Category: Home Landscapes

Spread the Word: Peanut Butter Challenge kicks off September 28

by Abbey Smith
September 16, 2026

Start Giving Season early this year by participating in UF/IFAS Extension’s Peanut Butter Challenge this October. Jackson County is participating again this year. The friendly competition among counties asks community members to bring a ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Jackson County, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Peanuts, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension
A mole cricket in the grass.

Florida Lawn Insect Control

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 15, 2026

Written by MGV Clayton Yuen Florida’s Five Most Destructive Lawn Insect Pests: What Homeowners Need to Know A lush green lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners, but beneath the surface, insect pests may be quietly causing extensive ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Armyworms, Chinch Bugs, Florida Lawns, Lawn Insect Pests, Mole Crickets, Sod Webworms, White Grubs
Close up image of butterfly nectaring on flowers.

Grow with Confidence at the 20th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale

by Ashley Ellis
September 14, 2026

Imagine your are about to buy a lovely little plant from a store and suddenly you wonder…is it healthy?  Will it survive in my yard?  Will I be able to take care of it? Most of us who love plants have experienced this.  Coming up soon ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: FFL, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Dr. Jorge E. Pena, professor of entomology and nematology and PhD. student Daniel Carrillo, UF's Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL evaluating infestations of the red palm mite. 2010 Annual Research Report Photo.

UF launches initiative to support rapid-response research when invasive pests threaten Florida agriculture

by Lourdes Mederos
September 14, 2026

When a new invasive pest or plant disease appears, scientists have a small window of opportunity to address the threat before it spreads and becomes a much larger problem, potentially devastating Florida's agriculture, nursery industries, natural ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, Crops, Events, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: Agriculture, Challenge 250, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Nursery, One Night In The Tropics, Rapid-response, Safeguard Ecosystems, Top News
Passiflora suberosa

It May Be a Little Pushy – But It Only Wants to Help

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 12, 2026

Written by MGV Linda Knight   While visiting the Discovery Gardens Rose Garden, I noticed a Corky-Stemmed Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) had pushed its tiny, pale yellow-green flower to the top of the perfectly trimmed Dwarf Yaupon ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Corky-Stemmed Passiflower, Florida Host Plant, Gulf Frittilary Butterfly, Julia Butterfly, Passiflora Suberosa, Zebra Longwing Butterfly

A Bluebird on Your Shoulder

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 11, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attracting Bluebirds, Bird Baths, Eastern Bluebirds, Nest Building

How Much Water Can a Rain Barrel Really Save You in Florida?

by Lorna Bravo
September 11, 2026

One good South Florida downpour can fill a 55-gallon rain barrel from just a small slice of your roof. Rain barrels are an easy, inexpensive way to catch that "free" water and use it on your yard — trimming your irrigation bill and keeping ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Work & Life

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