Have you ever looked at one perfect plant on your windowsill or in your garden and thought, I wish I had a few more of these? You’re not alone. Humans have been multiplying plants for thousands of years, sometimes to grow more food, ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture
Brace yourselves – the sneezing, the itchy eyes, the yellow-dust-on-every-surface season is here. And for most of you, it might mean more trips to the car wash. Pollen season in Florida, which peaks from January to June, is in full bloom. ... READ MORE
Category: Forests, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes
It is clear that spring has arrived, regardless of what the calendar says! Some of our cool season crops, like cilantro, mustard and radishes are bolting and flowering. We often let them do this so our honey bees and native bees have a ready ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Early March has been so warm, it seems like we went straight from winter to summer, doesn't it? And another cool spell is on the way. March is often a weather roller coaster, and it's a transition time in the garden. Cool season crops ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Looking to add year-round color, pollinator appeal, and resilience to your Florida landscape? Meet the beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), a.k.a the dune sunflower, a cheerful Florida native known for its sunny yellow-orange blooms and effortless ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Many people are still unaware that the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2023. The most recent edition of the map until now was published in 2012 and put Duval County in Zone 9A. The average ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Spring is here, and with it comes a flurry of growth and activity in our gardens. Our native bees who are responsible for a large portion of pollination duties are emerging and looking for flowers to forage. It’s only early March, and we ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), also called red salvia, scarlet salvia, or tropical sage, is a blooming Florida native. Red, pink, or white flowers attract all kinds of pollinators, a few being hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Keep reading ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes
Designing for Life on the Coast Coastal gardening isn’t for the faint of heart. Salt spray, sandy soils, intense sun, high winds, humidity, and even the occasional cold snap can quickly challenge both new and experienced gardeners. ... READ MORE
Category: , UF/IFAS Communications
Whether you want to know or not, mites are everywhere. If it makes you feel any better, a lot of mite species are harmless to humans and plants. However, there are quite a few mites that cause significant damage to garden and landscape plants. Before ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease