Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: The Soilless Trench System (HS1204)

Figure 5.  Mature tomato crop growing in an SLS filled with pine barkVegetable and small fruit crop production under protective structures, such as greenhouses, high tunnels, and shade houses, often requires using soilless media to mitigate the impact of soilborne diseases, nematodes, and weeds, and it helps with management of fertilization and irrigation. Regardless of the nature and property of the media, they need to be held in containers to avoid direct contact with the soil or to elevate plants above the ground. An alternative to purchasing containers is building a soilless trench system for production of certain vegetables and small fruit crops. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Bielinski M. Santos and Teresa P. Salame-Donoso, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1204

Soil Fumigation after Methyl Bromide: Managing Concentrations of Drip-Applied Metam Potassium for Nutsedge Control (HS1201)

 Figure 1.  Nutsedge sprouting through white polyethylene mulch.This 2-page fact sheet presents the results of studies conducted to determine the influence of metam potassium concentrations on purple nutsedge control. Written by Bielinski M. Santos and James P. Gilreath, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1201

Camellias at a Glance (CIR461/EP002)

 Figure 1.  Camellia flowerNative to Asia, the first camellia plants were brought to America in 1797 and grown in New England greenhouses. Over the last 200 years, they have proven to be dependable additions to the southern landscape, where they grow and bloom with minimal care in most inland areas of North and Central Florida. Camellias are long lived and function well as foundation plantings, screens, accent plants, background groupings, and hedges. Camellias flower in the fall and winter when few other plants are blooming. For the remainder of the year, their glossy, evergreen foliage, interesting forms and textures, relatively slow growth, and low maintenance make camellias excellent landscape plants worthy of more use. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Sydney Park Brown, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep002

South Florida Gardening Calendar (ENH1191/EP452)

Figure 1.  Cattleya orchidPrune non-spring flowering shrubs and trees in January to improve form. In March, plant warm-season vegetables, such as sweet corn, cucumber, watermelon, and pepper, for late spring harvest. If bahiagrass lawns are yellowing in May, iron may correct the problem. Butterfly lily and gladiolus are bulbs that can be planted during the middle of summer. Plant gladiolus every 2 weeks in September to stagger blooming. This 11-page fact sheet tells what to plant and what to do in your south Florida garden, year-round. Written by Sydney Park Brown and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep452

North Florida Gardening Calendar (ENH1190/EP451)

Figure 1.  CamelliaGive cold-damaged palms proper care to encourage their recovery in February. In April, monitor landscape plants weekly for aphids on tender new growth. Annuals that can take full sun during hot summer months include celosia, portulaca, vinca, and some coleus. In September, plant cool-season vegetable crops, such as radish, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce. This 10-page fact sheet tells what to plant and what to do in your north Florida garden year-round. Written by Sydney Park Brown, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep451

Central Florida Gardening Calendar (ENH1189/EP450)

Figure 2.  RoseApply horticultural oils in January. Plant caladium bulbs in March. Watch for thrips, scale, and mites in May. Plant palms in June and July. Calibrate your sprinklers in September. This 10-page fact sheet tells what to plant and what to do in your central Florida garden in each month of the year. Written by Sydney Park Brown, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep450

Winterstar(TM) (‘FL 05-107’) Strawberry (HS1198)

Figure 1.  Plants and fruit of Winterstar(TM)
 ('FL 05-107') strawberry in late March, 2010 in Dover, FLWinterstar(TM) (‘FL 05-107’) is a new strawberry cultivar released from the University of Florida in 2011, originating from a 2005 cross between ‘Florida Radiance’ and ‘Earlibrite’. Data from several years of trials were used to generate this information and recommendations to help growers obtain optimal performance in West Central Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Vance M. Whitaker, Craig K. Chandler, Bielinski M. Santos, and Natalia A. Peres , and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1198

University of Florida Strawberry Cultivars (HS1199)

 Figure 1.  Characteristic fruit of 'Strawberry Festival' strawberryThis 4-page fact sheet gives basic descriptions and suggested practices for University of Florida strawberry cultivars that are of commercial importance to the Florida strawberry industry. Descriptions are the result of research trials, field observations, and consultation with growers. They are specific to West Central Florida and may not be applicable to other regions where these cultivars are grown. Written by Vance M. Whitaker, Bielinski M. Santos, and Natalia A. Peres, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1199

Landscaping in Florida Shade (ENH1196/EP457)

