Category: AGRICULTURE

It May Be a Little Pushy – But It Only Wants to Help

by Blog Assembler
September 12, 2026

Written by MGV Linda Knight While visiting the Discovery Gardens Rose Garden, I noticed a Corky-Stemmed Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) had pushed its tiny, pale yellow-green flower to the top of the perfectly trimmed Dwarf Yaupon ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Corky-Stemmed Passiflower, Florida Host Plant, Gulf Frittilary Butterfly, Julia Butterfly, Passiflora Suberosa, Zebra Longwing Butterfly

A Bluebird on Your Shoulder

by Blog Assembler
September 11, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Clubs & Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Attracting Bluebirds, Bird Baths, Eastern Bluebirds, Nest Building

Carol’s Commando Collection Kit

by Maria Quirico
August 26, 2026

Greenhouse Lead Carol's Commando Collection Kit Propagators of the World Unite! ( or just read on)At this week’s Summertime Meetup, MGV Carol Hoffman, Greenhouse Lead, regaled the assembled MGVs with some personal history and tricks of ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Greenhouse Lead, MGV Carol Hoffman, Plant Propagation

Florida Lawn Disease Control

by Maria Quirico
August 25, 2026

It is alarming to suddenly find brown/yellow patches in your lawn. Due to Florida’s hot Summer temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rains, you probably have a disease issue. Here are tools to identify fungal symptoms and make an educated ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, HOME LANDSCAPES, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida Lawn Diseases, Fungal Control, Fungal Disease, Fungicide, Identification, St. Augustine

What do Elephants have to do with Bee Fences?

by Maria Quirico
August 11, 2026

MGV Giles Paget-Wilkes, self-described multi-national citizen and lead of the Discovery Gardens apiary, gave a fascinating talk on the development of Bee Fences on Mount Elgon in Kenya to humanely ward off elephants (Bee Fences protect crops ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: African Bees, Bee Fences, Elephants, Human-Elephant Conflict, Kenya, Mount Elgon

Native Plants Play Key Role in Wildlife Gardens

by Maria Quirico
August 9, 2026

Native plants are increasingly promoted as a Cornerstone of wildlife-friendly gardening, but experts say gardeners do not need to limit themselves exclusively to native species to support pollinators and other wildlife. Native plants are included ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: Ecological Value, Florida Friendly Plants, Florida Native Plants, Low-maintenance, Non-invasive

Florida Lawn Weed Control

by Maria Quirico
August 6, 2026

How do we control Florida Lawn Weeds? We begin by identifying the weeds into three groups: Broadleaf Weeds, Grass Weeds and Sedge Weeds. To control common Florida lawn weeds, use a combination of proper lawn care practices, targeted chemical ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Chemical Control, Cultural Control, Dollarweed, Integrated Pest Manangement, Nonselective Herbicide, Preventative Control, Selective Herbicide, Torpedo Grass, Yellow Nutsedge

Identifying Florida Lawn Weeds

by Maria Quirico
August 6, 2026

The definition of a weed is any plant that is unwanted in your yard or garden. There are three types of weeds: broadleaf, grasses, and sedges. Identifying Weed Types is the first step in Control, and will assist in weed control methods. Broadleaf ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Broadleaf Weed, Crabgrass, Dandelions, Florida Lawn Weeds, Grass Weed, Sedge Weed, Yellow Nutsedge

Florida Weeds to Grow (Some are Great Butterfly Plants)

by Maria Quirico
August 6, 2026

A weed is a plant in an unwanted place. However, this depends on your point of view! Sometimes we are surprised that these weeds are host plants for butterflies. Host plants provide food for the caterpillars of these butterflies. Here are ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Butterfly Host Plants, Checkered White Butterfly, Dainty Sulphur Butterfly, Frogfruit, Great Southern White Butterfly, Porterweed, Spanish Needle, Tropical Buckeye Butterfly, Virginia Pepperweed, White Peacock Butterfly

Independence Day & Prickly Pear Cactus

by Maria Quirico
July 20, 2026

The Role of Opuntia and the Revolutionary War “The Redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming!” This famous historical warning from the American Revolutionary War refers to the approach of the British Army. In addition, British officers ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Crops, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Insects Affecting Plants, Mealy Bugs, Red Dye, Residential Horticulture

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