Category: UF/IFAS Research

Books and Blooms: A Native Pollinator Garden Takes Root at the Winter Park Library

by Heather Kalaman
April 28, 2025

Welcome to the brand new UF/IFAS Extension Orange County & Winter Park Library Native Pollinator Garden! Located just over the bridge at the Winter Park Library, this garden is a collaborative partnership among Dr. Heather Kalaman with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Blog Community, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, , WORK & LIFE
Tags: FL Natives, Florida Native Bees, Florida Native Plants, Landscaping Alternatives, Native Bunch Grass, Native Flowers, Native Landscaping, Native Plants, Ocextension, Pollinator, Pollinator Friendly, Pollinator Plants, Pollinators, Wildflower, Wildflowers

Ambrosia Beetles: Small Insects, Big Impact

by Heather Kalaman
December 6, 2024

Ambrosia beetles are small, yet impactful, insects in Florida, playing both beneficial and harmful roles in local ecosystems. Our state is home to both native and invasive species, which aid in breaking down dead wood, contributing to nutrient ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Avocado Tree, Beetles, Florida Friendly, Florida Friendly Landscaping Agent, Pests, Plant Pests, Sustainable Landscape, Tree Pests

Golden Rain Tree: The Allure of the Invasive Intruder

by Heather Kalaman
November 6, 2023

It is officially fall in Florida. Temperatures are dropping, the holidays are just around the corner, and *gasp* the notorious golden rain trees have finally set fruit! Oh, you know the one. Adorned with sprawling limbs covered in peach-colored, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Ornamentals, Invasive Plants, Ornamentals, Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Meet Orange County’s Newest UF/IFAS Extension Agent!

by Heather Kalaman
May 18, 2023

Hey there! My name is Heather Kalaman, and I am the new Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and Residential Horticulture Agent here at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. I started this position in mid-April and thought I would take a moment to ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Doctor Of Plant Medicine, DPM, FFL, Florida Friendly, Florida Friendly Landscaping Agent, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture Agent, Ocextension, Residential Horticulture

Chasing the Worm, Identifying the Species–Mezcal Science

by Hannah Eason
April 10, 2023

Did you know that nobody knew what kind of worm was in mezcal? Recently, UF entomologists chased the worm all the way to the agave farms making mezcal in Mexico. Mezcal is a growing industry, and while it has been consumed for hundreds of ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Agave, Bug, Caterpillar, Cflandscapes, Cinco De Mayo, Cool, Discovery, Enews, Entomology, Ethnobotany, Farm, Farmer, Hwooten, Id, Identification, Insect, Interesting, Landscape, Larvaw, Liquor, Mexico, Mezcal, Natural History, Ocextension, Ornamental, Pest, Salud, Science

Subscribe For More Great Content