Category: Agriculture

Garden Tool Care: Take Care of Your Tools and They’ll Take Care of You

by Susan Haddock
December 2, 2025

Having the right garden tool is important but keeping them in good condition is just as important. Garden tools often get used hard and put away dirty or wet, which causes rust and damage. With a little maintenance, your tools can work well ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cleaning Tools, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Garden Tool Care, Gardening, Gardening Tools, Landscape, Landscape Tools, ProHort, Sharpening Tools, SW ProHort, Tool Care

How to Care for a Fresh Christmas Tree

by Susan Haddock
December 2, 2025

Nothing brings holiday spirit into your home quite like the scent and beauty of a fresh Christmas tree. After choosing the perfect one, it’s important to care for it properly so it stays healthy, fragrant, and safe throughout the season. Here ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Christmas Tree, Christmas Tree Care, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Fresh Tree, Holiday Tree, ProHort, SW ProHort

Turfgrass Replacement

by Susan Haddock
November 13, 2025

If 30% or more of your lawn is covered with weeds, bare spots, or other damage, it’s usually more practical to replace it with new sod. In many cases, the time, cost, and effort needed to repair the area are greater than simply starting ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Florida-friendly Landscaping, Grass, Landscape, Lawn Replacement, Laying Sod, Turfgrass

Winter Landscape Care: Fertilizer and Watering Tips

by Susan Haddock
November 13, 2025

Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) to make food through photosynthesis. In fall and winter, less sunlight, cooler temperatures, and less rain cause photosynthesis and growth to slow down. Because of this, plants need very ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Fall_lawn_care, Fertilization, Fertilizer, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, ProHort, SWProHort, Turfgrass, Water, Watering Efficiently, Winter Landscape

Plant Status Change – Tropical Milkweed is Now Listed as a Category II Invasive

by Tia Silvasy
November 5, 2025

Tropical Milkweed is now Invasive! Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) was once a go to larval host plant for monarch butterflies. As of June 2025 the plant status has changed. It is now listed as invasive in the entire state ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Asclepias, Butterfly, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Tropical Milkweed, Tsilvasy

Agricultural Classification (a.k.a. Greenbelt)

by Allie Williams
October 9, 2025

One of the most common calls that I receive as an Extension agent is “How can I Greenbelt my land?” Agricultural Classification, commonly known as “Greenbelt,” is a land classification that provides (more…) READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Ag Exemption, Agricultural Classification, Agricultural Tax Assessment, Farm Management, Greenbelt

Using Records to Guide Farm Decisions

by Allie Williams
September 18, 2025

Have you ever wondered why last year’s production numbers were great, but this year is struggling? Have you evaluated year to year? It is not uncommon for (more…) READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Crops, Farm Management, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Farm, Farm Business, Farm Management, Farm Records, Livestock Management

Groundcovers for an Alternative Lawn

by Tia Silvasy
September 9, 2025

Lawns planted with turfgrass can require a lot of maintenance. Bahia grass is a drought-tolerant turfgrass with minimal pest and disease problems and a low nitrogen requirement. St. Augustinegrass has a high demand for water and fertilizer and ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Alternative Lawns, Groundcover, Hillsborough, Native, No Mow Lawns, Pollinator, Silvasy, Tampa

Growing Breadfruit

by Tia Silvasy
September 3, 2025

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a tropical tree that produces a large starchy fruit with flavor similar to baked bread, potato or plantain. Its origin is from the South Pacific where it has many names including 'ulu in Hawaiian, uto in ... READ MORE

Category: , Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Breadfruit, Florida, Tropical Fruit, Tsilvasy, Ulu

Success Story: UF/IFAS Extension Launches Pollinator Corridor in Tampa

by Tia Silvasy
August 3, 2025

UF/IFAS Extension and Hillsborough County Parks partnered to create a pollinator corridor in the Carrollwood neighborhood of Tampa, FL with funding from the ‘Viva Florida’ grant. The Florida Wildflower Foundation funds planting of native ... READ MORE

Category: , Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Butterflies, Hillsborough County, Native Plants, Pollinators, Success Story, Tampa, Wildflowers

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