Farming and gardening share some similarities, but in reality are very different. Both farming and gardening present their own unique challenges, so the same standards and expectations simply cannot be equally applied. There are luxuries ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, LivestockUnequivocally the best nutrient-dense crop for warm conditions is the sweet potato. This crop prefers high temperatures, regular irrigation, well-drained soil, a lot of direct sunlight, and moderate fertilizer requirements to maximize its yield. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables
Star fruit, or carambola, is a unique tropical fruit we can grow here in central Florida. It may not survive very cold winters, but it will come back from the roots if it is killed back (if it is not a grafted tree). Star fruit are native to ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Peach trees grow rapidly in their first few years and it is important to get the trees well established for best production. Irrigation and fertilizer are important components to good tree growth. In Florida young peaches are put on irrigation ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Passion fruit is a perennial vine that produces dazzling flowers that turn into uniquely delicious fruit. This plant originates from the tropical regions of South America and is grown throughout the world in warm climates. It grows well in Florida ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Blackberry cultivars developed in Arkansas are popular but not well adapted to Florida conditions. Lack of winter chilling (temperatures between 32 and 45 F) causes poor and erratic budbreak in blackberry and limits consistent yields in Florida. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tea is made from the plant Camellia sinensis which was carefully guarded in China for centuries. Seeds were smuggled into India by the British in 1836 to break the Chinese tea monopoly. We can grow that plant here and UF/IFAS is researching ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Researchers have been working for years to find a treatment for the devastating Citrus Greening disease also known as Huanglongbing or HLB. Now in 2020 there are two promising new treatments that are showing exciting results. Both are naturally ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
What is a hydroponic system? How does it differ from traditional growing of plants? How can we try it at home? Last Water Wednesday, we invited the Sustainable Ag and Food Systems Agent in Seminole County, Dr. Morgan Pinkerton to give an introduction ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, WaterPreservation of agricultural land is crucial. Annually, one million acres of farmland are converted to nonfarm uses. Most of the conversion happens in metropolitan counties where four out of five Americans live. Urban agriculture is an emerging ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Fruits & Vegetables, Natural Resources, Water