Column

by WILLIAM “BILL” DOTY June is an excellent month to plant new lawns and repair existing ones.  Palmetto plugs are an excellent choice to fill those empty spots during the start of our rainy season. Mole crickets are one of our worst pests. They hatch in May, which makes June a critical month of the […]

The first orange trees were planted in Florida in the mid-1500s around St. Augustine. The particular sandy soils and subtropical climates proved to be the perfect climate for citrus and by the 1800s, Florida growers were farming citrus commercially. Citrus grows best in well-drained and aerated soils. Most of Central and Southwest Florida has excellent

Our focus at Florida Merchant Services is to help small to mid-sized businesses stay in business longer and thrive in the marketplace with assistance from our merchant advisers. Minorities and women in farming are a growing number and one we support. Florida Merchant Services owners Jamaar Manlove and Rhonda Manlove state, “As a minority-owned business,

Did you know that too much sunshine stresses citrus trees and exacerbates the symptoms of citrus greening? While Florida boasts of being the Sunshine State, too much sunshine can have negative effects on citrus tree health and production. Observations of the healthy state of feral citrus trees in a shaded environment have led several groups

A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be spread from animals to people. It is rare for horses to transmit diseases to humans, but it does happen. Most cases occur when an immune-compromised person comes into contact with a sick horse. If you or a member of your family are immune-compromised, consult with your

It should come as no surprise that a region known as “the Sunshine State” is known for raising quality grass-fed beef. However, Florida has another advantage beyond its climate: the nearly ubiquitous St. Augustine grasses covering much of Florida’s land area.    So what exactly is it about St. Augustine grass that makes it ideal

It’s May and if you haven’t noticed: It’s hot. The wonderful spring weather these past few weeks has morphed into mild mornings and sweaty afternoons. Heat isn’t our enemy, per se, it’s more like a pesky foe we just have to keep our eyes on.   At this time of the year at Adams Cold

About three times a week, we get a call from a trustee concerning an estate of some kind. I’m going to use this column to discuss some of the issues that are involved in dealing with estates, as well as how we can be of assistance. If it’s a family estate with heirs involved and

Vegetable gardening in Central Florida is more than just exercise; it’s an exercise in transition, with each month providing better conditions for growing some plants rather than others. Now that we’re into May, we can recommend okra, cowpeas, collard greens, mustard, cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplant as good summer vegetables to plant now.  

A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm is owned and partly managed by the Florida Citrus Research Foundation (FCRF). The farm does a lot of USDA work in research services, with the most emphasis on varieties produced from the USDA and University of Florida breeding programs. The facility is committed to helping citrus research in support of the