UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

07/29/2026

Do you think these plants are w**ds? Or are they valued plants in the landscape? 🌼

Weeds are part of gardening, but what exactly is a w**d? Here's a simple key to help you think through that deep question. Check the UF/IFAS Assessment for recognized invasive plant species. Otherwise, the answer is up to you! If you need help controlling w**ds, this UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions website can help - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/w**ds-and-invasive-plants/florida-w**d-id/.

Pictured here are cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) and periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Link, and more photos, at IFAS Assessment - https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/ipomoea-quamoclit/
https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/catharanthus-roseus/

07/29/2026

Come on out and learn from nutrition and financial planning experts as they share practical strategies for eating healthy while saving money! This is a FREE class. Hope to see you on Tuesday, August 4th (10am) at the Woodville Community Center!

07/28/2026

The Kickoff event is this Saturday, 10 to noon, at the Main Library! Visit the Basil Seedling Station to receive a free basil seedling to take home! Bring your whole family - every participant gets a plant! 🌱

Join Leon County Government for the Fall Seed Library Kickoff on Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Leon County Main Library. Pick up free seed packets, get gardening tips from local experts, visit the Ask-a-Master-Gardener booth, and discover how to make the most of your fall garden.

Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/leoncountyfl.gov/county-kicks-off-fall-growing-season-with-seed-library

07/28/2026

Reach out to your utility, phone, internet, and/or insurance providers to ask about discounts or see if you can negotiate a lower rate. A simple conversation could lead to meaningful savings on your monthly bills.

Weekly Contribution: $30

07/23/2026

Missed our last Introduction to Cottage Food webinar? Don’t worry! We’ve got another one coming up on August 4 to celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. 🍪

This is a great opportunity for market hosts and vendors, aspiring and current food entrepreneurs, and curious foodies alike.

Date: August 4, 2026
Location: Zoom
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990573370536

07/22/2026

With the return of regular rainfall patterns and increased heat, you are likely to see more fungi around, including those that go after your landscape plants. In turf, take-all root rot is a common pest. For landscape trees and shrubs, armillaria, or honey pot mushrooms, is a common fungal pathogen that can cause problems. When dealing with diseases, we try to break up the disease triangle - pathogen, susceptible host, and favorable environment. Since these fungal pathogens are a natural part of the environment, we want to focus on good health for the host and minimizing a favorable environment. That means reducing stress (proper pruning, mowing grass at proper height, not over or under fertilizing) and managing the environment (irrigate based on rainfall, allow for good aeration). If you see something funky in your landscape, please reach out and ask us questions. Some fungi can be fought off with the proper fungicides while others require some tolerance or switching out the susceptible host. Here is more information on dealing with fungi in the landscape - https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP154

07/21/2026

Within the past decade, we have been shifting away from using cash and even debit cards. This shift was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to hygiene concerns. Nonetheless, you actually pay less when you use cash.

To learn more, check out this: https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/news/82606-trying-to-save-money%3F-our-research-suggests-paying-in-cash-%E2%80%93-while-you-still-can

Weekly Contribution: $29

07/20/2026

Future scientists, environmental professionals, educators, and leaders all start somewhere.

Through hands-on investigations and real-world experiences, Leon County 4-H empowers youth to think critically, collaborate with others, and develop skills that prepare them for future success. By putting youth at the center of learning, we help them build confidence while exploring potential career pathways.

Want to see what 4-H has to offer? Join us at our 4-H Open House: August 15th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 615 Paul Russell Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32301 and learn how your family can get involved.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GjB8AAoDU/

07/15/2026

Leon County is in a moderate to severe drought. Looking statewide, some parts of Florida are drought-free, while others are in a extreme drought. We have not received our yearly average rainfall. Yet, it is raining nearly everyday.
These constant, sudden down pours can cause issues in the garden. Here are some tips for gardening in the hot, humid, rainy season.
Turn off or delay your irrigation system.
Wait to fertilize - the next downpour will wash it away. Your plants will not absorb the benefits of the fertilizer, and those excess nutrients will end up in our water.
Wait to prune - diseases spread easily in water. Sanitize your tools between plants to prevent spreading disease.
Clear away dead leaves from the foundation of plants to prevent disease.
Temporarily remove mulch if your plants are holding on to too much water.
Monitor your garden to stay ahead of issues. Look for signs of fungus and root rot so you can intervene before the plant is too far gone.
Check for signs of erosion or puddling.
Most importantly, stay hydrated while you are outside. 😃💧
Find more detailed information in this article, "Dealing with Heavy Rains", https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/dealing-with-heavy-rains/
Link to U.S. Drought Monitor, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?FL
Happy gardening! 🌺🌴🌻