![a pollen-coated bee sits on a yellow-and-brown flower. [credit: pixabay.com, joszef szabo]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/09/2022_Chems_beePollenFlower01_pixabaySzaboJozsef_CROP1338x357TINY.png)
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
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
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
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
If you’re like me, then there’s a tree in your neighborhood that provides you with a sense of 'grounding' - a connectivity to life's natural rhythm. That sense of connectivity is just one of the many life-sustaining benefits which trees ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests
by Alia Garrett, Siri Khalsa, Jackie Lebouitz, and Maria Rometo Now more than ever, every penny counts. Read our tips below to see some easy ways to save money and resources at home. Tips Turn off your lights, fans, and electronics ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
Treejuvenation Florida is a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County urban forestry program that aims to increase community engagement in activities which promote the benefits of trees, and help residents to recognize and appreciate their tree ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Home Irrigation is the #1 Water Waster in Florida Many homeowners are not aware of how much water they may be using on irrigation. System inefficiencies can cause plant stress and money to go down the drain. A free irrigation evaluation by ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Water
Each year, on the third Friday in January, Sarasota County's UF/IFAS Extension & Sustainability Dept. celebrates Florida’s State Arbor Day. Since 2018, the County's urban forestry Extension program Treejuvenation Florida, has marked the ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Horticulture, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life![Closeup of a Bauhinia x blakeana "orchid tree" blooms. [CREDIT: "Unha-de-vaca" by Mauricio Mercadante (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0), via Flickr.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/01/2021_Blogs_MGVSeries_12Bauhinia_xblakeana_flickr02MercandanteMauricioCROP1338x357TINY.png)
By Karen Pariser Master Gardener Volunteer Program team member Looking for an amazing pop of color and texture in your Florida yard? Consider the impact of a flowering tree. Specifically, the orchid tree. Bauhinia basics A member of the ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn