Eggplant originated from South Asia and is a frost/cold-sensitive, warm-season plant. With the right conditions, you can grow eggplant (Solanum melongena) in your summer garden. As well as being a staple in the diet, it has also been ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Horticulture
Did you know that the first pollinators were beetles? Shifting the perspective from butterflies to beetles, this blog will focus on beetles as pollinators. Beetles are known to be the first pollinators, dating back to the early cretaceous period ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
When you think of pollinators, what comes to mind? Many immediately think bees, however, bees are not the only insect pollinators out there! While bees are very important and necessary to our ecosystems, butterflies, beetles, and flies are ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper Eastern lubbers are common in Central/Southern Florida. Eastern lubbers are common in Central/Southern Florida. This time of year, you may see many small black grasshoppers with neon yellow or orange markings. ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, HorticultureHave you seen me before? I am one insect, an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera. The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper The two insects above are the same species, photographed at different life stages. The first ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Horticulture
What is a seed? This might seem like a simple question, but seeds play a much larger role than their tiny form might let on. Seeds are one of the most important means of plant reproduction. They carry the genetic material from parent plants ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Mature Trees Mature trees, especially older ones, develop an extensive network of roots and can survive on rainfall exclusively. Some of these roots run very deep, which is why supplemental watering is usually unnecessary. Most mature shrubs ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Water
Ideally, the requirements of a tree/shrub (or any plant for that matter) should align with the conditions of the planting site (right plant, right place). When a plant's growing needs are matched to the environmental conditions, you may notice ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Water
The amount of water a plant needs depends on many things. A few factors include the plant type, age and size, the environmental conditions, and soil type. When you do water, aim for deep, infrequent waterings to encourage strong root systems. ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
If you’re looking to create visual interest in your Florida landscape without adding extra maintenance to your to-do list, muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a standout choice. This beloved Florida native is known for its delicate, ... READ MORE
Category: Crops, Home Landscapes