Category: Conservation

Can Florida Gardens Help Prevent Flooding?

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
October 9, 2026

As Florida experiences stronger storms, heavier rainfall, and more frequent flooding events, homeowners are looking for practical ways to protect their properties. One surprising solution may already be right outside the door: the garden. ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Flooding, Rain Garden, Sustainability

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

FIELD TRIP: Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, FL

by Maria Quirico
May 31, 2026

Fourteen Master Gardener Volunteers (and family) toured Nehrling Gardens in May 2026. Theresa Schretzmann-Myers (Board of Directors Vice President) was our excellent tour guide. Ms. Theresa fed us history, facts, stories, and anecdotes in ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Attract Wildlife, Botanical Garden, Conservation, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Plants, Sustainability

The Florida Lubber Grasshopper

by Maria Quirico
April 21, 2026

The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera, is a destructive pest in Florida. The large, 2-3" yellow-tawny adults have short wings (microptera) making them unable to fly. Consequently, their common name, “lubber” comes from the ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Insects Affecting Plants, Invasive Species, Residential Horticulture

Landscape Fabric was a Garden Mishap!

by Maria Quirico
March 29, 2026

Landscape fabric is called weed barrier or garden cloth. It is a textile typically made from synthetic polypropylene or polyester. I put landscape fabric in all of the beds around my house at the recommendation of the landscape service I was ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Landscape Fabric, Mulch, Residential Horticulture

Good Natives for a Butterfly Garden

by Maria Quirico
March 4, 2026

As spring approaches, gardeners often rush to buy whatever they can find to fill a butterfly garden with color. But the best butterfly gardens contain as many native plants as possible to attract butterflies and other pollinators.Butterflies ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: Attract Wildlife, Butterfly Gardening, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Florida Plants, Pollinator Garden, 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

Discovery Gardens: The Grape Arbor

by Maria Quirico
January 12, 2026

The 9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) are guidelines from UF/IFAS to create beautiful, water-wise landscapes that protect Florida's natural resources. The Grape Arbor Garden exemplifies the FFL Principles by using less water, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Backyard Fruit, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Gardening, Grapes, Residential Horticulture

Grow more Keystone Plants? … Here is a pictorial list!

by Maria Quirico
December 27, 2025

Keystone Plants for Central Florida Planting native species is an excellent first step toward attracting beneficial insects. In his influential book Nature’s Best Hope, author, conservationist, and entomologist Douglas Tallamy explains ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Clubs & Volunteers, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Discovery Gardens, Doug Tallamy, Keystone Plants, Native Florida Plants, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees

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