Every so often while I am enjoying a walk through the garden, I notice a growth pattern on a plant that is just not normal. One of the more interesting patterns I see is called fasciation. This is a distortion of plant tissue that often causes ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Portulaca pilosa, or pink purslane, is a wildflower native to Florida. This species is a member of the succulent family and forms thick mats covering the ground. This plant is toxic to pets and horses, so be sure to remove it if you find ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Did you know that Florida is home to several species of native cacti? Its true! The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) produces edible fruit with flowers that bloom a variety of warm-toned colors. These cacti also serve as important nutrient ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute (FSI) has found an alarming invasion of Blue tilapia that has replaced the native fish population in Silver Springs State Park based on a recent survey. In 2019, Blue tilapia made up 25% of the ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Pests & Disease
A new species of thrips was first reported on beans in Miami-Dade County in 2020. The size of this insect is very tiny, only about one millimeter long. They mainly stay within vegetable crop flowers, and damage the flowers. This new thrips species, ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Pesticides are hazardous, they are designed to repel, kill, or otherwise disrupt the lifecycle of living organisms. Pesticides can be toxic and even poisonous. These are all true statements, but a hazard, by itself, is not necessarily a problem. ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf
Ask Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer James Hargrove Residents of Franklin County all have two things in common: we live on or very near a bay or river, and we miss seeing the oystermen who made their living on the water for ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Why Wildflowers? Loss of biodiversity is one of the major threats to the world. Pollen nectar provides food for insects, which helps to pollinate our food crops, eat pests, and provide food for other wildlife. You can be part of the solution ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife