Category: Agriculture

Close-up of a lawn sprinkler spraying water across green grass during landscape irrigation.

Your Landscape Is Thirsty–But Maybe Not as Thirsty as You Think

by Margaret Stewart
September 25, 2026

As the weather cools in Northwest Florida, we pull out jackets, enjoy cooler mornings, and watch our landscapes begin to slow down. But there is one fall chore that is easy to forget: Change the irrigation schedule. That sprinkler timer ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: EPA WaterSense, Fall Irrigation, Florida Gardening, Florida Lawns, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening In The Panhandle, Home Landscaping, Irrigation, Irrigation Management, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Watering, Lawn Care, Northwest Florida, Panhandle Gardening, Seasonal Watering, Smart Irrigation, Turfgrass, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Conservation, Water-Wise Landscaping, WaterSEnse, Winter Irrigation
Children and an adult plant a young tree togethr in a shaded park, placing the root ball into the soil beneath mature trees.

A Tree Is an Investment in Your Home and Health

by Margaret Stewart
September 18, 2026

A healthy tree is much more than a pretty part of the yard. Trees provide shade, lower energy costs, manage rainwater, support wildlife and improve air quality. They may also increase property value and support our physical and mental health. These ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Air Quality, Carbon Dioxide Reduction, Carbon Storage, Climate Resilience, Energy Savings, Environmental Benefits, Florida Gardening, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening In The Panhandle, Home Landscaping, Mental Health, Native Trees, Northwest Florida, Okaloosa County, Panhandle Gardening, Physical Health, Pollinators, Property Value, Shade Trees, Stormwater Management, Sustainable Landscaping, Tree Benefits, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat
Professional lawn care worker mowing a healthy green residential lawn, with a landscaping service truck and maintained shrubs in the background

How to Choose the Right Green Industry Professional for Your Lawn and Landscape

by Margaret Stewart
August 24, 2026

Your lawn and landscape are an investment. A healthy yard can increase your home's value, save water, and make your property more enjoyable. But choosing the right company is important. The lowest price is not always the best value. A trained ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Choosing A Lawn Care Company, Environmental Protection, FDACS, Fertilization, Fertilizer Certification, Florida Homeowners, Florida Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, FNGLA, Gardening In The Panhandle, GI-BMP, Green Industries Best Management Practices, Hiring A Landscaper, Home Landscaping, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Irrigation, ISA Certified Arborist, Landscape Design, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Professionals, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Professionals, Panhandle Gardening, Pest Management, Pesticide Licensing, Pesticide Safety, Plant Health, Professional Lawn Care, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Conservation, Weed Control
Three magnified images of a gallinipper mosquito (Psorophora ciliata), a large floodwater mosquito common in Florida after heavy rains. The insect has a dark body, long legs with pale bands, and clear wings

When the Rain Brings the Giants

by Margaret Stewart
June 24, 2026

After the heavy rain in Northwest Florida, many people have noticed large mosquitoes called gallinippers. Psorophora ciliata often seems to appear all at once after storms or flooding. These mosquitoes are a normal part of Florida’s environment. ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Flooding, Floodwater Mosquitoes, Florida Panhandle, Gallinippers, Havy Rainfall, Insect Pest, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Larvicides, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Prevention, Mosquitoes, Northwest Florida, Psorophora Ciliata, Public Health Pests, Standing Water, Summer Pests, UF/IFAS Extension

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