A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) report showed 215 people in Florida died from heat-related causes in the last 10 years. The fact that heat-related deaths happen throughout the year surprised the researchers who wrote the report. Serap Gorucu, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, helped write the report. She and …
Small Space Gardening Doesn’t Have to Be a Struggle
Tips for edible gardens in small spaces. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Gardening in small spaces doesn’t have to be a struggle. Maximize your minimal gardening space by strategically pairing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Plant flowers that will attract beneficial bugs that will pollinate the vegetables. They can also deter harmful insects resulting in better growing conditions and …
Suggestions for Squeezing a Garden onto a Small Deck or Patio
Some ways to squeeze a garden on to your small deck or patio. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Starting a garden can be a challenge if your deck or patio is the size of a postage stamp. The good news is that there are many clever, space-saving garden ideas where large backyards are not required. You may even …
Sweet Grown Alabama Program Continues to Grow
While Covid-19 affected many businesses in a negative way, the Sweet Grown Alabama program saw just the opposite. During the recent annual meeting of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are looking at how to move the program to the next level. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied …
Keeping the Vegetable Plants Cool in the Summer Heat
How to keep plants cool in the summer heat. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to our vegetable garden, we tend to worry most about protecting our plants from freezing temps and suffering frost damage. However, in some places, the summer heat can be a bear and pose a threat all its own. Even though most …
Onion Diseases You May Encounter, and Dealing with Them
Onion diseases you may encounter, and how to deal with them. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you plan to grow onions, you’ll likely deal with some of these onion diseases. Such as Yellow Onion Dwarf, Purple Blotch, or Pink Rot. Damping-Off Disease is another issue you may encounter when starting your seedlings. It’s common when onions are …
Identifying a Few Common Pest That Will Go After Onions
Identifying some common pest that will go after your homegrown onions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you plan to grow onions, you’ll likely deal with onion pests at some point. Although alliums tend to repel many insects, some stubborn species do like them an awful lot. The two-spotted spider mite — also known as the red …
Vegetables to Plant for a Bountiful Fall Harvest
Some vegetables you can plant now for your fall harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Just as the summer garden gets in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about the veggies to plant for a fall harvest. Such as beans of all types. They grow quickly and can produce abundant harvests up until frost. This makes them ideal …
Educational Opportunities for Growers
Michael Rogers discusses several educational opportunities for citrus growers, including the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo and Citrus Packinghouse Day. Rogers is the director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The Expo (Aug. 18-19) and Packinghouse Day (Aug. 26) will be held in-person this year after taking place virtually in …
Vegetable Plants that Outshine Others in Summer Heat
The vegetable plants that love the summer heat. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When summer gets cranked up, certain vegetable garden crops naturally outshine others. Sweet potatoes, for example. In summer, they produce abundantly in as little as 90 days. Wait to plant them until the weather is good and hot for best results. Southern Peas, Yard …