UF/IFAS Researchers Honored for Avocado Integrated Pest Management

(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida officials recognized a team of research scientists with a High Impact Research Publication award for an article published in the May 2018 edition of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, an international scholarly science journal. The publication, “Identification of the Achilles heels of the laurel wilt pathogen and its beetle vector,” introduces new pest management tactics for …

DOC Announces Preliminary Dumping Margin on Mexican Tomato Imports

Department of Commerce Refutes Mexican Claims of No Dumping:Announces Preliminary Dumping Margin of 25% on Mexican Tomato Imports On July 24, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that Mexican tomatoes are being dumped in the United States.  The preliminary average dumping margin is 25.28 percent. This announcement refutes the recent Mexican claims that the data submitted to the DOC …

Growing Tomatoes in Hanging Baskets

Cathy Isom reviews the different varieties, as well as gives you tips for growing tomatoes in hanging baskets. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Having your own freshly-picked homegrown tomatoes can still be done even if your short on space, like a small garden or even a balcony. That’s because tomatoes will happily grow in hanging baskets.  Additionally, …

Why You Need to Grow Mixed Berries at Home

Cathy Isom fills you in on what kind, as well as the many reasons why you should grow mixed berries at home. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Berries are well regarded for the healthful values, particularly anti-oxidants for fighting off cancer and brain deterioration. Plus, they have lots of vitamins and minerals. Growing mixed berries at home …

Beneath the Earth, the ‘Black Box’ of Soil Holds a Key to Crop Growth

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — Like much of what lies just beneath the earth’s surface, soil microbes present a mystery. University of Florida scientist Sarah Strauss seeks to help untangle the web of intrigue surrounding soil microbes to improve agricultural production in Florida and globally. “There are microbial activities going on that we don’t exactly understand. It’s known as the ‘black …

Grow Drought Tolerant Edible Plants

Most areas of the country have issues with water. A lot of us also like to grow our own fruit and vegetables. Cathy Isom lets us know about some drought tolerant edible plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are several drought-tolerant productive plant choices that’ll put out fruits and veggies without much in the way of …

How Often Should You Be Watering Your Plants

One thing everything living thing on the planet needs is water. This includes your garden. Cathy Isom lets you know how often you should be watering your plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. You should be watering your garden once a week, or one to two inches per week. When you have larger plants, it’s a good …

July 4th Cookouts Costing About the Same

(AFBF) — A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout …