Happy Birthday! The Master Gardener Volunteer Program Turns 50! (3/20/2023) - This year, the Master Gardener Volunteer program celebrates its fiftieth year. Programs across the United States (and beyond) are recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments the program has made in so many communities. Additionally, March 20-26 is officially National Extension Master Gardener Volunteer week. How did the Master Gardener Volunteer program start? How does it benefit the… more
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Series: Five Steps to Become a Florida-Friendly Landscaper (3/6/2023) - Join us in celebrating 30 years of Florida-Florida Friendly Landscaping™ this blog series. Since 1993, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ has served as the state of Florida’s premier Extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping, providing guidance on low impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters.… more
Gardening with Florida Native Plants (3/2/2023) - Where is IFASBOOKS this weekend? This Saturday, March 4, 2023, the IFAS Extension Bookstore will be at the UF/IFAS Extension Orange County Garden Festival and Plant Sale in Orlando. The festival is a free, family-friendly event from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will feature, in addition to the bright demeanors of your favorite bookstore’s… more Florida-Friendly Landscaping Series: Take some action in five simple steps! (2/27/2023) - Join us in celebrating 30 years of Florida-Florida Friendly Landscaping™ with this blog series. Since 1993, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ has served as the state of Florida’s premier Extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping, providing guidance on low impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida… more
2023 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Now Open for Applications- UF/IFAS Extension Clay County (2/23/2023) - Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Master Gardener Volunteer training offered by UF/IFAS Extension Clay County. UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are educators who work alongside agents to deliver workshops, answer client questions, develop educational displays and demonstration gardens, and help our community be successful with their gardening endeavors. As the outreach component… more Florida-Friendly Landscaping Series: Five facts to know to help you grow! (2/13/2023) - Join us in celebrating 30 years of Florida-Florida Friendly Landscaping™ this blog series. Since 1993, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ has served as the state of Florida’s premier Extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping, providing guidance on low impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant loading to Florida waters.… more
Master Gardener Volunteers Ready to Help in Fort Walton Beach (1/30/2023) - What happened to the old Extension Office Annex on Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach where I used to go to have my lawn and garden questions answered? Here is the answer as well as info on where to find us now. The main office for the University of Florida-IFAS Extension in Okaloosa County has… more
A Winter Wildlife Garden (1/20/2023) - What do you see in the photo on the left? A container of useless dead plants A bouquet of pollinator plants in their “winter” form A container showing plants that are a source of nesting and shelter for our over-wintering native pollinators To pollinator gardeners, the correct answers are B and C. From spring through… more
“Ground” Yourself By Planting Florida Native Plants (1/8/2023) - Most gardeners everywhere enjoy the rewarding experience of being “grounded”, so to speak, by planting and maintaining beautiful garden spaces. And what better way to become grounded in our local environment than by including Florida’s native plants in our landscapes? The benefits of native plants are tremendous! Beauty Our area continues to experience tremendous population… more
Connect with Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteer Program (1/6/2023) - Master Gardener Volunteers help extend the reach of University of Florida Extension programs across Hillsborough County. We are happy to welcome our new Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, Tia Silvasy, to lead our program! Here are some of the ways we serve our community: Speakers BureauWe have speakers on topics incline Vegetable Gardening, Butterfly Gardening, Native… more
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Broward County Project Recognitions-La Finca (1/5/2023) - Article by UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Urban Horticulture Agent Lorna Bravo What motivates people to adopt and model sustainable landscape practices in their urban landscapes? Meet Broward County Master Gardener Volunteer Jeannie Schmidle. Jeannie graduated from the UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteer program class of 2018. In 2022, the University of Florida… more
Meet Hillsborough County’s New Residential Horticulture Extension Agent (12/23/2022) - IntroductionHello everyone! My name is Tia Silvasy, and I am the new Residential Horticulture/Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator Extension Agent in Hillsborough County! I started this position in December 2022 and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. BackgroundA little about me, I'm originally from Pittsburgh, PA where I grew up on my grandparent's family… more
Better with Butterflies: Them and Us (12/20/2022) - Welcome to our last butterfly blog of the year. This month I want to summarize all the things we have talked about in the last 11 blogs to encourage you to get involved in protecting these delicate creatures. Butterflies are as essential to our survival as we are to theirs. Many plants cannot produce without… more
2022-2023 UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Citrus Picking (12/20/2022) - It is winter and the temperatures are dropping, the holiday season is upon us, and citrus across the state is ripening on the trees. In this season of giving, have you ever noticed your backyard orange trees produce just too much fruit for you to eat? If that's the case, consider having the UF/IFAS Clay… more
New Year’s Resolution Ideas for your Garden (12/1/2022) - Each year's end brings a new year's beginning. Many people see the new year as a fresh start, and an opportunity to try something new. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions to kickstart your 2023 gardening journey: Selecting the Right Plant for the Right Place Have you ever bought a new plant and the second… more
“Something to Talk About”—Seminole Pumpkins! (10/25/2022) - Have you heard that Seminole pumpkins can be grown easily in Polk County? They are not only easy to grow but also make nutritious and flavorful dishes—and to top that off, they’re just plain fun! Seminole pumpkins are a cultivated variety of Cucurbita moschata. They are touted by many sources as a native plant to… more Orange County’s Master Gardener Volunteer Recognition Event (10/20/2022) - What is the Master Gardener Program? The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a citizen-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the residents of Florida. The program relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in gardening and in giving back to their communities. Orange County’s Master Gardener Volunteer Program has been serving the citizens… more
Pollinator Plants that Survived Hurricane Ian (10/12/2022) - In our area of Polk County, Hurricane Ian produced Category 1 winds and associated rainfall. Local flooding and loss of power were experienced by many. And yet there is hope in a garden, and one local garden filled with pollinator plants offered a bit of cheer and hope on the morning after Ian’s visitation! The… more
Better With Butterflies- The Cabbage White (10/3/2022) - Welcome back to our monthly blog in which we discuss a few interesting facts about butterflies in general and a specific type of butterfly each month, focusing on the cabbage white this October. Butterflies are harmless to other animals and have no active way of defending themselves. They are therefore low on the food chain… more
Better with Butterflies: Buckeye (9/6/2022) - Welcome back to our monthly blog in which we discuss a few interesting facts about butterflies in general and a specific type of butterfly each month. Of the six known butterfly families, this month we will address the last two, the brush footed and skipper families. Brush footed butterflies are the largest of the families… more
Better With Butterflies: The Atala (8/19/2022) - Welcome back to our monthly blog in which we discuss a few interesting facts about butterflies in general and a specific type of butterfly. Of the six known butterfly families, this month we will address the gossamer winged, also known as hairstreaks and blues and the metalmarks. Gossamer winged butterflies are so called because of… more
Plant Sale- August 6th, 2022 (8/5/2022) - Many butterfly and pollinator plants will be available at the 2022 UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Plant Sale on Saturday, August 6th from 7:30am to 12 noon. Consider the possibilities of developing a butterfly garden and attracting monarch, sulphur, fritillaries, and swallowtail butterflies. Plants that are great for this include milkweed, assorted- color salvia,… more
Wild About Florida Native Plants – Firebush (8/1/2022) - Why am I "wild" about Florida native plants…….because they are the original settlers who came from all over the world and found a home in Florida. They decided that Florida was the perfect place to call home. Native plants are a good choice for the Florida gardener who wants to work less in the garden,… more
Save a monarch, plant a (native) milkweed! (7/26/2022) - By now, you may have seen the recent article stating alarming news about the beloved monarch butterfly population. Many gardeners in Florida enjoy planting for butterflies, observing the unique lifecycle of butterflies, and adding colorful flowers to their gardens. Milkweed is a critical plant for monarchs as it is their food source. If you have… more
Master Gardener Volunteer’s Favorite Plants: Pentas (7/11/2022) - Pentas lanceolata is a Florida perennial that is an attractive plant with red, pink, or white blooms. They are a great source of food for butterflies and hummingbirds. Most Pentas grow to about 2 or 3 feet high and 15 inches wide and love the sun. They do need to be protected from freezing weather,… more Coreopsis: A Summer Wildflower Favorite (7/8/2022) - Coreopsis leavenworthii is an annual to short-lived perennial with bright yellow flowers with a dark brown center. The flowers are held upright on tall, leafless stems. The blooms occur from late spring in north Florida to year-round in south Florida. Also called Leavenworth’s tickseed, this plant is native to Florida and used in edging and… more
Time to Apply for 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course (7/7/2022) - The University of Florida Extension Office in Okaloosa County is taking applications for the 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer training course. We are looking for people who will provide volunteer time at the Extension Office in Crestview assisting with our planned educational activities. After successfully completing the program, participants will be ready to begin 75 hours… more
Apply for the Sumter County Master Gardener Volunteer Class! (6/23/2022) - Do you enjoy gardening and want to know more about gardening in central Florida? Is conserving and protecting water quality important to you? Does acquiring new skills or expertise learned in workshops or classes challenge you? Do you enjoy sharing what you know with others? If you answered yes to any of… more
Better with Butterflies: Painted Ladies (5/31/2022) - Better with Butterflies: Painted Ladies Written by Carin Ashman, UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer This month I want to address the spiritual aspects or symbolism of butterflies across world cultures. Because of their unique lifecycle from humble crawly eating machine into a many colored, graceful flying insect, butterflies symbolize transformation, rebirth, hope and… more
TLC for Tougher Turfs (5/17/2022) - Where is IFASBOOKS this week? Turf School for Homeowners UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County 7620 SR 471, Suite 2 Bushnell, FL 33513 As any Florida homeowner knows, turfgrass really takes a beating in our state, between flooding and drought, soil conditions, insect pests, nematodes, weeds, and diseases. Learning the perfect balance of sustainable TLC for your… more
Better with Butterflies The Cloudless Sulphur (4/21/2022) - Welcome back to our monthly blog in which we discuss a few interesting facts about butterflies in general and a specific type of butterfly. This month I want to talk about how and what butterflies eat. With very few exceptions butterflies feed on nectar. Nectar is a sugary liquid excreted by flowers to attract pollinators.… more
Volunteers are the Heart and Soul of UF/IFAS Extension (4/18/2022) - April 17-24 is National Volunteer Week. What a great opportunity to celebrate the people who lend their time, effort and talents to make a difference in their community! In UF/IFAS Extension, we would be lost without our volunteers. They act as the facilitators and ambassadors of our mission to bring science-based education to the people… more![Master Gardener Volunteers staff a check-in table on a rainy Saturday during the group's 2021 plant sale.. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS Extension Sarsaota County]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/04/20211009_090106_CROP1338x357-1024x273.png)
A heartfelt “Thank you” to our amazing volunteers (4/8/2022) - UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County extends its heartfelt "Thank you!" to its volunteers, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week (April 17-23). And there is much to celebrate, with this group. In 2021, Extension's 328 volunteers provided 12,595 hours of service, worth $359,466 in labor to Sarasota County residents. Despite and throughout another challenging year with the… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer 2022 Spring Seed Library Program (3/22/2022) - Ask Wakulla Master Gardener Volunteer Michele Hackmeyer Objective To provide small packets of seasonally appropriate seeds to encourage members of the community to get started to try growing their own vegetable plants from seed. Select up to 3 packets of seeds from the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Office. Location: 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville, FL… more
Herb Stories: All About that Lemongrass (3/21/2022) - What’s grabbing my attention in the garden in March is lemongrass. Once again, it needs a haircut. It’s about four feet tall and just as wide. It’s looking like a long-haired hippy freak and needs a trim. I’ll take my loppers and cut it back to about 18 inches, something I do usually twice a… more
Composting for Beginners (3/17/2022) - Composting is a great way to practice recycling in your yard. You can reduce the volume of waste that goes to the landfill as well as create a beneficial soil amendment for your landscape. Most people have all the elements they need to create a successful compost pile without purchasing a bunch of equipment. Kitchen… more
Better with Butterflies: The Giant Swallowtail (3/4/2022) - Have you ever noticed that most butterflies have different patterns on the tops and undersides of their wings? The topsides are thought to be colored to attract mates and, in some cases, to warn predators. Since butterflies rest with their wings folded, the undersides often display a camouflage pattern to make them less visible. Sometimes… more
No Kidding? Gardening in Containers? (3/4/2022) - Today, more gardeners are utilizing gardening in containers. One of the reasons is having a small outdoor space like a balcony or small patio or just to use a spot of color in a landscape. Other reasons can be lack of sun or shade or poor soil conditions. I have lived in my home for… more
Garden Festival and Plant Sale – Orange County Extension (2/23/2022) - Gnome Matter How You Slice it, it will be a Fun Day! On Saturday March 5th, from 9 am to 3 pm, the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will host the 10th annual Garden Festival and Plant Sale at the extension campus at 6021 S. Conway, Orlando, FL 32812. This free, fun-filled event… more
Herb Stories: Basil in Winter (2/11/2022) - In my January herb blog, I wrote about my pineapple sage which was putting on quite a show. The recent frost didn’t bother her in the least and she’s still going strong. In the raised bed to the left of her, I planted four types of basil last summer: Genovese, Thai, African blue, and holy… more
Better with Butterflies: The Gulf Fritillary (1/31/2022) - Welcome back to our monthly butterflies blog! Did you know that Florida is home to more than 150 species of butterflies? Another 200 species migrate through our state every year. There are in fact more species of butterflies than any other kind of insect except beetles. Too Cold for Butterflies? Butterflies are cold blooded and… more
Cuphea, a Pollinator Magnet for Your Yard (1/25/2022) - Ask Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer Becky Comyns Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow? Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow (yet non-invasive), blooms steadily for months, thrives essentially pest-free in our north Florida heat and humidity, and attracts loads of butterflies,… more
Cuphea, a Pollinator Magnet for Your Yard (1/25/2022) - Ask Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer Becky Comyns Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow? Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow (yet non-invasive), blooms steadily for months, thrives essentially pest-free in our north Florida heat and humidity, and attracts loads of butterflies,… more
Cuphea, a Pollinator Magnet for Your Yard (1/25/2022) - Ask Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer Becky Comyns Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow? Is it possible to find a plant that is easy to grow (yet non-invasive), blooms steadily for months, thrives essentially pest-free in our north Florida heat and humidity, and attracts loads of butterflies,… more