Phragmites in Florida (ENY860/IN898)

Phragmites are a tall, perennial, wetland grasses, occurring in both fresh and brackish waters. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the three genetic lineages, native, Gulf Coast, and Eurasian; and the threat posed to Florida ecosystems by an invasion of the exotic Eurasian type. Written by W. A. Overholt, R. Diaz, M. Hanson and D. Williams, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in898

How to Characterize Soil Variability in Florida Citrus Groves as It Relates to Tree Growth and Yield (SL556/SS557)

Non-uniform tree growth and fruit yield are very common throughout many Florida citrus groves, but variable groves are typically managed as if they were uniform. This 4-page fact sheet provides information about the relationship between soil variability and citrus production, proposes recommendations for soil sampling that account for spatial variability, and suggests site-specific management practices for variable Florida citrus groves. Written by Kirandeep K. Mann, Arnold W. Schumann, Thomas A. Obreza, Willie G. Harris, and Jerry B. Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss557

NEW at the Bookstore: Propagation of Fruit Plants in Florida (SP171)

Grafting, budding, layering, cuttings: they’re easier than you think! This field-tested, practical guide takes dooryard growers step-by-step through the most useful and successful ways to propagate tropical and subtropical fruit plants in Florida. This new edition of a long-time favorite is completely revised and includes over 50 full-color photos. Price: $6.00
http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-169-propagating-fruit-plants-in-florida.aspx

Protecting Blueberries from Freezes in Florida (HS968/HS216)

Blueberry growers: know when the conditions are right in commercial blueberry fields, during and after bloom, for freeze damage, as well as practices you can use to minimize it. This 7-page fact sheet was written by J.G. Williamson, P.M. Lyrene, and J.W. Olmstead, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs216

Blueberry Gardener's Guide (CIR1192/MG359)

Home gardeners: Use this guide to successfully grow blueberries in Florida. This 8-page fact sheet was written by J.G. Williamson, P.M. Lyrene, and J.W. Olmstead, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg359

Miner Bee, Chimney Bee Anthophora abrupta Say (EENY512/IN912)

These gregarious, yet solitary, ground-nesting bees are “…conspicuous as they noisily swing their ponderous bodies to and fro on the wing, arrive home and scramble into their burrows or come tumbling out headlong and dash off into the sunny fields, with all the exuberance of boys just out of school.” This 5-page fact sheet was written by Jason R. Graham, Jamie Ellis, Glenn Hall, and Catherine Zettel Nalen, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in912

The Bumble Bees of Florida, Bombus spp. (EENY050/IN207)

Bumble bees are easily recognized by the corbicula (pollen basket) on the hind tibiae in the females. They are beneficial insects that pollinate many native and ornamental plants. They can sting severely, so problem nests near human dwellings should be removed by experienced pest control operators. This 5-page fact sheet includes a key to the bumble bees in Florida. Written by Lionel A. Stange, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in207

Florida Woods Cockroach Eurycotis floridana (Walker) (EENY514/IN915)

This “peridomestic” organism can be found in structures near the home, such as storage areas, greenhouses, or shelter boxes for other structures such as water pumps. It is one of the species commonly referred to as palmetto bugs, and is also called a “stinkroach” or “skunk cockroach” due to its aromatic defensive secretions. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Christopher S. Bibbs and Rebecca W. Baldwin, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in915

Breast Cancer: Coping with Hair Loss (FCS8833/FY903)

There are so many things to pay attention to when faced with cancer and chemotherapy that many women may not take the time to look at the bright side of losing their hair. In an attempt to help ease this transition and make light of this inevitable change, this fact sheet has a list of advantages of not having hair. Perhaps you’ll be able to add to this list. Written by Martha Monroe and Barbara Shea, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy903

January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day!

Try some of these tasty peanut butter ideas from EDIS publications:

• Peanut butter is a quick, easy, and popular sandwich choice that’s also healthful (in moderation). Use whole-grain bread, and add sliced banana, fruit preserves, or honey and a thin slice of Muenster, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella cheese to your child’s favorite peanut butter. (Tips for Nutritious School Lunches)
• Stuff celery sticks with peanut butter and top with raisins (Choosing Healthy Snacks Using MyPyramid)
• Instead of peanut butter and jelly, try peanut butter and sliced banana. Add a little honey for a sweeter sandwich. (Healthy Eating: Super Sandwiches)
• Banana & Peanut Butter Spread: Cream ½ cup peanut butter, add ¼ cup hot water or evaporated milk, and blend thoroughly. Add ¾ cup mashed ripe banana, and season with 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice. (South Florida Tropicals: Banana)
• Peanut Butter Banana Shake: blend 1 cup low-fat milk, 1 banana (fresh or frozen), 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract (Healthy Eating for Elders: Drink to Your Health)

Peanuts have been one of the more profitable crops grown in the Coastal Plains of the southeastern U.S. for many years. For publications on peanut production in Florida, see Peanut Production topic page.