Discovery Gardens in Lake County: http://lake.ifas.ufl.edu/discovery-gardens/shade-garden.shtmlTrees and the shade they cast provide welcome relief from Florida’s intense sun and heat, but gardening in shade can be challenging. This 7-page fact sheet has some pointers for meeting these challenges, and lists of shade-tolerant plants. Written by Sydney Park Brown, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep457

Engaging Youth in the Environment through the Florida Land Judging Program (SL362/SS563)

Florida 4-H and FFA students observe characteristics of soil profiles during the Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest.The Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest is steeped in a tradition of enthusiastic participation, challenging science, and dynamic field conditions. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by Amy L. Shober, L. Rex Ellis, Edward A. Hanlon, and Christine Wiese, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss563

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals (SL352/SS554)

water dropletTrace organic chemicals are potentially harmful to human and ecosystem health. They frequently occur in wastewater from septic systems and can be found in concentrations orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations reported in centralized treatment plant wastewater. This 7-page fact sheet identifies common trace organic chemicals of concern in wastewater and their sources, and summarizes current research on the fate and transport of these chemicals in septic systems. Written by Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011. (photo CC BY-SA 3.0 Mila)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss554

An Overview of Nutrient Budgets for Use in Nutrient Management Planning (SL361/SS562)

nitrogen cycleFor professionals responsible for ensuring water quality, this 4-page fact sheet describes the types and limitations of nutrient budgets. Written by Amy L. Shober, George Hochmuth, and Christine Wiese, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss562

Gardening with Annuals in Florida (CIR1134/MG319)

Gaillardias make a good cut flower.Annuals offer an almost infinite variety of flower color and plant form. They brighten landscape beds and add a splash of color to a porch, deck, or patio when placed in containers. Some also make good cut flowers. This 8-page fact sheet covers selection and use, site preparation and planting, care, and cultural practices. Written by Sydney Park Brown, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg319

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Viruses (SL351/SS553)

Rotavirus particleKeeping disease-causing microorganisms out of groundwater used for drinking water supplies is important to protect human health. This 7-page fact sheet characterizes the behavior of viruses in septic systems and the soil drain field and summarizes what we know about the extent and character of groundwater contamination with viruses emanating from septic systems. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss553

‘Cherry Tart’: A Dwarf Red Lance-Leaved Caladium Variety (ENH1184/EP445)

'Cherry Tart' plantsThis 5-page fact sheet introduces a new lance-leafed caladium variety that was released in April 2011. It has bright red color, slightly undulate leaf margins, and a broadly cordate leaf shape. Written by Zhanao Deng and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep445

Improving the Health of Declining Loropetalum in the Home Landscape (SL354/SS556)

stunted and deformed loropetalumLoropetalum, or Chinese Witch Hazel, is a common landscape plant in north and central Florida. It’s relatively pest-free, but there have been increasing reports of decline — likely due to nutrient deficiencies in the soil. This 3-page fact sheet familiarizes homeowners with the symptoms of Loropetalum decline and provides options to improve the health of afflicted Loropetalum in the landscape. Written by Joe Sewards and Amy L. Shober and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss556

‘Tapestry’: A Pink Fancy-Leaved Caladium Variety for Containers and Landscapes (ENH1183/EP444)

Tapestry caladiumMove over ‘Carolyn Whorton’, there’s a new variety of fancy-leaved pink caladium coming on the scene. ‘Tapestry’ is intended for use in large containers and landscapes. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Zhanao Deng, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep444

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Phosphorus (SL349/SS551)

man drinking clean water from a glass
Phosphorus (P) in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems is a concern because P can impair water quality even lower concentrations than nitrogen. This 8-page fact sheet summarizes the sources of P in septic tank effluent and the forms, concentrations, and behavior of P in the septic tank effluent and the drain field. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2011. (Photo by Milt Putnam)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss551

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Bacteria and Protozoa (SL350/SS552)

boy drinking from hose
Keeping disease-causing microorganisms out of groundwater used for drinking water supplies is important to protect human health.This 7-page fact sheet reports the sources of bacteria and protozoa in wastewater, discusses diseases associated with drinking water contaminated with wastewater, and then details their fate in septic systems. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2011. (Photo by Tara Piasio)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss552

Horticultural Therapy (ENH970/EP145)

Horticultural therapy is the practice of engaging people in plant or gardening activities to improve their bodies, minds, and spirits. Research confirms that healthful benefits accrue when people connect with plants by viewing, planting, growing, and/or caring for them. This revised 3-page fact sheet describes the history and benefits of horticultural therapy, and includes references and links to additional resources. It was written by Sydney Park Brown, Eva C. Worden, Theodora M. Frohne, and Jessica Sullivan, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep145