All Posts

Problematic Pasture Weeds

The definition of a weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted. Weeds in a pasture can limit productivity, reduce forage growth, and cause livestock harm. Weeds and forage grasses are constantly competing for resource and can be costly for producers. Characteristics that make up a good plant consists of a preferred perennial…

Read more

Wild About Florida Native Plants – Firebush

Why am I “wild” about Florida native plants…….because they are the original settlers who came from all  over the world and found a home in Florida.  They decided that Florida was the perfect place to call home.  Native plants are a good choice for the Florida gardener who wants to work less in the garden,…

Read more

Carolina Redroot – Wild Weeds

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Lachnanthes caroliana Carolina Redroot (photo by Joseph Tauscher) Carolina redroot is a perennial herbaceous wildflower that occurs naturally in wet flatwoods, marshes, bogs, dome swamps, savannas, and coastal swales. Blooms of this plant are a creamy whitish-yellow and are borne in fan-like terminal clusters atop erect stems. The plant…

Read more

Preparing to Weather a Financial Storm

Recent economic indicators are not positive. Our financial forecasters are seeing storm clouds of inflation and higher interest rates forming. While it all may not be doom and gloom, we might be smart to start preparing to weather a financial storm. Know Where You Stand Now is a good time to take a snapshot of…

Read more

Foolproof Lawncare: Bermudagrass

Although not a panacea for lawncare issues, Bermudagrass is a hardy turf option, tough enough to handle lots of foot traffic and horsing around (no pun intended). Because of its tough-enough reputation, Bermudagrass is the species of choice for many sports facilities including golf-courses and ball-fields. It also has the advantage of being able to…

Read more

Let’s Talk About Ag BMPs: Irrigation Best Management Practices

In this session of the “Let’s Talk About Ag BMPs” series, we met with Dr. Vivek Sharma from the University of Florida Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department to discuss Irrigation Best Management  Practices. We got to pick Dr. Sharma’s brain on the definition of Irrigation BMPs, the differences between Traditional and Best Management Irrigation Practices,…

Read more

Hydroponics: NFT System

Lettuce growing in a hydroponic system. Photo by Jonael Bosques, UF/IFAS Extension, Hardee County. Each year we have less agricultural land available, making it more difficult for farmers to acquire land to grow crops due to urban development increases in Florida. From 2010 to 2019, Florida’s population grew 14.2% to become the third most inhabited state…

Read more

Calycanthus floridus, Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub

 Calycanthus floridus, Sweetshrub Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a great selection for moist locations. The flowers develop in midspring and have maroon to brown, strap-like petals, and a fragrance like that of strawberries. Historically, the petals were used as a sachet to freshen dresser drawers. Occasionally, they are used in potpourris. The leaves and fruits release…

Read more

Pum, Pum, Pumpkins!

When you hear pumpkins you may think of fall, Halloween, and cooler weather. To enjoy all the goodies that pumpkins give us like pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin pie it first begins with a seed. I personally enjoy pumpkin spice latte. Regardless of what you chose to use your pumpkin for, it takes around 100…

Read more

to top