Tag: water

Small corn plant growing in dry cracked soil

Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through October 1

by Mike D'Imperio
June 29, 2026

Last week, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to extend the current Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Restrictions through October 1, 2026.Before officials enacted these restrictions earlier this year, we had ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Drought, Landscape, Water

Water BMPs for Florida Small Farmers

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 9, 2026

Florida farmers operate in a unique environment, including sandy soils, variable weather (heavy rain, droughts, freezes, etc.), and sensitive water resources. To protect water quality and ensure long-term productivity, the Florida Department ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Water, Water Bmp, Water Efficiently, Water Management, Water Quality

Mejores Prácticas de Manejo (BMPs) de Agua Para las Pequeñas Fincas de Florida

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 9, 2026

Los agricultores de Florida operan en un entorno único, caracterizado por suelos arenosos, condiciones climáticas variables (lluvias intensas, sequías, heladas, etc.) y recursos hídricos sensibles. Para proteger la calidad del agua y garantizar ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: En Espanol, Español, Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Water, Water Bmp, Water Efficiently, Water Management
Water with lemon

Stay Hydrated This Summer: Why Water Matters More Than Ever

by Lori Wiggins
June 5, 2026

As temperatures rise during the summer months, staying hydrated becomes one of the most important things we can do to protect our health. Whether you're working outdoors, enjoying recreational activities, gardening, attending community events, ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Family, Florida, Health, Healthy, Hydration, Nutrition, Taylor County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water

Healthy Plants, Watering Restrictions, and Extreme Drought

by Julia Sirchia
May 14, 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 Sirchia
May 7, 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

Maintaining Landscapes and Trees in Drought Conditions

by Julia Sirchia
May 5, 2026

Ideally, the requirements of a tree/shrub (or any plant for that matter) should align with the conditions of the planting site (right plant, right place). When a plant's growing needs are matched to the environmental conditions, you may notice ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Water
Tags: Drought, Home Landscape, Horticulture, In Times Of Drought, Landscapes, Tree, Water, Water Restrictions
Pop-up, in-ground sprinkler head and home irrigation system.

GI‑BMP Training: Protecting Water Quality in the Florida Keys

by Liah Continentino
April 28, 2026

The Florida Keys are characterized by coastlines, coral reefs, and marine life. Here in the Keys, protecting and conserving water is essential not only to our health but also to our economy, many of our jobs, and our way of life. Water conservation ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Water
Tags: Best Management Practices, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Landscaping, Professional, Water
An image of a stormwater pond in a residential area.

Survey shows most homeowners don’t understand the two key jobs of stormwater ponds

by Brad Buck
April 28, 2026

More than 76,000 stormwater ponds are woven into Florida neighborhoods. Yet beneath their calm surfaces, these ponds are quietly struggling. Many are overloaded with excess nutrients, fueling algal blooms and degrading water quality. At the ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, Water
Tags: Aesthetics, Buffer Zone, Ecosystems, Filter, Flooding, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food And Resource Economics, Hayk Khachatryan, Homeowners, Homeowners Associations, Knowledge, Michelle Atkinson, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Nutrients, Residential Neighborhood, Residents, Stormwater, Stormwater Ponds, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Water, Water Quality

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories