Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program
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Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program
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Research-based info on caring for plants and landscapes in a Florida-Friendly way. From the University of Florida's IFAS Extension.
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You probably know that trees provide shade for your home, but did you know they also cool air temperatures, filter water and increase property values? Trees provide many ecosystem services that save money and even improve wellbeing. Learn more at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/TQ4f1vh
Photo of sunbeams streaming through trees with text "moderate air temperature and reduce heat illnesses" Photo of a shaded home landscape with native plants, grasses and trees, with text "increase property value of homes" Photo of man in a kayak on a Florida river past a stand of cypress trees with the text "reduce soil erosion, flooding and stormwater runoff" Photo of the glossy green leaves of a magnolia tree and a white magnolia flower, with the text "improve mental health and wellbeing"
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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There’s a lot of terminology out there when discussing water quality. This new UF/IFAS publication explains “concentrations” and “loads,” what they are, and why we should care: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...
SL532/SS747: Water Quality Notes: What are concentrations and loads, and why do they matter?
Water quality is a broad term used to describe a range of physical, chemical, and/or biological characteristics of water. Many different factors contribute to water quality. The decision of whether th...
edis.ifas.ufl.edu
November 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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Shumard oak is a native tree ideal for urban landscapes. It tolerates drought, compacted soils, air pollution and poor drainage. And after providing shade in the summer, its leaves turn a burnished reddish-orange in fall. More on Shumard oak at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/tgWwvPk
November 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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In this gratitude-filled issue of the Neighborhood Gardener, we extol the virtues of trees (including providing refuge for wildlife), frolic in the fall foliage of Shumard oaks and remember that plants connect us, even across oceans. November's newsletter at our website: buff.ly/H0hwtIZ
Beautiful hawk perched in a tree, looking quizzically at the camera. The bird has a tan and white chest that darkens at the head, with black and white wings.
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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It's time to winterize the water garden. Avoid cleaning ponds until spring; this allows frogs and snails to burrow in the organic matter and maintains bacterial cycles. You can also feed your fish less frequently in the winter. More on pond care at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/fpMzgk2
A lush koi pond surrounded by rocks and greenery with a little waterfall and lily pads; fish are visible below the water's surface.
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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Terrariums bring gardening indoors and and making one is fun project to do with kids! Small, slow-growing plants are best. Decorate with rocks or driftwood. Ta-da! This Ask IFAS publication will show you how, step by step: buff.ly/tfOwol5
A professionally created terrarium made up of a large barrel-shaped glass container with a cork lid. Inside are several miniature versions of popular foliage plants in a top layer of dark soil and a bottom layer of coarse sand or gravel.
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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Today we honor all who have served. Thank you, veterans, for your courage and dedication to our country.
Active duty military mother in camo uniform hugs her three daughters in front of their home. Photo from the 2015 UF/IFAS Extension Calendar.
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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If you are in an area predicted to reach freezing temperatures, don't forget to protect your plants! Remember, ghosts not lollipops: use a cloth to cover the plant all the way down to the soil. buff.ly/ZGWQSCG
Cover the plant with cloth down to the ground to trap radiant heat (ghost); do not use plastic or section off the plant, leaving the trunk or stems exposed (lollipop).
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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Asteraceae is an enormous family of plants, including asters. Of the 400+ species of asters found in Florida, 41 of them are *only* found here! We've shared a few asters, but visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions to learn of a few more surprising members of the family: buff.ly/AttADOm
Echinacea comes in many colors but this one is fuchsia with a red-tinged center being visited by a bee. The flowers of Elliot's aster are small, with thin, spindly, light purple petals and a fuzzy yellow center. Coreopsis is Florida's state wildflower. This one has bright yellow petals with ragged tips and a band of maroon at towards the center which is fuzzy and yellow. A tiny ladybug rests on a petal. Blanket flower is also called gaillardia. This flower has a double layer of salmon-orange petals tipped in bright yellow. Its center is fuzzy and red with a small spot of yellow in the middle.
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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Your radishes might be ready to harvest this month! Not only are radishes easy to grow, they come in a range of flavors, shapes, sizes and colors, making them a fun plant to grow with kids. More about planting radishes at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/hpx88tF
A pair of hands holding a freshly unearthed radish. This variety is larger and paler than radishes typically found in the grocery store.
November 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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Do you want to start a pollinator garden but are worried about shade? Turns out there are many shade-loving plants that attract pollinators! FFL Coordinator Stephanie Means at UF/IFAS Extension Duval County has many recommendations, including rouge plant (photo by Stephanie Means): buff.ly/FemO7Gq
Green plant with spikes of delicate, pale pink flowers.
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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For many, November ushers in a busy season. Connecting with nature can be a respite, and there are still plenty of flowering options to plant this month. For the text and printable versions of this infographic, visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/MyjAZP4
A list of Florida-Friendly flowers to plant this month.
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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November is a good time to apply horticulture oils to control scale insects, like cycad aulacaspis scale. Horticultural oils are best applied during cooler months. Learn more about this major cycad pest and its control at Ask IFAS: buff.ly/caCw5mC
Close view of a cycad plant's spine and leaves covered in white dusty-looking scale insects.
November 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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Tonight's the night to light up those jack-o'-lanterns! May you all have a delightfully safe and spooky Halloween, from everyone at the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer program!
A pale orange pumpkin with IFAS carved into it and light visible from within, sitting on the bank of Lake Alice at sunset.
October 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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As we approach November, take time to reflect, share a meal and perhaps get outside to enjoy the cooler weather. It's a good time to plant kale, cabbage, turnips and more. Find the text and printable versions of this infographic on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/xRd5yxD
A list of Florida-Friendly fruits and vegetables to plant in November.
October 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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Florida is "home sweet home" year-round for cardinals. The bright-red males are easy to point out as they fiercely defend their territory. Harder to spot are the females, which have light brown feathers with only tinges of red. More about cardinals at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/LfFeoGu
Gardening with Wildlife: Cardinal, with photo of red male cardinal perched on a shrub. The males also have a black "mask" around their eyes and beak.
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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Our last “Healthy Harvest” Monday features Florida-Friendly herbs. They add a pop of flavor to any dish, and their unmistakable scents make herbs an ideal choice for sensory gardens too. More in this Ask IFAS pub co-authored by our statewide coordinator Wendy Wilber: buff.ly/zON0gkV.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) has tender green leaves used in many culinary traditions. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a shrub with waxy red fruits. Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) has delicate, fern-like foliage. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a tender green plant with fringed leaves.
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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More creepy-crawly critters for October! While they get a bad rep, spiders are beneficial, preying on pest insects and keeping their populations in check. Read about six Florida spiders you might encounter on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. buff.ly/1ZdKzrp
The golden silk orb weaver, aka banana spider, has long yellow legs with black bands and an elongated body, brown with white speckles. Photo by Lisa A. Taylor, UF. The garden orb weaver comes in a variety of colors but this one is black and yellow. Photo by Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, UF/IFAS. The green lynx spider is pale green. This one has caught a reddish wasp. Photo by Michael Patnaude, UF/IFAS. The black widow spider has a bulbous abdomen with the characteristic red hourglass mark on its underside. UF/IFAS photo.
October 24, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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Fall can bring out "fuzzy" caterpillars, but don't touch! Some have barbed hairs that easily break off and cause sudden or gradual building pain. This Ask IFAS pub can help you ID stinging crawlies like this hag caterpillar (Photo by Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS). buff.ly/xMbArOQ
Hag caterpillar, Phobetron pithecium is a tiny, crabby looking insect covered in short tan hairs.
October 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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Using organic gardening principles not only reduces chemical use, it benefits your local environment and prevents pollutant runoff. Learn more about organic vegetable gardening at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/xq6cTgY
A man works in a wildly tall and lush garden, full of flowers and vegetables growing side by side.
October 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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This week's “Healthy Harvest” features legumes suited for Florida gardens. They're fiber-rich and easy to grow, even in poor soil. Learn about bush beans, Southern peas and more in this UF/IFAS publication co-authored by our statewide coordinator, Wendy Wilber. buff.ly/frs54Gh
A pile of beans commonly called black-eye peas. They are creamy tan with a black spot.
October 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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Is Halloween your favorite holiday? Is the front yard already full-on spooky? For a garden that also shows your deliciously dark side, we have some plants. From night-blooming moonflowers to wickedly funky foliage, suggestions for your goth garden: buff.ly/TNuNTXI
White, simple moonflower in Big Cypress National Preserve.
October 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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In honor of World Food Day, let’s celebrate home gardens! Growing your own vegetables can give you access to a healthy diet and maybe even a deeper relationship with nature. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions has a series of articles on sustainable home food production: buff.ly/QdJ497X
A garden of wooden raised beds, filled with green plants. In the foreground a bright pink stick is labeled "Broccoli" and stuck next to a plant.
October 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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With October comes beautyberry. The native shrub dazzles this time of year with jewel-like clusters of purple fruits, attracting birds and other wildlife. Ideal for naturalized settings, beautyberry can be planted throughout the state. Learn more at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/fGXitg9
Close look at the clusters of small purple fruits growing directly on the beautyberry stem, in between the large matte green leaves.
October 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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“Healthy Harvest” Monday! Tubers and root vegetables are hearty, healthy options for the Florida garden. This UF/IFAS publication, co-authored by our statewide coordinator Wendy Wilber, discusses the history, benefits and recommended care of these vegetables. buff.ly/D8M51e6
A pile of freshly harvested orange carrots (Daucus carota subspecies sativus) White tuberous sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus) fresh out of the dirt, with the plant's yellow flowers visible. Freshly pulled sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) plant with its bulbous pale green base visible at the soil line, and celery-like stalks topped with a profusion of lacy green foliage.
October 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM