UF/IFAS
Extension Sarasota County

Category: Lawn

Water Talk: Common Questions and Thoughtful Answers

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May 25, 2023

Water touches every aspect of our lives, and is at the heart of many questions we receive at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. This "Water Talk" blog series will answer some of the most commonly asked water-related questions. Our Master ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Water
Tags: Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteers, MGV, Pgm_Water, Plant Clinic, Pond, Regulation, Vegetation, Water, WaterTalk

Practicing pesticide safety


February 1, 2023

February is Pesticide Safety Education month.  Whether using a conventional chemicals or biorational chemicals, understanding how to use the product safely is universal.  No product is 100% safe.  Remember they are used to control, prevent, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Biorational, Environment, Horticulture, Landscape, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, Polinator, Pollinators

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A reasonable and responsible approach to pest control


January 11, 2023

You may have heard the term integrated pest management or the phrase ‘IPM’ tossed around in conversation by your pest control company, your landscape maintenance service, or even me - your local extension agent! So, you may be wondering ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: IPM, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, WaysToSave
Programming controller

Programming your controller


December 6, 2022

Taking charge of your own irrigation programming may seem daunting, but knowing how to use your system's controller is critical in making sure it's running efficiently throughout the year. Follow the steps below to program your controller. Know ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Conservation, Controller, How To, Irrigation, Manual, Pgm_Water, Programming, Restrictions, Timer, Water

Easy drip irrigation system repairs


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
Rain hitting rooftop

Installing your wireless rain sensor


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
Rain Gauge in Grass

How to use your rain gauge


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
Spray head watering turf

Save water and money with a free irrigation evaluation


January 28, 2022

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
Tags: Evaluation, Irrigation, Overwatering, Pgm_Water, Rotors, Sprayheads, Sprinklers, Turf, Turfgrass, Water, Yard
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]

Master Gardener Volunteers on… the orchid tree, a corsage for your yard


January 10, 2022

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
Tags: Bauhinia, Blakeana, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive, Invasive Plants, Master Gardener Volunteer, MGV, MGVblog, Pgm_Admin, Pothos, UFSaraExt_MGV

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