Every spring our office receives dozens of calls about certain insects that emerge around this time each spring. The problem is that some years these insects come back in massive numbers, which can make some folks understandably nervous. One ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
On March 9, 2021, I worked with Extension Agent Kate Rotindo and her Florida Master Gardener volunteers to teach them about invasive pest plants on the Treasure Coast. As part of this training program, I asked the Master Gardeners to come ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Foraging from our native Florida landscape can be a fun and creative way to create unique holiday decorations and gifts. Holly berries make colorful additions to winter wreaths, garland, centerpieces and swags. When gathering, look for various ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Hackberry, or Celtis occidentalis, is a native, deciduous tree naturally found in moist bottomlands, but is highly adaptable to a variety of conditions, from moist and fertile to hot and dry soils. Hackberry is adaptable to a wide pH range (except ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Carolina Willow, Salix caroliniana, is prolific in moist areas such as streams, swamps, marshes, retention ponds and other wetland areas of northeast Florida, and could make an excellent addition to a moist, sunny area of your landscape. Narrow, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture
Saltbush, or Baccharis halimifolia, goes largely unnoticed most of the year; but just wait until fall when it becomes a roadside showstopper! You’ll wonder where this plant has been hiding all year, as it flowers and is most showy when few ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “pest management”? I imagine many of you conjure up images of spraying a product or sprinkling granules over an unhealthy plant or lawn. For those of you familiar with term ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
In 1886 Florida designated the third Friday in January as Florida's Arbor Day. "While many holidays bring awareness to events of historical significance, Arbor Day is a unique national holiday focusing on the future" explained Joseph MacKenzie, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Welcome to Weed Science Wednesday, a weekly series aimed at helping homeowners and horticulture professionals to better identify and manage common landscape weeds in Florida. This week’s weed of the week and featured EDIS publication ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
It is a great time of year to refresh your landscape beds with mulch. A good source for (free) mulch is fallen oak leaves, which are in abundance this time of year. Oak leaves are a lovely shade of brown, are a great compliment to other mulches, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes