UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County -

Are You Over-Pruning Your Palms?

by Tia Silvasy
March 29, 2026

Are you pruning your palms correctly? The Big Misunderstanding: “Do not prune above 9 and 3 on a clock” was guidance intended as an absolute pruning limit. “Pruning to 9 and 3” as a standard was never the goal. Over time, it has ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Fertilizer, Florida Friendly, Home Landscapes, Palm, Palm Trees, Pruning

Preserving History, Building Trust, and Caring for Live Oaks in Safety Harbor

by Alyssa Vinson
March 20, 2026

Roots in the Sunshine: Preserving History, Building Trust, and Caring for Live Oaks in Safety Harbor Episode featuring James Ryan, City Arborist of Safety Harbor, Florida Listen Here This month on Roots in the Sunshine, Alyssa ... READ MORE

Category:

How Florida Residents Can Conserve Water and Keep Great Landscapes

by Michael J. Masucci
March 9, 2026

In Florida's sunshine and heat, every drop of water counts, especially during our dry spring months. That is why Hillsborough County has recognized April as Water Conservation Month since 2013, reminding residents that sustainable landscaping ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: BeautifulYardsLessWater, DroughtTolerantGardening, EveryDropCounts, FloridaEnvironment, FloridaFriendlyLandscaping, HillsboroughCounty, NativePlantsFlorida, SaveWater, SmartIrrigation, Water Conservation

New Rules for Charitable Tax Deductions

by Lisa Leslie
February 23, 2026

For the current season’s 2025 tax returns, charitable contributions can be deducted only if you choose to itemize deductions. Most tax filers (91%) take the standard deduction because it usually provides a larger tax benefit than itemizing ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Charity Deduction, Federal Income Tax, Itemized Deduction, Tax Deduction, Tax Prep

Success Story: Invasive Plant Removal at Carrollwood Village Park

by Tia Silvasy
February 23, 2026

On Sunday February 8, 2026 the project broke ground. UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County and Hillsborough County Parks teamed up for a 1.1-acre woodlands restoration project at Carrollwood Village Park thanks to a grant funded by ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Carrollwood, Grant, Hillsborough County, Restoration, Tampa, Woodlands

Where People Meet Place: Cultural Perspectives on Florida’s Urban Forests

by Alyssa Vinson
February 20, 2026

Trees shape the rhythm of our days in quiet ways. They frame our neighborhoods, soften our summers, and hold the memories of the people who pass beneath their branches. In a recent conversation with Dr. Becky Zarger, a cultural and environmental ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Urban Forestry Extension

Free Tax Software and Education

by Lisa Leslie
February 13, 2026

Hillsborough County Extension is offering access to free tax software, through our partnership with the United Way Suncoast, to residents whose adjusted gross income on their tax return doesn’t exceed $89,000. Adjusted gross income doesn’t ... READ MORE

Category:

Closing the loop: seed saving and roasting Seminole pumpkin

by Tia Silvasy and Joshua Payne

February 8, 2026

Seminole Pumpkin Seed SavingIf you have been successful in growing a Seminole Pumpkin, the last very important step is to save seeds from this heirloom vegetable so we can grow them again next year and pass along to friends. Start by cutting ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension

Vegetables to Grow in January in Your Central Florida Garden

by Tia Silvasy
January 17, 2026

January is one of the best months for gardening in Central Florida. Cooler temperatures, lower pest pressure, and mild days create ideal conditions for growing a wide range of cold-hardy vegetables. If you planted earlier in the fall, many ... READ MORE

Category: , Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cabbage, Carrots, Florida, Food, Fruits And Vegetables, Planting Dates

The Dirt on Deep Planting – How Bad is it Really? (Show Us the Data! 8)

by Andrew Koeser
January 16, 2026

Rules of Thumb Science-based urban tree care requires knowledge in tree biology and anatomy, soil and water relations, pest management and plant health care, and a wide range of other subject domains. When faced with this sort of complexity, ... READ MORE

Category: , Forests
Tags: Rooted In Tree Research, Show Us The Data!, Urban Forest, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

Subscribe For More Great Content