Category: Home Landscapes

Caution sign in field

Sandspurs…Sandburs…Cenchrus spp.

by Lisa Strange
December 11, 2025

What Are Sandspurs? Where in the world are all these little spurs coming from? Although it’s often considered a nuisance, this annual grass that commonly grows in sandy, undisturbed areas throughout much of the United States, does have some ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Lawn, Livestock, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Horticulture, Lawns, Pasture, Sandspurs, UF/IFAS Extension
Florida with magnifying glass and insect

December 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
December 8, 2025

Recap of December 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector This month, we dove into the topic of invasive mites, specifically focusing on the ones that can damage plants. These tiny arachnids are everywhere: on plants, animals, humans, ... READ MORE

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

Garden Tool Care: Take Care of Your Tools and They’ll Take Care of You

by Susan Haddock
December 2, 2025

Having the right garden tool is important but keeping them in good condition is just as important. Garden tools often get used hard and put away dirty or wet, which causes rust and damage. With a little maintenance, your tools can work well ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cleaning Tools, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden Tool Care, Gardening, Gardening Tools, Landscape, Landscape Tools, ProHort, Sharpening Tools, SW ProHort, Tool Care
Beautyberry stem with berries

The Importance of Using Native Plants in Zone 9

by Lisa Strange
December 2, 2025

In zone 9, native plant material is one of the most impactful choices one can make for the environment. Native plants are adapted to our climate and soils, making them more resilient, water-efficient, and less dependent on fertilizers or pesticides. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscaping, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Taylor County

How to Care for a Fresh Christmas Tree

by Susan Haddock
December 2, 2025

Nothing brings holiday spirit into your home quite like the scent and beauty of a fresh Christmas tree. After choosing the perfect one, it’s important to care for it properly so it stays healthy, fragrant, and safe throughout the season. Here ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Christmas Tree, Christmas Tree Care, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fresh Tree, Holiday Tree, ProHort, SW ProHort
Common green iguana resting on a tree in natural environment. Panoramic image.

Es la temporada de cortejo de iguanas: Ask IFAS presenta una guía bilingüe con consejos oportunos

by Luz Bahder
December 2, 2025

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Justo a tiempo para la temporada de festividades y el inicio del período de apareamiento de las iguanas, University ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agentes De Extension, Apareamiento, Ask IFAS En Español, Control, Cortejo, Ctenosaura Pectinata, Ctenosaura Similis, Danos, Elementos Disuasorios Visuales O Acústicos, Español, Especie Invasora, Gallina De Palo, Green Iguanas, Iguana, Iguana De Cola Espinosa, Iguana Iguana, Iguana Mexicana De Cola Espinosa, Iguana Verde, Impactos, Invierno, Lidiando Con Iguanas En El Paisaje Del Sur De Florida, Manejo, Propiedades, Reptiles, Salmonela, Spanish, UF-IFAS
A closeup of an iguana in South Florida

’Tis the season for courting iguanas: Ask IFAS unwraps bilingual guide with timely tips

by Lourdes Mederos
December 2, 2025

Just in time for the holiday season — and the start of the iguana mating period — the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has unwrapped a bilingual resource for living with one of Florida’s most ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Ask IFAS, Ask IFAS En Español, Bilingual, Damage, Florida Law, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Green Iguanas, Herbivores, Homeowners, Iguana, Invasive, Legal Considerations, Mating Period, News, Non Native, Personal Property, Plants, Resources, South Florida Landscape, Species, Spiny-tailed Iguanas, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Unprotected
food on dining room table

Rudolph’s Guide to Holiday Grocery Savings

by anikolai
December 1, 2025

  If you find yourself saying, “Oh deer!” (pun intended) while trying to plan a holiday meal that’s crowd-pleasing, delicious, healthy, and budget-friendly, you’re not alone. At UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, ... READ MORE

Category: Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Anikolai, Healthy Meals, Holiday, Holiday Meal, Holidays, Meal, Polk County, Polk County FL, Saving_money, UF/IFAS Polk County

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