A winter lawn can often look like something out of the apocalypse – large patches of what resembles scorched earth. The cause is not a rider on a pale horse, but something his horse might graze upon – crabgrass. Once considered a potential forage crop, it is now a notorious annual weed that thrives in…
This Argentine black and white tegu was captured in St. Lucie County, where the population has grown.Argentine black and white tegus are large non-native invasive lizards posing a threat to the biodiversity and natural balance of Florida’s ecosystems. Tegus have a diverse diet including fruits, vegetables, insects, small animals and protected wildlife. They can…
The mining bees or adrenids are often seen in areas of landscapes that have little ground vegetation and loose soil. They are also commonly seen in North Florida turf areas while grass is still dormant. After mating, the female bee will excavate a very small tunnel in the ground that has several small cells…
The cool weather we are enjoying will be gone before you know it. Accompanying the warm weather comes the buzzing and biting of mosquitoes. Florida’s warm, humid climate provides a breeding haven for mosquitoes, making them a constant nuisance and potential health threat. It is important to note that these flying ectoparasites are responsible for over…
The enlarged femora of an alligatorweed flea beetle (Agasicles hygrophila) (Credit: Rodrigo Diaz, University of Florida, Bugwood.org)The daytime call of birdsong heralds our gentle transition into the spring season. Light rainstorms ensure that our soils are saturated and that our plants are nourished. The sun’s rays work in tandem to encourage the emergence of fresh, lush,…
Matthew Thomas, a UF/IFAS professor and UF/IFAS Invasive Science Research Institute (ISRI) director.Thermal adaptation is the ability for organisms to adjust their life history traits as the temperature changes. In the case of mosquitoes, these traits can determine their risk of transmitting mosquito-borne diseases and how this risk might change in the future as they…
© Tonya Ashworth, Extension Agent, Duval CountyConsider No Mow March Spring will be upon us before you know it, and with it will come of flurry of growth and activity in our gardens. Our native bees who are responsible for a large portion of pollination duties will emerge and start looking for flowers to…
Duck potato (Sagittaria lancifolia) is one of Florida’s many native aquatic plants.
As Floridians, we love our freshwater resources. Did you know Florida has over 1 million acres of freshwater? That’s about the size of Rhode Island! Many of our fondest memories are of boating, fishing, or water skiing in freshwater systems across the state. Other…
Composting with worms – also known as “vermicomposting” – is the process of using worms to produce rich compost from kitchen wastes. One pound of worms can turn 65 pounds of garbage into garden compost in 100 days. It is the way to go if you live in an apartment or if you generate mostly…
For a deep dive into Vegetable Gardening in Central Florida, watch our YouTube of the webinar recording.
If you are getting started with growing your own vegetables in Florida, choose a site that is full sun with access to water. Gardens can be grown in a variety of types of garden beds including in-ground, raised…
As we relish the flavors of locally grown strawberries, their sweet aroma and vibrant hues evoke the essence of sunshine captured in each bite. In the wake of Valentine’s Day, where strawberries often take center stage, let’s dive into the art of preserving these delicate berries, exploring freezing techniques that can be enjoyed long after…
Anyone working the land in Florida is aware just how sandy the soil is throughout the panhandle and peninsula. Even the official state soil is Myakka fine sand. So, it is not surprising the first book solely focused on sandy soils includes authors from the UF/IFAS department of soil, water, and ecosystem sciences (SWES). With their keen knowledge…
