Category: Work & Life

Growing Seminole Pumpkin in Florida: From Seed to Harvest to Table

by Tia Saracino
May 19, 2026

Growing Seminole Pumpkin in Florida pumpkin is a great vegetable to grow in Florida's summer heat because it is heat tolerant. It's an heirloom vegetable that dates back to the native American times you can save the seeds from year to year. ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pumpkin, Roasting Pumpkin, Seed Saving, Vegetable, Vegetable Gardening

What to Know About Gift Taxes

by Lisa Leslie
April 3, 2026

A gift is a transfer of money or property made by a donor to another person without receiving full consideration in return. This article focuses on gifts made by a donor during their lifetime. The recipient of the gift does not pay federal ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Federal Income Tax Filing, Federal Tax, Form 709, Gift Tax, Income Tax, IRS Estate Tax

Did You Maximize 2025 Tax-Advantaged Contributions?

by Lisa Leslie
March 31, 2026

There is still time to make 2025 contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The deadline is this year’s tax filing deadline April 15, 2026. This is important because there is a limit on how much ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: HSA, Investing, IRA, Tax, Tax Deduction

Are You Over-Pruning Your Palms?

by Tia Saracino
March 29, 2026

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 been misinterpreted as the correct way ... 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

2026 Update: New Rules for Charitable Tax Deductions

by Lisa Leslie
February 23, 2026

For the recent past tax filing years , charitable contributions could only be deducted if you chose to itemize deductions. Most tax filers (about 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

Closing the loop: seed saving and roasting Seminole pumpkin

by Tia Saracino 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

Spring Vegetable Gardening Class

by Tia Saracino
February 2, 2026

Time to Plant your Spring Vegetable Garden Thursday, Feb. 12 from 10am - 11:30am - UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL Cost $12.50 per person Ready to grow your own fresh vegetables this spring? Join UF/IFAS ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Events, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agriculture, Class, Consuming Fruits And Vegetables, Edible Landscaping, Extension, Vegetable, Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetables

Vegetables to Grow in January in Your Central Florida Garden

by Tia Saracino
January 17, 2026

What to Grow in January 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 ... 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

Standard vs Itemized Deductions: Which Is Right for You?

by Lisa Leslie
January 9, 2026

A tax deduction reduces your taxable income. For example, if your income is $50,000 and you have $5,000 in deductions, your taxable income becomes $45,000. The benefit of a deduction depends on your marginal tax bracket—the rate applied ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Deduction, Federal Income Tax, Itemize, Itemized Deduction, Standard Deduction, Tax Deduction

Federal Income Tax Webinars: Updates, Resources and Planning

by Lisa Leslie
December 19, 2025

All are 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST, Cost = Free Jan 28, 2025: Federal Income Tax Updates Join us to review how new federal tax legislation – “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will affect individual tax filers. Our discussion will include ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Money Matters

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