Category: Work & Life

mosquito

More Than an Itch: Protecting Your Home and Family From Mosquitoes

by Sara MacDonald
September 21, 2026

For many Floridians, mosquitoes are simply part of spending time outdoors. But a mosquito bite can be more than an annoyance. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases, including dengue, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Recent dengue ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: (MGV), Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County
A row of large collard plants in a vegetable garden

Fall Vegetable Planting Dates for Central Florida

by Tia Saracino
September 19, 2026

When to Plant Warm-Season Vegetables in Central Florida The ideal planting date for warm-season vegetable crops in Central Florida is September 15. Gardeners in North Florida can generally plant about two weeks earlier, while South Florida ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, Fruit And Vegetable, Garden Calendar, Garden Planning, Planting Dates, Vegetable Gardening
Children and an adult plant a young tree togethr in a shaded park, placing the root ball into the soil beneath mature trees.

A Tree Is an Investment in Your Home and Health

by Margaret Stewart
September 18, 2026

A healthy tree is much more than a pretty part of the yard. Trees provide shade, lower energy costs, manage rainwater, support wildlife and improve air quality. They may also increase property value and support our physical and mental health. These ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Air Quality, Carbon Dioxide Reduction, Carbon Storage, Climate Resilience, Energy Savings, Environmental Benefits, Florida Gardening, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening In The Panhandle, Home Landscaping, Mental Health, Native Trees, Northwest Florida, Okaloosa County, Physical Health, Pollinators, Property Value, Shade Trees, Stormwater Management, Sustainable Landscaping, Tree Benefits, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat
Tropical milkweed

Found an Invasive Plant? Here’s What to Do Next

by Sara MacDonald
September 18, 2026

Once homeowners learn what invasive plants are, they often start seeing their own yards differently. A plant they have grown for years may suddenly raise a new question: Could this be invasive? And if it is, the next question is usually: “How ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, IPM, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Florida Land Steward Update, September 18, 2026

by Chris Demers
September 18, 2026

  Congratulations Mark and Janora Crow: 2026 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year The Florida Tree Farm Program proudly recognizes Mark and Janora Crow as the 2026 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: American Tree Farm System, Award, Drought, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Landowner Academy, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Landowner Assistance, Loblolly Pine, NRCS, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southern Pine Beetle, Tree Farm
Volunteers lined up on a stage

The Power of Volunteers: Making a Difference Through Extension

by Lori Wiggins
September 17, 2026

Volunteers are at the heart of UF/IFAS Extension Taylor County. They give their time, share their knowledge and step forward when help is needed. While much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes, their collective impact can be seen ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #TaylorCounty, 4-H, Family, Florida, Florida Master Gardener Volunteers, Marine Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Volunteer
Close up cart in super market department store shopping. Adobe photo credit by Jenwit.

Does a chronic disease diagnosis change what you put in your grocery cart?

by Lourdes Mederos
September 17, 2026

When someone is diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease, one of the recommendations is to often change what they eat. Changing what they add to their grocery cart will be a critical part of managing their health, ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Dietary Change, Food And Resource Economics, Food Is Medicine, Food Prices, News, UF-IFAS, USDA

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