February may be the shortest month of the year, but from a vegetable gardener’s perspective there is plenty to do in the cool winter days. So far, the weather has had its ups and downs, but there has been ample rain. It is difficult for the groundhog to forecast whether the cold will continue or…Read more
The spring garden seed catalogs will soon be arriving daily in the mail with plentiful photos of spring flowers and vegetables in the back of the publication. Panhandle Florida’s gardeners have to make good use of their limited home garden space, a limitation which sometimes eliminates healthy choices in favor of colorful options. Lucky gardeners…Read more
Sometimes the news is just bad, and there is no way to sugar coat it. Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening and yellow dragon disease, is present in the Florida panhandle. Not surprisingly, the Asian Citrus Psyllid is present in the region, too. This tiny insect is one of two psyllids which are known vectors or…Read more
A clue, by inference, directs the viewer to a conclusion. The deduction which is based on the exhibited evidence may provide some insight into an activity occurring at some point in the past. No matter how good the data, much depends on the effective detective work of the individual attempting to understand the situation. The…Read more
Gardening is messy, muddy and a lot of work, especially after recent rains. But the benefits of gardening are tremendous, from healthy food to understanding and appreciating nature. In panhandle Florida recent cold temperatures have left many residents undecided about what to grow in this part of the year given spring could arrive at any…Read more
There has been a collective sigh of relief now that the December holiday season has passed. While it was fun seeing the extended family (at least most of them) and indulging in sugar-coated treats, it is time to return to some semblance of normality. School and work schedules have returned to their pre-holiday routines and…Read more
The winters in north Florida are always (relatively) pleasant, especially when compared to the rest of the country. While ice-age conditions may be inflicting a polar environment on the Midwest and New England, here in the panhandle the season of short days and long nights only means the lawnmowers get a rest. Even with the…Read more
There is nothing quite like a guest which stops by for a visit, and then stays forever. Departure is expected at any moment, but it never comes. As the visitor makes itself at home, their less than stellar qualities become evident. They may be noisy, greedily take the food of others and display some really…Read more
The uncertainty of weather makes winter gardening a challenge in panhandle Florida. It is too cold for the summer vegetables, and the ups and downs of the temperature can make cool season crops a challenge. If it is warm too long the leafy, cool season vegetables will bolt, putting up flowers to produce seeds. When…Read more
There is a lot to be gained from having a tough reputation. Only those with an excessively stalwart disposition or lack of good sense will dare to make a challenge to the individual who holds this distinction. Unbending, rigid and durable are descriptors which invoke a firm, if not dogmatic, state of resiliency. With this…Read more
