The oldest animal fossil ever found was from a horseshoe crab that was alive 445 million years ago. Horseshoe crabs roamed the continental shelves of the primordial seas 200 million years before the dinosaurs! For this reason, horseshoe crabs ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
With the start of rainy season upon us, it also means residents will begin to see termite swarms, specifically West Indian drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis). Here in the Florida Keys we have two economically damaging termites, Asian subterranean ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Also known locally as wild tomato or currant tomato, the Everglades tomato is a wonder for gardeners in the Florida Keys. The tomato blooms and fruits all year long, is tolerant of our alkaline soil, brackish water, salt winds, and is resistant ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
How do you make sure the stimulus funds provide you with the greatest benefit? Whatever you do, have a plan! Try this free online budget worksheet. If you are fortunate enough that your income has not been impacted by this national crisis you ... READ MORE
Category: Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
For many workers, this past few weeks we have been asked to do many things differently. We have been asked to navigate working from home, self isolation, online learning with our kids and grocery shortages. Working from home can be both a blessing ... READ MORE
Category: Home Management, Work & Life
Roselle, a relative of hibiscus, was once used widely as an edible plant in Florida. The flowers are less showy than other hibiscus varieties, but their calyces (sepals at the base of the flower) are amazing! As the flower dies the calyx ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
The Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving price survey estimates that Thanksgiving Day accounts for $282 million of uneaten turkeys that end up in the trash. Added to our overall food consumption, we throw away 34 million tons of food each ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Each month, UF/IFAS, Monroe County Extension Service, hosts numerous plant clinics throughout the Florida Keys. This is an opportunity for residents to bring in plant or insect samples for identification, ask questions about plant selection, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Events, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
As gardeners, we are aware of skin irritations due to contact from plants such as, Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), and Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella), found right in our Florida Keys backyards. But, the eyes, the eyes! Corneal Endothelial ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home LandscapesHere in the beautiful Florida Keys, we have no shortage of tidal shoreline and coastal landscapes, in addition to some unique natural habitats. This provides a fantastic opportunity to observe many of nature’s beautiful creatures. Especially ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife