The pollen clouds typical in panhandle Florida’s spring have at last departed. The yellow, sneeze-inducing dust has given way to other aerial occupants of a much larger magnitude. Of course, there are a variety of insects now active during the warming days and nights. Lovebugs in the former and mosquitoes in the latter make their…Read more
In panhandle Florida’s native plant environment, the yucca genus established a survival protocol long before even the earliest human residents arrived. Its sharp pointy spines accentuate its visual image and enforce its tactics. Local yuccas are perennial shrubs which may grow into small trees with irregular shapes. There are approximately 50 species in this genus…Read more
The grassy like leaves emerge green and ready to soak up the spring sun. Unfortunately, not all are the turf preferred for home lawns. Purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus, grows from every possible sunny location with soil capable of supporting the plant. This non-native pest is a rapidly spreading perennial which will take every opportunity to…Read more
Given the warming weather, yardwork is a productive choice and provides the necessary space to stay safe. Keeping a well-groomed yard and home landscape requires regular clipping of the foliage, some of which voluntarily appeared. Unfortunately, some of the “volunteer greenery” which has recently emerged is quite difficult to control and nearly impossible to eradicate….Read more
The rollercoaster nature of recent temperatures has been blamed on a variety of problems, primarily respiratory ills. The temperature was up, then down, then up and down again. The uncertainty makes it difficult to know if the heat or a/c should be on and whether to dress warm or cool. The weather’s wide variability has…Read more
Red is a curious color with an almost endless collection of meanings. It is on one extreme end of the visible light spectrum, at least for humans, and has served as an indicator of caution for people since ancient times. Recent political identifications aside, red is the color or part of the color scheme of…Read more
The leaf litter and pine straw so common to panhandle Florida’s lawns and landscapes this time of year hides a variety of items from sight. The mulch in the making is a resource which literally falls from the sky, or at least that direction. In addition to the benefits, there are some drawbacks. This plant…Read more
Fall, believe it or not, will soon be in the air and on the thermometer. There will be a few warm days in October, but soon the 90 plus degree days in 2022 will be gone. Additional north fall color is developing in the vast hardwood forests of maple, hickory, and other showy tree species….Read more
Even on the doorstep of autumn, panhandle Florida is associated with many outdoor activities. The brightly lit beaches still attract sunbathers and fishing enthusiasts, prompting the need for sunscreen and a wide variety of hydration options. Football is replacing baseball as another solar-soaked September pastime. Want-to-be gridiron experts, of all ages, spend their weekends and…Read more
The dog days of summer have once again returned to north Florida, this year with a fierce vengeance. As such the dogs (and cats), along with their human companions, are highly motivated to remain in any synthetic environment with temperature control capable of producing a comfortable thermometer reading. In reality the history of the dog…Read more
