Summer is the season of freshly manicured lawns and the smell of freshly cut grass but if not managed correctly it could cause a decline in appearance and loss of money. Summertime in Florida can throw many challenges causing peak stress when ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Here in Florida, we are no strangers to algae. It occurs naturally in both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems. Our warm climate, ample sunlight, and slow-moving, shallow waters provide excellent habitats for many algal species. If you have ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
“Attract Wildlife” is Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principle #5 and one of my favorite garden visitors to entice and observe is the hummingbird. These tiny bundles of energy can fly in just about any direction to access nectar; antics ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Wildlife
How Bad Is the Current Drought? Since the end of our rainy season in early fall, rainfall totals across west-central Florida have dropped dramatically. Local meteorologists report this has been one of the driest fall–winter periods in over ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Water
Introduction Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), invasive to North America, are aggressive and cause painful stings. They are red to black and range from 1/8” to ¼” in length and normally have a deep red thorax and solid black ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
The world of online plant shopping is wonderful in allowing gardeners to find plants that are not readily available in local markets. There are numerous reputable sources of plant material available online; however, there are also some unreliable ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Fourteen Master Gardener Volunteers (and family) toured Nehrling Gardens in May 2026. Theresa Schretzmann-Myers (Board of Directors Vice President) was our excellent tour guide. Ms. Theresa fed us history, facts, stories, and anecdotes in ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
The University of Florida Extension Office in Okaloosa County is now accepting applications for the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer training course. We are looking for people who enjoy gardening and want to help others learn about plants, ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Darrow’s Blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii) is both a beautiful and edible edition to your garden! This time of year, the red, blue, purple, and green foliage plus the oncoming fruit crop really stand out. In shadier environments leaf color will ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables
Nature doesn’t waste nutrients, and your garden doesn’t have to either! What is ‘chop and drop’ gardening? Chop and drop gardening involves ‘chopping’ plant material, and then ‘dropping’ it in place, where it decomposes naturally ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension