Soil, the bedrock of terrestrial life, is a dynamic blend of minerals, organic matter, and living organisms shaped by millennia of geological and ecological processes. Nowhere is this more evident than in the unique landscape of the Florida ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Witch’s broom is a symptom of stress in woody plants that causes deformed or stunted growth on newly expanding buds and leaves. This stress causes the disruption of stem elongation, leaf development and expansion, and can cause a broom-like ... READ MORE
Category: , Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recently passed a fertilizer ordinance with the intent of limiting nutrient applications to turf and landscape plants. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, have the potential to contribute to ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES, Work & Life
This is a summary of a recent presentation by Dr. Thomas Chouvenc on the importance of termite colony biology on control methods Termites evolved from cockroaches 150 million years ago. There are now over 3,000 termite species worldwide, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease
The Horntail Snail, Macrochlamys indica, was detected in Miami-Dade County in August 2020 and sent to the University of Florida for identification. This identification was confirmed by USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture (FDACS), ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES
With the start of rainy season upon us, it also means residents will begin to see termite swarms, specifically West Indian drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis). Here in the Florida Keys we have two economically damaging termites, Asian subterranean ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES
Can’t eat out? Pick up some local seafood! Shelly Krueger, University of Florida IFAS/Extension, Monroe County Seafood is very easy to prepare at home. In fact, you can make a delicious and healthy main course with just three ingredients ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Health & Nutrition
Also known locally as wild tomato or currant tomato, the Everglades tomato is a wonder for gardeners in the Florida Keys. The tomato blooms and fruits all year long, is tolerant of our alkaline soil, brackish water, salt winds, and is resistant ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to Florida food markets. Sales of food products to restaurants and schools have fallen drastically. Some farmers markets have closed. Sales through grocery stores spiked upward initially, but ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension
Roselle, a relative of hibiscus, was once used widely as an edible plant in Florida. The flowers are less showy than other hibiscus varieties, but their calyces (sepals at the base of the flower) are amazing! As the flower dies the calyx ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture