UF IFAS Extension Alachua County Master Gardeners

11/04/2026

Thanksgiving – Christmas – Easter; Oh my! What cactus do I have.
As the holiday season approaches, many gardeners turn their attention to indoor plants that bring a touch of festive magic to their homes. Among the stars of seasonal flora are holiday cacti, charming succulents that bloom in vibrant hues, creating a cheerful ambiance. In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of holiday cacti, exploring their varieties and offering essential tips for care to ensure a spectacular display during the holidays and beyond. (Care guide link at end of post)

Although they look very similar there are some distinct differences between the Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus vs Easter Cactus. Each of these succulents derived their common names from the time of the year that they typically flower in North America. Collectively and even individually they are sometimes referred to as ‘Holiday Cactus’.

Why are they so hard to identify?
Of the three Holiday Cactus most of the identification confusion is between the Christmas Cactus and the Thanksgiving Cactus.

Not only do they look similar, without close examination, but they are mislabeled by sellers possibly more than any other succulents.

Intentionally or unintentionally, the Thanksgiving Cactus is often sold as a Christmas Cactus. Since they both bloom in late fall or winter and are beautiful plants, typical consumers are not likely to care exactly which one they have purchased.

Nevertheless, it is always beneficial to know, if possible, the exact name of your succulent. This ensures you will be able to provide the best care possible.

Differences in the stems of the Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter Cactus
Christmas Cactus – Has wide and flat segmented leaves that are smaller and rounder than the other two cacti. The edges of the leaves have small indentations (scallops) in contrast to the Thanksgiving Cactus leaves that have outward pointed claws. Put another way, the stem edges are smooth and crenellated (slightly notched) but never toothed or jagged like the Thanksgiving Cactus. The end or tip of each segment is very slightly curved but can look almost flat across.

Thanksgiving Cactus – Has broad segmented leaves with serrated (jagged) edges on each side. The serrated edges form into points. There are 2-4 points on each side. (The distinctive claw shaped pointed projections inspired the creative names Crab Claw Cactus or Claw Cactus.) The end of the last segment is slightly concave with a point on each side.

Easter Cactus – Has flat segmented leaves that are similar in some ways to the Christmas Cactus. There are slight scallops on the edges of the leaves but the shape is much subtler than the Christmas Cactus. The Christmas Cactus indentations are more tear drop in shape. The Easter Cactus shape is merely slight indentations. The most significant difference are the small bristles on the end of each leaf. There are no bristles on either the Thanksgiving Cactus or the Christmas Cactus.

A Guide to Holiday Cacti Care – The Basics at our state’s website https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/flaglerco/2023/11/20/a-guide-to-holiday-cacti-care-the-basics-pt-1/

11/04/2026

Watering Practices in the Garden– November 10, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, at the Alachua County Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry, FL 32669).

Join UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County for three engaging programs designed to help residents conserve water, protect natural resources, and create sustainable landscapes.

💦 Watering Smarter, Not Harder: Micro-Irrigation for Vegetable and Ornamental Gardens

Learn how micro-irrigation systems can take the work out of watering while improving efficiency in the landscape and garden. This presentation covers irrigation options for containers, ornamentals, raised beds, fruit trees, and more, including system assembly, regulation, maintenance, and repair.

💦 The Floridan Aquifer and How We Can Protect It

Discover how the Floridan Aquifer was formed, what contributes to its recharge, and the challenges posed by overuse. Participants will also learn how everyday landscaping and gardening practices can affect groundwater resources and what steps homeowners can take to help protect this vital water supply.

💦 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ for the Waterfront

Living near water brings unique opportunities and responsibilities. Learn how Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ practices can help protect lakes, rivers, and springs while maintaining an attractive landscape. Topics include selecting appropriate plants, reducing runoff, conserving water, and creating shoreline-friendly landscapes that support water quality.

There is no registration fee, but participants must register online. Limited to 100 participants.

Let Facebook remind you https://facebook.com/events/s/watering-practices-in-the-gard/1375622184781700/

11/04/2026

Vultures: Misunderstood Ecosystem Heroes
Vultures in pop-culture 🦅 You might remember your first impression of vultures from watching The Jungle Book or Robin Hood as a kid. Those hunchbacked birds, with long beaks and dark colors, never really had a great reputation in pop culture.

In the animal kingdom, vultures are birds of prey that scavenge on carrion (the decaying body of a dead animal). Indeed, the whole ecology surrounding vultures can be quite morbid. They sneak in to eat already dead animals, probably hunted by other predators.

The common picture is the wake of vultures circling in the sky around dead prey, looking for their opportunity to land and “steal” some of what is left. We even have the expression “you are a vulture”, to describe someone who is trying to gain from another person’s misfortune. Therefore, they have often been linked to death and have generally been considered ugly and spooky animals.

The Importance of Vultures

However, the title to this blog post is not given at random. Vultures really are heroes for natural ecosystems. They are considered absolutely necessary for the good recycling functioning of an environment. The carcasses cleanup that they perform so efficiently is pivotal to ensure the health of an environment and the animals living in it. Consuming carrion means freeing the ecosystem from critters and other components that may cause infectious diseases which could spread to other animals and humans.

Vultures can clear up in one hour a carcass that would otherwise take days to completely decay, meanwhile attracting insects and spreading potential pathogens. The reason why vultures are so efficient in their cleaning role is that they are specially equipped with pathogen-neutralizing stomach acids. About 70% of all carrion in Africa is cleared up by vultures. However, the survival of multiple vulture species worldwide is seriously threatened.

Find out more about vultures
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/onehealth/2021/09/28/vultures-misunderstood-ecosystem-heroes/

11/04/2026

Floridians celebrated the ‘real’ first Thanksgiving by Stephenie Livingston • November 18, 2015. Thank you Florida Museum of Natural History

Science for the season 🦃🥧🌽 Most of us imagine the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, but there's just one catch.

The nation’s real first Thanksgiving took place more than 50 years earlier near the Matanzas River in St. Augustine, Florida, when Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 soldiers, sailors and settlers joined local Native Americans in a feast that followed a Mass of Thanksgiving.

🍂 Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/before-the-pilgrims-floridians-celebrated-the-real-first-thanksgiving/

Archaeologist Kathleen Deagan and other Florida Museum researchers have been studying the artifacts and records left by Florida's early colonists in St. Augustine and the surrounding region for decades.

“The holiday we celebrate today is really something that was invented in a sense,” Kathy said. “By the time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, the people who settled America’s first colony with Menéndez probably had children and grandchildren living there.”

Instead of flat-top hats and oversized buckles, conquistadors wore armor and colonists dressed in 16th-century Spanish garments. There wasn’t any cranberry sauce or pie—not even turkey. Instead, the meal consisted of an assortment of food, from salted pork and red w**e shipped from Spain to yucca from the Caribbean.

Gifford Waters (pictured) said the meal probably took place near the mouth of present-day Hospital Creek on the Matanzas River, where today the Mission of Nombre de Dios and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park – the site of Menéndez’ original encampment and the first colony – are located. The feast followed a Thanksgiving Mass, which Kathy said was a common practice of sailors after a tumultuous expedition.

Besides salted pork and red w**e, those in attendance ate garbanzo beans, olives and hard sea biscuits. The meal may have also included Caribbean foods that were probably collected when Menéndez stopped to regroup and resupply at San Juan Puerto Rico before continuing to Florida, Kathy said. If the Timucua contributed, it would likely have been with corn, fresh fish, berries or beans.

🍂 Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/before-the-pilgrims-floridians-celebrated-the-real-first-thanksgiving/

11/03/2026

Thanksgiving planning ahead

It's never too early to get a head start on Thanksgiving prep! Whether you're hosting the dinner or know someone who is, this guide is an easy way to make sure you get ready for this holiday!

