Category: WORK & LIFE

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

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
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 Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
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

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

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 Science of Vitamin K: Small Nutrient, Big Impact

by Lori Johnson
May 11, 2026

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin providing the body support in blood clotting and bone health. You may have heard of Vitamin K and Vitamin K2, so what’s the difference? Vitamin K1 supports blood clotting; where Vitamin K2 helps in cardiovascular ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Vitamin K

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

Common Nutrient Gaps in Plant-Based Diets and How to Bridge Them

by Lori Johnson
April 14, 2026

Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular due to their health, environmental, and ethical benefits. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has been linked to lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Plant-based Diet

Iron-Rich Foods That Fight Fatigue and Boost Energy

by Lori Johnson
April 1, 2026

Do you feel sluggish in the morning or afternoon, even after a full night’s sleep? Fatigue could be your body’s way of asking for more iron. Iron is an essential mineral that helps your body produce energy and remain focused. You can boost ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition
Tags: Iron

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

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