UF/IFAS Extension Duval County -

What to Know About Landscaping With A Septic System

by Duval MGV
September 10, 2026

Conventional septic systems have been widely used in the US since the 1940s. In Florida, nearly 1 in 3 households depends on a septic system. UF/IFAS researchers estimate more than 2.5 million systems are in use across the state. Duval County ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Best Practices, Drain Field, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Landscaping, Leach Field, Septic Field, Septic System

Falling for Food Forests?

by Beth Marlowe
September 4, 2026

As food prices rise and food security declines, many of us are wondering how to grow more of our own food. Some people have started a raised bed garden in the backyard to grow seasonal vegetables. Others have joined or started community gardens ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Tags: Duval, Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Food Forest, Northeast Florida, Trees

Confusion With Common Names

by Stephanie Means
September 4, 2026

When a plant person refers to a plant by its scientific name, they're not trying to be difficult they're trying to be clear. Common names are easier to remember but often lend themselves to confusion. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Common Names, Elephant Ears, Florida Friendly Plants, Florida Gardening, Florida Snow, Mimosa, Plant Names

You and your landscape maintenance company are a team

by Larry Figart
September 2, 2026

Working as a team This summer has been a tough year for landscapes in northeast Florida. With the drought this spring, the late start to afternoon thunderstorms, and the hotter temperatures, many homeowners have had problems keeping their ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Duval, Fertilization, Figart, Landscape, Mowing, Pest Control, Turf, Watering

Creating a Hummingbird Haven

by Tonya Ashworth
August 28, 2026

The Ruby-Throated Watching the aerial maneuvers of hummingbirds as they fly every which way and backwards is a delight. There are sixteen species of hummingbirds found in the United States, but only three can be seen in Florida. The ruby-throated ... READ MORE

Category:

Learn with Extension: How a Duval County grandmother learned to heal

by Aaron Alexander
August 20, 2026

In 2008, a devastating car accident left Princie Mikel, a retired nurse and grandmother in Duval County, “tore up from the floor up,” as she put it. After the crash, she had two broken hands, seven broken ribs, a crushed sternum, a skull ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Duval County, Family, Family And Consumer Sciences, Youth And Community Sciences

Duval County Locations for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census

by Tonya Ashworth
July 31, 2026

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a multi-state citizen science project that was started by the University of Georgia in 2017 with 50 gardeners counting pollinator landings on plants. Since then, it has expanded to South Carolina, ... READ MORE

Category: , Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Tags: Pollinator Census, Pollinators

Recognizing and preventing tree failure

by Larry Figart
July 27, 2026

As afternoon storms become a regular occurrence, thoughts turn to the trees around our home. You may be wondering if they are safe, or if they can hold up against the wind of a thunderstorm, tropical storm, or even a hurricane. While there ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Arboriculture, Duval, Figart, IFAS, Landscape, Safety, Storms, Trees, Urban Forestry

Florida Tree Trivia

by Larry Figart
July 8, 2026

We are in the middle of a very hot summer. As I was mowing the yard this weekend, I stopped to take a break in the shade of the swamp chestnut oak tree in my front yard, and started thinking about the topic for this blog. Immediately my ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Arboriculture, Duval, IFAS, Landscape, Trees, Urban Forestry

Summer Cover Crops for the Home Vegetable Garden

by Beth Marlowe
June 30, 2026

By early summer, many of us have pulled up our spent spring crops. No disrespect to okra or lima beans, but sometimes we just don't want to actively garden in the intense heat. So what can we do with our garden beds instead? We can grow ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cover Crops, Duval, Gardening, IFAS, Marlowe, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetables

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