Have you ever thought about the value of birds? I mean, the value in dollars. There over 18,000 birds on this planet; all are different and all play a role in keeping Florida ecosystems healthy. They can also keep us and our economy healthy ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Florida is home to many exotic invasive organisms- everything from plants to insects and even lizards and salt water fish. But one problem plant that many Florida residents are familiar with is Dioscorea bulbifera, or the air potato vine. Invasive ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Q: I have notice a few commercial and governmental sites in Central Florida have been using Jerusalem Thorn as a parking lot tree. Why don’t we use it more often here? It seems like a care-free tree. A: Usually the biggest deterrent to ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Michael Dukes, director of the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, has been named a Fellow by a prestigious national organization. The ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
A: Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata, is most commonly found with blue flowers however one of the specific cultivars of plumbago, ‘Alba’, produces white flowers. Plumbago is a perfect plant for low growing hedges or a nice backdrop for smaller ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
The rains have finally returned to the relief of many including our plants. Rain often triggers growth and flowering as well. If you have seen rain lilies, you will know what I mean. Rain lilies have burst forth in a blaze of glory with this ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
A: The Dioon edule is a cycad similar to its cousin the sago palm. Dioon edule is also known as the Chestnut Dioon or Virgin palm. Its origin is Mexico. In its homeland, Dioon is accustom to harsh, dry environments and shallow, sandy soils. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
A: I am going to take a recent study and use parts of it to answer your question. Nitrogen is important for growth but we generally are using too much. A little fertilizer can perk up a St. Augustinegrass lawn as spring arrives, but homeowners ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease
Q: I have small to large areas of my St. Augustine lawn which have yellowing blades. They can easily be pulled up and seem to be rotting. Some of the edges look like circles. The smaller areas are about a foot across while other areas are much ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease