Category: HOME LANDSCAPES

Peanut Butter Challenge Kicks Off in Jackson County Sept. 28

by Abbey Smith
September 16, 2026

Start Giving Season early this year by participating in UF/IFAS Extension’s Peanut Butter Challenge this October. Jackson County is participating again this year. The friendly competition among counties asks community members to bring a ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Jackson County, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Peanuts, Uf/ifas Extension, UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension

Bay Sucker Psyllid: What to Know

by Abbey Smith
August 14, 2026

This week I was brought an interesting sample by a Master Gardener Volunteer trying to identify what was causing some interesting damage to her bay leaf tree. The damage favored an insect “gall” but almost seemed to be apart of the leaf. ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Bay Tree, Garden, Gardening In The Panhande, Landscape, Psyllid, Trees

Save the Date: Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training- September 1

by Abbey Smith
July 22, 2026

Fresh produce safety begins on the farm. Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are encouraged to attend the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 8:15 am – 5:00 pm CST at the UF/IFAS Jackson ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tags: Commercial Horticulture, Food Safety, Food Safety Modernization Act, Fruit And Vegetable Growers, Horticulture, Jackson County Extension, Panhandle Agriculture, Produce Safety Alliance

Winter Pruning in North Florida: What to Cut and What to Leave Alone

by Abbey Smith
January 30, 2026

Cool weather in North Florida often inspires gardeners to grab the pruners and “clean up” the landscape. But, winter pruning should be selective and intentional. The right cuts can improve plant health, structure, and flowering, while pruning ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Gardening, North Florida, Pruning, Trees, Winter

2025 Peanut Butter Challenge Wrap-Up

by Abbey Smith
November 13, 2025

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension Peanut Butter Challenge in Jackson County has a new record! Businesses, county employees, residents, and students collected a record amount of peanut butter to help local neighbors in need. This year, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, WORK & LIFE
Tags: 2025, Jackson County, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Uf/ifas Extension

Deck the Halls: Repurposing Yard-Waste for Holiday Decor

by Abbey Smith
November 13, 2025

With the holiday season fast approaching, many folks are reaching for store-bought decorations. But what if your yard could supply some of the festiveness this season? You can turn your landscape trimmings into creative DIY ideas, turning what ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Christmas, Evergreen, Ffl, Florida Friendly Landscaping Principles, Holidays, Yard Waste

Autumn Spotlight: The Mum

by Abbey Smith
October 10, 2025

If you have walked through any retail garden centers lately, you probably have seen some bright colored fall flowers. These pretty plants are what we call mums, or chrysanthemums. Mum flowers are a fall staple in the south to see on a front ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Chrysanthemum, Fall, Fall Gardening, Mum

Nature’s Recycling: The Art of Composting

by Abbey Smith
September 4, 2025

As we transition from the dog days of summer into (hopefully) the cool weather of fall, it is a great time to consider the nutrient levels of your garden soil. One of the best things you can give your garden is the foundation of healthy soil, ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Compost, Composting, Gardening, Vermicompost

Herbs for the Summer Gardener

by Abbey Smith
April 28, 2025

Herbs are one of the best ways to add diversity to your garden or patio in the summer as they have many uses and unique traits. Summer is the season where herbs truly shine. There are many benefits of growing and using herbs at home, such ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Garden, Herbs

Cold Protection for the Northwest Florida Landscape

by Abbey Smith
January 24, 2025

2025 has already been a year for the books, as Winter Storm Enzo has proven that it really can snow in the Sunshine State. With the fluffy white snow also comes below freezing temperatures, therefore most landscape plants that fit the hardiness ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cold Protection, Freeze, Landscape, Patio Plants

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