Category: Horticulture

Garlic and Vampires: The Science Behind the Myth [Part 2]

by Suzanne Holloway
October 30, 2025

In part one, we explored garlic’s history and its remarkable ability to help protect against germs, health problems, insects, and even unwanted company. Now, in this post, we’ll take a deeper look into vampire lore, the creatures and conditions ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Bats, Folklore, Garlic, Halloween, Health, Holiday, Leech, Leeches, Mosquitoes, Sanguivore, Spooky Season, Supernatural, Vampires

Exploring Florida’s Natives: Butterfly Milkweed

by Julia Sirchia
October 30, 2025

Milkweed is a flowering Florida native that supports pollinators, like the monarch butterfly. It is the only plant on which Monarch butterflies can reproduce. But, beyond their critical role in supporting monarch butterfly populations, milkweed ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture
Tags: Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Horticulture, Native Gardens, Native Plants, Protect Native Plants

Water, Beyond the Irrigation Purpose

by Edwin A. Gutierrez-Rodriguez
October 29, 2025

Keeping water in check on a farm doesn’t have to involve fancy gadgets or a maze of plans. It’s all about a few steady ideas that anyone can follow. First, picture where every drop comes from rain, a well, or a pond and how it moves through ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Irrigation, Smart Farming, Soil, Water

Online Resources for Community Gardeners

by Calvin Gardner
October 28, 2025

If you are looking to start a community garden, or improve an existing one, check out these helpful resources from UF/IFAS. The Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide – This is an excellent guide that covers all different topics of gardening ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tags: Community Garden, Composting, Edibles Calendar, Florida Gardening, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Products, Ocextension, Organic Vegetable Gardening, Pest Control, Plant Selection, UF-IFAS, Vegetable Gardening

Florida Gardening 101: Composting at Home

by Calvin Gardner
October 28, 2025

Have you ever dreamed of turning the plants, leaves, and food scraps around your home into a nutrient‑rich garden compost? Below I’ll walk you through the simple steps to create a thriving compost pile right in your backyard or a community ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tags: Backyard Composting, Brown Waste, Community Garden, Compost, Eco-friendly, Florida Gardens, Gardening Tips, Green Waste, Kitchen Scraps, Organic Waste, Pest Control, Soil Health, Soil Nutrients, Sustainable Gardening, Urban Horticulture

Garlic and Vampires: The Science Behind the Myth [Part 1]

by Suzanne Holloway
October 23, 2025

You’ve probably heard the old myth that garlic repels vampires, but is there any truth behind this? There’s no scientific evidence to support the existence of vampires or their aversion to garlic. However, the myth likely has roots in garlic’s ... READ MORE

Category: Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Allicin, Garlic, Halloween, Health, Holiday, Insect Repellent, Lentil Soup, Recipe, Repellent, Soup, Spooky Season, Vampire, Vampires, Wellness

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: Florida Friendly Landscape, IFASwater, Invasive Species, Urban

Tools That Last

by Jeff Wasielewski
October 22, 2025

Tomás lives in my truck, is 28 years old, and is just as strong and as sharp as the day we met. Tomás is my favorite pair of loppers—long wood handles made of hickory, a sharp blade, and as durable as they come. My tools don’t get names ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension

Alumni Spotlight: Breeding Climate-Resilient Cacao for Mars

by Eva Sailly
October 15, 2025

Dr. Ashley DuVal, an alumna of UF/IFAS with a Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences, has built a career devoted to ensuring that chocolate has a sustainable future. Now a Senior Scientist and cacao breeder with Mars Wrigley, Dr. DuVal works ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Forests, Horticulture, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life
Tags: Agroforestry, Alumni, Alumni-feature, Cacao, Climate Resilience, Food Science, Horticultural Sciences, Mars, Plant Breeding, Sustainable Food Systems, Teaching

Help Shape the Future of Landscaping Education in Orange County – and Win a Composter!

by Heather Kalaman
October 15, 2025

We want to hear from you! UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is conducting a short survey to better understand how residents use fertilizers and make landscaping decisions. Whether you're a full blown gardening enthusiast or maintain a modest ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Compost, Compost Bin, Fertilize, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Ordinance, Fertilizing, Free Composter, Local Fertilizer Ordinance, Ocextension, Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance, Survey, Win A Composter

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