As a horticulture educator, I spend a lot of time talking about plants—how to grow them, how to care for them, and how those simple acts can be nourishing for us as humans. Gardening gets us outside, puts our hands in the soil, and reminds ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Horticulture, Recreation, UF/IFAS, Work & Life
At UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, we've been cultivating a "Food Forest" to showcase the most productive, unique, and often-underutilized fruits suited to our distinctive, Southwest Florida climate. Through this project, we aim to inspire ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Work & Life
One of the most rewarding ways to get Suncoast Grown & Gathered honey? Starting your own backyard beehive! Whether you’re interested in harvesting your own honey or boosting pollination for your foodscape, beekeeping in Florida can ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we've been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this project, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Are you passionate about plants, sustainable landscapes, and community education? The UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office is now accepting applications for the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) training course! We’re looking for ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Ingredients For rainy season to kick off, a few conditions need to be met. The sea surface temperature (SST) needs to reach a certain degree Fahrenheit, as does the daily dew point. A semi-high pressure system, called the Bermuda High, needs ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we've been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this project, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
This week (May 18-24) is Florida Water Reuse Week! To celebrate, let's highlight the vital role of reclaimed water in conserving our precious water resources and protecting the environment. Reclaimed water—treated former domestic wastewater—is ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, Water
At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we’ve been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this project, ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Sometimes you are blessed to work with wonderful people, and get to call them friends, too. Sometimes this leads to some heartbreak when they leave us. Our dear Wilma Holley, our master gardener volunteer and recently retired Florida Friendly ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture