As the temperatures begin to cool and the days get shorter, fall presents the perfect opportunity to plant wildflowers in Central Florida. Not only do these hardy plants thrive in our subtropical climate, but they also attract pollinators, enhance ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
There are three species of hummingbirds in Florida, by far the most common species is the Ruby throated hummingbird. They are attracted to red, orange, and pink tubular flowers. To attract hummingbirds to your yard, plant a variety of plant ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
The weather has finally cooled enough to start the fall vegetable garden. Here are our UF/IFAS recommendations of what to plant when. Getting Ready Starting in September, start preparing your vegetable garden by removing weeds and amending ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Our communities are resilient, and so is nature. With hurricane season in full swing and storms bringing wind and flooding across the state, let’s discuss necessary steps we must take to rebuild beautiful gardens safely following a flood. ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables
Mosquitoes are annoying, especially that zzzzzzz next to my ear at night when one gets in the house. The rainy season promotes mosquito breeding. Mosquito breeding may lead to viruses that are transmitted from mosquitoes to humans and back to ... READ MORE
Category: Camp, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, Water
With summer in full swing, it's important to remember Hillsborough County's fertilizer ordinance. From June 1st to September 30th, you can't apply fertilizers containing nitrogen (N) or phosphorous (P) to landscapes and lawns ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
In Florida, we have temperate to tropical climates that allow us to grow many species of bamboo. There are 1,400 of bamboo species in 115 genera worldwide. We also have a Florida native bamboo species, called switchcane (Arundinaria gigantea) ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, UF/IFAS Extension
UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County in encouraging residents to participate in a citizen science project to help count insect pollinators during the Pollinator Census. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a regional event for the Southeastern ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
What is a nativar? A nativar is a cultivated variety of a native plant. Nativars have the same drought-tolerance and local adaptations as straight natives, but may also have improved form or other traits desirable for urban landscapes. A ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Thanks to a $5,000 bay-mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County was able to develop a Bay Friendly Landscaping program. Educational classes were offered to teach residents about protecting the environment ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension