As of April 16, 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor is showing Severe Drought for Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in the Florida Panhandle with the extreme northern portion of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa in Extreme Drought. Just east of this ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources
Water is a critical resource in the state of Florida, a statement that seems bizarre since we are a peninsula surrounded by water and many of our tourist attractions involve water (water parks, beaches, springs). The thing about water is it’s ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Even though daily deluges of Florida’s summer rains are in the rearview mirror, your lawn still can look lush, even with less water. Irrigation accounts for more than half the average U.S. water bill, but you can preserve this precious ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS
While artificial turf and rock-heavy xeriscapes are marketed as low-maintenance, drought-resistant alternatives to traditional lawns, research by University of Florida scientists shows it comes at unexpected environmental and public safety ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
In the late spring when it starts to get hot and dry in Central Florida you may notice some plants wilting and others thriving. This is a good time to consider remove plants that are not well suited for your landscape and replace with drought ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Here comes the drought stress... June first marks the beginning of Florida’s rainy season – although, it has not been that rainy lately. In fact, we've already received a couple of burn ban notifications from the Florida Forest Service. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Recent below-average rainfall, as reported by drought.gov, underscores the importance of effective water use and water-efficient gardening practices. Although we're not yet in drought conditions, responsible management of freshwater resources ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Pests & Disease
Parched Plants: Planting for Drought Tolerance Once plush, springy, and verdant, leaves unfurled to collect the gift of sunlight. Leaves dancing in their daily rhythm, magically transforming sunlight to sugar, sighing softly in the twilight, ... READ MORE
Category: , Home Landscapes, Horticulture
World Environment Day 2024: Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience World Environment Day 2024 is celebrated on June 5, marking the 51st anniversary of this global holiday. This year’s theme is “land restoration, desertification ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation
When it's hot and dry out it is important to think of water conservation. In Florida, more than 50% of our potable water is used for lawns and landscapes in residential housing. The goal is to keep our plants alive, while conserving water. ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water