August 2026
By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
A morning thunderstorm is blowing through as I write this little intro for this month’s Garden Groove calendar.
Ahhhh…. A welcome watering. A brief dousing that helps sate the Kobacha squash that’s been toasting in the summer sun, even under a makeshift shade cloth – and the Avocado tree that’s prematurely dropping small, hard fruit from this summer’s meager harvest.
The home gardener’s summer lament.
Even so, we know this is a cyclical venture, so it’s already time to start thinking about the fall. What to start from seed indoors. What and where to plant in the hopefully cooler fall months, guided by last year’s notes and maybe by some advice from those in the know.
As usual, the Garden Groove calendar is peppered with horticulture programs and seminars hosted by the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension at sites, most often local libraries, throughout Pasco County. This is an incredible resource with a plethora of programs to meet the needs of the community. Gardeners wanting to learn more or even tend their own community garden plot, small cottage businesses, and area youth. There’s also a One Stop Shop in Dade City that serves as a local hub – offering such things as heart-healthy classes on Mediterranean cooking, a “grandparents Raising Grandchildren” support group, and the chance to volunteer. To explore those opportunities and more, beyond events listed below, visit the website at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco.
New Port Richey FarmNet is also a worthy resource for backyard gardeners. The group oversees Grand Gardens – a community garden venture, as well as a small fruit tree grove in downtown New Port Richey. NPR FarmNet also hosts a variety of educational community programs (Plants & Pints held on the 3rd Tuesday) and festivals, too, with the next being the annual Okra Occasion. The annual event, held on September 12, 2026, at the New Port Richey Library, touts the worthiness of an oft-maligned vegetable that grows abundantly in our area and might win over some naysayers who attend this event and try out some local recipes. For more info, scroll on down. To explore on your own, visit farmnetnpr.com.
Gardening & Horticultural Events By Date
What To Plant Calendars
New Port Richey FarmNet
Pasco County Community Gardens
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Pollinator Garden in a Pot, 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 5 at the Land O’Lakes Library
Have you ever wanted to grow a pollinator garden but didn’t have the space for one? Wait no longer. Come see a demonstration about combining plants into one pot that can fit on your patio or porch. Learn about the importance of pollinators and the appropriate plants needed for their survival and the design needed for a successful container garden.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Ask a Master Gardener Volunteer, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, August 6 at the Wesley Chapel Library
Does your garden or its insects have you stumped? Certified Master Gardener Volunteers are trained gardening enthusiasts who enjoy helping others grow and succeed. Noticing unusual spots on your plant leaves or a new insect in your garden? Bring your questions to Pasco’s Master Gardener Volunteers for guidance on lawn and garden. They can help identify problems, recommend research-based solutions, and connect you with helpful resources that support healthy landscapes and natural resource conservation. Bring in a plant or insect specimen if possible — or simply bring photos.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Kids Learning Lab – The Lifecycle of a Butterfly, 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8 at the Zephyrhills Library
This interactive presentation will educate studens in grades K-5 about the life cycle of the butterfly. Youngsters will learn about each stage of the butterfly’s life while completing activities that represent each stage. There will also be a discussion on why butterflies are so important to the environment and how they are assets to our lives as well.
Please note this workshop is for K-5th grade students and registration is required. Registration link here.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Plant This Not That, 6 – 1 p.m. Monday, August 8 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City
Many common landscape plants in central Florida are actually invasive species that are shared between unknowing home gardeners and sold commercially (because they may not be a problem elsewhere), adding to their spread.
Come and learn about these common invasive plant species to avoid, and which species should be used in your home landscape instead!
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Native Bees in Florida, 6 – 6 p.m. Monday, August 10 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey
Come and be amazed at all their differences and how you can recognize them in the garden at this seminar.
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UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Palms – Information on Varieties, Care and Common Problems, 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, August 15 at Canterbury Farms in Hudson
Palm trees in a landscape help define Florida living. Join this informative presentation to learn about common varieties of palms in Central Florida, their proper care, and diseases and insects that can affect them.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | How to Have a Successful Lawn With Once-a-Week Watering, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 18 at the New Port Richey Library
It IS POSSIBLE to maintain a healthy lawn and comply with the current Pasco County one-day-per-week watering restrictions! Join us to learn how to maximize turfgrass health, save water and save money via techniques researched and published by turf experts at UF/IFAS Extension.
