Yearly Archives: 2023

Weekly “What is it?”: Bioretention

      A typical stormwater pond collects water from several acres in a neighborhood. Photo credit: Michelle Diller Managing stormwater runoff is an ongoing issue for neighborhoods and municipalities nationwide. Preventing impacts of potential flooding is usually the most immediate concern. But more long-lasting are the legacies of water quality decline left by the contaminants that wash…

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Weed of the Month: Spotted Spurge

Spotted spurge is a low-growing broad leaf weed, native to North America. This summer annual is not picky about where it grows – lawns, cracks in sidewalks, nurseries, gardens, athletic fields, and nursery containers. This plant produces copious amounts of sticky seeds that are easily spread by animals or lawn equipment. These seeds…

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The Buzz about Bees in Florida

Bees, those tiny yet industrious creatures, have been silently playing a crucial role in sustaining our economy and environment. The mesmerizing dance of honeybees, gathering nectar from vibrant flowers, not only produces the golden elixir known as honey but also supports the pollination of countless crops that feed us. However, as we witness the alarming…

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World Mosquito Day

Did you know that World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20th to celebrate Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery of how the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) is transmitted from female Anopheles mosquitos to humans? According to the CDC, in 2020 alone, there were about 241 million malaria cases worldwide, of which 627,000 people died. While malaria is common…

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Making PPE Exciting!

Hello Avid Readers! Last week I spoke at an extension event for peanut growers in north Florida. The growers needed to get CEUs in Core material. For those of you who aren’t in the know, this basically means they needed to learn about pesticide safety. As this topic can be dry I did my best…

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The Antioxidant Power in Herbs and Spices

Herbs are the leaves of plants, and spices are the roots, bark, and seeds (anything that is not a leaf). Adding herbs and spices into cooking goes beyond adding flavor; they add surprising protective health benefits.  Herbs and spices are some of the most anti-inflammatory foods because they are packed with antioxidants! For instance,…

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Shining a spotlight on exterior lighting

Do you wake up to find calling cards left under your porch light by frogs and lizards? We can all agree that cleaning up the mess every morning is certainly annoying. Well, there’s an easy and inexpensive way to end the nightly poo-party without the use of pesticides, or any other product for that matter,…

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Video: Turfgrass Attracting Pollinators?

Centipedegrass is a low maintenance turfgrass for North Florida landscapes. Scientists from Georgia also found an added benefit when the grass is in flower. Learn about the specific insects found visiting the flowers of centipedegrass. by Beth BollesSource: UF/IFAS Pest Alert Note: All images and contents are the property of UF/IFAS.   

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Five ways to help honey bees

National Honey Bee Day is August 19, and there are many ways to support the powerhouse pollinators. “Honey bees are critically important to our food supply,” said Amy Vu, UF/IFAS Extension state specialized agent in the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL). The lab celebrates five years on the Gainesville campus this month. “Here in Florida,…

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Take-all Root Rot Fungicide Options and Their Modes of Action

Compiled by Mara L. Johnson, UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County Horticulture Program Assistant Take-all Root Rot damage, UF/IFAS photoUsing fungicide to combat Take-all Root Rot? If a fungicide that you are using to combat the fungus becomes ineffective, it is possible that the fungus has developed a resistance to the way the fungicide works. The way fungicides…

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