Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping

A field of cogongrass - ubiquitous in a field.

Can invasive plants increase tick exposure risk? Scientists reveal a surprising link to human health

by Lourdes Mederos
November 12, 2025

An invasive grass found on almost every continent and considered a pest in 73 countries isn’t just weeding out native plants, it is creating a haven for disease-carrying ticks and raising public health risk concerns. A new University of ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Agronomy Department, Ask IFAS, Cogongrass, Conservation Efforts, Disease, Drew Hiatt, Entomology And Nematology, Forest, Health, Human, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasion Science, Invasion Science Institute, Invasive Species, Lakeland, Lime Disease, Luke Flory, Mosquito, News, Rick, Southeast United States, Tick-borne, U.S> Forestry Service, UF, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida
Palm trees growing in Coral Springs BLOG banner

Nov. 5: UF’s palm tree team brings science, solutions to South Florida at Palm Short Course in Davie and online

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2025

Florida’s palm trees don’t just define the Sunshine State’s skylines. They are a cornerstone of the state’s environment and economy. Yet, pests, diseases and nutrient issues can make it tough to keep the many varieties healthy. To ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, Crops, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arborists, Conservation, Entomology And Nematology, Environmental Horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Growers, Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Mica McMillan, News, Nutrients, Palm, Palm Disease, Palm Tree Short Course, Property Managers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida
A gardener planting flowers in garden bed.

Grow local, join UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteer Program Open House on Nov. 15

by Lourdes Mederos
October 14, 2025

Whether you are a seasoned green thumb or just beginning to dig into the seeds of gardening, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has the perfect way to cultivate that passion. Mark your calendars ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Conservation, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Environmental Horticulture, Extension Broward Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Garden, Green Thumb, Horticultural Sciences, Horticulture, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, News, Open House, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, UF/IFAS Urban Horticulture Broward, Urban Horticulture
St. Lucie AgXtension vendors.

New Date: UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie Ag-Xtension Fall Festival moved to Nov. 15

by Lourdes Mederos
October 7, 2025

Due to forecasts of inclement weather this weekend, the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie Ag-Xtension Fall Festival originally scheduled for Oct. 11 has been postponed to Nov. 15. Bring your families and friends to celebrate the season in cooler ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, 4-H Clubs, 4-H Extension St. Lucie, Ag-Xtension Fall Festival, Booths, Butterfly Garden, Everglades Equipment Group, Fall, Farm, Festival, Florida 4-H, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gardening, Grantly Ricketts, Hayrides, Nature Trail, News, Open House, Plant Sale, Pony Rides, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department, St. Lucie County Transportation & Planning, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, University Of Florida, Workshops
A little child holding a paper representation of a family

Nelson es galardonada con el premio nacional a la excelencia por su trabajo en Extensión comunitaria

by Luz Bahder
October 2, 2025

Creado por Brad Buck, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas para UF/IFAS.  Tras casi una década fortaleciendo a las familias de Florida a través de la educación y la divulgación, la dedicación de Nelly Nelson la ha hecho merecedora ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Blog Community, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Disaster Preparation, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: Agente De Extension, APLU, Ciencias De La Familia Y Del Consumidor, Consumidor, Crianza, Desarrollo Juvenil, Diferencia Positiva, Distrito Suroeste De Extensión De UF/IFAS, Educacion, Espanol, Extension, Familia, Finanzas, Florida, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Habitos Alimenticios, Homeflow, Honor, Impacto, Liderazgo, Manatee, Maternidad, Nelly Nelson, Nicole Walker, Parejas, Parejas Inteligentes, Paternidad, Premio, Premio A La Excelencia En Extensión Del 2025, Programa Flujo De Hogar, Programación Innovadora, Reconocimiento, Relaciones, Relaciones De Pareja, Seguridad Alimentaria, Smart Couples, Spanish, Traducido Al Español, UF/IFAS, Universidades Públicas Y De Concesión De Tierras, University Of Florida Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Vocación, Voluntariado
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a genus of flowering plants.

UF/IFAS warns of emerging pest threatening South Florida crops: Two-spot cotton leafhopper detected

by Lourdes Mederos
September 15, 2025

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is alerting growers to a new pest of concern making its mark in South Florida farms and nurseries: the invasive two-spot cotton leafhopper. Measuring ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Acarology, Alexandra Revynthi, Cotton, Entomology And Nematology, FDACS, Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services Division Of Plant Industry, Flowers, Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flowers, Home Gardens, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, News, Okra, Ornamental Hibiscus, Peanut, Plant Pathology, Potato, Soybean', Sunflower, Tropical Hibiscus, Tropical Research And Education Center, Two-spot Cotton Leafhopper, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, University Of Florida
Multiple rows of vegetables growing in a field.

Cómo una agente de Extensión de UF/IFAS está trabajando junto a los residentes para hacer del condado de St. Lucie un lugar más verde

by Luz Bahder
September 15, 2025

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Desde los jardines domésticos hasta los esfuerzos de conservación a nivel de condado, Sara Salgado MacDonald colabora ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Acacia, Acacia Auriculiformis, Avispa, Capacitar, Control Biologico, Ecuador, Espanol, Extensión De UF/IFAS, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Horticultura, Horticultura Urbana, Huertos De Hortalizas, Huertos Familiares, Insectos, Master Gardener, Organización Internacional Para El Control Biológico, Premio Global Al Desarrollo Profesional Temprano, Premio Robert O'Neil A La Estudiante De Doctorado Destacada En Control Biológico, Sara Salgado MacDonald, Spanish, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Condado De Saint Lucie
A picture after fieldwork, moving Brazilian pepper debris alongside Beth Curry

How one UF/IFAS Extension agent is planting the seeds for a greener St. Lucie County – together with residents

by Lourdes Mederos
September 15, 2025

From backyard gardens to countywide conservation, Sara Salgado MacDonald is helping St. Lucie County residents grow greener, healthier landscapes. As an urban horticulture Extension agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, Community Volunteers, Conservation, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Biological Control, Entomology And Nematology, Environmental Horticulture, Florida Vegetable Gardening, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Herb Gardening, Horticultural Sciences, Horticulture, IFAS, Insects, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive, Master Gardener Volunteer Program, News, Pollinators, Robert O’Neil Award For Outstanding Ph.D. Student In Biological Control 2023, Sara Salgado MacDonald, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, University Of Florida, Urban Horticulture, Vegetable Gardening
A damaged roof with a large tree branch leaning against it, with a house in the background.

Is your landscape ready for a major storm? UF experts provide top tips to maintain a resilient landscape

by Lourdes Mederos
September 10, 2025

Hurricane season is part of life in Florida, but the damage isn’t limited to roofs and windows. Trees, lawns and landscapes also can take a major hit that may lead to costly repairs. After hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024, residential ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Arborist, Coastal, Commercial Horticulture, Flying Debris, Garden Tools, Hurricane, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, International Society Of Arboriculture, ISA, ISA Trees Are Good.org, Landscape, Michael Orfanedes, Outdoor Furniture, Patio, Potted Plants, Prune, Pruning, Saltwater Intrusion, South Florida Landscape, Storm Season, Storms, Tree Damage, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Tree Treimming, Trees, Tropical Storms, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, University Of Florida, Unpruned, Wind Damage, Yard
Homemade candles with herbs and orange slices on a wooden surface

Investigadores en Florida aclaran la efectividad de las plantas contra mosquitos

by Luz Bahder
August 6, 2025

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Al llegar a uno de los meses más intensos del verano en Florida, también se alcanza el punto más alto de la temporada ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Aceite, Aceite Natural, Acumulaciones De Agua, Agua Estancada, Apoyo Ecológico., Citronela, Control, Criadero De Mosquitos, Disuadir, Efectividad, Enfoque Integral De Control, Espanol, Estrategias De Control De Mosquitos, Eucalipto, Eva Buckner, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Gambusia, Insecto, Jardin, La Albahaca, La Citronela, La Lavanda, La Menta, Larvas, Las Caléndulas, Liah Continentino, Lorna Bravo, Manejo Del Hábitat, Mosquito, Patio, Picadura De Mosquito, Plantas Repelentes De Mosquitos, Poblaciones, Protección Personal, Repelente, Reproducción De Mosquitos, Spanish, Temporada De Lluvias Y Mosquitos, University Of Florida, Velas, Zancudos

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