Q: I have an orange tree I want to protect from the freeze. I am told I can run water over it and it will protect it from freezing but it seems like a waste of water. What should I do? A : In order to totally protect the tree ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Q: I have an orange tree that used to produce sweet fruit. We pruned it back a few years ago after a freeze and now it only produces small sour oranges that are full of seeds. Is there some kind of fertilizer we can apply to the tree to make ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Q: I purchased a Mandarin Orange tree called ‘Robinson’ at a local nursery and was told I needed a pollinator tree to produce fruit. Is that true and if so what should I use to pollinate it? A : Many citrus trees are self-pollinators meaning ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: There are two juicing oranges which grow best in our area and they are Hamlin and Pineapple oranges. Hamlin oranges are generally harvested from October through early January. Pineapple oranges are harvested from December ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Pruning of citrus can be done in late February and early March. Remember to selectively prune the citrus tree - no shearing. Find a growth bud, which is where a new leaf or limb will grow and cut just above it. Make the angle of the cut down ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: Calamondin, Citrus mitis, is an acid citrus fruit originating in China and introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900's. It can be eaten but the fruit is quite tart. So, what can you do with the fruit? The whole fruit has been commonly used ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesWritten by: Ernie Neff, Senior Correspondent at Large for Citrus Industry Magazine Florida’s older citrus trees are disappearing due to HLB and other problems, and the most prominent varieties being grown haven’t changed in many decades. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS ExtensionJust three months into the development of a community garden with our partner, at the Hilltop Landings Community (Pasco Housing Authority) in Dade City, and already great strides have been made. Community members have taken over all of the watering ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Contrary to popular belief it is not possible to grow everything anytime in South Central Florida. The seasons are distinct and make it imperative for newcomers to check with their University of Florida Extension Office here in Sebring to ensure ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
The development of high quality peach and nectarine (Prunus) cultivars with the low chilling needs of a mild climate has greatly expanded the potential for commercial peach and nectarine production in north and north-central Florida. Deciduous ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes