UF/IFAS
Extension Polk County

Bee resting on top of cluster of small yellow flowers

New Episode from Naturally Florida, “The Pollinator Puzzle: Who They Are & How To Help”

lara milligan
September 17, 2024

Pollinators are the unsung heroes of Florida’s ecosystems, supporting the reproduction of our flowering plants in urban, suburban and natural areas. Pollinator populations are declining, and organizations are urging people to take action ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Naturally Florida Podcast, Pollinator, Pollinator Gardens, Pollinators

New Episode from Naturally Florida: “I want to know, have you ever smelled the rain?”

lara milligan
September 10, 2024

If the title of this episode sounds familiar, you must be a Creedance Clearwater Revival (CCR) fan like Shannon is! Well, CCR might have actually been singing about seeing the rain but on today's episode of Naturally Florida, we're talking ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Naturally Florida Podcast, Petrichor, Rain, Smell, The Smell Of Rain

New Episode from Naturally Florida: “Pentastomes in Paradise: Invasive Parasite Plaguing Florida’s Snakes”

lara milligan
September 10, 2024

Snakes play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping rodent populations in check and supplying birds of prey with an excellent food source. But our snakes are facing a new threat, an invasive parasite, Raillietiella orientalis from Asia ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Invasive Parasite, Invasive Species, Naturally Florida Podcast, Parasite, Pentastomes, SLAM, Snake Lungworm

Atala Butterflies and Coontie Cycads: Signs of Damage and How to Protect the Butterflies


September 10, 2024

There have been Atala butterflies sightings in and around Polk County, and while there is much information on the butterfly and its history of near extinction, it is important for homeowners and landscape managers to be on the lookout when ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes, Wildlife
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Atala, Atala Butterfly, Ayasalonis, Butterflies, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Flowers, Gardening, Jschelb, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Wildlife

Florida Farm Pests: Spider Mites


September 10, 2024

Many arthropods are considered to be pests and can cause negative impacts on agricultural and nursery plants. The majority of these arthropods are insects. On the other hand, not all arthropod pests are insects and some of them may be confused ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida_Pests, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Mites, Pest_control, Plant Pests, Polk County, Polksmallfarms, Small Farms, Spider_mites, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Plagas de las Fincas de Florida: Ácaros (“Spider Mites”)


September 10, 2024

Muchos artrópodos se consideran plagas y pueden causar impactos negativos en los cultivos y a las plantas ornamentales. La mayoría de estos artrópodos son insectos. Sin embargo, no todas las plagas pertenecen al grupo de los insectos y algunas ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: En Espanol, Espanol, Florida Pests, IMP, Integrated Pest Management, Mites, Pest_control, Plant Pests, Polk County, Polksmallfarms, Small Farms, Spider_mites, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Create a Wattle in Your Yard

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September 5, 2024

Are summer storms dropping dead branches and twigs onto your yard? Recycle them and create a "wattle" fence!  Wattles, or hurdles, have been in use since the Middle Ages; originally used as portable fencing for grazing sheep. Over time, designs ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Master Gardener, Master Gardener Volunteer, Native Plants, Polk County, Polkgardening, UF/IFAS Polk County

Updates and Changes to the Florida Pesticide Examination Process


September 4, 2024

Pesticide applicators often rely on UF/IFAS Extension to obtain pesticide education, training, support, and to take their respective exams. All 67 county offices have historically offered free exams, through paper or using a computer. Due to ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Pesticide License, Pesticide Testing, Pesticide Training, Pesticides, Pesticide_applicator, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Actualizaciones y Cambios del Proceso de Examinación de Pesticidas de Florida


September 4, 2024

Los aplicadores de pesticidas a menudo dependen de “UF/IFAS Extension” para obtener educación, capacitación, apoyo sobre temas relacionados con pesticidas y para completar sus respectivos exámenes. Históricamente, las 67 oficinas de ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: En Espanol, Espanol, Pesticide License, Pesticide Testing, Pesticide Training, Pesticides, Pesticide_applicator, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County
Set of three photos: purple long beans in a hand, greens in a raised bed, and person planting a transplant into a garden.

Starting a Vegetable Garden in Central Florida: A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

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August 26, 2024

So you want to start a vegetable garden... Before you dig in, there are a few basic tips that will help you grow a successful vegetable garden in central Florida. From proper timing for seasonal vegetables, to soil prep, water, fertilizer, ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Vegetable Gardening, Your Central Florida Yard, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

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