From Rain to Roots: 10 Smart Ways to Save Water, Build Soil & Garden Smarter

From Rain to Roots: 10 Smart Ways to Save Water, Build Soil & Garden Smarter

Sustainable Gardening may seem daunting, but it's ok to start small as long as you start somewhere. Today we’re diving into practical, low-cost techniques that help you capture water, retain moisture, build soil, and reduce maintenance. https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Rain gardens https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/rain-gardens/ Compost https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/compost/ Green infrastructure https://pinellas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PinellasCounty_GreenInfrastructure_ADA_Jun2019.pdf County ordinances https://pinellas.gov/fertilizer-landscape-information/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Please help UF/IFAS serve you better by completing this voluntary brief survey (https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE1cjfce16blIkS). We appreciate your help. FISC https://www.floridainvasives.org/plant-list/2023-invasive-plant-species/ UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida vegetable gardening guide https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/ DDIS Site https://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/jsp/html/howto.jsp Resources: UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774 Phone (727) 582-2109 gardenhelp@pinellas.gov SWFWMD Watering Restrictions https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions Pinellas County Water Conservation and Watering Schedule Rules https://pinellas.gov/department/water-conservation/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/ Soil Solarization https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/soil_solarization Land measurement tools are built into the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website https://www.pcpao.gov/gis.html Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/ South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4 ---- Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/ Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/ Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/ Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/ ---- This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.

Trees: Wanted Dead or Alive

From Earth Month to Arbor Day, April is a great time to talk about trees! From selection and placement, to planting and care, we dig into how to get the most out of your trees - including the ones on publicly managed land. Carolyn Cheatham Rhodes from Pinellas Urban Forestry is our guest this month. NOTE: Find your watering schedule and conserve water during drought conditions. SWFWMD Watering Restrictions https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions Pinellas County Water Conservation and Watering Schedule Rules https://pinellas.gov/department/water-conservation/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Tree giveaway 4/18 https://pinellas.gov/event/national-arbor-day-tree-giveaway-2/ Green Thumb 2026 https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/programs___events/events/green_thumb/index.php 12 Tips for tree givaways https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR485 Planting tips https://youtu.be/Q1DGovFmOSs?si=KxyZS4gTpSAWpS2Y iTree inventory https://www.itreetools.org/USDA Pinellas Tree Removal permitting https://pinellas.gov/treecode/ PinCo Building Development and Review Treepermits@pinellas.gov 727-464-3888 https://pinellas.gov/treeremoval/ Urban Forestry Bay Area regional Foresters Group (barf) https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/49b44885f1774ada8fef25252fb43b74 International Society of Arboriculture: Tree info and care https://www.treesaregood.org/ & www.ias-arbor.com World Wide Wood: Tree selection https://artsandculture.google.com/story/4gXhTRfAYckUhQ List of Florida Friendly Trees https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/ Please help UF/IFAS serve you better by completing this voluntary brief survey (https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE1cjfce16blIkS). We appreciate your help. UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida vegetable gardening guide https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/ DDIS Site https://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/jsp/html/howto.jsp Resources: UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774 Phone (727) 582-2109 gardenhelp@pinellas.gov Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/ Soil Solarization https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/soil_solarization Land measurement tools are built into the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website https://www.pcpao.gov/gis.html Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/ South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4 ---- Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/ Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/ Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/ Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/ ---- This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.

Unlucky Garden Finds - Invasive Species

From Friday the 13th, to St. Patrick's Day, March is a month of luck - but not all of it is good! Join us for our 1 year anniversary episode where we dive into the free plants that nobody asked for: harmful invasives. Removing invasive plants https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly/clean-out-the-invasives/ SWFWMD/UF-IFAS Invasive plant resources: https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VegetationManagement_FINAL.pdf https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/media/plantsifasufledu/homepage/why-manage-plants/Why_We_Manage_Aquatic_Invasive_Plants.pdf https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/the-newsroom/invasive-species-your-questions-answered Florida Wildlife Foundation https://www.flawildflowers.org/invasive-plants/ https://www.flawildflowers.org/invasive-plant-resources/ Blogs about Invasive species https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/caip/category atural-resources/invasivespecies/ Florida Invasive Species Partnership https://www.floridainvasives.org Florida Native Alternatives https://www.flawildflowers.org/invasive-plants/ FISC https://www.floridainvasives.org/plant-list/2023-invasive-plant-species/ UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida vegetable gardening guide https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 Spring Clean the Garden https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2020/02/10/spring-cleaning-in-the-florida-friendly-landscape/#:~:text=Spring%20is%20a%20good%20time%20to%20clean,system%20*%20Check%20your%20rain%20shut%2Doff%20device Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/ https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/biological-controls-and-integrated-pest-management/ DDIS Site https://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/jsp/html/howto.jsp Resources: UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774 Phone (727) 582-2109 gardenhelp@pinellas.gov Please help UF/IFAS serve you better by completing this voluntary brief survey (https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE1cjfce16blIkS). We appreciate your help. SWFWMD Watering Restrictions https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions Pinellas County Water Conservation and Watering Schedule Rules https://pinellas.gov/department/water-conservation/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/ Soil Solarization https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/soil_solarization Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/ South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4 ---- Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/ Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/ Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/ Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/ ---- This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.

