A mass planting of tropical sage – eye appeal in the landscape
Some native plants do not have the “pizazz” that many of our more exotic plants possess. However, one native that does give a show is the tropical sage. Also called wild sage, fireweed, scarlet salvia, or scarlet sage, this relatively small, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ plant,…
The health of all people and communities is essential for creating a thriving, equitable society. But, what is the role of the arts and culture in reaching this challenging goal? What is their value for advancing health and well-being for all?
“Arts and culture can expose root issues, incorporate and amplify the voices and…
Reading time: Approximately 5 minutes
Do you know how to interpret food labels?
Imagine you are grocery shopping and whether you stop by at the yogurt section, or the oatmeal section, there are so many options there, which ones to choose based on the nutrition facts? Nutrition facts are not difficult to understand, and are composed of…
A ripe fig with its large signature leaf. Photo credit: Carrie T. Stevenson, UF IFAS ExtensionSummer is full of simple pleasures—afternoon rainstorms, living in flip flops, and cooling off in a backyard pool. Among these, one of my favorites is walking out my door and picking handfuls of figs right from the tree. Before we planted…
The UF/IFAS Social Media Committee is enlisting your participation in the National Honey Bee Day Social Media Blitz on August 20, 2022. Participants of this social media event can be from inside UF/IFAS or community supporters with an interest in honey bees. National Honey Bee Day takes place on Saturday August 20, 2022.
National Honey Bee…
Horticultural therapy has long been used to improve mental health in those with existing medical conditions.
Scientists wanted to know if healthy people could also reap mental health benefits from gardening.
The study’s results suggest that gardening can help many people improve their mental health, though more research needs to be done to…
Citrus canker has made its way to Escambia County. This bacterial disease was first seen in Northwest Florida almost 10 years ago in Gulf Breeze. Given time and the ease of transmission of this disease, we are now seeing affected citrus trees in both the east and west portions of Escambia County.
This disease is specific…
Article by UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Urban Horticulture Agent/CED Lorna Bravo
What is the UF/IFAS Extension Summer Internship Program?
The summer internship program is a collaboration between the Florida Cooperative Extension Service and the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Students participating in this paid internship will work with county UF/IFAS Extension faculty to…
Common aquatic plant fragments establishing at a boat ramp on East Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida.
Aquatic Plants and How They Spread
Two things are a given in Florida: hot, humid weather and lots of boat traffic. Have you ever looked over the side of a boat and seen a thick, dark green mat of plant material underwater…
Want to get healthier this summer? As part of an overall healthy diet, eating fruits and vegetables, that are lower in calories, instead of some other higher-calorie food, may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake and lower body weight. Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy…
Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month
Wild Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Wild Blue Phlox (photo by Eleanor Dietrich)
Wild blue phlox is a perennial wildflower that blooms from spring into early summer. You’ll find this delicate flower in slope forest, bluffs and calcareous hammocks. You’ll have to travel to the Panhandle of Florida to see…
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) has been in the news recently. It can be a host plant for Ophryocystis elektroscirra (OE), a parasite of monarch butterflies (Danus plexippus). Boiled down, milkweed is a host plant for monarchs which carry the OE parasite. The butterfly deposits OE when they land on the plant to lay eggs. Newly hatched monarchs…