One of the things to do while stuck at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, is to look for caterpillars and butterflies in your landscape. I’ve noticed giant swallowtail butterflies (Papilio cresphontes) a little early this year. The giant… Read More
Did you know that the first virus discovered was in plants, not in humans? As early as 1857, tobacco farmers in the Netherlands recognized a new disease of tobacco. It wasn’t called a virus at the time as… Read More
With most of us being at home more due to restrictions on getting out, people seem to be noticing more of what is going on in their own lawns, landscapes and gardens. As a result, I am getting… Read More
The UF/IFAS Extension Office in Okaloosa County will be offering a seminar on growing citrus and a seminar on growing tomatoes at the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties (BIA) Home Show. And I will provide… Read More
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society will conduct a Camellia Workshop to introduce the camellia to area residents. The workshop will be held 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, February 8 at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex… Read More
As a boy in a small town in Georgia we had a St. Augustinegrass lawn. My dad started the lawn before I was born. That lawn was still doing fine when I left for college at age seventeen…. Read More
If you need help diagnosing a lawn, landscape or garden problem and/or are interested in learning about old garden roses, we have two upcoming events for you. The Plant Clinic will be held Friday, April 12 from 9… Read More
Fire ant control options in some situations include doing nothing. Fire ant colonies consist of the brood (eggs, larvae and pupae) and adult ants. The adults include winged males, winged females, one or more egg producing queen… Read More
As Hurricane Michael was barreling through the Panhandle region, wasp populations were at their highest of the year. Winds and flooding destroyed many of the nests of paper wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets and now wasps may be… Read More
We have confirmed a new invasive plant in Okaloosa County. Wavyleaf Basketgrass was first found in Maryland in 1996 and quickly spread into Virginia and Pennsylvania. This invasive is very shade tolerant. It originates from Southern Europe and… Read More
