Category: UF/IFAS Teaching

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. What are Native ... 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 the weed type will assist in weed control methods. Broadleaf Weeds Broadleaf Weeds ... 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

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 FL. The large, 2-3" yellow-tawny adults have short wings (microptera) making them unable to fly. Their common name, “lubber” comes from the old English word ... 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 and food pantries, located at 700 Oak ... 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 by using less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, focusing on choosing the Right ... 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

Backyard Bird Attractors: Feeders and Seed

by Maria Quirico
November 25, 2025

When you establish a Wildlife-Friendly Landscape with Florida Native Plants, you will provide a natural food source for your birds, nesting opportunities, and a habitat that requires little maintenance. However, homeowners love to supplement ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Conservation, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, , Welcome

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