Tag: drought

UF Researchers Link Increasing Seasonal Drought to Longer Fire Seasons

by BLOGS.IFAS
May 18, 2026

By Kim Scotto-Kelley GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- A new study from University of Florida researchers examines the relationship between wet and dry season length and the potential for lightning-ignited fires. The study, led by faculty from the UF ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Drought, Fire, Jennifer Fill, Lightning, Prescribed Fires, Raelene Crandall, Rain, School Of Forest Resources And Conservation
A group of people gardening, surrounded by plants with vibrant flowers, against a brick wall backdrop.

New Florida-Friendly plant app guides you to the right plants for a sustainable landscape

by Brad Buck
May 18, 2026

As you’re finishing your spring planting, you can use a new, free UF/IFAS tool to help select the right native and ornamental plants and turf for a resilient, sustainable Florida landscape. The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ (FFL) ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn
Tags: App, Drought, Esen Momol, FFL Plant Guide, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Irrigation, Plants, Tom Wichman
A sprinkler watering a green lawn, creating a mist against a blurred background of a building and vegetation.

As days grow shorter, your landscape naturally needs less water

by Brad Buck
May 18, 2026

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
Tags: 'Skip A Week', Calibration, Deep Roots, Don Rainey, Drainage, Drought, Fall, Irrigation, Jackie Lebouitz, Julie McConnell, Laura Vásquez, Lawns, Residential, Saving, Soil, Southwest Florida Water Management Districtement District, Turfgrass, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Water Restrictions, Winter
a view of kids playing on synthetic turf

Scorching temps from California turf raises questions about artificial turf, xeriscaping in humid states like Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
May 18, 2026

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
Tags: Artificial Turf, Drought, Drought-resistant, Enrvironmental Horticulture, Environmental Costs, Florida Law, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Heat, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Marco Schiavon, Natural Turf, News, Public Safety, Rock-heavy Xeriscape, Surface Temperatures, Synthetic Turf, Traditional Lawns, Turfgrass Science, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Weeds
An orange drone flying with blurred greenery in the background.

New UF/IFAS professor to combine AI and plant breeding; teach tomorrow’s AI innovators

by Brad Buck
May 18, 2026

As a child in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carlos “Charlie” Messina knew he wanted to help people produce food worldwide, while also preserving the environment. But learning about agriculture in a big city wasn’t easy. Fortunately, his ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: #aiatuf, Agricultural And Biological Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Buenos Aires, Charlie Messina, Crop Models, Drought, Flood, Genomics, Horticultural Sciences, Jim Jones, Meteorology, Plant Breeding

UF researcher offers Floridians tips for surviving country’s worst drought

by BLOGS.IFAS
May 18, 2026

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Concern is growing among state residents as Florida experiences the worst drought in the country, according the U.S. Drought Monitor. Sixty-six percent of the state is now in a drought, the highest percentage of any U.S. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Conserve, Drought, News, Water
Rain drops falling on pavement.

April showers…?

by BLOGS.IFAS
May 15, 2026

What image comes to mind when you hear the term “drought-tolerant plant?”   Ugh. Unfortunately, there are a handful of common misconceptions about drought-tolerant landscaping that just won't go away. Too often, the phrase ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Water
Tags: #SaveWaterFL, Central Florida, Drought, Drought Tolerant Plants, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Landscape, Native Plants, Water Conservation, Water Wise

Healthy Plants, Watering Restrictions, and Extreme Drought

by Julia
May 15, 2026

In Florida, annual dry periods and drought conditions in the fall and spring are completely normal. But during periods of extreme drought and below-average rainfall, like the conditions we are experiencing this year, there are some cultural ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Water
Tags: Drought, Efficient Irrigation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening In Drought, Horticulture, In Times Of Drought, Irrigation, Mulch, Water, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions

Should You Water Your Trees?

by Julia
May 15, 2026

Mature Trees   Mature trees, especially older ones, develop an extensive network of roots and can survive on rainfall exclusively. Some of these roots run very deep, which is why supplemental watering is usually unnecessary. Most mature shrubs ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Water
Tags: Drought, Dry Season, Efficient Irrigaiton, Home Landscape, In Times Of Drought, Irrigation, Rainfall, Shrubs, Trees, Water, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions

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