UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County Master Gardeners

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UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County Master Gardeners

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The University of Florida IFAS Pinellas Master Gardeners assist extension agents in providing research based information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping.

08/21/2026

Who is participating in the Great SE Pollinator census? Post a picture here of your favorite pollinator logged. To participate: https://gsepc.org/

07/08/2026

Looking for heat-tolerant edible plants? Tropical spinaches like Malabar, Okinawa and longevity spinach work great in the summer garden and can be harvested all season.

For more info ➡️ https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/tropical-spinaches/

07/02/2026

Nothing says 4th of July quite like a slice of watermelon. 🍉🇺🇸

Need a way to beat the summer heat? Watermelon is mostly water, making it a refreshing summer favorite. Florida also has a unique place in watermelon production, being the only state in the country that produces watermelon from December to April.

And here’s a fun fact for your holiday cookout: seedless watermelons aren’t made by removing seeds. They’re created by crossing watermelon plants with different numbers of chromosomes, producing sterile plants that can’t form mature seeds. Those little white "seeds" you see are actually just seed coats.

Enjoy a cool slice of summer this Independence Day!
📸 UF/IFAS horticulture professor Steve Olson holds a seedless watermelon, a cultivar developed at UF. (AP photo/University of Florida/IFAS/Marisol Amador)

06/30/2026

It's Trivia Tuesday!

Comment below if you can guess the name of the plant pictured.

This plant is one of the hundreds that our Master Gardener Volunteers learn to identify as they serve their communities. If you have a question about a plant in your landscape, contact them at your county’s Extension office: go.ufl.edu/Extension

📸Patti Anderson, Identifying Commonly Cultivated Palms, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

06/27/2026

💧 Pinellas County Watering Update 💧

The Phase III watering restrictions have been extended through October 1, 2026.

We’ve received questions about what this means for edible plants and vegetable gardens, so here are some important reminders:

🥕 For edible and vegetable gardens:
• Hand watering is allowed any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Microirrigation/drip irrigation is also allowed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• If using high-volume irrigation systems, water only on your assigned watering days.

A few key facts about Phase III restrictions:
✔ Restrictions apply to all water sources — including potable water and private wells
✔ Watering during cooler parts of the day helps reduce evaporation and improves efficiency
✔ Hand watering for plants (other than lawns) remains allowed during approved hours

Please note: If your water service comes from a municipality other than Pinellas County Utilities, your watering rules may differ. Check with your local water provider for the most accurate guidance.

06/24/2026

Learn what you can do to protect our sand dunes!

06/23/2026

🦋 Keeping the Pollinator Week momentum going with one of Florida's prettiest pollinators:
Presenting Florida's state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing, pausing on tropical sage. Unlike most butterflies, Zebra Longwings sip both nectar and pollen — giving them extra nutrients that can help adults live for several months instead of the typical few weeks. They’re also known for their slow, peaceful flight and even gather in communal nighttime roosts.

Pretty, pollen-powered, and perfectly at home in Florida gardens. 🌿
📸: Regan Cox

Address

12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL
33774

Website

http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/master-gardener/

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