Quick Facts Organism: Cyclospora cayetanensis.Type: Single-celled parasite.Causes: Cyclosporiasis.Common source: Contaminated fresh produce or water.Why scientists study it: It cannot yet be reliably cultured in a laboratory, making it one ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables,
I will hold a plant clinic at our new Sheila Dunning Extension Building from 9 to 11 a.m. this Friday, July 17. The address is 1954 Lewis Turner Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. The new building is located to the right of and in front ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease
Florida's unique climate offers gardeners a rare opportunity to cultivate myriad plants that thrive in warm, humid conditions. Among the botanical wonders that flourish in this environment, tropical vines stand out for their stunning beauty ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Have you ever looked outside at your sunbaked patch of sandy soil in your yard and wondered why keeping turfgrass green fells like a full-time job? In Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County, urban development often leaves us with ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
There are many producers and gardeners out there playing with plants and creating new varieties through hybridization, breeding, and experimenting with new accessible genetic technologies such as (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
With a continued interest in edible ornamentals, edible landscapes are a common theme in Florida horticulture. The intentional effort of adding plants to the landscape that are both attractive and edible is a common practice with many ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
One poorly maintained tree can cause thousands of dollars in damage during a hurricane, leaving homes and neighborhoods devastated. On July 23, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is hosting “Be ... READ MORE
Category: Blog Community, , Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Growing pumpkins in Florida does not come without challenges. Battling pest pressure, disease, and heat can make it difficult to grow a sizable fruit that can be carved or used as decoration on your porch. However, I like to think that part ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
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
Join the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 21–22, 2026 Have you ever wondered how many bees, butterflies, flies, and other pollinators visit the flowers in your yard? This August, you can help answer that question while contributing ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife