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Pretty petunias for winter color

December 14, 2023
While some flowers may be considered old-fashioned, they are still around for a reason – they look good!  And as new generations are introduced to old favorites – many of which have new looks – the adoption and appreciation continues.  Take petunias for example.  As our weather cools off, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved petunias are ideal…

Festive Feasting with a Healthy Twist

December 12, 2023
The end of the year is almost here and we all know that means holidays and celebrations are in full swing. The best part of any celebration (besides friends and family, of course)? All of the delicious food! While the food we consume around this time of year is no doubt delicious, it also tends…

Stories of Gratitude for the World of Wildlife: The Eastern Gray Squirrel

December 12, 2023
[CREDIT: unsplash.com, Jp Valery]This November, we celebrated Wildlife Wednesdays with unique stories of gratitude for the animal kingdom. All around us, niche stories of connection, triumph, cooperation, and coexistence are tucked away amongst stands of slash pine, thickets of saw palmetto, and swampy wetlands. When we tune into these stories of gratitude, we develop an appreciation for…

Blue for your Florida-Friendly Landscape

December 12, 2023
Evolvulus – New Flowers Every dayBlue is an important color in the landscape that is not provided by many flowers in our plant palette.  One plant that has been around for decades and is still popular supplies blue flowers in abundance – the genus Evolvulus or Brazilian dwarf morning-glory.  Other than the flowers resembling miniature…

Florida Black Bears, a New Episode from Naturally Florida

December 11, 2023
Florida black bears have been in the news, frequently, this year! On today’s episode, we chat about the Florida black bear’s diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears. New Episode from Naturally Florida Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here)…

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Groundcovers

December 11, 2023
Low-Maintenance Groundcovers Groundcovers are low-to-the-ground plants that you can use to help fill out your landscape. Keep reading to learn about some groundcover plants that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide. Legend Apart from the information presented in the table, the following features will be…

Plants at Their Peak: Asters! A native mums alternative

December 8, 2023
A tired mum I spotted. It didn’t even last to Thanksgiving!As the holiday season approaches, many of us eagerly anticipate the vibrant colors and festive decorations that accompany this joyous time of year. While traditional holiday flowers like mums have long been a popular choice for seasonal décor, there’s a Florida-Friendly alternative that not only adds a…

The Magic of Mulch in the Landscape

December 8, 2023
Fungi Facts Fungi are known as plants that lack chlorophyll and true plant parts rather they are decomposers that can contain mycelium and mycorrhizae. As a member of the animal kingdom, fungi consist of yeast, toadstools, mold, mildew, truffles, and MUSHROOMS. Mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fungus categorized as edible and non-edible organisms. There are an…

The Magic of Mulch in the Landscape

December 7, 2023
Utilizing mulch in your yard is a cost-effective tool that is so often overlooked. It’s surprising to see how many landscapes lack the benefits of mulch.  Proper mulching is crucial for any Florida-Friendly landscape. By adding mulch, you can save water, suppress weeds, enrich soil, and enhance the overall appearance of your yard. Don’t miss…

Seafood for the Holidays!

December 7, 2023
A New Tradition Holiday dinners often involve ham and turkey. After six weeks, you might think turkey is for the birds! In Florida, many families serve a coastal catch or two by adding fresh seafood to their meals during this festive season. Seafood is a delicious way to enhance a favorite dish and it delivers…

Citrus for Homeowners

December 6, 2023
Florida citrus is a hot commodity not just for Floridians but for the overall United States. However, the most gratifying feeling is being able to pick your own fruit fresh from your yard. UF/IFAS has been working diligently to provide farmers and homeowners with citrus varieties that can tolerate the destructive Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing or…

How About Some Purple to Compliment Your Turkey Dinner

December 6, 2023
Purple is the color of royalty and “Purple Majesty” and “Purple Splendor” are two newly released varieties of sweet potato bred by Drs. Craig Yencho and Kenneth Pecota at North Carolina State University.  This same program is responsible for “Covington” which is the typical orange-flesh variety that you find on most grocery store shelves.  “Covington”…
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