UF IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Looking for a weekend full of classes and workshops?

An exclusive FFGC educational opportunity with speakers, horticulture and design, workshops, field trips, food, vendors and door prizes. Short Course North is a two day event held yearly in the Florida Panhandle in August. A variety of topics related to gardening, landscaping, and the environment are explored. Speakers represent IFAS, area growers, and other knowledgeable plant experts.

The workshop rotates to different venues in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Okaloosa Counties. The 2025 event was held in Okaloosa County. The 2026 Event to be held Aug 13 - 14th at the Escambia County, FL 4H Building. Cost for 2 days with lunch is $60.

13 AUGUST 2026:
Edibles to Grow with Renee Perry
Urban Forests with Cathy Hardin, Forester
Oyster Gardening with Thomas Derbes, SRC Sea Grant
Food Truck for the Birds with Tricia Keffer, owner
Bird Identification with Phillip Mortimer, Audubon
Optional: Make a Junk Wreath

14 AUGUST 2026:
New and smaller Landscape plants with Beth Bolles, Esc Extn.
Foodscaping with Josh Criss, SRC Extn.
Chemicals in the Lawn with Dr. Bryan Unruh, UF
Soils with Evan Anderson, Walton Cty Extn.
Invasive Plants and Animals with Tina Tuttle, ??
Optional: Make a petite container from junk!

https://facebook.com/events/s/short-course-north-2026/4003064316601288/

05/28/2026

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) is the state of Florida’s premier Extension program that promotes sustainable alternatives to “conventional” landscaping, providing guidance on low-impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutant...

05/28/2026

🎉 Facebook recognized us as a consistent post creator this week!

What would you like to see more of from your Master Gardeners and Santa Rosa County Extension ?

05/28/2026

Zinnias are annuals with beautiful flowers that come in vivid colors like red, pink, yellow and purple. In fact, this heat-loving flower comes in pretty much every color except blue.

They're also an easy option for beauty you can easily sow out directly, collect seeds for and sow out again year after year, making this a perfect low budget fit.

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/zinnia/

05/28/2026

Chumuckla rain fall yesterday

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Walking through pine forests after a good summer rain is magical! The smells and sounds are elevated right after a good rain.

When people think of Florida, pine trees are rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Beaches, wetlands, palms: Yes! Pine savannas, not so much. And yet, for much of Florida’s history, pine‑dominated landscapes defined the uplands of this state.

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/?p=10913

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, UF/IFAS state offices are closed. Let us honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.

On this day, we hope you get to spend time with your loved ones in honor of our fallen heroes.

05/21/2026

Florida’s subtropical climate lends itself to vegetables that you rarely find elsewhere in the continental US.

To make the most of our warm weather, try summer crops like okra, roselle and sugarcane.

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/heat-tolerant-vegetables/