What does it mean to grow gardens organically? It depends upon who you talk to. The simple answer is that organic gardeners only use animal or plant-based fertilizers rather than synthetic. It also means use of natural pest control devoid ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture15.00 The varroa mite, Varroa destructor is the world’s most devastating pest of Western honey bees, Apis mellifera. Although the varroa complex includes multiple species, Varroa destructor is the species responsible or the vast ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureJanuary and February are typically the coldest months in Florida and plants can be damaged by low temperatures. But with your help, cold-damaged plants can often recover. After a freeze, see if your plants are dry. Even injured plants need ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureFertilizers are manufactured from a wide variety of materials to supply plant nutrients. Once these materials are mixed, it becomes difficult to distinguish the materials present. In the past, a few unscrupulous ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureNormally a well-managed colony will require little supplemental feeding, but such feeding, when it is necessary, may determine the ultimate survival of the colony. Ensuring that bees always have an adequate food supply is a form of insurance, ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureHoney bees laboriously gather their food (nectar and pollen) from flowers in bloom and store it in the hive for use when needed. When nectar sources are scarce or unavailable locally, bees are attracted by the honey stored in neighboring ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureA beautiful lawn can add substantial value to a home. While providing an attractive setting for landscape ornamentals, a good lawn will reduce weed growth and prevent erosion. Selecting the proper grass for a specific location ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureHoney bee swarms are a normal sign of healthy honey bee colonies. Two types of reproduction occur with honey bees. First, there is individual (biological) reproduction from eggs laid by the queen. Second, there is colony level reproduction, ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureRoy Lee Carter – Gulf County Extension Director Although overwintering management of bee hives differs according to regional winter conditions, there are some fundamentals that apply everywhere. When helping your bees prepare for the upcoming ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureSummer is often the time when most panhandle beekeepers have harvested their prime honey crops (TiTi, Tupelo, Gallberry and in some years Palmetto). If the beekeeper plans to reap a good honey harvest next year, hive maintenance must be ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture