Lawns, playing fields, golf courses, parks and many other outdoor areas are part of the multi-billion-dollar turfgrass industry. That industry provides aesthetic, environmental and economic benefits to Florida. Valued at $14.3 billion and planted on 3.9 million acres in Florida, that same industry struggles with parasitic nematodes and fungal diseases that prove costly for growers, homeowners and commercial industries. “Sting …
Interplanting Ornamentals With Vegetable Crops
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller and David Lawrence Small farms are diversified farms that grow many crops in a limited space. One question that is asked very commonly is whether it is advisable to interplant ornamentals with vegetable crops, also known as companion planting. It is somewhat common to see ornamental plants in rows with vegetables, for example, in high …
Supply-Chain Issues Delay Some N.C. Strawberry Plantings
By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) strawberries are in the ground, but not without a delayed start to the season. Austin Wrenn, president of the North Carolina Strawberry Association, confirmed during the Southeast Strawberry Expo last week in Asheville, North Carolina, that supply chain issues contributed to some growers not receiving their plants until much later than normal. It could …
Tomato Prices Remain High Following Ian, Reduced Supply
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices remain high for those vegetable growers who actually have a crop. A lack of supply following Hurricane Ian has aided in prices exceeding $30 per box, according to Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida. He said Florida production is half of what it should be. Growers are still a month away …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Crops
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We missed a lot of rain and wind from the hurricane that came through. The rain was much needed. We got pretty chilly last night, which will really help all of our …
UF/IFAS Research Gives Back Food Year-Round
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and education centers (RECs) produce fruits and vegetables across Florida to develop production techniques and cultivars that benefit farmers. These centers are spread from Jay in the Panhandle to Homestead in Southeast Florida. So, what happens to all that fresh food? Much of it is donated to community food …
MELCAST System Could Help Watermelon Producers Reduce Fungicide Sprays
By Clint Thompson Imagine a system in place that would aid watermelon growers in knowing when to apply fungicide sprays for management of foliar diseases. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is conducting research to verify the effectiveness of one such system. Mathews Paret, UF/IFAS associate professor of plant pathology, discussed MELCAST, a spray advisory …
Hurricane Nicole Impacts on CitrusÂ
When Hurricane Nicole formed off Florida’s east coast, citrus growers held their collective breath after the beating they took in late September from Hurricane Ian. Nicole made landfall just south of Vero Beach on Nov. 10. Winds near hurricane strength were recorded at multiple weather stations as Nicole came ashore, including 75 miles per hour (mph) in Port St. John and 72 mph …
Gas, Diesel Costs Continue to Increase
Gas and diesel prices are on the rise across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gas costs averaged $3.59 per gallon along the east coast on Nov. 7, which is a 6-cents increase from the previous week and 11 cents more than two weeks ago. The expense is also 24 cents more compared to a year ago. …
Putting Artificial Intelligence Within Reach
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP It used to be that game-changing technology was out of the reach of all but the biggest producers. Artificial intelligence (AI), though, can fit the size of your phone and the size of your wallet if it’s done right. That’s why the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has put …