Follow these five simple steps: Plan✔️ Organize✔️ Prepare✔️ Shop✔️ Get Ready✔️

UF IFAS Extension FCS University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences U.S. Department of Agriculture

11/03/2026

Text list 👇🏽 https://followfreshfromflorida.com/whats-in-season ALLIGATOR
AVOCADO
BEEF
BLUE CRAB
CABBAGE
CARROTS
CELERY
CHICKEN
CLAMS
CUCUMBER
EGGPLANT
FLOUNDER
GRAPEFRUIT
GROUPER
LEAFY GREENS
GUAVA
MULLET
MULLET ROE
MUSHROOMS
ORANGES
OYSTERS
PASSION FRUIT
PEANUTS
PEPPERS
POMPANO
RADISHES
SHRIMP
SNAP BEANS
SNAPPER
SPINY LOBSTER
SQUASH
STAR FRUIT
STONE CRAB CLAWS
SWEET CORN
SWORDFISH
TANGERINES
TOMATOES
WATERMELON
And SOME OF OUR FAVORITE RECIPES at https://followfreshfromflorida.com/whats-in-season

Comment SEASON for the full list of what's available in November!

11/03/2026

11/03/2026

Reminder of how to choose the best pumpkin.

🍁How to choose a Long-Lasting Pumpkin!🦃
Fall festivities are here! Whether you're celebrating Halloween or Thanksgiving, pumpkins are a staple decor. To keep your pumpkin fresh and attractive all season, follow these expert tips:

🍁 Buy Local: Reduce shipping stress by purchasing from a nearby farmer or patch.

🍁 Even Color, Firm Flesh: Opt for pumpkins with consistent coloration and hard, smooth skin.

🍁 Inspect for Damage: Check for bruises, soft spots, and signs of pests. Gently press the skin; if it yields, choose another.

By selecting a healthy, locally-grown pumpkin, you'll enjoy a beautiful and long-lasting centerpiece.

🍁 More tips on how to choose the best pumpkin and includes recipe for seeds/guts by Danielle Treadwell, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2023/10/03/if-its-halloween-its-time-for-a-pumpkin-tips-on-purchasing-carving-or-eating/

🍁 Inspired to grow your own next year? Check out the University of Florida's gardening guide: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/pumpkins/

Happy pumpkin picking!

Original text before Meta AI suggestions and original image before contrast change by UF / IFAS Extension Duval County Agriculture. Thank you 😊 ~ Carolina.

11/03/2026

free sunrise to sunset TRAILHEAD ADDRESSES
Access Prairie Creek Preserve by parking at Prairie Creek Lodge located at 7204 SE CR 234, Gainesville, FL 32641 (Google Map)

To access Witness Tree Junction trailhead, please park in front of the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail at the intersection of CR 2082 and CR 234. The address is 8421 SE County Rd 2082, Gainesville, FL 32641. (Google Map)

To access Kelly Crossing directly, you must enter by bike or foot from the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail. There is no vehicle parking.

Thank you Alachua Conservation Trust! Trail map and more on website https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/prairie-creek-preserve-guide

11/03/2026

Thank you 😊 All jars collected here stay in our own community. learn more on our state website https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter/

Some days, our community reminds us exactly why we love being part of it. 💛

The amazing staff at the City of Newberry - Government just collected and delivered more than 700 jars of peanut butter for the UF/IFAS Peanut Butter Challenge. Every one of those jars is headed to a local food pantry, where it will help feed a family that's going through a hard stretch.

That's 700+ lunches packed, after-school snacks shared, and small reminders to our neighbors that they aren't alone. And a special shoutout to the Finance Department, who donated almost 38 jars per person. Wow! 🐝

This is what makes Newberry home: people who show up for each other and do it with a whole lot of heart (and bee costumes 😄).

Thank you to everyone who gave, collected, loaded trucks, and cheered this effort on. You make our town a better place. 🥜❤️