Category: Fruits & Vegetables
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, Community Gardens Program Update
June 23, 2017
On Tuesday, the 20th of June, the Pasco County Board of Commissioners passed the first county Urban Agriculture Ordinance in the State of Florida. With this leap forward, the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, Community Gardens (CG) Program is ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS ExtensionTags: Community Garden, Extension, Moore Michen, Ordinance, Pasco, Urban Agriculture
Q: Do watermelons ripen after they are picked?
June 18, 2017
Q: I know it is the end of the watermelon season but we just bought a seedless one. Do watermelons ripen after they are picked? A: Once a watermelon is removed from the vine, it will no longer be able to become sweeter. Other fruit such as ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Watermelon
Q: When should I plant strawberries here in Northeast Florida?
June 18, 2017
A: Plant strawberries in late October through November. Place strawberry plants in rows 36 inches apart and 12 inches apart within each row. Elevate rows 6” above existing soil to ensure good drainage, whenever possible, use drip irrigation ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Strawberry
Q. Is it possible to grow red raspberries in North Florida? If so, what varieties?
June 18, 2017
A. According to the University of Florida, raspberries are difficult to grow here as perennials and the flavor of the berries is fair to poor. Raspberries are typically grown in the north so I do not want you to be discouraged if yours do not ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: 'Dorman Red', Raspberries
Q: I tasted pomegranate fruit for the first time this year and I love it. Can we grow it in Northeast Florida?
June 18, 2017
Q: I tasted pomegranate fruit for the first time this year and I love it. Now I am seeing the fruit is in abundance in all the grocery stores. Can we grow it in Northeast Florida? A: Pomegranates are typically grown in warm temperate climates ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Pomegranate
Q: What is wrong with my plums?
June 18, 2017
A: Your plums are showing the early stages of brown rot, which is caused by a fungus called Monilina fructicola. Brown rot can attack blooms, fruit, leaves, and stems. It over-winters on blighted stems and mummified fruit. Brown rot can be a ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Pests & DiseaseTags: Brown Rot, Monilina Fructicola, Plum
Q: I would like to plant some plums in my yard but I am not sure which ones to buy.
June 18, 2017
A: The names of all University of Florida plum cultivars begin with the prefix 'Gulf.' These cultivars are Japanese type plums (Prunus salicina Lindl.) and have resistance to plum leaf scald (Xylella fastidiosa) and bacterial spot (Xanthomonas ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Plum, Prunus Salicina Lindl.
Q: I have a pignut hickory tree and it produces loads of nuts. Can we eat them?
June 18, 2017
A: According to the Florida Division of Forestry, the fruit of the Pignut hickory, Carya glabra, can be eaten. But, always be sure any plant is properly identified before ingesting any part of it – fruit or leaves. There use to be an old wives ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Carya Glabra, Pignut Hickory
Q: What are some varieties of persimmon that can be grown here and what does non-stringent persimmon mean?
June 18, 2017
A: Oriental persimmons Diospyros kaki L., have been grown in Florida for many years. Some non-astringent varieties are Izu, Fuyu, Jiro. Common astringent varieties are Wase, Tanenashi, Eureka and Ormond. Astringent fruit often causes us to have ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesTags: Diospyros Kaki, Eureka, Ormond, Tanenashi, Wase