Category: Home Landscapes

Hurricane-damaged tree assessment – remove the tree or attempt restoration – that is the question

by Ralph Mitchell

October 10, 2022

The roof is fine, you have fixed the leaning fence and the floods have receded. Your landscape is in a relative mess, but your trees are giving you some real concerns. Can you make an informed decision on what needs to happen next related ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes
Tags: Charlotte County, Damaged Tree, Florida Certified Arborists, Hurricane, Hurricane Recovery

Pollinators: it’s not all about the bees

by Carol Wyatt-Evens

September 14, 2022

Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning? Or a perfectly ripe watermelon for dessert? Perhaps a tasty blueberry, strawberry, and banana smoothie? If so, then thank a pollinator. Pollinators play a vital role in supporting commercial ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Tags: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Insects, Pgm_Chemicals

Welcome to our new residential horticulture agent!

by Lee Hayes Byron

June 29, 2022

We are excited to announce that Ashley Ellis has joined UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County as our new residential horticulture agent. Ashley brings expertise, experience and energy to a position key to Sarasota County Extension and one of ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Pgm_Admin, Pgm_HortRes

Mosquito bite prevention

by Carol Wyatt-Evens

June 9, 2022

While venturing out for a walk with my dog yesterday evening, I made a big mistake. I did not apply insect repellent. Actually, it was a huge mistake. Within minutes, it was a battle for blood: me trying to keep it and the mosquitoes trying ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Insects, Landscape, Mosquito, Pest, Pgm_Chemicals, Urban Environment

Easy drip irrigation system repairs

by Jackie Lebouitz

May 25, 2022

Drip, or micro-irrigation, is a great choice for landscape beds. It is up to 50% more water-efficient than a traditional sprinkler system, and it provides water directly to the plant instead of applying spray in a "one size fits all" pattern. These ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Water
Tags: Drip, Grass, Home_irrigation_tips, Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, Maintenance, Microirrigation, Pgm_Water, Turf

Installing your wireless rain sensor

by Jackie Lebouitz

May 2, 2022

Rain Sensors Anyone living in Florida who uses an automatic irrigation system is required by law to have a fully operational rain shut-off device. These devices are crucial in preventing overwatering, which can lead to a number of issues ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Conservation, Irrigation, Lawn, Pgm_Water, Programming, Rain Sensor, Storm, Turf, Water

In gratitude…

by mhanak

April 29, 2022

When I talk with people out in the community, often they will say, "You have a pretty cool job!" While I agree with them and share that one downside of the job is sometimes spending more time on a computer than with plants, I happily point out ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Fruits & Vegetables, Work & Life
Tags: Community Gardens, Gratitude, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Gardens, School Gardens

Plants in Wonderland

by Marguerite Beckford

April 25, 2022

Although the ubiquitous orange carrot is actually the result of a mutation – most carrots were originally white, or sometimes purple – there are quite a few other interesting facts in the wonderland that is the world of plants. Strawberries ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Landscape, Pgm_HortComm, Plant, Shrub, Tree

3, 2, 1… Countdown to water conservation in your veggie garden

by mhanak

March 30, 2022

Nice weather for golfing, tennis, and boating likely means clear skies - great for you but not so much for your veggie plants. Likely your plants are hoping you remember to give them a drink of water. In many places- there is a phrase- April ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Fruits & Vegetables, Work & Life
Tags: Conserve, Garden, Pgm_Gardens, Preserve, Save, Vegetable, Vegetable Gardening, Water

How to use your rain gauge

by Jackie Lebouitz

March 22, 2022

Rain Gauges Ever heard of a rain gauge? No? Maybe you have an idea, but you aren't quite sure. Well, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn what a rain gauge is, how it works, and how easy it is to use one in your home landscape. What ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Conservation, Conserve, Irrigation, Pgm_Water, Preserve, Rain, Resources, Save, Water

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