Moving and planning for retirement this year makes for huge changes and challenges both inside and outside in the garden. No worries, as I have always found a bit of work in the garden helps me relax, it takes my mind off pressing issues. ... READ MORE
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By: Susana Peñaranda and Yaredly Hernández Robles, Master Gardener Volunteers Class of '22 Part 3: The Future - Next Steps for Ready, Set, Grow! This past season has been one of growth and transformation for our Ready, Set, Grow! initiative. ... READ MORE
Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension
Nectar Year Round It is easier to provide butterflies nectar in the spring and summer when many plants are in bloom. Yet, pollinators need nectar in the fall and winter months too. An Atala colony is no exception. Plants that feed these butterflies ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, WildlifeHome Sweet Home: While preparing my garden for Atala butterflies, the garden’s ecosystem improved, benefiting other wildlife. The garden has more native nectar plant varieties and shade areas. I did not realize butterflies also seek shelter ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, WildlifeIn-A-Pinch Preventative Measures Transfer and Retransfer: A great help to the coonties during the Atalas’ peak munching period is to transfer the bigger caterpillars from the newer growth to older leaves or to a bigger plant that is better ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
In-A-Pinch Preventative Measures The Other Cycads: In my early years of Atala butterfly gardening I would panic during their peak caterpillar munching phase. Fearing I would run out of coonties, I planted other cycads to alleviate the ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension, WildlifeCoontie Plant Care South Florida’s Wet and Dry Seasons: Coonties start to flush out new growth with warming temperatures in March through May and continue to do so during our rainy season, which runs June through September. Each plant ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension, WildlifeThe Starting Point A common mistake first time Atala butterfly gardeners make, me included, is to suppose that what we did to raise other butterflies, e.g. Zebra, Fritillary, or Monarch butterflies will work the same with Atalas. Unfortunately, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, NATURAL RESOURCES, Wildlife
A natural disaster can significantly impact a family's financial life. For example, in the aftermath of a hurricane, flood, or other incident, families often face skyrocketing costs for repairs and replacements that can significantly disrupt ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Don't become a scam victim! Many people are looking for ways to help in the aftermath of Ian. One way to help is by donating money to charitable organizations. Unfortunately, while many reputable organizations are doing great work, there are ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Money Matters, Work & Life