Springtime is a starting point for a variety of warm weather events. One of those activities is planting the early warm season crops. One of the standards in the western hemisphere is squash. While a wide variety of this vegetable is available in supermarkets twelve months a year, that was not always the case. Historically,…Read more
Gardening during panhandle Florida’s spring has many positive features. As a general rule, the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures and, aside from a few mosquitos, the insect population which eats cultivated vegetation is almost nil. Still, there are pest species which have the potential to consume a gardener’s hard work. The terrible three of…Read more
Tangible examples of an indulgence depend on the individual. For some, it is an exclusive brand-name product which elevates one’s social status and is usually quite expense. Coach handbags and Dom Perignon champagne would both fit into the category of pricy luxuries that most residents of panhandle Florida partake in only for special occasions. For…Read more
With ample rain and warmer weather, more people are spending time in the home landscape attending to tasks and chores which upgrade the homestead’s appearance and appeal in north Florida. Clipping, clearing, pruning and shaping are all part of seasonal improvement efforts. There are also a variety of projects which require penetrating beneath the soil’s…Read more
Swings under a tree limb can be great fun, and there are many kinds. An old tire on a rope and a board with one rope attached in the middle are fun and can swing in circles and multiple directions, unlike a double rope or chain swing which can only move forward and backward. While…Read more
There is something to be said for being a longtime resident. While it does limit one’s viewpoint from a global perspective, it promotes focus on perfecting traits which are close to home and applicable to the situation. The unique, and very pleasant, environment of north Florida’s spring is an excellent example of near perfection on…Read more
The feel of spring is in the air, and for panhandle Florida that has certain implications. With the days getting longer and warmer, many of the native plants and trees are blooming. This season of renewal ambiance certainly brightens the landscape after months of muted colors, and January’s snow. It does, however, come at a…Read more
From all appearances, the frigid weather of 2024/25’s winter is coming to a close. While folk wisdom forecasts the potential for frost as late as Easter, that holiday will not arrive until April 20, 2025. The late date could be an indication that Punxsutawney Phil, the internationally known groundhog from Pennsylvania, was correct on Groundhog…Read more
The official start of spring is still about four weeks away. As can be expected with the panhandle’s often unpredictable weather, much can happen in the remaining days of winter and the first few weeks of spring. Alas, there are no guarantees of pleasant warm weather when March 20, 2025 arrives. Folk wisdom decrees that…Read more
February may be the shortest month of the year, but from a gardener’s perspective there is plenty to do. So far, the weather has been milder than last month, but that can easily change with the next weather forecast. If recent history is any indicator, March may still hold some surprises (either warm or frigid)….Read more
