Tag: Master Gardener Volunteer

Three sets of images with two painted rain barrels on left, small pond in middle, and gray birdbath on right.

Simple Steps to Reduce Mosquito Breeding in Your Landscape

by Julie Schelb
September 29, 2026

Reducing mosquito breeding sources in the landscape begins with identifying areas where water can collect and remain standing. Many common landscape features and gardening items can hold enough water for mosquitoes to complete their life cycle. ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mosquito, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, Rain Barrel, Rain Barrels, Turfgrass, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast
Close up image of butterfly nectaring on flowers.

Grow with Confidence at the 20th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale

by Ashley Ellis
September 14, 2026

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
Tags: FFL, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Engaging Youth with Gardening and Life Lessons at R.C. Bannerman Learning Center

by Wayne Hobbs
September 10, 2026

What started as an unused tennis court is now an thriving garden oasis in the middle of Green Cove Springs, Florida thanks to the dedication of the Master Gardener Volunteers with the University of Florida/IFAS Clay County Extension along with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Herb Garden, Horticulture, Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, Youth As Scientists

Ready, Set, Count! Be a Part of the Great Southeastern Pollinator Census

by Leon County Master Gardener Volunteer
August 20, 2026

By Susan Barnes, Master Gardener Volunteer The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia and is designed for everyone to participate in and make a difference for pollinator conservation. ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Great Southeast Pollinator Census, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pollinators
large oak trees with Spanish moss hanging in the canopy.

Tree Bark: A Landscape Showstopper- A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Anne Yasalonis, Julie Schelb and polkmgAvatar photo
August 10, 2026

Tree Bark: A Landscape Showstopper Join us in this episode as we take a closer look at trees with interesting bark. Whether you’re designing a landscape or just love trees, you’ll come away seeing bark in a whole new way! Your Central ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, Trees, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Weeds, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast
photo of bee on pink flower

Florida Heat Isn’t Just Hard on Your Plants—It’s Hard on You, Too

by Angelika Keene
July 21, 2026

As Florida Master Gardeners, we know summer gardening isn't for the faint of heart. We carefully watch our plants for signs of heat stress, adjust our watering schedules, and look for ways to help our gardens survive another hot, humid day. But ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Community Wellness, Fall Gardening, Florida Heat, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Heat Illness Prevention, Heat Safety, Hydration, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Wellness, Outdoor Safety, Self Care, Spring Gardening Summer Gardening, Stay Cool, Summer Gardening, UF/IFAS Extension, Vegetable Gardening, Winter Gardening

Red, White, and Blooming: Master Gardener Volunteers Revamp the Flagpole Garden for America’s 250th!

by Forest Hecker
July 2, 2026

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the Master Gardener Volunteers of Sarasota County are marking the occasion in the most fitting way they know how — with plants! This July 4th, visitors to Twin Lakes Park ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscape, Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, Pgm_HortRes

How to start a food forest in your central Florida yard

by Anne Yasalonis, Julie Schelb and polkmgAvatar photo
June 15, 2026

The garden journey of a Master Gardener Volunteer is always fascinating. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardener Volunteer, Jessica, shares how she started a food forest in her yard. To learn even more, take a listen as we chat with Jessica ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Flowers, Food Forest, Fruit, Gardening, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Native Plants, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkgardening, Vegetables, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast
This water hyacinth is considered an invasive aquatic plant in Florida. petals are light lavender with lush green leaves.

Want to avoid planting invasives in your yard? Check this UF/IFAS website first

by Lourdes Mederos
February 24, 2026

Highlights Ever wonder whether the plants you choose for your yard, especially non-native ones, might harm Florida’s natural areas? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) offers a free website ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Conservation, Detection, Floridians, Invasion Science, Invasion Science Institute, Invasive Plants, Invasive Species, ISI, Luke Flory, Master Gardener Volunteer, Natural Areas, News, Non-native Plants, Ports, Ports Of Entry, Risk, Safeguard Ecosystems, Seokmin Kim, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Assessment Of Non-Native Plants In Florida's Natural Areas, Wildlife

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