UF/IFAS
UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Category: Home Landscapes

Carved pumpkin in a forest.

Halloween with a Horticultural Twist: Spider Mites and Poison Ivy


October 31, 2024

Halloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls and goblins, but the real fright might be lurking right under your nose. From destructive pests to dangerous weeds, these formidable foes can transform your greenery into a gruesome graveyard.   Fangs ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Chris Marble, Entomology, Halloween, Herbicide, Horticulture, Lance Osborne, Landscape Weeds, Pests, Poison Ivy, Spider Mites, Weed Identification, Weeds
various water features in Florida

Kayak Lunch & Learn at Rainbow River


September 20, 2024

Join us for an unforgettable journey on one of Florida's most pristine and beautiful rivers, Rainbow River. This is your chance to immerse yourself in nature while learning about our precious water resources and how to protect them. Event Highlights ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Education, Extension, FFL, Kayak, Landscape, Lunch And Learn, Nutrient Loadings, Rainbow River, Septic Systems, Springs
various water features in Florida

Water Wednesday Recap: Is Xeriscaping for Florida?


May 23, 2024

Are you curious about xeriscaping and how we can establish it in the Sunshine State? This Water Wednesday, Jamielyn Daugherty, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Urban Forestry Agent in Sumter County gave us an overview of xeriscaping and ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Ecosystem, Florida Friendly, Landscaping, Water Conservation, Water Wednesday, Xeriscaping

Participate in Our Lawn Fertilizing Survey and Win Exciting Prizes


January 31, 2024

Calling all Hernando County Residents! The UF/IFAS Extension is conducting a research project to gain insights into homeowners' knowledge and opinions regarding lawn fertilizing practices and fertilizer ordinances in Hernando County. Your perspective ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Fertilizer, Fertilizer Use, Lawn, Residential Landscape, Survey, Water
using a magnifying glass to scout for a caterpillar on a plant

CORE Training for Nurseries and Greenhouses


June 26, 2023

You told us that finding Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in CORE were hard to find. We listened and created an online class for you! The class is available 24/7, 365 days a year and costs only $30.00!! The money from this class will be ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: CEU, CEUs, Continuing Education Units, Core, Greenhouse, Nursery, Production Hortiuculture

Scientists warn of invasive plant pest; say early detection, reporting key


March 29, 2023

An invasive thrips species has started to wreak havoc in Florida. The insect was first detected in Florida in 2020 but has since spread significantly across the state. What once was isolated to greenhouses now has begun to harm a wide range ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Pests, Gardening, Invasive, Invasive Pests, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Ornamental Plant Industry, Ornamental Plants, Ornamentals, Pest, Pest Control, Pest Management, Pests, Thrips, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS Tropical Research And Education Center
Banner picture with citrus trees

Let’s Talk About Ag BMPs: Citrus Best Management Practices


February 22, 2023

In this Let's Talk About Ag BMPs, the University of Florida Active Learning Program interns Katherine Monagas and John Mashburn interviewed Dr. Tara Wade, Agricultural Resource Economist in the Food and Resource Economics Department, and researched ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, Water
Tags: Ag BMPs, Citrus, Economically Feasible, Let's Talk About Ag BMPs, Nature Resources, Water, Water Conservaiton, Water Quality

Plant Disease Update for Commercial Plant Producers


February 21, 2023

Cercospora leaf spots are a common issue affecting many ornamental crops like hostas, hydrangea, hibiscus, pansy, verbena, gardenia, and others. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, an increase in damage caused by the pathogen in Spathiyphyllum ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Cercospora Leaf Spots, Gardenia, Hibiscus, Hostas, Hydrangea, Ornamental, Ornamentals, Pansy, Pest, Pest And Disease, Plant Disease, Spathiyphyllum, Verbena

Be aware of these common toxic plants, experts say


February 1, 2023

Weeds and invasive plants can be a nuisance to a home or business landscape, and some of them are also toxic to people or animals. A new UF/IFAS publication details some of the most common poisonous plants found in Florida residential landscapes. Ingestion ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Awareness, Gardening, Landscape, Marble, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Poisonous Plants, Scouting, Toxic, Toxic Plants, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Weed Science

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