July always brings the blessing of abundant figs on my trees. A new crop waits to be picked and enjoyed every day for nearly a month. The tender sweet fruit can be enjoyed fresh, prepared into jams or used in a myriad of recipes. The fig ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureOne of the many great thing about living in Florida is the long growing season that the climate affords to gardeners. For up to 8 months a year warm season vegetables can be grown. The colder months are mild enough to grow other crops as well. ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureMany of us are working during the day and are not enjoying our gardens during the daytime. And maybe it is just too warm in the summer to be outside during the heat of the day. That leaves us to enjoy our gardens later in the day when the ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureHigh tunnel crop production has steadily increased in Northwest Florida, with many utilizing funding from the Natural Resource Conservation Service's (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). There are many benefits to high tunnel ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureTime is flying! June has reached its halfway point and lawns are having to be maintained often. Let us take a few minutes to review some things that need to be considered when properly maintaining the lawn. 1. Mowing Height - Get ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureAn easy to care for perennial to add to your flower garden is the coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. The daisy-like flowers stand tall above the foliage on sturdy 2 to 4 foot stems. Blooms appear about the last part of April or the first of May ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureDogfennel is one of the most commonly occurring pasture weeds in Florida. University of Florida Weed Specialists, Brent. Sellers and Jay. Ferrel developed a publication specifically to address this troublesome pasture weed. Dogfennel (Eupatorium ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureFleshy distortions are appearing on some azaleas this time of year. What is responsible for this? A fungus, Exobasidium vaccinia, likes our cool, wet spring weather and infects azalea leaves and flower petals. This disease likes a cool, wet, ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureWith the over abundance of rainfall the western panhandle has seen in recent weeks, tomato gardeners need to be aware of foliar diseases that could appear. Tomato leaves are an ideal host when moisture is present on the leaf surface. There ... READ MORE
Category: HorticultureWe have had lots of rain across the region during the past week with over 6 inches recorded at the UF/IFAS West Florida REC, as of Thursday the 16th, with more predicted through Sunday. Cotton planting will get into high gear, as soon as fields ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture