UF IFAS Sumter County Master Gardeners

08/17/2026

Pollinator Plants for a Naturalized Lawn

Weeds are considered by UF/IFAS to be plants out of place, but what if some weeds residing in your lawn are exactly where they need to be? There are certain flowering weedy plants that attract pollinators, increase the biodiversity of your lawn and reduce maintenance needs. These “lawn companions....

08/01/2026

Veggie Ventures: August Thatch & Fall Prep -

  When I purchased this book, I expected a chatty travelogue exploring the interesting flora and fauna that take over abandoned or poorly maintained industrial and commercial sites, a reassuring tale of how nature eventually prevails over obsolete human constructions. We have seen evidence in rever...

07/29/2026

August is named after Augustus Caesar. The word itself means venerable or majestic. I don’t think of the month being venerable or majestic during our Florida summers. It is just too hot and rainy—usually in our evenings. But if you like vegetables, you can start to plant some. These include pole beans, broccoli, celery, collards, corn, eggplant, okra, onions,
peas, peppers and squash. You can start tomatoes from seed (it will take 6 weeks to 2 months to grow), but note most don’t like hot weather except cherry and grape tomatoes.

07/16/2026

Learning about gopher tortoises is one of the best ways to appreciate and protect them. Here are a few fascinating facts that show why these remarkable animals are so important to their ecosystems.

Gopher tortoises have been around for millions of years, but today they are a threatened species in Florida and several other states. Their imperiled status means that these tortoises are protected by state law and must be left alone. The major issue facing these gentle and important creatures is th...

07/04/2026

07/01/2026

The month of July is named after Julius Caesar. It is the seventh month--for perfection, completion and rest. It is too hot for any vegetable plantings.
Cool off and rest near slow moving water. If you are lucky, you might see July’s birth flower—the ‘perfect’ water lily. Nymphaea odorata has large leaves and the flower has a wonderful fragrance. The petals might white or pink with a yellow center. It filters water and is a great wildlife habitat.

06/28/2026

Butterfly Gardening in Florida

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension outreach is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Florida (UF), together with Florida A&M University (FAMU), administers....

06/22/2026

“Have you considered a robotic lawnmower?
If so, please read read on.”

UF/IFAS research shows robotic lawn mowers can improve Florida lawns, boosting turf health while reducing labor and emissions with proper care considerations.

06/12/2026

Plant of the month

Royal palm is aptly named for its majestic presence in the landscape. This palm is most suited for South Florida, where it is native to the region. It works nicely as a specimen plant and is often found lining streets and parks.

06/02/2026

Would You Like to be Master Gardener Volunteer? Classes start in September!

We invite you to apply to be a part of the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Initial Training of the UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County Master Gardener Volunteer program. Applications are now being accepted for up to 25 Master Gardener Students for the in-person 2026 class. After we receive your completed application, we will contact you about an opportunity to meet with Master Gardener Volunteers for a question-and-answer session. See below how to get your application and when complete mail it by July 15 to UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, ATTN: Lisa Sanderson, 7620 SR 471, Suite 2, Bushnell, FL 33513.

Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 9 am to 3:30 pm, September 2 through December 2 with Thanksgiving week off. Classes will be held at the Sumter County Extension Office at 7620 SR 471, Suite 2, Bushnell at the Sumter County Fairgrounds. You will get to enjoy hands-on learning opportunities offered in person. Master Gardener students will enjoy lectures by experts in their fields, hands-on activities, a special project, and more. This intensive training covers topics that include basic botany, plant propagation, soils and fertilizers, vegetable and fruit production, citrus, identifying and controlling insects and diseases, identifying ornamental plants, pesticide safety and alternatives, attracting wildlife, and managing nuisance wildlife, and more! Students will also receive Green Industry Best Management Practices certification training as part of class. One Hundred Percent of trainees who have taken the exam, pass it! All material covered is based on research from University of Florida and includes the Florida Master Gardener Student Manual.

Master Gardener Volunteers are educators who answer horticultural questions for county residents, and they share unbiased, research-based information with the public. Master Gardener Volunteers share information by phone, email, at plant clinics and event booths, write newsletter or newspaper articles, develop and deliver presentations for garden clubs, civic organizations and Master Gardener Speaker Series, support youth programs, garden in the award winning UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County Demonstration Garden in Bushnell, host the Spring Garden and Plant Festival at the Sumter County Fair’s covered pavilion, Each month volunteers attend monthly meetings, learning from experts on a variety of topics. They also have opportunities to gain knowledgeable through advanced educational opportunities including local, state, and international Master Gardener Volunteer conferences.

Master Gardener Volunteer interns complete 75 hours of volunteer time which includes gardening in the demonstration garden, experience answering questions with the public and other