A: Ornamental gourds are closely related to the pumpkin and squash we eat. Some of the ornamental gourds are edible such as luffa gourd (sometimes called running okra) as long as it is immature. A few of the edible squashes are quite ornamental ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
A: The vine you are referring to is called creeping fig, Ficus pumila. The leaves of this plant are generally very small when it is young and then the leaves become longer and larger with age. It prefers shade to partial shade but it seems to ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
A: Obviously you are referring to the root, Zingiber officinale, and not the ornamental plant ginger. And to answer your question, yes we can grow ginger in Northeast Florida. Ginger is a perennial plant meaning it has several growing seasons ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: The best time to transplant any perennial is soon after it has finished blooming. Some gingers are ornamental and others are true gingers, Zingiber officinale, which can be used for seasoning and cooking. Both types of ginger grow best in ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
A: It is often very difficult to identify plants but the sample you brought to me was easier as it had an unusual flower. You plant is a curcuma which is a genus in Zingiberaceae or ginger family. These plants are native to the warm, humid environments ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
A: According to Clemson University, garlic is marketed in several products intended to repel insects, such as capsaicin. Remember capsaicin is in pepper spray which is used to deter dogs. It is derived from hot peppers. Both garlic and capsaicin ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: This is a fairly uncommon occurrence on newer hybrid varieties. However, many of us have been experimenting with older, heirloom species which has resulted in me getting this question twice this week. Bitterness is due to the formation ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
A: What may be occurring is the pollen from your neighbors field corn may be reaching the silks of your sweet corn and altering the flavor. Corn is cross-pollinated by wind-blown pollen from the male flowers or tassels at the top of the plant ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home LandscapesQ: I want to stagger my corn plantings so I will be able to harvest corn at various times of the season. I do not want to have too much to handle at one time. So, when is the last date I should plant corn here in North Florida? A: I commend ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Q: Please give me some information about Chinese cabbage. I am considering planting it here. A: Chinese cabbage is a cool season vegetable which means it should be grown here from fall to early spring. It grows best with short days and moderate ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes