The Demonstration Garden at Shamrock Park and Nature Center in Venice has had a major makeover. Today September 24th, we planted 35 large trees and shrubs, 52 small shrubs, 215 native wildflowers and understory plants. We also spread ~690+ ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Imagine your are about to buy a lovely little plant from a store and suddenly you wonder…is it healthy? Will it survive in my yard? Will I be able to take care of it? Most of us who love plants have experienced this. Coming up soon ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Mushrooms are an excellent low calorie food with a high fullness factor (they fill you up). But the “common” or “button” mushroom lacks natural flavor. On the other hand, shiitake mushrooms have all the benefits of button mushrooms, ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness
Mulch: A Critical Tool in Your Landscape When most people think about mulch in Northwest Florida, they picture a layer of pine bark or wood chips spread beneath trees and shrubs to give the landscape a clean, finished appearance. While mulch ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
The 2026 Santa Rosa County Farm Tour will be held on Thursday, October 1. Participants will visit working farm sites, talk with growers, learn about conservation practices, and see Florida agriculture firsthand. Registration and breakfast ... READ MORE
Category: Events
The University of Florida did not invent lovebugs. However, we know enough about them to dispel a couple rumors and share a few facts. Rumor #1 - Lovebugs were developed by the University of Florida to eat mosquitoes. Sometime after ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease
At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we've been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits and crops suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Work & Life
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program (FFL) has launched the FFL Plants & Pollinators App, a comprehensive new resource that brings together plant selection, ... READ MORE
Category: Blog Community, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, UF/IFAS
It may not seem like it, but the days are getting have steadily shorteer. With that, we’ve also begun our journey to fall. Aside from images of glowing fireplaces and pumpkin spice everything, those of us in the gardening world should put ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), which some people refer to as summer cedar, is a perennial weed that can be difficult to control. When mowed down or cut it grows back from a woody base. Additionally, it produces seeds with hairs that ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease