Sometimes events do not turn out as planned. The project’s initiative was sound, but unknown factors appeared and turned success into a mess. The sterling historical example of this concept can be summed up in one name, George Armstrong Custer. Panhandle Florida, however, has many lesser-known examples in the ornamental horticulture arena which have caused…Read more
It may sound like an unnecessary question, but it’s not. When one stops to think about it, a rather long list of things to consider when planning a landscape could be made. In nature, many plants have defense mechanisms to ensure survival. These mechanisms may include ways to physically deter a predator, like thorns or…Read more
As the holiday season comes into the home stretch, red and green are everywhere to be seen. Retail establishments, homes, and just about everywhere else humans frequent are awash in the colors red and green. While the leaves of many deciduous trees, weeds and shrubs have converted to a shade of brown, two common local…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
With the warmer weather, the time for outdoor activities has arrived for all living in the area. It causes much consternation with many parents to have children who only want to stare at a phone and play video games. These pastimes have come under much criticism in recent years. Many “experts” feel those in their…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
Summer is usually considered the season of mostly green in the natural parts of panhandle Florida, and most other locations in North America. Soon this tonal attribute will change as the growing season ends and cooler temperatures arrive. Maples, sweet gums, hickory and many others make their contributions to the natural palette of shades and…Read more
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
Looks, as the old saying goes, can be deceiving. It is a cautionary pronouncement from experience in springs past, usually painful and expensive, to serve as a warning to those who follow and hopefully to avoid similar complications if the advice is heard. In most situations a threat in nature can be easily identified and…Read more
As February closes in on March, some are asking the age-old question: “Is spring here?” A few moderately warm days will stimulate interest in the topic for a variety of reasons. Methods to determine the seasonal transition vary widely. Calendar dates aside, some forecasting methods have a basis in scientific observation, and others in folklore…Read more
