The story of the St. Augustine Lighthouse begins long before the recognizable black-and-white spiral tower was built. The site’s origins date back to the late 16th century, when Spanish settlers erected wooden watchtowers on Anastasia Island to keep an eye on enemy ships. By 1737, a more formidable coquina stone tower replaced those first fragile structures, serving as a beacon to seafarers and, according to records, possibly the first “lighthouse” in North America. After Florida became a U.S. territory, the U.S. government formalized its role as a lighthouse in 1824, fitting the old tower with new lamps and reflectors.
Did we get a BMW i8 for a new farm vehicle? I wish! Let me be the first to say, EVs are not for everybody, nor do they work in every situation. For us, electric vehicles have taken center stage as our next vehicle of choice. Nearly every major automaker—and several rising challengers—are offering compelling new models. We’ve been shopping for an EV this year, and the options have felt overwhelming. From the ultra-efficient to luxurious and SUV choices, the field has been crowded to settle on a sound decision.
https://www.tnffarms.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-i8.jpg400600Timhttp://www.tnffarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tnf-farms-logo-color-plain-1.pngTim2025-09-01 06:15:002025-09-01 08:42:11TnF Farms Goes Pure Electric
Persimmon trees offer significant benefits to local ecosystems, attracting bees and other pollinators with their spring flowers and providing fall fruit that deer, birds, and small mammals enjoy. Their shade and vibrant fall color also make them an excellent addition to native plant gardens and food forests. When it comes to eating, persimmons—whether from wild American trees or cultivated Asian varieties—offer rich flavor and nutrients. The Fuyu type can be sliced and eaten raw like an apple or added to salads, while the Hachiya should be fully soft before being used in puddings, muffins, or smoothies. American persimmons are best when ripened on the tree or picked when jelly-soft, ideal for traditional Southern dishes like persimmon pudding or cookies. For storage, keep ripe persimmons in the fridge for up to a week, freeze the pulp for baking or smoothies, or dry slices into chewy, candy-like snacks.
Living in Jacksonville, Florida offers more than just beautiful beaches and bustling city life—it also provides a great climate for growing your own food right in your backyard. Whether you’re in a small bungalow in Riverside, a suburban home in Mandarin, or even an apartment with container space on the Southside, Jacksonville’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it possible to grow a variety of crops with minimal fuss. Here are five easy crops that just about anyone can grow in their backyard garden (or even on a sunny patio) in Jacksonville.
Cultivating edible flowers in Florida is a rewarding way to combine an abundant garden with culinary adventure. Thanks to the state’s warm, often humid climate and lengthy growing seasons, gardeners have the unique opportunity to grow a dazzling variety of blooms that aren’t just beautiful, but also safe to eat and delicious. Focusing on the process of growing these flowers highlights the joy and simplicity of turning your own backyard into a vibrant, edible landscape.
https://www.tnffarms.com/wp-content/uploads/growing-edible-flowers-in-florida.jpg600800Timhttp://www.tnffarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tnf-farms-logo-color-plain-1.pngTim2025-08-11 08:00:002025-08-06 18:47:59Edible Flowers A Vibrant Addition to Your Garden
St. Augustine Lighthouse
/in Florida Living, Let's Do Something/by TimThe story of the St. Augustine Lighthouse begins long before the recognizable black-and-white spiral tower was built. The site’s origins date back to the late 16th century, when Spanish settlers erected wooden watchtowers on Anastasia Island to keep an eye on enemy ships. By 1737, a more formidable coquina stone tower replaced those first fragile structures, serving as a beacon to seafarers and, according to records, possibly the first “lighthouse” in North America. After Florida became a U.S. territory, the U.S. government formalized its role as a lighthouse in 1824, fitting the old tower with new lamps and reflectors.
TnF Farms Goes Pure Electric
/in Florida Living, Homesteading/by TimDid we get a BMW i8 for a new farm vehicle? I wish! Let me be the first to say, EVs are not for everybody, nor do they work in every situation. For us, electric vehicles have taken center stage as our next vehicle of choice. Nearly every major automaker—and several rising challengers—are offering compelling new models. We’ve been shopping for an EV this year, and the options have felt overwhelming. From the ultra-efficient to luxurious and SUV choices, the field has been crowded to settle on a sound decision.
Persimmons: Native Flavor, Southern Charm
/in Florida Living, Foodies, Homesteading/by TimPersimmon trees offer significant benefits to local ecosystems, attracting bees and other pollinators with their spring flowers and providing fall fruit that deer, birds, and small mammals enjoy. Their shade and vibrant fall color also make them an excellent addition to native plant gardens and food forests. When it comes to eating, persimmons—whether from wild American trees or cultivated Asian varieties—offer rich flavor and nutrients. The Fuyu type can be sliced and eaten raw like an apple or added to salads, while the Hachiya should be fully soft before being used in puddings, muffins, or smoothies. American persimmons are best when ripened on the tree or picked when jelly-soft, ideal for traditional Southern dishes like persimmon pudding or cookies. For storage, keep ripe persimmons in the fridge for up to a week, freeze the pulp for baking or smoothies, or dry slices into chewy, candy-like snacks.
5 Easy Crops Anyone Can Grow
/in Florida Living, Foodies, Homesteading/by FaithLiving in Jacksonville, Florida offers more than just beautiful beaches and bustling city life—it also provides a great climate for growing your own food right in your backyard. Whether you’re in a small bungalow in Riverside, a suburban home in Mandarin, or even an apartment with container space on the Southside, Jacksonville’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it possible to grow a variety of crops with minimal fuss. Here are five easy crops that just about anyone can grow in their backyard garden (or even on a sunny patio) in Jacksonville.
Edible Flowers A Vibrant Addition to Your Garden
/in Florida Living, Foodies, Homesteading/by TimCultivating edible flowers in Florida is a rewarding way to combine an abundant garden with culinary adventure. Thanks to the state’s warm, often humid climate and lengthy growing seasons, gardeners have the unique opportunity to grow a dazzling variety of blooms that aren’t just beautiful, but also safe to eat and delicious. Focusing on the process of growing these flowers highlights the joy and simplicity of turning your own backyard into a vibrant, edible landscape.