Here in Highlands County, fireweed is emerging everywhere and becoming a nuisance for many of our livestock producers. Fireweed is a native winter annual species in Florida. It is typically seen in north and central Florida on exposed areas ... READ MORE
Category: Farm Management, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension
The UF/IFAS Extension office in Highlands County hosts annual Ag Tours throughout the county between January-March. The purpose of the tours is to promote the agriculture industries within the community. This year, I was able to work with ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Sharpen your gardening skills! Highlands County Master Gardener Class is getting ready to start. Every year, the last Saturday in January, the class begins. The classes are every Wednesday after opening day until the last Wednesday in March. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Florida Agriculture When you think of Florida, you may think of citrus. In Highlands County we live among the many orange groves. We are the 3-4th largest citrus producing county in the state, depending on the year. We are also an agricultural ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Livestock, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
A growing mecca Some northerners, (from Georgia north!) don't understand Florida's vegetable growing season. Northern states are, after all, used to producing vegetables all summer. In Florida, from October until spring, lots of food travels ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
What's a succulent? One of the latest crazes in gardening is growing succulents. Anyone that has collected a few usually finds themselves hooked. They come in all shapes sizes and colors and the ease of growing them can be unmatched. If you ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Events, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
By David Austin with co-author Master Gardener, Lesa Morey. Milkweed is food for butterflies Milkweed is a plant best known as a specific host plant sought out by certain butterflies; notably the well-known Monarch Butterfly and lesser ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, WildlifeFor the love of Honey Becoming a Beekeeper wasn't something I dreamed about my whole life. Beekeeping was never on my radar. When a friend suggested I consider beekeeping, I don't remember jumping up and down and being thrilled. One thing drove ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Garden Festival and Plant Sale They say time flies while you're having fun. This may explain why the Garden Festival feels like it is coming so quickly. Yes, the Annual Plant Sale, which comes on the 3rd Week of November every year, is morphing ... READ MORE
Category: Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS ExtensionUF/IFAS Extension office in Highlands County hosted a Basics of: Backyard Chickens Workshop last week and it went splendidly!! While a smaller crowd attended, there is always room to grow- especially with this program. Topics I covered ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Events, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension