UF Home

The Neighborhood Gardener – May

Happy gardening!

safesubscribe logo

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: What You Can Do to Help

Oil rig explosionAre you worried about Florida's coast, wildlife, and industries affected by the Gulf oil spill? Florida Sea Grant agents say residents' help is needed now and that need is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Here are some ways you can keep up with the crisis, as well as ways you can pitch in.

In addition, The Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant Programs have created a web site that provides visitors with access to a wealth of data concerning the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Content will be continually updated, and visitors should check back often for new and revised information.

Horticultural Therapy and Master Gardener volunteers

By Lesley Fleming, HTR

The field of horticultural therapy intersects the world of Master Gardener volunteers often.  Many community initiatives that Master Gardener volunteers are involved in subscribe to the concept that plants and gardening activities improve lives. More.

Plant of the Month: Bananas

BananasBananas are wonderful plants that are grown both for their edible and ornamental qualities. They can be grown in nearly all areas of the state, though they will be damaged by frosts and freezes. More

Hurricane Landscaping

Your family's safety is most important during a hurricane. One of the things you can do to help keep your family and home safe is to prepare your landscape properly. Here are some tips to help make sure your landscape is on its way to being hurricane proof. More

May in Your Garden

Harmful insects become more active as the weather warms. Watch for thrips, scale, and mites on ornamental plants. Plant varieties of daylilies that bloom at different points in the season to insure months of color from these low-maintenance plants.

For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida's gardening regions—North, Central, and South. More

Friend or Foe? Foe: Opossums

Opossum in treeThe opossum is an interesting animal, though it can be a nuisance to man, a detriment to some wildlife, and has a name that is difficult to spell. Opossums are called generalists because they will eat just about anything they can find. Opossums will eat pet food, fruits, and vegetables, and even get into garbage cans. More

Master Gardener Specialist Update

This month’s specialist update features Brian Niemann with the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program. He will be showing newly released resource materials and items currently in production. These materials should help you educate clientele on how to maintain their landscapes in a Florida-Friendly way. (Please note that this presentation requires the free Windows Media Player.) More

Featured Shows on Gardening in a Minute

 

Return to top

Blue French hydrangea flower

Success Stories

  • We're looking for inspiring, Florida-Friendly success stories from your county. Submit yours today at gardening@ifas.ufl.edu.

Other Resources

Florida Master Gardener Volunteer logo

Florida-Friendly Landscaping(TM) Program logo

The Florida Master Gardener Program is on Facebook