Edible ornamental landscaping is the combination of edible and non-edible ornamental plants. Selecting and maintaining plants according to the Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles can provide an edible ornamental landscape that is attractive, ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Florida is known for citrus, but there is another popular crop that is entirely native to the state - blueberries! The blueberries you buy at the grocery store are either a highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) variety or a rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) ... READ MORE
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Container production of blueberries is becoming more popular because it allows increased control of the rooting media. High organic matter and low pH are more easily maintained in containers than in Florida soils, but water retention can be ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced by burning organic matter (usually wood) under low oxygen conditions. It can be used as a soil amendment to increase the fertilizer holding capacity in soils, making the fertilizers slowly available ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Blueberries are not easily grown in Florida soils because of high organic matter and low pH needs. The media for growing blueberries requires good drainage (total porosity of 50-85%), a pH of 4.2-5.5, and a relatively low nutrient concentration ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture,Berries are like nature’s candy: sweet and delicious. However, unlike regular candy, they are a powerhouse of nutrients for good health. Berries are low in calories and contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and water with ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Growers often want to recoup some of the cost of a new planting of Southern Highbush Blueberry (SHB) by harvesting the fruit from the newly-planted bushes rather than stripping it off, a practice commonly recommended to allow the plants to become ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Horticulture
Growing fruit trees in North Central Florida can be a challenge, but with the right information the task is certainly achievable. The first step recommended is to contact the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension office, which will be able to provide ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, HorticultureBlueberries require an acidic soil that may be difficult to maintain with some of our high pH soils and with high pH irrigation water. Researchers in Chile and Spain have similar problems and also must produce organically, which can limit which ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, HorticultureJoin us to learn the latest about blueberry pests - insects and diseases, and to practice some hands-on diagnostics. Dr. Oscar Liburd, Dr. Phil Harmon and Dr. Carrie Harmon will talk about the pests and how to control them. Dr. Juanita Popenoe ... READ MORE
Category: AGRICULTURE, Horticulture, Pests & Disease