UF/IFAS: July-August 2026 Edition of the New Leaf Newsletter

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“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning .” -Mark Twain
On a recent trip to Ichetucknee Springs State Park I began to think about what I would do should a thunderstorm pop up. After I got back home I checked out OSHA’s Lightning Safety website. Some things I learned were:
• 10% of all lightning strikes occur without rain at the spot where lightning struck.
• The only safe places are indoors in large buildings (not camp bathrooms, etc.) and in metal roofed vehicles.
• If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing a lightning strike, it means that the storm is less than 6 miles away and you should move indoors imme-diately.
Since Florida has more lightning strikes than any other state it is important that we stay aware of weather conditions when outside.

Summer Cover Crops for the Home Vegetable Garden

By early summer, many of us have pulled up our spent spring crops. No disrespect to okra or lima beans, but sometimes we just don't want to actively garden in the intense heat. So what can we do with our garden beds instead? We can grow cover crops. Read on for what cover crops we can grow during the summer heat

Okra: Easy to Grow and Delicious to Eat

AIf you struggle with growing vegetables in the Florida heat, don’t sleep on okra. It’s a beginner-friendly, tough-as-nails crop that just keeps going no matter how hot it gets. You may think to yourself, even if I had a pile of okra pods, what would I do with them? Read on for deatails on growing and preparing okra

Houseplants That Should Stay in the House

Here in Florida where the climate is subtropical, the line between houseplants and outdoor plants is often a little blurred. But just because we can grow some houseplants outdoors year-round doesn't mean we should. Did you know many of our beloved indoor plants become a menace when they are planted in the landscape?. Read on for some information on housplants that should stay inside.

Florida Tree Trivia

We are in the middle of a very hot summer. As I was mowing the yard this weekend, I stopped to take a break in the shade of the swamp chestnut oak tree in my front yard, and started thinking about the topic for this blog. What about some intriguing facts that showcase the remarkable adaptations and features of trees. Read on to find out more !

It's HONEY season

In N.E. Florida, the months of June and July are busy times for beekeepers. It marks the time of year when the abundant nectar sources that were ramping up in the spring (called the honey flow) start to diminish as summer heats up. To read more click here.

What to plant in July/August

The Gardening Calendar gives North Florida gardeners a guide for what to plant and do in their gardens. It includes links to useful gardening websites, all based on University of Florida research and expertise.

Upcoming Events

(Follow us on Eventbrite for Upcoming Classes)

Wednesday July 15th at 11:30 am, a program on Planning now for fall vegetable gardening at the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Office located at 1010 N. McDuff Ave. Fall is a great time to grow vegetables in northeast Florida. If you are new to vegetable gardening or new to Florida, join us for this in-person Lunch and Learn to learn how to get started now. This class will cover the basics of planning for a fall vegetable garden. The cost is $5.38 Register via Eventbrite

Wednesday July 29th at 2 pm, a program on Backyard Hen Training at the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Office located at 1010 N. McDuff Ave. This class is necessary for you to get your hen permit in Duval County, You will receive a certificate of completion that you present to the city to receive your permit. The cost is $12.51. Tickets go on sale March 21st Register via Eventbrite

Thursday July 30th at 3:00 pm, join us online or in person for a program on Living on a Few Acres: Cool Season and Wildlife Forages at the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Office located at 1010 N. McDuff Ave. Join us for an informative session on Cool Season and Wildlife Forages for small farms.Topics will include: Varieties, Preperation and Establishment, and Food Plot management Come learn how to incorporate these feed plots into your farm. Register via Eventbrite

Thursday September 3rd, 10th, and 17th at 5:30 pm, join us for our Welcome to Florida Gardening 201 at the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Office located at 1010 N. McDuff Ave. If you've just moved to Florida or are new to caring for a Florida lawn or garden, this series is for you! Gardening in Florida is a lot different than in other parts of the country, and the information available online can be overwhelming. We designed this class series to dig a little deeper into our most popular topics: how to manage your own lawn care, what plants attract pollinators to your yard, drought and frost tolerant native plants suited to home landsapes and best practices for designing and installing a Florida-Friendly landscape.This is a three part class series.Take one class or all three! You can register for classes individually or purchase the 3 class package ticket for a savings of $5. Cost for each class is $12.51. Register via Eventbrite

For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations that wish to attend any Extension events, please contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office (TDD, via Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771) at least ten working days prior to the class so that proper consideration may be given to the request. UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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