Some things to do right now to winterize your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are several must-do items that you must check off your garden to-do list before winter rolls around. First, pull all of your plants out. But, before you can do that, you should pull out any plant supports that they might be …
Scary Insects for Halloween: The Blood-Thirsty Calyptra
Sometimes insects show signs of monster-behavior. It’s nothing personal to us humans, and let me assure you that this behavior has nothing to do with full moons or anything that may live under your bed at night. Sometimes an insect’s monster-behavior is nothing more than the result of good old-fashioned circumstances, like leaving a door or window open. Fortunately, flyscreen …
Could the Miracle Fruit be for South Florida?
New study uncovers data showing how bountiful it can grow in the subtropics (UF/IFAS) — Scientists at University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center have unlocked the mystery behind a highly sought-after berry known as the Miracle fruit in a study published this week. This news brings much needed insight to local growers, and food and drink manufacturers who …
New Blueberry Variety Honors Benefactor and UF Alumnus Alto Straughn
(UF/IFAS) — When Patricio Muñoz developed the University of Florida’s newest blueberry variety, he wanted to name the fruit in honor of Alto Straughn, a longtime, strong supporter of UF’s blueberry breeding program. Muñoz decided to call the new variety the ‘Sentinel.’ “A ‘sentinel’ is a watcher or guardian,” said Muñoz, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences. “It is …
Florida Ag Expo Decides to Forego its 2020 Event
Florida Ag Expo, an annual trade show with educational seminars for vegetable and specialty crop growers, has decided to forego its 2020 event. “While we see businesses reopen and people are returning to a sense of normalcy, we know that has only been made possible by everyone doing their part. Therefore, we made the decision not to go forward with …
Recycling Your Pumpkins After Halloween
How to recycle your pumpkins after Halloween. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Once all the trick-or-treating is over you may be wondering what to do with all your Halloween pumpkins. According to the Energy Department, about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills. When Jack-o’-lanterns may be looking a little shriveled and sunken but they can …
Carving Halloween Pumpkins is a Tradition
Why carving Halloween pumpkins is a tradition. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The history of Halloween as we know it is based on an ancient Celtic holiday known to honor the deceased. Celts believed that from dusk on October 31 until the dusk of November 1, souls of those who had died that year would pass on, …
Best Ways to Pick Your Halloween Pumpkin
The best ways to pick your Halloween pumpkin. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pumpkins, which are members of the squash family, produce fruits in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You could pick a pumpkin from the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Many farms grow different types of …
Transplanting Your Homegrown Bell Pepper Plants
How to transplant your homegrown bell pepper plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Once your seedlings have produced true leaves it’s time to harden them off. This is the process where plants are acclimated to new environment by slowly introducing them to outdoor weather. Start in the morning and bring them in later and later each day …
New Blackberries: Eclipse, Galaxy, and Twilight
(USDA/ARS) — The best of eastern and western blackberry genetics have been melded to create Eclipse, Galaxy and Twilight, three new blackberry varieties released by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ARS’ Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, working in cooperation with the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station, has blended the desirable traits of eastern erect-cane blackberries and western …