Anne Yasalonis

Have an insect on a plant and you don’t know what to do? Moved to a new home and looking for advice on how to maintain your lawn? Looking to install native plants but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic! Homeowners in Florida know that maintaining a healthy landscape can be both rewarding and challenging. From mysterious spots on leaves to declining trees or pests in the garden, plant problems can arise quickly. Additionally, many homeowners are...

There is nothing more iconic to Florida than growing citrus in the home garden. But with challenges from greening, this has become increasingly difficult for homeowners. Luckily, there are still options available, and by following UF/IFAS guidelines from selection to maintenance, it is possible to harvest your own citrus. WHAT IS GREENING? If you are not familiar with citrus greening (huanglongbing (HLB)), it is a bacterial disease spread by a tiny insect called the Asian citrus psyllid....

This recipe uses a very easy-to-grow (and fun to look at!) squash. Luffa (Luffa sp.) is a squash that is used as a vegetable or as a sponge. It is easy to grow and is vining in habit. Grow luffa where the long fruits can hang, and harvest depending on their use. If using as an edible vegetable, harvest when green and about six inches long. If using as a sponge, allow to mature and harvest when the peel is brown and pulling away from the interior. Peel away the skin/husk and remove seeds to...