St. Lucie County Master Gardener Volunteers

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

Please note that our UF IFAS Extension office will be closed Mon, Sep 7, in observance of Labor Day. Regular business hours will resume the following day.

St. Lucie County administrative offices, libraries and some attractions will be closed Mon, Sep 7, in observance of Labor Day. Regular business hours will resume the following day.

Ravenswood Pool will be open from 6:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Lakewood Pool will be open from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Lincoln Park Pool is closed until further notice.

09/04/2026

It's Time to Rethink the Florida Landscape.
A UF/IFAS study found that homeowners and HOA board members share many of the same goals: attractive neighborhoods, strong property values, and environmental protection. The challenge is that Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) is often misunderstood as looking unkempt or overly natural.

However, well-designed FFL landscapes can maintain a polished appearance while conserving water, supporting wildlife, and reducing maintenance needs. The research recommends using clear landscape guidelines, visual examples, and community education to help HOAs and residents embrace landscapes that are both visually appealing and environmentally responsible.

Live in an HOA community? Share your thoughts. What reservations do you or your community leadership have about implementing FFL maintenance practices?

Photo: Cat Wofford, UF/IFAS - Clock surrounded by Mexican flamevine.

09/04/2026

Think Before You Spray!

Not every bug is a pest, and some insects can actually help your garden! 🐞

Learn how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can help you make smarter decisions about pests in your Florida landscape.

Stop. Look. Identify. Monitor. Decide.

Read the new UF/IFAS Extension blog post below! 👇

Learn how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can help Florida homeowners identify pests, protect beneficial insects, prevent problems, and use pesticides wisely

09/02/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS | SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

We have a great lineup of educational opportunities coming up here at UF/IFAS St. Lucie County Extension Office! Check out these upcoming classes, workshops and professional training opportunities: ⬇

1.) Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional Field Module
Friday, Sept. 11 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-friendly-landscapingtm-certified-professional-field-module-tickets-1991794682513?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

2.) Potential Alternative Fruit Trees in South Florida — ONLINE
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 10 a.m | Online
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/potential-alternative-fruit-trees-in-south-florida-online-tickets-1998217398028?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

3.) Florida Invasives 101
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Kilmer Library Branch, Fort Pierce, FL
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/floridas-invasives-101-tickets-1997447017800?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

4.) Florida Master Naturalist Program: Coastal Systems Course
Oct. 2–Nov. 6 | Oxbow Eco-Center, St. Lucie County, FL
Register:🔗 https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs26-14inperson.php

5.) W**d Management Strategies for a Healthy Lawn
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 9–11 a.m. | 8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
**Pest Control CEUs available**
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weed-management-strategies-for-a-healthy-lawn-tickets-1997050022376?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

6.) Limited Ornamental and Turf Exam Prep Review
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 8400 Picos Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
**Pest Control CEUs available**
Register:🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/limited-ornamental-and-turf-exam-prep-review-tickets-1997057570954?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=tru

Whether you're interested in gardening, Florida's natural resources, lawn care or professional training, there's something coming up for you. TELL YOUR FRIENDS, and come enjoy some wonderful workshops!!!!🙌

09/02/2026

Wow, Florida. THANK YOU!

We are still smiling, thinking about the incredible response to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census! Floridians showed up in a big way, counting pollinators, collecting valuable data, and demonstrating just how much our communities care about pollinators and the places they call home.

We have officially started tabulating the data and will continue working through the results over the next month. We hope to share the results with you in mid to late October.

A quick reminder: If you participated but have not yet submitted your count, you still have until September 14 to upload your data at gsepc.org.

From what we are seeing so far, we are beyond impressed by Florida's dedication to pollinator conservation. You are truly rockstar community scientists, and we hope you realize that your participation has made a real contribution to science. Every count matters, and together, those counts are helping us better understand the pollinators in our communities.

August was a whirlwind, but watching Florida come together for pollinators made every minute worth it.

From all of us with the UF/IFAS Great Florida Pollinator Census team, thank you for counting with us, sharing your enthusiasm, and helping save pollinators one count at a time.

We cannot wait to share what you helped discover!

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

September is one of the best months to get your Florida garden growing! As temperatures begin to moderate, gardeners across the state can start planting cool-season vegetables, herbs, and colorful flowers.

✅ Plant fall vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, carrots, radishes, beans, and more.

✅ Add fresh herbs to your garden including basil, parsley, chives, oregano, thyme, dill, sage, and cilantro.

✅ Brighten your landscape with flowers such as zinnias, torenia, angelonia, periwinkle, marigolds, milkweed, and tropical sage.

Remember that planting recommendations vary by region, so check the North, Central, and South Florida selections to help your garden thrive.