Category: Crops

FIELD TRIP: The Olive Grove, Brooksville, Florida

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 19, 2026

Written by MGV Cathy Keller September 16, 2026, was a break from the oppressive, drippy Central Florida heat. In contrast, it was sunny, breezy, and low humidity, so the outdoor visit was a delight! Husband and wife Cambren and Dede Davis ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Bonsai, Mushrooms, Olive Grove, Olive Oil, Olive Tree Bonsai, Olives

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

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

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

FIELD TRIP: Shared Harvest Garden

by Maria Quirico
January 16, 2026

>>>>>>>>>January 14, 2026For our first trip of 2026, 16 MGV and 2 students went to Shared Harvest Garden in Lady Lake, FL, a volunteer-run, non-profit community garden growing fresh produce for local charities ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Bank Donations, Fruit Tree, Gardening, Residential Horticulture, Vegetable Production

Butterfly Attractor: Passion Vine

by Maria Quirico
July 24, 2025

Passion Flower is a very special Florida Native Vine - it is a larval (caterpillar) host plant for two beautiful butterflies. What this means is that if you grow Passiflora incarnata, you will probably have a visit from Zebra Longwing and Gulf ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension

Year-Round Garden Planning in Central Florida: Vegetables & Herbs from A to Z

by Maria Quirico
December 17, 2024

Reminiscent of the Victory Gardens of World War II, Growing Vegetables and Herbs from Seed in Central Florida has again become a popular and practical delight. By carefully planting and maintaining your garden, it's ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension

Tackling the Challenge of Thrips in Greenhouse Pest Management

by Brooke Moffis
July 17, 2023

Introduction: In the early 2000s, I worked as a professional scout in a greenhouse and operated an integrated pest management program. My role involved scouting over 300 different species of food crops, exposing me to a myriad of pest species. ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Horticulture, Pests & Disease

Does Florida Have its Own Version of a Cranberry?

by Brandon White
November 21, 2022

Thanksgiving week is upon on us. It’s a time for giving thanks, spending time with family and enjoying good food. For the farm to table foodies out there, eating local is all the rage. One of the ingredients hard to find locally though, is ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES

How to Earn a Private Pesticide Applicator License

by Brooke Moffis
October 27, 2022

Do you need to apply restricted use pesticides to you or your employer’s farm or business? Do you produce an agricultural commodity such as food crops, or nursery and greenhouse plant materials, etc.? If you or your employer owns or leases ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Pesticide Applicator's License, Private Ag License

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