Category: Home Landscapes

Portrait of a Career in Urban Horticulture – Michael Orfanedes

by Donna Corbelli Castro
January 6, 2026

Third in a series highlighting those who have chosen careers in horticulture - "How did we get here?" Man can not live on tech alone We are increasingly becoming a society based on technology, however, we must remember that careers in agriculture, ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Arboriculture, Broward County, Careers, ISA, Michael Orfanedes, Newsletter, Newsletter2, PPQ, Trees
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a genus of flowering plants.

Pivotal study unlocks secrets of the invasive short-spined thrips

by Lourdes Mederos
January 6, 2026

Highlights Short-spined thrips are devastating ornamentals and crops worldwide, thriving in South Florida’s warm climate and spreading fast. In a novel study, UF/IFAS researchers mapped the pest’s biology life cycle, reproduction ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Acarology, Alexandra Revynthi, Beans, Beneficial, Beneficial Bugs, Beneficial Nematodes, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Eggplants, Entomology And Nematology, Gardenias, Gardens, Growers, Hibiscus, Homeowners, Integrated Pes Management, Invasive, Invasive Insect, IPM, Mandevillas, Nematodes, News, Nurseries, Ornamental, Ornamental Entomology, Ornamental Plants, Peppers, Plant Pathology, Sanitation, Sanitation Practices, Short-spined Thrips, Thrips, Thrips Parvispinus, Tropical Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida
Florida with magnifying glass and insect

January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
January 5, 2026

Recap of January 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector In this month, we explored the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating, world of plant pathogens. Simply put, a pathogen is any organism that causes disease. For plants, these culprits ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Bacteria, Early Detection, Eradication, FFD25-26, FloridaFirstDetector, Fungi, Invasive Species, SeminoleCountyAg, Virus

Beautiful Buttonbush for Natural Areas and Landscapes

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
January 2, 2026

Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an amazing plant for both natural area restorations and landscapes. Found naturally throughout Florida and much of the US and Eastern Canada  (zones 4-10A) in various wetland environments such as ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Button_bush, Cephalanthus Occidentalis
Tickseed

Grow more Keystone Plants? … Here is a pictorial list!

by Maria Quirico
December 27, 2025

Keystone Plants for Central Florida Planting native species is an excellent first step toward attracting beneficial insects. In his influential book Nature’s Best Hope, author, conservationist, and entomologist Douglas Tallamy explains ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Discovery Gardens, Doug Tallamy, Keystone Plants, Native Florida Plants, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees

Ask the Plant Clinic: Real Questions from Central Florida Gardeners- A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Julie Schelb
December 26, 2025

Ask the Plant Clinic: Real Questions from Central Florida Gardeners In this episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast, join us to learn about some of the frequent questions our plant clinic has received from central Florida gardeners. Check ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Lawn
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteer, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Weeds, Wildflowers, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Garden Tasks that WOW: A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Julie Schelb
December 24, 2025

Garden Tasks that WOW In this episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast, join us to learn about which garden tasks can make a big difference in the appearance of your landscape. Anne and Julie also share their top two favorite tasks ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mulch, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Weeds, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

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