Category: Home Management

It May Be a Little Pushy – But It Only Wants to Help

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 12, 2026

Written by MGV Linda Knight While visiting the Discovery Gardens Rose Garden, I noticed a Corky-Stemmed Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) had pushed its tiny, pale yellow-green flower to the top of the perfectly trimmed Dwarf Yaupon ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Corky-Stemmed Passiflower, Florida Host Plant, Gulf Frittilary Butterfly, Julia Butterfly, Passiflora Suberosa, Zebra Longwing Butterfly

A Bluebird on Your Shoulder

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 11, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attracting Bluebirds, Bird Baths, Eastern Bluebirds, Nest Building

How Much Water Can a Rain Barrel Really Save You in Florida?

by Lorna Bravo
September 11, 2026

One good South Florida downpour can fill a 55-gallon rain barrel from just a small slice of your roof. Rain barrels are an easy, inexpensive way to catch that "free" water and use it on your yard — trimming your irrigation bill and keeping ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Work & Life

4 Simple Food Safety Steps for this Holiday Season

by Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez
September 9, 2026

September brings fall festivities, cozy attire, pumpkin spice lattes, and the upcoming holidays. Gatherings with friends and family are around the corner, which makes this a good time to discuss safe food handling to create a safe environment ... READ MORE

Category: , Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Family & Consumer Sciences, Food, Food Safety, Health, Holidays, Jessica Alfonso- Rodriguez, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Extension, South Florida

Think Before You Spray: Using Integrated Pest Management in Your Florida Landscape

by Sara MacDonald
September 3, 2026

See a bug on your plant? Don't spray it just yet. Finding an insect on your favorite plant can be alarming. You may wonder, “Is it hurting my plant?” or “How do I get rid of it?” Before reaching for a pesticide, take a closer look. That ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Homeowner, IPM, Pests, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Back-to-School Meals and Snacks: Part 3 – Becoming a Savvy Shopper

by Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez
August 26, 2026

Becoming a Savvy Shopper Grocery shopping can be a balancing act between figuring out which options are healthier, navigating rising food costs, and being in a time crunch. Today, I want to share some smart shopping strategies that prioritize ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Family & Consumer Sciences, Food, Jessica Alfonso- Rodriguez, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Extension, Nutrition, Nutrition Facts Label, Parents, South Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade

How to Choose the Right Green Industry Professional for Your Lawn and Landscape

by margaretstewart
August 24, 2026

Your lawn and landscape are an investment. A healthy yard can increase your home's value, save water, and make your property more enjoyable. But choosing the right company is important. The lowest price is not always the best value. A trained ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Choosing A Lawn Care Company, Environmental Protection, FDACS, Fertilization, Fertilizer Certification, Florida Homeowners, Florida Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, FNGLA, Gardening In The Panhandle, GI-BMP, Green Industries Best Management Practices, Hiring A Landscaper, Home Landscaping, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Irrigation, ISA Certified Arborist, Landscape Design, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Professionals, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Professionals, Panhandle Gardening, Pest Management, Pesticide Licensing, Pesticide Safety, Plant Health, Professional Lawn Care, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Conservation, Weed Control

Back-to-School Meals and Snacks: Part 2 – Decoding the Nutrition Facts Label

by Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez
August 17, 2026

Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label Picture this: You are at the grocery store with only 20 minutes to grab everything you need to select your ingredients for the week. You've got your grocery list ready to go, but are feeling unsure ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Family & Consumer Sciences, Food, Jessica Alfonso- Rodriguez, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Extension, Nutrition, Nutrition Facts Label, Parents, South Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade

Identifying Florida Lawn Weeds

by Maria Quirico
August 6, 2026

The definition of a weed is any plant that is unwanted in your yard or garden. There are three types of weeds: broadleaf, grasses, and sedges. Identifying Weed Types is the first step in Control, and will assist in weed control methods. Broadleaf ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Broadleaf Weed, Crabgrass, Dandelions, Florida Lawn Weeds, Grass Weed, Sedge Weed, Yellow Nutsedge

Florida Weeds to Grow (Some are Great Butterfly Plants)

by Maria Quirico
August 6, 2026

A weed is a plant in an unwanted place. However, this depends on your point of view! Sometimes we are surprised that these weeds are host plants for butterflies. Host plants provide food for the caterpillars of these butterflies. Here are ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Butterfly Host Plants, Checkered White Butterfly, Dainty Sulphur Butterfly, Frogfruit, Great Southern White Butterfly, Porterweed, Spanish Needle, Tropical Buckeye Butterfly, Virginia Pepperweed, White Peacock Butterfly

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