Category: Natural Resources

closeup of fertilizer being sprayed by a spreader

Help Shape the Future of Landscaping Education in Orange County – and Win a Composter!

by Heather Kalaman
October 15, 2025

We want to hear from you! UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is conducting a short survey to better understand how residents use fertilizers and make landscaping decisions. Whether you're a full blown gardening enthusiast or maintain a modest ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Compost, Compost Bin, Fertilize, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Ordinance, Fertilizing, Free Composter, Local Fertilizer Ordinance, Ocextension, Orange County Fertilizer Ordinance, Survey, Win A Composter
Insect under microscope.

How Insects Grow: Why Cockroach Nymphs Cause Confusion

by Sara MacDonald
October 15, 2025

Have you ever spotted a tiny bug running across your counter and thought, “Oh no, it’s a baby cockroach!”? Don’t panic just yet; not every small brown insect is a cockroach. In fact, many insects go through stages that make them look ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: #ufbugs, Extension, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County
A top view of a sea sponge in water.

EPA grant to help UF/IFAS scientists restore sea sponges, improve water quality in South Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
October 15, 2025

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Crops, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Algae, Ana Zangroniz, Aquaculture, Ashley Smyth, Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Bacteria, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne Bay Pilot Nursery, Biscayne National Park, Classifications, Coastal, Coastal Environments, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Health, Cycle Nutrients, Ecosystem, Ecosystem Services, Filter, Florida Keys Aquaculture Research, Florida Sea Grant, Genetic Advances, Habitat, Harmful Algal Blooms, Lower Keys, Marine, Marine Life, National Park Service, Nature’s Water Filters, Organisms, Restore Ecological Services, Restore Sponge Populations, Sea Sponge, Seagrass, Shelly Krueger, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, South Florida, Southeast Florida, Sponge Restoration Aquaculture, Sponge Restoration Species, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County, UF/IFAS Researchers, Viruses, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Water Quality Benefits

EPA grant to help UF/IFAS scientists restore sea sponges, improve water quality in South Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
October 15, 2025

Hidden beneath South Florida’s waves, sponges quietly clean the waters by filtering out nutrients, supporting seagrass and sustaining the region’s vibrant marine life. But after years of environmental stress and water quality decline, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Crops, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Algae, Ana Zangroniz, Aquaculture, Ashley Smyth, Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Bacteria, Biscayne Bay, Biscayne Bay Pilot Nursery, Biscayne National Park, Classifications, Coastal, Coastal Environments, Coastal Habitat, Coastal Health, Cycle Nutrients, Ecosystem, Ecosystem Services, Filter, Florida Keys Aquaculture Research, Florida Sea Grant, Genetic Advances, Habitat, Harmful Algal Blooms, Lower Keys, Marine, Marine Life, National Park Service, Nature’s Water Filters, Organisms, Restore Ecological Services, Restore Sponge Populations, Sea Sponge, Seagrass, Shelly Krueger, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, South Florida, Southeast Florida, Sponge Restoration Aquaculture, Sponge Restoration Species, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County, UF/IFAS Researchers, Viruses, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Water Quality Benefits
A person tending to a vegetable garden. Photo taken 02-02-20.

Guía de siembra de otoño para el sur de Florida

by Sara MacDonald
October 14, 2025

¡Octubre es el mes perfecto para comenzar tu huerto de otoño en la región! Las temperaturas más frescas, las lluvias ocasionales y los días más cortos crean condiciones ideales para plantar una variedad de verduras y hierbas. Ya seas un ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Extension, Florida Friendly Landscape, Gardening, St. Lucie County, UF/IFAS Edible Gardens, UF/IFAS Extension
A person tending to a vegetable garden. Photo taken 02-02-20.

Fall Planting Guide for South Florida

by Sara MacDonald
October 14, 2025

October is the perfect month to start your fall garden in the region! Cooler temperatures, occasional rain, and shorter days create ideal conditions for planting a variety of vegetables and herbs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Extension, Florida Friendly Landscape, Gardening, St. Lucie County, UF/IFAS Edible Gardens, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

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