Growing herbs indoors makes these fresh kitchen ingredients easily accessible and safe from winter temperatures. There are even starter kits and hydroponic systems available. Learn more about growing herbs at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/mZm1Aud

Live your best (indoor plant) life! Houseplants bring the benefits of nature into the comfort of your home. To keep your plants happy, learn their light, water, soil and nutrient requirements. More on caring for your houseplants at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/fT5jKs5

Winter is a great time to start transplants indoors for spring planting. Aim to start seeds 4-8 weeks before suggested outdoor planting dates (specific to your region). More on caring for indoor transplants at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/y44AJtH

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day, the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer program's state office is closed.

Simply spending time around trees can calm the mind, according to a new study by UF researchers. They surveyed 1,361 Floridians aged 45 and older and discovered that stress levels declined when participants visited wooded areas. Learn more at UF/IFAS News: buff.ly/HqtfYNn

Happy Florida Arbor Day! Why not celebrate by planting a native tree? Many communities are hosting tree giveaways today and this weekend. Native trees contribute to Florida's ecosystems and here are a few of our favorites. More native trees on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/K35defV

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “the earth laughs in flowers.” Cut flowers are an excellent way to harvest this joy and bring color to any room. We recommend a few plants that work well in Florida during cooler months at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/VJelNnZ

Silver buttonwood is a native shrubby tree that grows best in South Florida and thrives along the coast. This versatile evergreen works as a hedge, accent or windbreak. Learn more about January's featured plant at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/yGkvlsW

Carambola is crisp and sweet, and a good source of vitamins C and A, phosphorus and potassium. Slices of the fruit look like stars—hence the celestial nickname. Learn more about star fruit at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/fVK0HxF

Start 2026 with gardening knowledge straight from a reliable source! The January issue of the Neighborhood Gardener includes tips on growing mushrooms, cut flowers for cool weather (like snapdragons) and more. Read it at the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer website: buff.ly/ZprCoLc

Yes, flowers can be planted in Florida winter! Each plant varies in its success as a transplant or seed; check with your county Extension office for information on planting in your area. Text and printable versions of this infographic at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/HyNZmnv

Spice things up this winter. Herbs that can be planted now include coriander, thyme, parsley, chives and fennel. Just be sure to protect plants during frosts and freezes. Text and printable versions of this infographic at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/cxtZYe7

New year = new growth! Here are some Florida-Friendly fruits and vegetables to get in the ground this month. For the printable PDF and text versions of this infographic, visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/bOXa8K0

Happy New Year! Wishing you and your garden a healthy and productive 2026. The holiday offers the opportunity to think about new gardening goals. One source of inspiration: our Neighborhood Gardener newsletter, designed for Florida home gardeners. Visit our website to subscribe! buff.ly/xCMOpbs

Happy holidays from the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program and UF/IFAS Extension! The state office will be closed through January 2, 2026. We look forward to growing with you in the new year!

Leave the leaves! During the winter months, branches, leaves and plant material provide habitat and food for many wildlife species (like this five-lined skink). Learn more about creating a wildlife-friendly winter garden at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/oBYKmTg

With attractive silvery foliage, unusual flowers and edible fruits, pineapple guava is a versatile shrub. This evergreen can be grown throughout Florida and is relatively easy to find in your local retail nursery. Learn more about pineapple guava at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/hMGJQ1S

Some of the great pleasures of gardening are connecting with other gardeners and sharing with friends and family. Sharing plants that are easily propagated is an easy and festive way. We share some of our favorite passalong plants on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/kd5EHJw

Fragrance can conjure a memory, excite the senses, or soothe the soul. Choosing plants specifically for their scent can connect you to the natural world in a unique way. We have several Florida-Friendly suggestions for a fragrance garden at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/SbV6BD6

Insects sometimes get a bad reputation, but less than 1% are considered pests. In fact, most (like this hover fly) are beneficial to the landscape and people, and even perform functions that foster healthy plants. Learn more about beneficial insects at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/j58FuQ3

Take a break from the holiday bustle and enjoy the December issue of the Neighborhood Gardener! We've got suggestions for a fragrance garden, sentimental passalong plants, a wreath-making tutorial and more. Grab a mug of something festive and read the full issue at our website: buff.ly/DqbLKs1

Even Florida experiences freezing temperatures (well, parts of it). There are many things you can do -- and avoid -- to make sure your plants last through the winter. More tips on preparing the landscape for cold weather at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/1qFe104

Starting a new garden? Or maybe your plants aren't thriving? Soil testing is the most effective way to determine the nutrient status and pH of the soil in a home landscape or vegetable garden. If you're interested in a soil test, start by reading this helpful UF/IFAS publication: buff.ly/bE10Odj

The celebration of year-round Florida gardening continues! Add some color to your winter landscape with cool-season annual flowers. Most winter annuals will perform well until warm weather arrives in April or May. More winter annuals at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/lkynYQJ

Deck the halls with boughs of magnolia! Watch as MGV statewide coordinator Wendy Wilber takes you through a step-by-step guide to creating a wreath using foliage from the Florida native. Full video on our Gardening Solutions YouTube channel: buff.ly/beIsu5P