Natural Sweethearts: How Companion Planting helps Gardens

Companion planting is not a list of what to plant side by side, it is a concept based on polyculture. It incorporates elements of IPM, crop rotation, soil health management, and plant diversity to reduce pest pressure, improve resilience, and support beneficial organisms. Rather than relying on fixed pairings, it focuses on creating balanced plant communities that use space, nutrients, and timing efficiently while reducing the need for chemical inputs. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/companion-planting-home-gardens https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/garden-management/companion-planting Find an Arborist treesaregood.org Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/ DDIS Site https://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/jsp/html/howto.jsp More sites about Biological Control https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/biological-controls-and-integrated-pest-management/ Florida Invasive Species Partnership https://www.floridainvasives.org Please help UF/IFAS serve you better by completing this voluntary brief survey (https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE1cjfce16blIkS). We appreciate your help. Resources: UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774 Phone (727) 582-2109 gardenhelp@pinellas.gov NOTE: Pinellas and much of Florida is under severe drought conditions and subject to watering restrictions (no more than once per week, check your local ordinance for specific schedules and limits) SWFWMD Watering Restrictions https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions Pinellas County Water Conservation and Watering Schedule Rules https://pinellas.gov/department/water-conservation/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/ Soil Solarization https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/soil_solarization Land measurement tools are built into the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website https://www.pcpao.gov/gis.html Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/ South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4 ---- Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/ Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/ Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/ Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/ ---- This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.

Opening Doors: How Extension Connects Pinellas to World-Class Science

The UF/IFAS Extension in Pinellas County connects residents to practical, research-based expertise from the University of Florida, helping people make informed choices about gardening, environmental stewardship, family wellness, and youth development. Through trusted, non-commercial guidance and community programs tailored to local needs, the Cooperative Extension strengthens quality of life across Pinellas County—and today, JP Gellermann joins us as a guest to share how this work makes a valuable impact in our community. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/who-we-are/ 4H Pinellas https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/4-h-youth-development/ Weedon Island Preserve https://www.weedonislandpreserve.org Brooker Creek Preserve https://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ Arbor Day Links https://pinellas.gov/news/urban-forestry-to-host-drive-thru-tree-giveaway-jan-17/ https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/florida-arbor-day-3889013 Pruning guidelines link https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pruning/ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/integrated-pest-management/ DDIS Site https://ddis.ifas.ufl.edu/jsp/html/howto.jsp More sites about Biological Control https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/biological-controls-and-integrated-pest-management/ Florida Invasive Species Partnership https://www.floridainvasives.org Resources: UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774 Phone (727) 582-2109 gardenhelp@pinellas.gov Please help UF/IFAS serve you better by completing this voluntary brief survey (https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE1cjfce16blIkS). We appreciate your help. SWFWMD Watering Restrictions https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions Pinellas County Water Conservation and Watering Schedule Rules https://pinellas.gov/department/water-conservation/ https://pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules/ Pinellas County Fertilizer Ordinance https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-fertilizer-ordinance/ Land measurement tools are built into the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website https://www.pcpao.gov/gis.html Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Monthly Gardening Calendars https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/ South Florida Regional Gardening Calendars https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP452#SECTION_4 ---- Pinellas County Help Desk & Plant Clinics https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/contact-us-for-help/ Social Media https://www.facebook.com/PinellasExtension/ https://www.youtube.com/user/PinellasExtensionTV Ask IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program https://floridafriendlylandscaping.com/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 9 Principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping™ https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Apps https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/ Planting Pinellas Post Newsletter https://subscribe.ifas.ufl.edu/extweb/pinellas_planting.html Tampa Bay Water Rebate Program https://tampabaywaterwise.org/en/rebates/ Barbara Strickland Endowment https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/026203-barbara-strickland-pinellas-county-master-gardener-volunteer-endowment/ ---- This podcast is brought to you by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, an equal opportunity institution.