New Port Richey Farm Net Plants and Pints, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, at The Florida Room in downtown New Port Richey
This NPR FarmNet event takes place on the third Tuesday of each month and typically features plants, seeds, a guest speaker, and the opportunity to slip next door to Ordinance One for a brew.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Selecting and Planting Trees – Right Plant Right Place, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20 at the South Holiday Library
Trees are an important part of landscapes in Florida. In home landscapes, tree selection, location, proper planting techniques and early care all contribute to the overall health and longevity of trees.
Come and learn the details of how to select, plant and care for trees in home landscapes, the Florida-Friendly way!
New Port Richey FarmNet | Seeds of the Season – From Seed to Harvest, 5 p.m. Thursday, August 27 at the New Port Richey Library
New Port Richey FarmNet presents Seeds of the Season, a hands-on introduction to seasonal gardening that you can do right at home. This crash course features planting demonstrations, an overview of regenerative gardening practices, DIY starter kits, and more to help you get ready for the autumn growing season
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Bonsai, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City
Unlock the mysteries of Bonsai! This is a fascinating introduction to the art of Bonsai, a unique combination of horticulture and art. It will include some history, philosophy, basic supplies you would need and techniques. The speaker will show examples and discuss the specifics of growing Bonsai in Florida. There will be many suggestions on how to create your own works of Bonsai art.
From the archives
New Port Richey FarmNet promotes local food systems – from farm or garden to table – focusing on sustainable principles that include hosting educational agriculture events and festivals, maintaining community gardens – including Grand Gardens in New Port Richey – filling the New Port Richey Library seed library with local and successful varieties, and supporting local businesses.
For information on NPR FarmNet and garden plot prices, visit farmnetnpr.com
Okra Occasion, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, September 12, at the New Port Richey Library
A little-known fact – Okra is most widely known as a vegetable, but since it has seeds, it is actually a fruit.
It’s also one of the vegetables that can withstand, rather, flourish in Florida’s tropical summer climate.
And while it’s an essential in many cultural and regional dishes, okra sometimes gets a bad rap – one this event seeks to dispel with education and a variety of okra-inspired recipes and concoctions.
Sweet Potato Round-up, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at the New Port Richey Library
Buy and taste local sweet potatoes at this annual event, which, per usual, offers an educational spin for those interested in planting their own crop. And while November is typically harvest time for the sweet potato in these parts, those in the know have been delighting in sweet potato greens, considered a delicacy in asian cultures, throughout the summer months.
UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County’s Community Gardens Program assists communities county-wide to develop sustainable, food-producing community gardens. The Community Gardens Program offers free plots, education, and training.
For more information, visit pascocountyfl.gov/services/cooperative_extension/community_gardens
Community Garden Locations
J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex
2830 Gulf Trace Blvd.
Holiday, FL 34691
Elsie Logan Memorial Park
15830 Greenglen Lane
Shady Hills, FL 34610
Heritage Park
5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd,
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639
Watson Park
37201 Main Ave
Dade City, FL 33523
Wesley Chapel District Park
7727 Boyette Rd
Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
Master Gardener Volunteer Program – Master Gardener Volunteers are trained by county Extension agents and specialists from the University of Florida. After their training, they help teach people in the community about plants and gardening. In this program, volunteers learn about topics like plant science, soil, insects, and how to identify and care for different plants. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is part of the Cooperative Extension Service, which belongs to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County – Answers on basic questions, FREE irrigation evaluations for Pasco Citizens, and more resources.
4-H and Youth Development – In 4-H, young people have the opportunity to “experience” through “hands-on” learning and discovery in project areas such as foods and nutrition, sewing, hiking, citizenship, community service, photography, large and small animals, lap animals, horses, and more.
Livestock, Pasture Management, and Agriculture
Commercial Horticulture & Integrated Pest Management – The Commercial Horticulture and Integrated Pest Management Program at UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension connects local growers with research-based resources to support environmentally friendly and sustainable horticultural practices. Our goal is to help growers maximize crop quality and yield while preserving the fragile Florida ecosystem.
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