Plants are a gift that can be enjoyed long after the holidays. Potted Norfolk Island pines and rosemary can be given as a mini trees. Amaryllis and Christmas cactus would make festive flowers. And of course, poinsettias! More at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/VRQxJWP

For World Soil Day, we look at Florida's peatlands. "Peat" might bring to mind a bog in England, but the Everglades are a tropical peatland! This rich soil is the reason crops like sugarcane can grow in sandy Florida. Learn about Histosols (the scientific term): buff.ly/K0z4t1k

Speaking of cool-season veggies, kale is typically ready to harvest in December. Leaves can be picked individually as they become ready to use. Harvest the lower leaves, but no more than one-third of the plant at one time. More about kale at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/xBPJw0E

One of the pleasures of Florida gardening is that we can plant all year long. Now is a great time to plant cool-season vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and more. Contact your county UF/IFAS Extension office to learn about varieties that are best for your part of Florida: buff.ly/PSAKOJP

‘Tis the season for giving back. We suggest planting some December flowers for pollinators and other local wildlife. For the printable and text versions of this infographic, please visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. buff.ly/c6Y3QqG

We're lucky in Florida to have many vegetables and fruits to plant in December. And getting outside might give you the time to reflect on this past year and look forward to a new one. For text and printable versions of this infographic, visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. buff.ly/qNftYyF

Lettuce be thankful and turnip the gratitude ! We appreciate your engagement with UF/IFAS and the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program. Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you want to: Stay informed on Florida gardening? Get inspired? Learn something new? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, the Neighborhood Gardener! This is our way of serving the community, by providing Florida residents with science-based content on gardening-related topics. buff.ly/2IzkHae

Not only do Florida gardeners have to deal with invasive plants, we have animal invaders as well. In fact, more species of reptiles and amphibians have invaded Florida than anywhere else worldwide. Learn about some of these invasive animals at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/OlJyXbJ

Ever noticed a tree or shrub that is wilting or brown, seemingly overnight? Armillaria root rot, also called mushroom root rot, feeds on roots, causing the plant to weaken and even die. More about the symptoms and management of this fungus at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/p9xfuo9

Mulching is an essential part of the Florida-Friendly landscape ; it not only looks nice, it also keeps plants and soil healthy. There are several types of mulch to try, from pine straw to fallen leaves. More on choosing and using mulch on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/CDRyv3k

You probably know that trees provide shade for your home, but did you know they also cool air temperatures, filter water and increase property values? Trees provide many ecosystem services that save money and even improve wellbeing. Learn more at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/TQ4f1vh

There’s a lot of terminology out there when discussing water quality. This new UF/IFAS publication explains “concentrations” and “loads,” what they are, and why we should care: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/...

Shumard oak is a native tree ideal for urban landscapes. It tolerates drought, compacted soils, air pollution and poor drainage. And after providing shade in the summer, its leaves turn a burnished reddish-orange in fall. More on Shumard oak at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/tgWwvPk

In this gratitude-filled issue of the Neighborhood Gardener, we extol the virtues of trees (including providing refuge for wildlife), frolic in the fall foliage of Shumard oaks and remember that plants connect us, even across oceans. November's newsletter at our website: buff.ly/H0hwtIZ

It's time to winterize the water garden. Avoid cleaning ponds until spring; this allows frogs and snails to burrow in the organic matter and maintains bacterial cycles. You can also feed your fish less frequently in the winter. More on pond care at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/fpMzgk2

Terrariums bring gardening indoors and and making one is fun project to do with kids! Small, slow-growing plants are best. Decorate with rocks or driftwood. Ta-da! This Ask IFAS publication will show you how, step by step: buff.ly/tfOwol5

Today we honor all who have served. Thank you, veterans, for your courage and dedication to our country.

If you are in an area predicted to reach freezing temperatures, don't forget to protect your plants! Remember, ghosts not lollipops: use a cloth to cover the plant all the way down to the soil. buff.ly/ZGWQSCG

Asteraceae is an enormous family of plants, including asters. Of the 400+ species of asters found in Florida, 41 of them are *only* found here! We've shared a few asters, but visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions to learn of a few more surprising members of the family: buff.ly/AttADOm

Your radishes might be ready to harvest this month! Not only are radishes easy to grow, they come in a range of flavors, shapes, sizes and colors, making them a fun plant to grow with kids. More about planting radishes at UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/hpx88tF

Do you want to start a pollinator garden but are worried about shade? Turns out there are many shade-loving plants that attract pollinators! FFL Coordinator Stephanie Means at UF/IFAS Extension Duval County has many recommendations, including rouge plant (photo by Stephanie Means): buff.ly/FemO7Gq

For many, November ushers in a busy season. Connecting with nature can be a respite, and there are still plenty of flowering options to plant this month. For the text and printable versions of this infographic, visit UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: buff.ly/MyjAZP4

November is a good time to apply horticulture oils to control scale insects, like cycad aulacaspis scale. Horticultural oils are best applied during cooler months. Learn more about this major cycad pest and its control at Ask IFAS: buff.ly/caCw5mC

Tonight's the night to light up those jack-o'-lanterns! May you all have a delightfully safe and spooky Halloween, from everyone at the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer program!