UF IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Sarasota County

📌 Starting February 8, the Phase II water shortage restrictions will go into effect through July 1, 2026.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has updated the restriction from Phase I ➡️ Phase II due to below average rainfall during the summer rainy season. 🥀

Water levels in aquifers, rivers, and lakes, are continuing to decline and many are below normal. 📉

✨We should always conserve water because it is a limited resource✨

🚰Did you know, outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of water consumed by households?
☑️To conserve water, irrigating is now restricted to one day a week.
☑️For low-volume watering of plants & shrubs (micro-irrigation, hand watering) is allowed any day/time.
☑️These restrictions apply even if you are on a private well.

If you're curious about whether your irrigation set-up is leaking money & wasting water, sign up for a free irrigation evaluation below⬇️
tiny.cc/ufsaraext_irrigationcheck

Sarasota County Government University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

It's estimated that bats 🦇 save farmers, ranchers, and gardeners billions of dollars 💰 each year by naturally controlling agricultural pests.

Want to attract more to your property?

Build them a house 🏠 https://go.ufl.edu/bathouse

In honor of World Food Day, let’s celebrate a sustainable, food-secure future. Home gardens can be an excellent way to have access to a healthy diet and live in harmony with the land. For information on sustainable home food production, check out these articles on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/get-growing/

Don't miss the 19th Annual Plant Sale + EdFest.

This FREE, family-friendly, fall gardening event, set for Oct. 11 8:30a to 3p, features thousands of plants for sale, sustainable gardening education, and landscape problem diagnosis, plus an open house that highlights all UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has to offer. No registration or tickets required.

NOTE: Proceeds from the sale benefit the Master Gardeners Chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, which supports Master Gardener Volunteer education outreach programs in Sarasota County.

Plant Sale: Find your right plant, for the right price!
EdFest Open House: See what Extension offers!

Learn more: http://tiny.cc/ufsaraext_plantsale

Sarasota County Government University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

This week we’re celebrating all the accomplishments of Master Gardener Volunteers from across the state. Thank you for your dedication to the program and passion for gardening! We appreciate the work you do, sharing horticulture knowledge in your county.

We are happy to provide a link to recordings from the 2024 Master Gardener State Conference Advance Training, where we came together in person to provide volunteers with the most up-to-date, relevant, and engaging information to support their efforts in making a meaningful impact. Listen to the sessions on the conference website at https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/gardener/virtual/post-conference.php

🌿🌸 Storm Survivors Mini Plant Sale March 1, 2025! 🌸🌿

Refresh and restore your landscape after the 2024 storm season with the right plant in the right place. 🌱✨ Join us for a fantastic selection of perennials, herbs, groundcovers, native plants, and more, perfect for sun, shade or a vibrant butterfly garden. 🌞🌿

🌟 Event Highlights:
✅ Wide variety of plants
✅ Master Gardener Support
✅ Rain or Shine
✅ Bring Your Wagon

📍 UF IFAS Extension Sarasota County Twin Lakes Park
📅 Saturday March 1st 2025 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

🎉 FREE ADMISSION

A special thank you to our organizing partners Friends of Sarasota County Parks for their incredible support. 💚

📲 Learn more: sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/plantsale