One of my favorite parts of living in Florida is having more access to tropical fruit. The classic sweetness of mango, the distinct and delicate flavors of guava and papaya, and the almost chocolaty taste of sapodilla are simple yet profound ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Work & Life
While citrus trees have long been a popular choice for home gardeners, let me introduce you to the delightful world of muscadine grapes—a refreshing alternative that may just make you reconsider your planting preferences. Muscadine grapes ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
One of a handful of native palms, the Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia) is a smaller and less common relative to the ubiquitous Sabal Palmetto (also known as the Cabbage Palm). It is slow-growing and like the Saw Palmetto, produces berries which ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
On July 1, 2023, Senate Bill 1164 / House Bill 1279 became law as Florida Chapter 2023-154. This bill covered a range of items that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will regulate. One key ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, Livestock, Pests & Disease
Introduction: In the early 2000s, I worked as a professional scout in a greenhouse and operated an integrated pest management program. My role involved scouting over 300 different species of food crops, exposing me to a myriad of pest species. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Recap of July First Friday with Florida First Detector In July's First Friday with Florida First Detector, we talked about invasive caterpillars that feed on vegetable crops. Florida's agriculture industry is home to a wide variety of high ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
From coast to sandhill, pasture to homestead, dozens of mosquito species breed around Florida homes and neighborhoods. Mosquitoes ease through life in one of four forms - egg, larvae, pupae, or adult. As bloodsucking adults, some are pests, ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Work & Life