Going “green” is all the rage these days. Businesses, politicians, public figures and more are promoting their commitment to ecological sustainability and environmental quality. It is curious that in times past the color green had other connotations, not always positive. The green-eyed monster of envy and having a green complexion because of digestive distress are…Read more
Watering the lawn has not been on anyone’s list lately. The ample, if not excessive, rain has placed a temporary hold on this necessary task to maintain most home lawns and landscapes. It is true the spring weeds are enjoying the liquid bounty supplied from above. Flowerbeds and gardens have new residents peeking through the…Read more
Being on the doorstep of May, it is a reasonable assumption that cold weather is out of the forecast at least until late October. The higher temperatures bode well for the elimination of heavier garments which retain a comfortable level of body heat during cooler days and nights. Coats, wool scarves and flannel shirts are…Read more
Spring has sprung in the panhandle, and that fact is reflected in the activity of the local flora and fauna. As expected, plants are sprouting leaves and blooming, and insect activity is accelerating. Curiously, other cryptic manifestations indicate the return of warmer weather. Holes, sometimes the size of small craters, inexplicably appear in the lawn…Read more
The early weeks of spring have been filled with nature’s heralds in north Florida as they announce the return of warmer weather in a nearly infinite variety of ways. Butterflies have returned, frogs and toads harmonize at night, and leaves have emerged on deciduous plants and trees, obscuring the surrounding terrain’s details. Many native annuals…Read more
Folk wisdom can, in fact, be amazingly accurate. Not because of some ancient or secret knowledge, but because it is attributable to generations of observations which have been confirmed time and again over the centuries. Many of these pre-social media urban legends involve weather and season changes. In pre-industrial days these environmental factors influenced food…Read more
Dogs are man’s best friend, according to Ogden Nash. The mid-20th century poet and humorist focused one of his many amusing rhymes on the numerous positive attributes of contemporary canine companions. So it is curious a noxious native weed, dogfennel, is identified with this faithful friend. Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is not in the same plant…Read more
For travelers in the Tallahassee area who are seeking a trip to the gulf coast, U.S. Highway 319 has long been a convenient choice. Heading due south through Crawfordville, it connects with U.S. Highway 98 which meanders close to the coast, east and west. Initially a two lane road south of the capitol city, it…Read more
Spring is the season for moving to a new location in the panhandle that offers many benefits, but a few challenges too. The big question is where is the best relocation site offering all the amenities needed with the prospects of improving one’s situation? Efficient shelter from the elements is always on the top of…Read more
The recent ample rainfall has accelerated the return of greenery to panhandle Florida. The slow, steady drizzle was punctuated by the occasional down pour. The many native plants have, in turn, responded to the liquid encouragement. Flowers of almost every hue and tone are exhibiting this season’s finest display of colors and texture. Rain lilies…Read more
