(USDA/AMS) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. In total, USDA has distributed more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This new round of …
Growing a Tangerine Tree No Matter Where You Live
How to grow a Tangerine Tree no matter where you live. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tangerine trees belong in the same citrus family as oranges, lemons, and limes. They’re a hybrid of mandarin oranges, and there are a ton of different varieties out there. Such as Clementine, Dancy, Honey, Kara, Pixie, and Yosemite. Whether growing tangerines …
How to Choose a Ripe Winter Squash
How to choose a ripe winter squash. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Choosing a ripe winter squash is a bit hard to do if you’ve never done it before. The problem is squash doesn’t get brown spots or soften very easily like apples, pears, and bananas do. But, its color does start to change color as it …
One Herb You Don’t Want to Miss Out on Growing
The one herb you don’t want to miss out on growing. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’ve eaten Mexican food, you have more-than-likely eaten root beer plant chopped in sweet and savory dishes or wrapped around food to form a delicious edible parcel. What you may not realize is that what you were eating was the …
Caring for Fruit Trees in the Wintertime
Caring for fruit trees in the winter time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For those of us hoping to provide our fruit, nut, and berry trees with the best care, there a few fruitful tips for how to make it through the festive frosts on past February. Before planting fruit trees, do some research and choose varieties …
Indoors or Outdoors, Horticulture and Holidays Go Together
(USDA/NASS) — With the holiday season upon us, you may have missed the recent release of the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties Report. This 2017 Census of Agriculture special study is the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States. Although the number of horticulture operations declined 11% from the last …
Heat Brings Out Antioxidants, Increases Red in Tomatoes
(UF/IFAS) — Turn up the heat, and get more nutrition from your tomato, University of Florida researchers say. Furthermore, when you buy a tomato, it will be about as red as it can be, thanks to the UF/IFAS methods deployed for the study. The findings are crucial to an industry in which Florida ranks second to California in tomato production …
Fruit-Bearing Plants and Trees to Attract Birds to Your Yard
Some of the best plants to attract birds to your yard. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. By planting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in your landscape, they will attract berry-eating birds such as bluebirds and robins while also creating a beautiful display with their flowers, fall & holiday colors, and fruits. American cranberry bush viburnum has white springtime flowers, …
UF Scientists Help Thwart Disease that can Ravage the Popular Gerbera Daisies
(UF/IFAS) — Gerbera daisies are popular worldwide for their wide array of brightly colored flowers. They also make great plants for the garden, and their blooms yield long-lasting cut flowers. Many newlyweds use cut gerbera flowers to decorate their wedding ceremonies. Gerbera daisies also are increasingly used as garden, bedding, patio and indoor plants. Cut flower gerberas in the United States …
How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree
How to pick the perfect Christmas tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Fresh cut trees are by far the most popular because of tradition and fragrance. In addition to the lovely fragrance of a cut tree, buying a fresh Christmas tree is a great way to support Christmas tree farmers. Each region of the country has its own …