A few remaining orchids hang from a shadehouse.

Short-term Hurricane Preparation for Commercial Nurseries


March 24, 2026

As our oceans warm, hurricanes are becoming more intense and slower-moving, resulting in greater potential damage from heavy winds and flooding. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Southeast Climate Hub developed a series of guides specifically ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Disaster, Disaster Preparation, Green Industry, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparedness, Martin County, Safety, Storms, UF/IFAS Extension
Extension faculty in the field installing a soil moisture sensor in a vegetable crop

Soil Moisture Sensors for Treasure Coast Farms and Nurseries


March 11, 2026

The challenge of irrigation management Farmers and nursery growers have to carefully manage water supply for their crops. Too much or too little irrigation can damage or stress the crop, making it more vulnerable to weed competition, insect ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water
Tags: #IFASWater, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Conservation, Environment, Martin County, Small Farms, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Water Quality
a residential lake shoreline planted with low maintenance flowers and shrubs

FFL in Martin County: Calo Residence


January 22, 2026

Introduction Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. Landscapes ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Commercial Horticulture Digest, Environment, Ffl In Martin County, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Quality
Golden Gate community marker sits within the roadway median recognized as a Florida-Friendly Landscaping Gold project. The recognition flag is displayed.

FFL in Martin County: Golden Gate Median


January 21, 2026

Introduction Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. Landscapes ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water
Tags: #IFASWater, Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Ffl In Martin County, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Horticulture, Martin County, Soil Health, UF/IFAS Extension
flowers and leaves of beach dune sunflower bordering a neighborhood road

FFL in Martin County: Rio Bioswale


January 21, 2026

Introduction Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. Landscapes ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: #IFASWater, Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Conservation, Environment, Ffl In Martin County, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Green Industry, Horticulture, Indian River Lagoon, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Quality
Interpretive sign for the stormwater pond parcel at the Ripple project.

FFL in Martin County: Ripple Stormwater Eco-Art Project


January 21, 2026

Introduction Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) promotes nine principles to protect water resources in designing and maintaining landscapes. The practices can be applied at scales ranging from individual yards to parks to communities. Landscapes ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: #IFASWater, Coastal Shoreline Restoration, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Ffl In Martin County, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Sea Grant, Green Industry, Indian River Lagoon, Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
a farm field is shown covered in frost

Cold Weather Monitoring Tools Available through FAWN


January 16, 2026

This blog was co-authored with Rick Lusher, FAWN Project Manager. The Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) maintains a network of weather stations across the state of Florida. They make the data available to assist growers in managing ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Cold Protection, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Disaster Preparation, Martin County, Small Farms, UF/IFAS Extension
Pond shoreline with colorful flowers and vegetation.

Landscape Professionals: Add “Florida-Friendly” to your resume


December 12, 2025

Many of the landscape professionals I've spoken with have shared that they value licensing and certifications. Expanding their professional qualifications allows them to stand out as a leader in their field, earn the respect of their peers and ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Environment, Featured, Green Industry, Horticulture, Indian River Lagoon, Martin County, Special Topics, UF/IFAS Extension
A field of squash, with leaves and blossoms.

Sustainable Agriculture Grants and Reports for Producers


November 7, 2025

The Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program provides technical and financial resources for growers nationwide, including here in Martin County. A few years ago, I was able to meet a couple of producers who made good use ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Martin County, Small Farms, Smallfarms, Small_farms, UF/IFAS Extension
a brassica leaf is being turned over to reveal an armyworm mid instar, which is a dark colored caterpillar

The benefits of an early start in scouting vegetable crops


October 31, 2025

Vegetable production season brings a bounty of food for us and, unfortunately, also for crop pests. Thankfully, many naturally occurring beneficial insects, fungi, nematodes, wildlife, and other organisms (AKA beneficials) find their food forest ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture Digest, Insects, IPM, Martin County, Small Farms, UF/IFAS Extension

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