Hillsborough County Extension- Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

06/01/2026

It's June 1! That means the fertilizer ordinance is back in effect! See the video below to better understand it!

Hillsborough County’s new rules on the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorous are intended to protect the environment, particularly area s...

05/29/2026

Do you have a well cluttered front porch and lanai? If yes, there is time for you to remove items that may become flying objects. If you haven't decluttered your garage, start there first so you can free-up space for porch items. It is popular in many neighborhoods for residents to put items they no longer need/want on the curb or end of the driveway. If you start now, you can get ahead of the projected hurricane potential. Lynn Barber

05/26/2026

***REMINDER***
"Conventional irrigation like sprinklers and overhead spraying must be done between midnight and 4 AM or between 8 PM and midnight, and only once on your designated day.

Violations may result in fines from Hillsborough County Code Enforcement."

By following the guidelines listed in the article below, residents can help conserve water and avoid penalties while supporting the county's water conservation initiatives.

https://hcfl.gov/residents/property-owners-and-renters/water-and-sewer/find-my-watering-days-and-times

If you are using more than 15,000 gallons of water per month, please contact our Irrigation Audit Team at (813)744-5519 Ext # 54137 to see if you qualify for a no-cost irrigation evaluation.

Year-round watering days and times for unincorporated Hillsborough County

05/18/2026

Hurricane season is right around the corner. Have you prepared your trees to withstand Florida’s strong winds and storms? Proper tree trimming and maintenance can help protect your home, property, and family before severe weather arrives.

Remember to hire a certified professional for your tree care. Find local certified arborists through TreesAreGood.org.

Linked is a great publication on restoring trees after a hurricane but it has a lot of great info that can be applied to preventative care!
https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/EP300.pdf

-Will

05/15/2026

🌱 Want to save water and make watering your patio plants easier? Join our Patio Microirrigation Workshop on Zoom!

Learn how to grow plants with the convenience of a patio microirrigation kit while conserving water and saving time. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees who attend will receive a patio microirrigation kit (limit 1 per household).

🗓️ Thursday, June 11
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
💻 Online via Zoom
💲 $10 registration fee per household

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/patio-microirrigation-workshop-on-zoom-tickets-1987553511055?aff=oddtdtcreator

Posted by: Mollie Goodson

Learn how to grow plants with the convenience of a patio microirrigation kit.

05/12/2026

Only 4 more days for you to sign up to participate in this workshop. You will learn how we created the Discovery Garden in the courtyard of our Extension office, tips on how to conserve water and so much more. We hope to see you on Saturday. Thanks, Lynn

05/12/2026

Meet the smooth strongbark (Bourreria cassinifolia)—a critically endangered Florida native 🌱
This overgrown shrub was crowding the space, so it received a strategic reset ✂️
By lifting the canopy and training it into a multi-trunk tree, the result is improved structure, more usable space, and better support for local pollinators 🐝
Florida-friendly landscaping can be both beautiful and purposeful.
Follow along for more native plant tips! 🌿

05/11/2026

How dry is it? Well, pretty dry in most places. After water restrictions are lifted and even now, think about the water conservation workshops we offer at our Seffner location. Consider composting and vermi-composting (worms). We offer 3 types of microirrigation: traditional for landscape beds, vegetable gardens and planters (hanging or in pots on the ground). These workshops are offered the 1st Saturday of every month, February through November.

We have been able to accommodate a significant number of residents in our conference center...but, we have upcoming construction in that building. This means we will be using smaller conference rooms. If you are interested, check our website for upcoming workshops and make your reservation. Hope to see you soon. Lynn Barber

Located just minutes from Tampa, UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County provides education and information to Hillsborough County residents and businesses through workshops, publications, and mass media.

05/08/2026

“Friendly reminder: Mother’s Day is this Sunday — don’t forget to celebrate the moms in your life.”

-Will

🎁Great Mother’s Day Gift🎁 Native/FFL ver.👇🏽
“Take your family, without Mom, to your local Garden center.

Pick out three plants:
One to THRILL,
one to FILL, and
one to SPILL.

So, something tall and colorful to plant in the middle of a pot, then one to fill up the pot along with one that cascades down the sides of the pot. Once you have chosen the plants, buy a lovely pot that will accommodate them. Then pot up the plants, add potting soil as needed. Water thoroughly.

On Sunday, put it in the middle of your dining table with a lovely note to MOM.

For more info on houseplants, search on our state’s website https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/houseplant-care/ “ Duval Extension

Native/UF Florida-Friendly Landscaping Version
🦋Butterfly Bed & Breakfast in a container 🦋
🌿 Parsley:
Host for Black Swallowtail butterfly [and tasty to humans]

🌼Dune or Beach Sunflowers:
Keystone native that hosts over 50 species including butterflies, moths, and bees including the Painted Lady butterfly

🌺 Pentas:
Attracts pollinators and supplies nectar to adult butterflies. A nectar plant is not chewed by adults.

Create a Pollinator container by Florida Wildflower Foundation includes videos and printable PDF files https://www.flawildflowers.org/pollinator-pot/

Native Planters in General https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Small-Space-Wildlife-Gardening/Container-Gardening

Add a Thrilling Porch Planter for Fall https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/fall-planter/

Original image without contrast and original text by UF / IFAS Extension Duval County Agriculture.

Bed & Breakfast container by Gainesville Garden Club in conjunction with our MGVs. We have members in both organizations.

Thanks to y’all; now on my list is creating posts of just native and/or food gift containers for mom’s day and father’s day celebration days. ~ Carolina 🥰

05/06/2026

From cold snaps to droughts, Tampa landscapes have been through it all.

Ready to bounce back stronger? Our next Mayor’s Neighborhood University Saturday Session will show you how to create a yard that thrives in our climate.

Join our Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ workshop “Your Best Tampa Garden Starts Here,” from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 16 at the City Center at Hanna Avenue (2555 East Hanna Avenue).

Learn from certified experts about smart design, plant choices, and soil care. Get the tools you need to transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, resilient, and water-wise oasis.

Featured presenters include:
• Lynn Barber, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
• Anita Camacho of Little Red Wagon Native Plant Nursery and founder of the Tampa Bay Butterfly Association
• Julia Palaschak Water Conservation and Efficiency Team Leader for the City of Tampa Water Department

REGISTRATION LINK: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=cwOdjZFctEWQWxL-kYy2KPXOnKEgtHNJiMe20_CF7K1UQjlVR1A3TkxFMUlES09JU0lLV1VWSUZMQi4u