Category: Conservation

How Much Water Can a Rain Barrel Really Save You in Florida?

by Lorna Bravo
September 11, 2026

One good South Florida downpour can fill a 55-gallon rain barrel from just a small slice of your roof. Rain barrels are an easy, inexpensive way to catch that "free" water and use it on your yard — trimming your irrigation bill and keeping ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Work & Life

From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey Part 4 – Iguanas: A Challenge, A Question, A Lesson.

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
May 12, 2026

  The challenge with iguanas has been, without a doubt, the toughest part of working on this food forest. At times, it felt like they made my life almost impossible. But somewhere along the way, a different mindset was necessary. ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Extension, Food Forest, Iguanas, Plants Damage, Uf Ifas Extension Solutions

From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 3

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
April 1, 2026

As this food forest continues to evolve, the focus has shifted from site preparation and design to one of the most exciting and revealing phases: plant selection and performance. This stage has brought both rewarding harvests and unexpected ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Alternative Lawns, Alternatives To Pesticides, Edible Landscape, Edible Landscaping, Food Forest, Horticulture, Sustainability, Sustainable Landscaping

Stories from the Yard: Fostering a Healthy Environment for Pollinators

by Lorna Bravo
March 8, 2026

Florida-Friendly Landscaping for Pollinators: Growing a Garden with a Purpose Join us as we share real stories from local gardeners transforming their yards into Florida-Friendly Landscaping for pollinators. Discover practical tips, successes, ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife

From Wasteland to Wonderland: A Food Forest Journey PART 1

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
January 24, 2026

Every transformation begins with a question. For me, it started with a thought: What if a forgotten piece of land could come back to life? From this question, a vision began to take root. There was a garden along the west side of the FLREC ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Colorful Fruits And Vegetables, Cultural Foods, Florida Gardening, Food Forest, Fragrant Trees, Home Landscape, Horticulture, Therapy, UF/IFAS Extension, Work&Life

Small but Mighty: MGVs Connecting Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles with HOA Communities

by Lorna Bravo
December 17, 2025

Article by UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteer Catalina Franco-Cicero Growing Community, One Master Gardener at a Time: The Isles Garden Club Story In the heart of Pembroke Pines, Florida, the Isles Garden Club's Florida-Friendly ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, NATURAL RESOURCES, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Broward County, Build Community, Master Gardener Program, Master Gardener Volunteer, Volunteers

Stories from The Yard: Stewardship and Florida-Friendly Beauty in an HOA Community

by Lorna Bravo
November 30, 2025

Growing a Garden with Purpose: Commitment to Stewardship As a UF/IFAS Urban Horticulture Agent, I work with passionate homeowners and Master Gardener Volunteers who are reshaping what Florida-Friendly landscaping in HOA communities can look ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Broward, Florida-Friendly Landscape, Invasive Species, Master Gardener Volunteer, Protect Waterfront, Right Place Right Plant

Stories from the Yard: Creating Florida-Friendly Outdoor Spaces You’ll Love

by Lorna Bravo
October 22, 2025

Growing a Garden with Purpose: Creating a Space to Enjoy and Relax Join us as we share real stories from local gardeners and homeowners who are transforming their yards into Florida-Friendly landscapes. Discover useful tips, successes, and ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: #IFASWater, #urban, Florida-Friendly Landscape, Invasive Species

Stories from the Yard: Our Path to Florida-Friendly Landscapes

by Lorna Bravo
September 1, 2025

Growing a Garden with Purpose: Teaching, Sustaining, Inspiring Join us as we share real stories from local gardeners and homeowners who are changing their yards into Florida-Friendly landscapes. Learn helpful tips, successes, and challenges ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conserve Water, Florida Gardening, Florida-Friendly Landscape, Invasive Species, Master Gardener Program, Storytelling, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Environments

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