What makes a place matter to us? Is it the landscape itself, the people we share it with, or the stories we carry from one generation to the next? In this episode of Roots in the Sunshine, I sat down with UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Relationships & Family, Research, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
A simple guide to diagnosing landscape problems before reaching for fertilizer. When plants start looking unhealthy, it's tempting to reach for a bag of fertilizer. Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering often seem like obvious ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Have you ever looked outside at your sunbaked patch of sandy soil in your yard and wondered why keeping turfgrass green fells like a full-time job? In Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County, urban development often leaves us with ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
When people think of scientific research, they often picture Bunsen burners, beakers, and scientists in white lab coats hunched over microscopes. But some of the most valuable data comes from community members observing the world around ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Relationships & Family, Research, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
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
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 ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
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
Equipped with binoculars, field guides, and AI technology, we set out for a crisp fall morning adventure at Alafia State Park. We discovered that today’s nature walk isn't just about what you can see, but what technology can help you hear, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, , Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Great Florida Pollinator Census - Hillsborough County Join us for the Great Florida Pollinator Census, a citizen science project where citizens record and upload data on the number and types of pollinators they see for two days on Aug. ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
In the late spring when it starts to get hot and dry in Central Florida you may notice some plants wilting and others thriving. This is a good time to consider remove plants that are not well suited for your landscape and replace with drought ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife