Category: Lawn & Garden

Spotted Wing Drosophila: Pest Management Recommendations for Southeastern Blueberries

Figure 7. Trap hung in shady interior of a blueberry bush. The spotted wing drosophila is a recently discovered invasive species native to parts of East Asia. It was first detected in the continental United States in California in 2008 and in Hillsborough County, Florida in 2009. Since then, the spotted wing drosophila has spread to over 28 counties in Florida. SWD is polyphagous, meaning it feeds on many different host plants, including most thin-skinned fruits. The major hosts of concern to the Florida agriculture industry are blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and grapes. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Oscar E. Liburd and Lindsy E. Iglesias, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in998

Soil Preparation And Liming for Vegetable Gardens

Driving A Shovel Into The Garden SoilProbably the most physical part of vegetable gardening is preparing the soil for planting. In large gardens, mechanical equipment, such as rototillers or tractor-drawn plows, often is necessary, and it may be practical to rent such equipment or hire someone. However, in smaller gardens, the task can be accomplished with a spade, spading fork, or shovel. Much depends on the type of roots and vegetation that must be removed.This 2-page fact sheet was written by James M. Stephens and Guodong Liu, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh024

Organic Vegetable Gardening in Florida

Healthy Lifestyle: Mother Helping Daughter Little Girl Pick Homegrown VegetablesThis 16-page fact sheet is meant to be a companion to the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. It is intended for the home gardener who prefers to use natural and organic materials as well as methods that are compatible with the philosophy of organic gardening. was written by Danielle D. Treadwell, Sydney Park Brown, James Stephens, and Susan Webb, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1215

Florida Peach and Nectarine Varieties

Figure 6. ‘Gulfking'The University of Florida has developed high-quality, low-chilling, early-maturing peach and nectarine cultivars that can be grown from the panhandle of Florida to as far south as Immokalee. Low-chilling cultivars can grow and produce fruit under Florida conditions that are much warmer in winter than in northern states. Furthermore, ripening of these cultivars during April and May ensures an early spring market window for tree-ripe fresh fruit in Florida before peaches and nectarines from other southeastern states and California come to market. Both commercial and dooryard recommended varieties span the growing season. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, Pete Andersen, Jeff Williamson, and James Ferguson, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg374

Olive shootworm, Palpita persimilis Munroe (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Figure 1. Palpita persimilis, adult habitus. Scale = 1 cm.Palpita persimilis Munroe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a defoliator of olives and privet in South America. Examination of specimens submitted to UF-IFAS and FDACS-DPI prompted the discovery that the species has been established in Florida for many years, having been confused with two similar native species. The confusion parallels historical misidentifications in Peru. To date, all vouchered specimens in Florida with host information were found feeding on leaves of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb. (Japanese privet). This 6-page fact sheet was written by James E. Hayden and Lyle J. Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in995

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in Central Florida Landscapes

Professor Sandra Wilson gathers berries from the nandina species of plant at the Indian River REC in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Ornamentals, native and non-native, invasive and non-invasive landscape plants. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Central Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep468

Directory of Certified Deciduous Fruit and Nut Crops in Florida

stylized scenes in the life of a fruit treeThis 8-page fact sheet written by experts at North Florida REC Peter C. Andersen, Robert C. Hochmuth, Sean R. McCoy, and Lei Lani L. Davis, assists farmers in locating recommended cultivars of fruit and nut crops from Florida nurseries. The nurseries listed in Table 1 offer fruit and nut trees and are listed as certified nurseries with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Table 2 lists fruit and nut cultivars that UF/IFAS Extension specialists currently recommend or suggest on a trial basis. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1218

Palm Morphology and Anatomy

Figure 1. Generalized palm morphology.Palms differ greatly from broadleaf (dicot) and coniferous (Gymnosperm) trees in their overall form and external structure (morphology) and in their internal structure (anatomy). Morphology and anatomy determine how palms grow, function, and respond to external and internal stress factors. This publication provides a basic understanding of how palms are constructed. This 4-page fact sheet was written by T. K. Broschat, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep473

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in North Florida Landscapes (ENH1206/EP467)

Professor Sandra Wilson gathers berries from the nandina species of plant at the Indian River REC in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Ornamentals, native and non-native, invasive and non-invasive landscape plants. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color.was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep467

Disease Control for Florida Tomatoes (PPP35/VH056)

Tomato photo illustration, by Thomas WrightSuccessful disease management has always been vital in Florida tomato production, given the generally ideal environmental conditions for most plant diseases. An integrated disease management program is a successful approach. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Mathews Paret, Ken Pernezny, and Pam Roberts, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh056

Watering Your Florida Lawn (ENH9/LH025)

Figure 1. Leaf blades folded in half lengthwise. Credit: Laurie TrenholmIrrigation is one of the most important cultural practices that we do for our lawns. Since water is a limited resource and is vital to the health of your lawn, it is very important that watering be done correctly. This 3-page fact sheet was written by L. E. Trenholm, J. B. Unruh, and J. L. Cisar, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh025

Florida-Friendly Plants for Stormwater Pond Shorelines (ENH1215/EP476)

stormwater pond plantsSelecting aquatic and shoreline plants for stormwater ponds is more challenging than selecting plants for a typical landscape. Site conditions can vary greatly and are more difficult to control. For example, water depth sometimes fluctuates widely, creating wet and dry conditions. Water quality varies with rainfall and fertilizer inputs. Steep slopes can make plant establishment and retention difficult. The concept of using the right plant in the right place is particularly important in the shoreline environment because the planting area includes a dry slope and a littoral shelf with shallow and deep water areas. This 4-page fact sheet recommends plants that were selected based on these three questions: 1) What environmental conditions does the plant need to grow? 2) How do you want the plant to function? 3) What do you want the plant to look like? Written by Gail Hansen and Shangchun Hu, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep476

Landscape Design with Edibles (ENH1214/EP475)

edible landscapeAlthough design basics for edible ornamental landscapes are essentially the same as strictly ornamental landscapes, a few details ensure the success of the edible landscape. Gardens with plants that change considerably with the seasons rely more on an organized yet interesting layout, appealing support structures, functional pathways, and colorful containers and planters to provide interest and beauty when the plants are not taking center stage. There are twelve important ideas to consider when creating a successful edible ornamental garden. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Gail Hansen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep475

Gardening in Raised Beds (ENH1211/EP472)

Figure 2. Raised beds can be elaborate and esthetically pleasing.Gardening in raised beds is becoming more popular as more people try growing their own food. Using raised beds is like growing plants in large containers. The planting area is raised above the existing soil level and usually enclosed within a structure to form a planting bed. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Terry Brite DelValle, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep472

Florida Foliage House Plant Care: Adenium obesum (ENH1213/EP474)

Figure 1. Adenium obesum 'Blooming Fool' in full flower growing in a 10-inch pot.Adenium obesum and its many hybrids are often seen in retail garden centers. They have vibrant floral displays in shades of red, white, pink, and yellow. Flowers average 2–3 inches in diameter and may be single, double, or even triple. The plants must be stationed in high light, 6 hours or more per day, to maintain flowering during the summer. Adenium obesum makes a dramatic specimen for a deck or patio but should be moved indoors in winter. This 2-page fact sheet was written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep474

Growing Potatoes in the Florida Home Garden (HS993/HS183)

Figure 1. Red and white potatoes are grown commercially in Florida. The Irish potato is a cool-season crop. A recently grown and harvested potato exhibits different flavor profiles from one that has been in storage or on a grocery shelf for an extended period. For example, in storage, the starches in potatoes convert to sugars, resulting in a less desirable texture and taste. “New” potato flavor can be achieved in the home garden by following a few growing recommendations. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Christian T. Christensen, Libby R. Rens, Jeffrey E. Pack, Lincoln Zotarelli, Chad Hutchinson, Wendy Dahl, Doug Gergela, and James M. White, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs183

Biting midges, no-see-ums Culicoides spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) (EENY349/IN626)

IN626Biting midges can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors during early morning and evenings, and even during the daytime on cloudy days when winds are calm. They will readily bite humans; the bites are irritating, painful, and can cause long-lasting painful lesions for some people. A common observation upon experiencing a bite from this insect is that something is biting, but the person suffering can not see what it is. This 4-page fact sheet was written by C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in626

The mexican lac scale Tachardiella mexicana (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Kerriidae) (EENY552/IN990)

Figure 1. Adult female tests of Tachardiella mexicana on wax myrtle.The Mexican lac scale is native to Mexico and Texas, but populations have been established in Florida. Adult female scales produce a high-domed ‘test’ or shell with four to six lobe-like projections that anchor the test to the plant surface. The test is hard and glossy with a reddish-orange tint around the edges, and darker toward the center. In some specimens, white string-like wax fiber extrusions project from the dorsum of the test, but these may break off. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in990

Nematode Management in Residential Lawns (ENY006/NG039)

Figure 1. Diagram of a generic plant-parasitic nematode.Plant-parasitic nematodes are among the least understood and most difficult pests to manage on turfgrass in Florida. They are very small, and most can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. They use a stylet to puncture plant cells, to inject digestive juices into them, and to ingest plant fluids. The most reliable way to determine whether plant-parasitic nematodes are involved in a turf problem is to have a nematode assay conducted by a professional nematode diagnostic lab. This 6-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng039

Tuttle mealybug Brevennia rehi (Pseudococcidae) (EENY551/IN989)

Figure 2. Population of adult and immature Tuttle mealybugs, Brevennia rehi, on a blade of zoysia grass. The Tuttle mealybug, Brevennia rehi (Lindinger), is a pest of many grass species and occurs nearly worldwide, especially where rice and sugarcane are grown. Because Bermuda and zoysia are important lawn grasses, especially in the southern United States, infestation by Tuttle mealybug should be considered whenever dieback is noticed, especially if the grass blades show white wax or are sticky from honeydew secretion. Both Bermuda and zoysia lawns are commonly installed as sod or plugs, which provide a ready route for the spread of infestations should the pest control practices of the grower fail to maintain a pest-free production environment. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in989