With north Florida’s warm autumn weather, there are still many active plants in the environment. Seed distribution is starting in the wild places and in manicured landscapes area wide. One such colonizer, Andropogon virginicus, is a species of weedy grass known as broomsedge. Not a true sedge which has a triangle shaped stem, it is…Read more
Creeping is a term that implies malevolence, which concludes with an unpleasant surprise. This activity is usually committed by creeps, another word with negative connotations as applied to the holder. With Halloween a few days away, there are many creeping creature impersonators preparing to lurk in neighborhoods with faux menace. Their objective is to collect…Read more
About 80 species of Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) are found throughout the world, 21 of which are native to some region of Florida. Some species are more common than others, but all of the Florida species are identifiable by their bright golden inflorescences which appear in late summer to early fall. Goldenrod plays several important roles…Read more
The change of seasons from summer to autumn brings out new colors in the countryside and residential areas. The transformation of tones and highlights depends on the region of the country and the species putting on the show. Here in north Florida, the bright fall hues are primarily contributed by the bountiful wildflower bloom. Annuals…Read more
Just like most other aspects of life, a successful garden begins with a plan. If you want a successful and functional landscape, before you ever visit a nursery or buy the first plant, you need a well thought out design. Mistakes in the landscape can be avoided by following a simple set of steps used…Read more
Kermit the Frog, Muppet philosopher and foil for Miss Piggy, has been quoted as saying, “It’s not easy bein’ green”. It does not take much imagination to appreciate the potential multiple meanings of this statement. Political and environmental sustainability implications aside, a straightforward interpretation of the statement reveals an obvious truth. The existence of tiny…Read more
“A penny saved is a penny earned” is the famously frugal advice from Poor Richard’s Almanac. The author Benjamin Franklin, elder statesman and founding father of the United States, offered this simple pearl of wisdom to 18th century American colonists as a reminder to cautiously manage their assets. This method has met the test of…Read more
It is a situation which has been repeated countless time over the course of recorded history in countries and continents across the globe. In all likelihood the scenario occurred, albeit on a much smaller scale, in the days which predated the written accountings of the destruction. An assemblage gathered with the sole objective to pillage…Read more
Being on top is usually a good position. It is the place which denotes exceptional accomplishment and has the best view, especially of those below who are looking up in anticipation of reaching the pinnacle. Starting at the top is substantially rarer. There are historical examples, but they are very few which frequently arose with…Read more
Being able to walk on water implies a very special set of talents for any individual. Given the Biblical reference, it infers to the recipient a level of perfection far exceeding those of mere mortals. This appellation is commonly applied to sports figures who are having an exceptional year. It also has been assigned to…Read more
