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Why Does Soil pH Matter?

September 11, 2023
Why does soil pH matter? The foundation of every successful garden starts with quality soil. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, turf, shrubs, or any other plant matter, you must be aware of your soil pH and understand that it can change periodically. Soil pH influences the plant’s ability to consume nutrients. When soil pH is…

Foolproof Palm Care: Dwarf Palmetto

September 11, 2023
Credit: David A. Fox, UF/IFASThe Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) is a native palm which can grow in North-, Central-, and South- Florida. It is also known as Blue-Stem Palmetto due to its blueish-green fronds. As with other palms in the Sabal genus, the Dwarf Palmetto provides a nectar and food source  for pollinators and birds respectively. Planting Site The…

Weekly “What is it?”: Climate Smart Floridians

September 8, 2023
Several years ago, a group of Extension Agents and specialists created a series of classes called “Sustainable Floridians.” The course was designed to teach new and long-time residents about ways to conserve natural resources, energy, and water. Participants were encouraged to get involved in local community decision-making about environmental issues. The course had a module…

Celebrating National Cooking Day: The Magic of Cooking at Home

September 8, 2023
September 25th marks National Cooking Day, a perfect time to reflect on the joys and benefits of home cooking. While only some might be culinary enthusiasts, many of us have embraced our inner chef more than we would have expected. I understand that setting aside time to cook can be challenging, especially with demanding work…

Foolproof Palm Care: Scrub Palmetto

September 7, 2023
One of a handful of native palms, the Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia) is a smaller and less common relative to the ubiquitous Saw Palmetto. It is slow-growing and like the Saw Palmetto, produces berries which provide food for wildlife. Its flowers are also a nectar source for butterflies.Planting Site The Scrub Palmetto prefers full sun but will…

Post-Hurricane Landscaping Tips: Check for ‘Widow Makers’

September 7, 2023
      As Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Horticulture Agent Ashley Ellis and FFL Community Educator Forest Hecker were leaving Evacuation Center duty after Hurricane Idalia, they spotted this newly formed ‘widow maker’. Which is a branch, broken off a tree, that is suspended in a tree until it falls much later. Hurricanes can wreak havoc…

Gopher Apple – Wild Weeds

September 6, 2023
Licania michauxii   Gopher apple is a low-growing woody shrub that aptly received it’s name since as an important food source for gopher tortoises. The fruit is also edible to humans but virtually tasteless. You’ll find this plant occurring in Florida sandhills, pine and scrubby flatwoods, scrub, coastal dunes, and pine rocklands. Blooms typically…

September 2023 First Friday with Florida First Detector

September 5, 2023
Recap of September 2023 First Friday with Florida First Detector For our September First Fridays with Florida First Detector, we revisited some basics about invasive species and their impacts on Florida. An invasive species is a non-native species that causes some kind of damage to humans. This can be economic losses in agriculture or horticulture,…

Why won’t my tree fruit?

September 5, 2023
There are a number of controllable factors that combine to create a tree healthy enough to fruit. A healthy tree must have a strong root system, adequate light, proper pruning, proper nutrition, the right age, proper pollination, no mechanical damage, been planted properly, and adequate irrigation. The question, “Why won’t my tree fruit?” is one…
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