Fall into Composting

by Carrie Stevenson
November 6, 2017

Fall is the time of year many of us spend countless hours raking leaves and pine straw, piling them up, watching kids jump into the piles (then re-raking!), and bagging them up for disposal. However, what you may not have considered is that ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Compost, Composting, Fall Gardening, Panhandle Gardening

An Easily Preventable Tree Planting Problem

by Beth Bolles
October 23, 2017

Trees are a landscape asset for many homeowners. When a new tree is installed in our landscapes, we can’t wait for it to mature to provide shade or landscape interest. The heartbreak for many homeowners comes when this important part of their ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Best Management Practices, Installation, Panhandle Gardening, Planting, Tree Planting, Trees

Hurricane Preparation in the Landscape

by Carrie Stevenson
September 8, 2017

Well, it is the peak of hurricane season (June 1-November 30), and this one is proving to be no joke. After having all summer to heat up, Gulf and Atlantic water temperatures peak in late August-mid September, feeding storms' strength. Legendary ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Garden Design, Hurricanes, Panhandle Gardening, Trees

Arborists Help Maintain Healthy Trees

by Beth Bolles
September 8, 2017

Trees are a valuable resource. They add beauty to our community, serve as food and shelter for animals, filter the air, and cool urban environments. Trees can also be a liability when poorly maintained, damaged, or diseased. There are often ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Arborists, Best Management Practices, General Gardening, Green Industry, Hurricanes, Panhandle Gardening, Pruning, Trees

Ethnobotany: Where History and Medicine Meet the Forest

by Carrie Stevenson
August 11, 2017

Ethnobotany lies at the intersection of culture, medicine, and mythology. The “witch doctors” and voodoo practitioners, the followers of the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, and the wise elders of ancient Chinese civilizations are all ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Beneficials, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Poisonous Plants

Rain Gardens – A Solution for Runoff

by Carrie Stevenson
July 5, 2017

Tropical Storm Cindy’s early arrival soaked northwest Florida this month, followed by even more heavy rain. Homes in low areas and along the rivers flooded and suffered extensive damage. That being said, we are just entering our summer “rainy ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Flood, Flooding, Garden Design, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Rain Garden, Stormwater

African Blue Basil: A Pollinator Favorite

by Beth Bolles
July 5, 2017

Basil is a favorite plant in the summer herb garden and an absolute must for those who enjoy fresh leaves for a sandwich or delicious homemade pesto. While we grow basils as a food enhancer, an added benefit is that those basil selections ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Basil, Beneficial Insects, Beneficials, Edible Landscape, Edibles, General Gardening, Herbs, Panhandle Gardening, Perennials, Pollinators

Landscaping in Coastal Areas

by Carrie Stevenson
June 15, 2017

People from other parts of the country often move into Florida with expectations of their landscape beyond its capabilities. Those gorgeous peonies that grew up north or the perfect tomatoes they grew in California seem to wither in the heat ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Butterflies, Coastal Gardening, Garden Design, Groundcover, Native Plants, Panhandle Gardening, Wildflowers

Not all Palm Fertilizers are the Same

by Beth Bolles
June 10, 2017

It is common in Northwest Florida for palms to show signs of nutrient deficiencies. In general our sandy soil is often nutrient poor and available nutrients can easily move out of soils with frequent rainfall. In landscapes where fertilization ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture
Tags: Best Management Practices, Fertilizer, Fertilizing, General Gardening, Lawns, Magnesium, Miconutrients, Nutrient Deficiency, Nutritional Deficiencies, Palm Care, Palms, Panhandle Gardening, Potassium, Uncategorized

UF/IFASExtension Escambia County

UF/IFAS
Extension Escambia County