Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Be on the lookout (B.O.L.O) for these invasive insects

by Larry Figart
September 15, 2025

The term “invasive species” has been getting a lot of press lately. We hear about invasive animals such as the Burmese Python, Lionfish, and Cuban treefrogs. Invasive plants like kudzu, air potato, and Brazilian pepper. Even invasive ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Arboriculture, Ash, Duval, EAB, Florida, Insects, Invasive, Lanternfly, Trees, Urban Forestry

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and Edible Gardens

by Sara MacDonald
September 11, 2025

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) encourages homeowners and communities to use research-based practices that conserve water, reduce pollution, and protect natural resources. These nine principles are often applied to traditional residential ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Edible Gardens, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Horticulture

Is your landscape ready for a major storm? UF experts provide top tips to maintain a resilient landscape

by Lourdes Mederos
September 10, 2025

Hurricane season is part of life in Florida, but the damage isn’t limited to roofs and windows. Trees, lawns and landscapes also can take a major hit that may lead to costly repairs. After hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024, residential ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Arborist, Coastal, Commercial Horticulture, Flying Debris, Garden Tools, Hurricane, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, International Society Of Arboriculture, ISA, ISA Trees Are Good.org, Landscape, Michael Orfanedes, Outdoor Furniture, Patio, Potted Plants, Prune, Pruning, Saltwater Intrusion, South Florida Landscape, Storm Season, Storms, Tree Damage, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Tree Treimming, Trees, Tropical Storms, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, University Of Florida, Unpruned, Wind Damage, Yard

Planting for Pollinators in the Shade

by Stephanie Means
September 9, 2025

One of the most popular topics for our presentations is how to create a garden that attracts pollinators. Typically, a sunny area is the best choice for establishing this type of garden, which can leave those with shady yards feeling overlooked. ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Native Plants, Pollinator Gardening, Pollinator Plants, Shade, Shade Gardens, Shade Plants For Pollinators

Groundcovers for an Alternative Lawn

by Tia Silvasy
September 9, 2025

Lawns planted with turfgrass can require a lot of maintenance. Bahia grass is a drought-tolerant turfgrass with minimal pest and disease problems and a low nitrogen requirement. St. Augustinegrass has a high demand for water and fertilizer and ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Alternative Lawns, Groundcover, Hillsborough, Native, No Mow Lawns, Pollinator, Silvasy, Tampa

Allelopathy: Science-Based Weed Management for Florida Landscapes

by Michael J. Masucci
September 8, 2025

Florida residents and landscape professionals have long battled weeds while trying to create sustainable, low-maintenance, and beautiful outdoor spaces. What if your choice of mulch could actually help control weeds naturally by releasing chemicals ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Hillsborough County, Landscape, Tampa, UF/IFAS Extension

September 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
September 8, 2025

Recap of September 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector This September, we continued our tradition of kicking off another year of First Fridays webinars with a refresher on the fundamentals of invasive species. Whether you're brand ... READ MORE

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

Plants for your Florida Water Garden

by Maria Quirico
September 7, 2025

Central Floridians love constructing water features because Water Gardens add a touch of class to your home. We create ponds and container water gardens easily by visiting our local garden centers. Look for large tubs and preformed ponds with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife

Antlion Insects as Pets?

by Caitlin Sollazzo
September 6, 2025

My Story One day on a walk, I noticed a cluster of tiny funnel-shaped pits in the sand. I knew right away who made them … an antlion larva, also called a “doodlebug.” These little predators are masters at building some of the most ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, Antlions, Insects, Manatee County Extension

Japanese Blueberry (Elaeocarpus dentatus)

by Jamie Daugherty
September 4, 2025

Are you looking to attract wildlife to your yard? Consider the Japanese Blueberry (Elaeocarpus dentatus). Although relatively new to the industry, this evergreen tree makes an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly yards throughout USDA ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

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