Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Warning sign saying "Warning Stay Off Septic Field" on grass

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

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
a mixture of grass, grain and legume plants growing together in a field

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
Plants in hanging pots

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
Pop up spray nozzles spray water onto the grass

Slash Your Water Bill: 3 Ways to Spot Hidden Irrigation Leaks

by Stephanie Means
May 5, 2026

Is your lawn burning a hole in your wallet? Think about this: the average home in Florida uses 991 gallons of water every irrigation cycle! That's like running your dishwasher 50 times or keeping the bathroom faucet running for more than 8 hours...and ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Conserve Water, Irrigation, Lawn Irrigation, Leak, Reclaimed Water, Water Conservation
Crispy brown plants in a landscape

Why choosing drought tolerant plants for our growing zone is more important than ever

by Stephanie Means
March 11, 2026

By now you may have heard that this February, a Phase II Severe Water Shortage was declared in Duval County.  We also had some unusually cold temperatures through the winter months that killed many of our landscape plants.  But what do those ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscaping, Freeze Damage, Irrigation, Save Water

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