As I wait in line at the garden center to pay for my new spring plant purchase, I see big stacks of “weed & feed” and other lawn fertilizers conveniently located to grab and go on the way out the door. The images of lush green grass and guarantees of a thicker lawn plus many…
Are you a fan of fresh aromatic herbs in your dishes? If so, growing herbs right at home might just become your new favorite hobby. In this guide, we’ll explore how to grow basil from the comfort of your own home, including some commonly grown varieties that do well in Central Florida. We’ll also highlight…
The answer might be – it depends! Are you mulching a large landscape bed of trees or shrubs, or more delicate annuals or perennials? Are you creating a mulched pathway? Do you have a wildflower area? Read on for a few facts, tips and myths about mulch choices. For more complete information, check out the…
I started my journey as a farmer four years ago without experience (I have a bachelor’s in industrial design), but I knew I needed to find a way to do it right. Having all your money between soil, sun, and water is a considerable risk. Even though I didn’t have knowledge of how to make…
The Burkinabe poultry sector can become safer and more productive by improved farm and market practices. This is not easy and does not happen overnight. However, this challenge does not stop a dedicated team of researchers under the leadership of Dr. Michel Dione from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) from taking on this challenge.…
When shopping for groceries you have a variety of food options to choose from that range in food costs. You may select healthy foods, for family or cultural preferences, or cost. With food costs continually on the rise you may think to yourself, can I eat healthy on a budget? The answer is yes you…
Dating back to 360 million years ago, ferns are one of the oldest plant lineages. They are a lovely choice for filling out shaded areas of the landscape. Keep reading to learn about some ferns that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Legend Apart…
No Mow March: A Celebration of Spring
March is usually the start of a gentle transition from the chill of Florida’s winter to the warmth of spring. It’s also the time when homeowners may find themselves contemplating their landscaping routines. For many, the urge to mow and groom may be strong, but this year, let’s pause and consider a different…
In early 2002, somewhere near the meandering Savannah River, Georgia, a tiny female ambrosia beetle emerged from a wooden packing crate and flew inland towards a small stand of native redbay trees and began to drill. Two decades later and that tiny beetle introduction has caused us to lose well over half a billion native…
A warm welcome to Jingyi ‘Kini’ Cheng, the latest guest in our FSHN Research Journeys series, which follows graduate students’ research in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at The University of Florida. Kini is a food science master’s degree student who is passionate about sharing the health-promoting benefits of fruits by extending their shelf-life and reducing food waste. Read about her…