UF IFAS Extension Polk County

UF IFAS Extension Polk County We provide educational programs to residents in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 4-H.

The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. University of Florida page Policy

University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County intends to educate, inform, and provide updated information on UF IFAS Extension Polk County activities and to supp

ort and promote the objectives for these activities through this social media site. All UF IFAS Extension Polk County comments are made by its designees. This site is not a public forum. Social media users may share ideas through commentary that is consistent with and furthers the objectives of a UF IFAS Extension Polk County post. The University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County reserves the right to remove any comments that do not fall within this purpose. By posting a comment on this social media site, users agree to follow the terms of use of the site, Florida and federal laws and University of Florida regulations and policies, including but not limited to the University’s Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy. The University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County reserves the right to remove from the site any comments that violate these requirements. The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Look closer: not every plant or critter in Florida is a welcome guest 👀🌿 In this article featured on Haven + LKLD, our N...
06/03/2026

Look closer: not every plant or critter in Florida is a welcome guest 👀🌿

In this article featured on Haven + LKLD, our Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent, Shannon Carnevale, dives into nonnative species and their impact right here in the Heartland!

👉 Check it out here: https://www.havenmagazines.com/post/nonnative-species-in-florida-s-heartland
👇 What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen in your yard? Tell us in the comments below!

Haven & LKLD

06/03/2026

What do you need to know, do, and grow in your yard in June?

Check out the June issue of Your Central Florida Yard newsletter https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/

UF IFAS Extension Polk County
UF Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program
Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Summer is the perfect time to plant palms, and start building your own tropical oasis at home!🌴☀️In this article, Reside...
06/02/2026

Summer is the perfect time to plant palms, and start building your own tropical oasis at home!🌴☀️

In this article, Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator, Anne Yasalonis, shares expert tips to help your palms thrive in Central Florida.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.havenmagazines.com/post/growing-palms-in-your-central-florida-yard
👇 Drop a🌴in the comments below or tell us your planting plans!

Haven & LKLD Polk Gardening

🌞✨ HELLO JUNE! Your Summer Starts NOW! ✨🌞We’re kicking off June 1st with a full calendar of can’t-miss events all month ...
06/01/2026

🌞✨ HELLO JUNE! Your Summer Starts NOW! ✨🌞

We’re kicking off June 1st with a full calendar of can’t-miss events all month long! Whether you're looking for fun, learning, or something new to try, we’ve got you covered!

👉 Click the link below to follow us on Eventbrite, stay in the loop, and grab your spots before they fill up:
👉 https://PolkCountyExtension.Eventbrite.com/
👉 Don’t forget, you can also browse our Events section on Facebook for all of our upcoming summer programs!

Tag your friends and family, mark your calendars, and let’s make June AMAZING!

06/01/2026

Come chat plants with us this morning at Mackay Gardens!

UF IFAS Extension Polk County
Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Don’t forget to adjust your irrigation timer start time once daylight savings starts on March 8, 2026. Remember that beg...
06/01/2026

Don’t forget to adjust your irrigation timer start time once daylight savings starts on March 8, 2026. Remember that beginning February 8, 2026, watering is limited to one day per week. With that change watering times have also changed. You cannot water between 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Watering is only allowed from 12:01M-8:00AM OR 6:00PM to 11:59PM. Properties less than one acre in size may only water during one of these windows.

Always check with your city or county for allowable day and times.

For more information visit: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/business/epermitting/district-water-restrictions.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ uses 9 principles to promote best gardening practices for Florida gardeners. The principle...
06/01/2026

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ uses 9 principles to promote best gardening practices for Florida gardeners. The principles: #1 Right Plant, Right Place, #2 Water Efficiently, #3 Fertilize Appropriately, #4 Mulch, #5 Attract Wildlife, #6 Manage Yard Pests Responsibly, #7 Recycle Yard Waste, #8 Reduce Stormwater Runoff, #9 Protect the Waterfront. These principles help protect Florida’s water, conserve resources, and support wildlife.

For more information visit our website: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/ or call UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041.

Sourced from: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Handbook for Home Landscapes

🧠🍓 Eat for Better Brain Health! 🍓🧠Want to boost your memory and power up your brain with every bite? Join us for a FREE,...
05/29/2026

🧠🍓 Eat for Better Brain Health! 🍓🧠

Want to boost your memory and power up your brain with every bite? Join us for a FREE, fun, and informative session that makes brain-healthy eating simple and doable!

📍 Where: Lake Wales Family Recreation Center (Lake Wales, FL)
📅 When: Wednesday, June 3
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM

✨ What You’ll Learn:
• How everyday foods can support memory
• Ways to lower your risk of cognitive decline
• Easy, research-based strategies, including the MIND Diet
• Practical tips you can start using right away

💡 Did we mention, this event is FREE?! Bring a friend, invest in your health, and walk away with tools to keep your brain strong and thriving.
🚨 Space is limited, reserve your spot today!
https://EatForBrainHealth2026.eventbrite.com

City of Lake Wales Recreation

🐝✨ What a Buzzing Success Today! ✨🐝Our 2026 Beekeeping Basics Workshop was an incredible hands-on experience filled with...
05/28/2026

🐝✨ What a Buzzing Success Today! ✨🐝

Our 2026 Beekeeping Basics Workshop was an incredible hands-on experience filled with learning, laughter, and a whole lot of bees! It was amazing to see everyone confidently step up to live hive demonstrations, inspect frames, spot activity within colonies, and observe the bees up close!

Throughout the day, attendees gained valuable insights on:
✅ Florida beekeeping laws & regulations
✅ Essential tools every beekeeper needs
✅ Bee biology & common diseases
✅ How to start and manage your own apiary
✅ Real-world, hands-on hive experience

📸 Swipe through to see our beekeepers in action!

🐝🌼 It’s Bee Day here at UF/IFAS Extension Polk County! 🌼🐝We’re buzzing with excitement for today’s Beekeeping Basics Wor...
05/28/2026

🐝🌼 It’s Bee Day here at UF/IFAS Extension Polk County! 🌼🐝

We’re buzzing with excitement for today’s Beekeeping Basics Workshop! Whether you're just curious or already starting your journey, this hands-on experience is the perfect introduction to the fascinating world of beekeeping! 🍯

Did you know honey bees help pollinate about 85% of Florida’s crops? Talk about tiny, but mighty!

Today’s Highlights:
✨ Beekeeping laws and regulations in Florida
✨ Common tools and equipment
✨ Honey bee biology & common diseases
✨ Getting started as a beekeeper
✨ Live demonstrations and expert guidance

A great day of learning, discovery, and appreciation for these tiny but mighty pollinators! 🐝🌱

Address

1702 Highway 17-98 South
Bartow, FL
33830

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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