Shampoo ginger, also known as pinecone ginger or awapuhi (Zingiber zerumbet), is a fascinating and practical addition to any tropical garden. Not only does it bring an exotic touch to your landscape, but it also offers a natural, eco-friendly ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Last month, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County offered its first ever Dipnets and Donuts: Pond BioBlitz event. It was a great success, with several species spotted in our ponds at Twin Lakes Park. Participants worked in groups and used dipnets ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
I am delighted to announce registration is open for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer training program! If you're a Sarasota County resident, this is your chance to expand your horticultural knowledge, engage in meaningful community service, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Invasive Air Potato The air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) is an invasive vine in Florida, originally hailing from Africa and Asia. It was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s, likely for its ornamental uses. However, the plant quickly became ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Meet a Master Gardener Welcome to our "Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer" blog series, where we spotlight the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact in our community through their passion for horticulture and education. Today, we ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
There are more than 12,500 species of insects...in Florida, alone! For the average person, it can be difficult to distinguish between common, garden-variety ladybugs. And, it can be just as difficult to understand the difference between a "good" ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Florida's dry season can be a challenge for residential lawns and landscapes. The hot dry conditions can quickly deplete moisture from our sandy soils, leaving turf brown and landscape plants wilted. Because of these conditions, the dry season ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Turf, Water
Introduction to Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Whether you’ve recently moved to Florida or have lived here for years, you’ve likely faced gardening challenges. To help, local governments, regulatory agencies, landscaping professionals ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
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, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research