The recent killing frost in most of panhandle Florida, except places adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, has removed annual weeds. The low temperatures and freezing water vapor ruptured their cells, permanently ending their life. The few that remain partially erect appear as broken sticks. Tan to black in color, their fragile appearance predicts their…Read more
January is the month of home landscaping leisure. Except for the possibility of raking some leaves and pine straw, chores are at a low ebb. Camellias are blooming, azaleas and gardenias should not be pruned, and the grass does not need mowing. Even most of the destructive bugs are inactive. With all this “extra time”…Read more
Panhandle Florida’s weather has entered its typical January temperature pattern of warm and pleasant for a few days, and then cold for a few days. Freezing temperatures and frost are to be expected, with all that entails. On nights below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, pets need to be in a warm and protected place, if not…Read more
It will soon be the night before Christmas, and many a creature will be stirring in the house. Fortunately, it is not likely to be a mouse. The stockings are hung… somewhere in the abode with the hopes that Saint and Mrs. Nicholas got all their shopping done. The tree, either real or synthetic, represents…Read more
Winter of 2024/25 officially starts on Sunday, December 20, 2024. One can only guess if it will be harsh or mild by panhandle Florida standards. Along with the short days, the foliage’s color and leaf drop reflect the obvious. Still, there are native species which are displaying an emerald tint, at least for the time…Read more
It is a weird and perverse universal cosmic law which applies to every homeowner with a yard. This particular statute compounds all that is positive and correct and turns it into a negative. This is why if a slice of buttered toast is dropped, the chances of it landing with the butter side down seem…Read more
As the holiday season comes into the home stretch and with a frosty morning last weekend, the two common local native vines are displaying holiday colors. Some, but not all, have changed from green to red. Both creeper and poison ivy can be a bright cherry red during the waning days of autumn and early…Read more
Coastal Florida has always had, at least since recorded history began, intense weather systems with the potential to inflict damage. Usually, these weather events are tropical in nature and occur during Atlantic Hurricane Season. There were several direct hits over a recent thirteen-month period, with Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene causing substantial damage between August…Read more
The recent cool weather is proof autumn is really here. Choices for garden crops are limited to those which will handle the anticipated lower thermometer readings. Since carrots are a cool season crop in panhandle Florida, they can be planted now or as late as the early spring. Carrots are a root crop, and they…Read more
While the thermometer may not know it, autumn 2024 is almost half gone. Even so, the trees and plants are reacting to the gradually shortening days. Surely, the temperature will noticeably drop in a week or two, but in the meantime the greenery will steadily retreat. Native plants have stopped producing new foliage and some…Read more
