Category: Home Landscapes

Native Plants to Protect the Tampa Bay Watershed

by Tia Silvasy
July 11, 2024

Thanks to a $5,000 bay-mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County was able to develop a Bay Friendly Landscaping program. Educational classes were offered to teach residents about protecting the environment ... READ MORE

Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Native Plants, Tampa Bay, Tsilvasy, Urban Wildlife, Water, Water Quality, Watershed, Wildlife

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities: Trees on Property Lines

by Michael J. Masucci
July 9, 2024

Trees can be a beautiful addition to any property, but they can also be a source of conflict between neighbors. It's important to understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to trees on or near property lines. Let's break down ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-friendly Landscaping, Hillsborough County, Hoa, Landscape, Master Gardener, Trees

How to select a Cover Crop?

by Wael Elwakil
June 26, 2024

Cover crops are planted during the off-season after the main commodity for various benefits. So..., what are the characteristics of a good cover crop? Requires only a short period to grow so that it doesn’t interfere with the main ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research

Key Changes for HOAs Under House Bill 1203

by Michael J. Masucci
June 14, 2024

House Bill 1203, signed into law on May 31, 2024 and effective July 1, 2024, introduces significant changes for homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Florida. Here are the key updates that residents and association members need to be aware ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension

Panama Berry Tree: Muntingia calabura

by Tia Silvasy
June 11, 2024

The panama berry tree (Muntingia calabura) goes by many names such as strawberry tree, jam fruit tree, and cotton candy berry. The Panama berry is a tropical fruit tree with a strawberry looking flower and sweet edible fruits that taste like ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Edible Landscape, Fruit, Mutingia, Panama Berry Tree, Shrub, Strawberry Tree, Tree, Tropical, Tsilvasy

Edible Landscaping in Central Florida

by Tia Silvasy
June 6, 2024

View the recording of the Edible Landscaping for Central Florida webinar on YouTube. The concept of edible landscaping primarily applies to growing vegetables, herbs and fruit trees in a way where it fits in with your home landscape. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Compost, Edible Landscaping, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Food, Fruit, Herbs, Irrigation, Soil, Tsilvasy, Vegetable

Tropical Milkweed and OE

by Tia Silvasy
June 1, 2024

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is commonly found in garden centers and is easy to grow. However, recent research has suggested that gardeners should avoid tropical milkweed and plant native species instead. Unlike native milkweeds ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Butterflies, Butterfly Garden, Florida, Florida Native Plants, Milkweed, Monarch, Native Plants, OE, Pollinators

Polymeric Sand and FFL Principle #8: Reduce Stormwater Runoff.

by Michael J. Masucci
May 29, 2024

Landscaping choices play a vital role in environmental sustainability. Each decision, from plant selection to paving materials, influences the health of our outdoor spaces. Polymeric sand is a common choice for filling paver joints, but does ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water

Water Conservation During Drought

by Tia Silvasy
May 27, 2024

When it's hot and dry out it is important to think of water conservation. In Florida, more than 50% of our potable water is used for lawns and landscapes in residential housing. The goal is to keep our plants alive, while conserving water. ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Central Florida, Desalinization, Drinking Water, Drought, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Hillsborough, Landscape, Lawn, Population, Potable Water, Tampa, Tsilvasy, Water Conservation

Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry Tree for your Edible Landscape

by Tia Silvasy
May 22, 2024

There are just some fruits that aren't locally available at grocery stores because of their short shelf life. The mulberry is one of them. The 'Dwarf Everbearing' mulberry is an excellent choice as a Florida-Friendly fruit tree for your edible ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Edible, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Food, Landscaping, Tsilvasy

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