Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Forbs

by Jackie Lebouitz, Forest Hecker and Ashley Ellis

May 14, 2024

Low-Maintenance Forbs Forbs are herbaceous, flowering plants that you can use to bring a variety of colors and textures to your landscape. Keep reading to learn about some forbs that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Edible, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forbs, Herbs, Landscaping, Lml, Low, Low-maintenace, Low-maintenance Landscaping, Maintenance, Native, Pgm_Water, Pollinators

New Neighborhood Best Practices Program Provides Key Tools for Building Healthy Communities

by Ashley Ellis and Jackie Lebouitz

May 1, 2024

Are you a homeowner living within a Homeowners Association (HOA) or serving on its board? Managing common areas like landscaping, trees, and stormwater ponds effectively can often be a challenge. But, fret not! There's a new initiative tailored ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Coastal Systems, Community Gardens, Florida Certified Arborists, Florida Friendly, HOA, Irrigation, Pgm_Chemicals, Pgm_HortRes, Preservation Area, Stormwater Ponds, Trees, Urban Wildlife, Water Conservation, Water Quality

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Shrubs

by Jackie Lebouitz, Forest Hecker and Ashley Ellis

April 30, 2024

Low-Maintenance Shrubs Shrubs are a common addition to the landscape and are often used to outline the home and provide decoration near streets and sidewalks. While some are prized for their foliage, others are planted for their showy blooms. ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Edible, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Landscaping, Lml, Low, Low-maintenance Landscaping, Maintenance, Native, Pgm_Water, Pollinators, Use, Water

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Succulents

by Jackie Lebouitz, Forest Hecker and Ashley Ellis

April 16, 2024

Low-Maintenance Succulents Succulents are plants with thick leaves that easily retain water, making them well-adapted to drought-like conditions. They can add interesting textures and forms to the typical landscape, and some residents even ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Edible, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Landscaping, Lml, Low, Low-maintenace, Low-maintenance Landscaping, Maintenance, Native, Pgm_Water, Pollinators, Use, Water

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Vines

by Jackie Lebouitz, Forest Hecker and Ashley Ellis

April 2, 2024

Low-Maintenance Vines Vines are so versatile! Vines can be trained to grow on walls, fences, trellises, archways, and even trees. Keep reading to learn about some vines that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County. Note: The ... READ MORE

What Is That Lawn Ornament?! Florida Betony? A Crunchy Choice Edible!

by Forest Hecker

April 1, 2024

A handful of the "lawn ornaments" that will be featured in this blog series. Top row (left to right): sunshine powderpuff, perennial peanut, frogfruit, and daisy fleabane. Bottom row (left to right): manyflower pennywort, bay lobelia, Florida ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Turf
Tags: FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Horticulture, Landscape, Landscaping, Lawn, Pgm_HortRes

Can I Plant This? A Guide for Newcomers to Southwest Florida

by Ashley Ellis

April 1, 2024

Welcome to the lush landscapes of Southwest Florida! As you settle into your new home, you might find yourself drawn to the idea of adding some greenery to your surroundings. But before you start digging, it's essential to understand the unique ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Friendly, Master Gardener Volunteer, Native Plant, Pgm_HortRes, StarterKit

What Is That Lawn Ornament? DollarWEED? No, that is Manyflower Penny-wort!

by Forest Hecker

March 26, 2024

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn
Tags: FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscape, Landscaping, Lawn, Pgm_HortRes

Springtime Caterpillars

by Jackie Lebouitz

March 21, 2024

It's officially spring, and almost like clockwork, several seasonal caterpillars have begun to emerge from our trees...and may have found their way onto our walls, benches, and well, just about everywhere. While their presence may be a nuisance ... READ MORE