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What Is That Lawn Ornament? Hop Clover? Should I Be Hopping Mad or Glad?

A handful of the “lawn ornaments” that will be featured in this blog series. Top row (left to right): sunshine mimosa, perennial peanut, frogfruit, and fleabane. Bottom row (left to right): pennywort, Lobelia, Florida snow, and blue-eyed grass.Welcome to our Lawn Ornament blog series, where we explore the plethora of micro-plants that can help create a biodiverse, predominantly…

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Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Found in New Counties

In November 2014, Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) was discovered in southeast Florida and Pinellas County where it seemed to stay.  In the past few years, however, the virus has spread. It is now confirmed in counties in North, Central, and South Florida. Recently, lab reports confirm the disease is present in Hillsborough and Sarasota Counties.…

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UF/IFAS milestone study unlocks arsenal of control methods against invasive thrips parvispinus

      A closer look at the invasive thrips parvispinus, a hard-hitting insect responsible for damages to a variety of agricultural and ornamental crops. Photo courtesy Daniel Carrillo, associate professor of entomology and nemotology at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center. The invasive thrips parvispinus is a tiny, elusive insect that has spread across Florida with a…

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Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Gardening From the Ground Up

Hello, Hillsborough County residents! As your dedicated Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Coordinator at UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, I’m thrilled to share how I can help you create a sustainable, beautiful, and eco-friendly landscape right at your doorstep. Now, let’s delve into what Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ truly entails. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is more than just a set of principles;…

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4-H Kids Learn Outdoor Skills in the Hunting Discipline

A young man sharpening his hunting knife with a dual-grit diamond sharpener.In Florida 4-H, there are five shooting sports disciplines: archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting. While all are popular among kids and families, the hunting discipline is the most varied. Kids love it because they learn useful, and sometimes somewhat dangerous, skills. Yes, dangerous!…

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