Category: Home Landscapes

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

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

Houseplants That Should Stay in the House

by Stephanie Means
June 23, 2026

Here in Florida where the climate is subtropical, the line between houseplants and outdoor plants is often a little blurred. But just because we can grow some houseplants outdoors year-round doesn't mean we should. Did you know many of our ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Arrowhead Vine, Florida Friendly, Houseplants, Invasive, Invasive Plants, Invasive Species, Monstera, Native, Pothos

Okra: Easy to Grow and Delicious to Eat

by Tonya Ashworth
June 16, 2026

The Ultimate Slime-Free Okra Recipe If you struggle with growing vegetables in the Florida heat, don’t sleep on okra. It’s a beginner-friendly, tough-as-nails crop that just keeps going no matter how hot it gets. You may think to yourself, ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Tags: Okra

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