Autumn has finally arrived, at least on the calendar. Weather forecasts still predict some days in the low 90’s, but at least the humidity has moderated a bit. While some residents of panhandle Florida consider working in the home landscape a chore, many view it as a means of enhancing their personal environment. One of…Read more
The year’s fourth month is the time for grasses to emerge and expand their respective territories. Some are native and well behaved, but others are not and will grow aggressively, if conditions meet their needs. Torpedograss (Panicum repens) is a perennial grass with a creeping but forceful growth pattern and sharply pointed rhizomes. Stems are…Read more
In a few days, the dog days of summer begin in earnest. Historically this is the season when Sirius, the dog star, is visible in the northern hemisphere. This celestial event is reputed to indicate the onset of the year’s hottest weather. Additionally, ancient lore attributed mad dogs, bad luck and many other negative characteristics…Read more
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
With the return of consistent, if not excessive, rain after a dry patch during May and the first half of June, lawns are actively growing in Florida’s panhandle. This results in some positive aspects and some negative. The major positive feature is a lush, green lawn. No matter the turf species, there is a unique…Read more
Temperatures are on the rise and school will be out in a few weeks. While the official start of summer 2021 is still weeks away, that summer feeling is growing in every corner of panhandle Florida. For both the young and the young at heart, one of the traditional pastimes is to spend idle hours…Read more
