Weeds are making appearances all across panhandle Florida with fresh supple leaves and, in many cases, blooms and developing fruit or seeds of some sort. While these unplanned plants come in all sizes and shapes, it is the large ones that are frequently noticed first. One of these is the common pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), a…Read more
Vegetable gardening has many highly desirable benefits. These range from it being a good source of exercise, an opportunity to produce fresh specialty produce which may be hard to find in retail establishments, and being able to assure it is produced in a specific way. In many cases it is difficult, and sometimes tedious, to…Read more
Being social has many positive aspects. For highly social creatures, being alone is not an acceptable state of existence. There is always at least one other individual present with which to interact. There is work, play, eating and many other activities to share. Social does not mean always coexisting on a friendly basis. In some…Read more
Late spring’s warm nights in panhandle Florida are raucous and noisy, especially in the untamed, forested expanses. The decibel level reaches well above 100 as the non-human residents engage in conversations and social activity at an ear-splitting volume. Frogs of all sizes and octaves, buzzing locusts, and other insects loudly stake out their territory, seek…Read more
As stated in an earlier column, pruning plants in the home landscape depends on the species of plant, not the season of the year. Some shrubs and trees start the spring with the growth of new branches which will produce blooms in late spring or summer. Some flowering shrubs bloom only on new wood which…Read more
When a gardener is anxious to get started in the spring garden, a task commonly undertaken is pruning. Most trees and shrubs benefit from annual pruning because pruning has a major influence on a shrub’s flowering habit, shape, size, and pest problems. A regular pruning schedule protects plants, people, and property from injury, pests and…Read more
The arrival of 90 degrees plus temperature readings will have many residents slowing their pace for the explicit purpose of not overheating. The soon to come summer shuffle, along with a good hat and plenty of water, will partially mitigate the solar excesses. One native creature is well adapted to these weather extremes by the…Read more
It may be hard to believe now, but there was an epoch before the age of electronic gizmos when children universally awaited the return of warm weather which signaled the end of school was near. The balmy temperatures lured most youth into the outdoors, each anticipating new adventures and discoveries in the woods and waters…Read more
Florida is home to a wide variety of native plant, animal and fungus species which make up the biosphere. These lifeforms exist collectively and, with the aid of the weather, balance their respective populations by way of utilizing the other species and their byproducts. The introduction of invasive species from other parts of the world…Read more
The consistent and ample rains recently seen over Florida’s panhandle assure enough moisture is available for home gardens and landscapes as well as agricultural production. It has also minimized, if not eliminated, the need for irrigation and its associated cost for all of the above As with anything good, there is always an associated negative…Read more