Peanuts can also be grown in your home garden: see Producing Peanuts for Home Use.

Economic Impacts of Citrus Greening (HLB) in Florida, 2006/07-2010/11 (FE903)

Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.636 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to the study reported in this 5-page fact sheet written by Alan W. Hodges and Thomas H. Spreen and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe903
UF/IFAS press release: http://news.ufl.edu/2012/01/24/greening-cost/

Wildflowers Susceptible to Deer Damage in North Florida (WEC315/UW360)

One sure way to prevent deer damage to your landscape is to choose plants that deer do not like to eat. Unfortunately deer foraging preferences vary geographically and studies conducted with captive deer aren’t always accurate. So UF/IFAS wildlife researchers investigated the foraging preference of wild white-tailed deer at two sites in Gadsden County with high deer densities for two years. Of 11 wildlfowers tested, four were very susceptible to browsing: fringeleaf tickseed, Florida tickseed, coastalplain tickseed, and orange coneflower. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Holly K. Ober, Lucas W. DeGroote, James H. Aldrich, Jefferey G. Norcini, and Gary W. Knox , and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw360

El Caballo Pura Raza Española (AN275)

El caballo Pura Raza Española (P.R.E), conocido también como el Andaluz, es de una elegante raza con ascendencias que se extienden miles de años en el pasado a la región de Andalucía de la Península Ibérica (Cuadro 1). Estos animales desarrollaron gran agilidad, fortaleza, y belleza al lidiar con el terreno escabroso y los animales salvajes, incluyendo toros fieros, de la región.
This 4-page fact sheet is the Spanish lanugage version of AN269, The Purebred Spanish Horse. It was written by María L. Mandina and Jorge R. Rey, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an275

Creating Work and Family Balance: Workshop Evaluation (FCS2310/FY1272)

Workshop presenters: the evaluation instrument described in this article provides a simple and streamlined way to conduct a useful evaluation and solicit feedback for program refinement. It was designed to accompany a Florida Cooperative Extension Service workshop, Creating Work and Family Balance. This publication provides support for professionals who are delivering this workshop or workshops with similar objectives. The purposes of the evaluation are to generate information that can be used for program improvement and for reporting impacts in the annual reporting system of Cooperative Extension. This 5-page fact sheet was written by David C. Diehl, Suzanna Smith, Betsy Crisp, Karen S. Headlee, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1272

Weed Management in Pear (HS94/WG021)

Weeds compete with pear trees for light, nutrients, and water. Weed interference can be minimized with proper cultural practices and herbicides. General maintenance, such as controlling weeds in adjacent areas, preventing weeds from producing seeds, and cleaning mowing equipment of weed seed, will prevent weeds from becoming a serious problem. This 6-page fact sheet includes recommendations for herbicides labeled for pear in Florida. Written by Peter J. Dittmar and Jeffrey G. Williamson, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg021

Applying Pesticides in Compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (PI239)

On October 31, 2011, EPA issued a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide Generic Permit for point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States. This 10-page fact sheet explains what is now required for pesticide applications in Florida. Written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi239

Management of Orchid Pests with Silwet® L-77 and Horticultural Oils (PP287)

IFAS researchers evaluated the ability of the surfactant Silwet® L-77 to improve the efficacy of horticultural oils in controlling boisduval scale and mite infestations in orchids. This 3-page fact sheet reports the results and provides homeowners with directions for its use. Written by R. A. Cating, M. A. Hoy, and A. J. Palmateer, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp287

A Web-Based Tool for Timing Copper Applications in Florida Citrus (PP289)

The Citrus Copper Application Scheduler provides citrus growers with an easy-to-use tool to guide copper application decisions. It is an updated version of a previous copper residue model This 4-page fact sheet was written by Megan M. Dewdney, Clyde W. Fraisse, Tiago Zortea, and Jamie Burrow, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp289

Heliconia Bug Leptoscelis tricolor Westwood (EENY511/IN914)

Though not found in Florida, this insect has been used to examine insect behavior, sexual selection, plant-insect interactions, and color variation. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet was written by Christine W. Miller, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in914

Calcium Silicate Recommendations for Sugarcane on Florida Organic Soils (SSAGR350/SC092)

Although silicon isn’t an essential plant nutrient, adding calcium silicate to soils low in soluble silicon increases yield an average of 20%. This 5-page fact sheet describes calcium silicate recommendations for sugarcane on organic soils, developed using field studies at several locations. Written by J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Leslie E. Baucum, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo: Josh Wickham)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc092