Garden Groove | Horticultural Events & Programs, September 2026

And so it starts. Hopefully not too early, I’m thinking as the tomato and cucumber seedlings I planted a few weeks ago begin to outgrow their nine-pack seed starter trays under LED lights.

I’m trying to get a leg-up on the fall/winter growing season by following the lead from local growers and fellow backyard gardeners in Central Florida who start their seeds inside with the hopes of cooling fall temps. Also getting some tips from The Farmer’s Almanac.

I’ll let you know how that works out.

In the meantime, for those looking for assistance in what grows when in Central Florida, you might want to take advantage of some of the free programs and events on the September Garden Groove. Most are hosted by volunteers and staff with the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension at various sites, most often local libraries, throughout Pasco County.

Are mosquitoes lingering around your home? Learn more about this pesky biter who can also be responsible for certain viruses and find out which ones are truly biting. This seminar will cover a brief history, the life cycle of the mosquito, how to identify them, helpful predators and tips, tricks, and myths for keeping mosquitoes away from you and out of your gardens.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Come out for a very special Plant Parent Club as gardener and butterfly waystation caretaker Susan Dalton Carney shares why butterfly gardens matter and how to plan and plant one at home.

This program requires registration in order to participate in the take-home kit.  If you would like to attend without a reservation for a kit, please email acole@pascolibraries.org.

Master gardener Kate Kaste will speak on the topic of composting. All are welcome to attend the meeting with social time starting at 12:30 p.m. and the meeting and program startting at 1 p.m. at the Faith United Methodist Church, 12128 St Rd 52 Hudson.

This plant is recommended for people who can’t grow anything or forget to water their plants. You will learn how to be creative with these plants. You will learn how to manipulate these plants, especially the caudex. You will see how to make your plant become a work of art, or a bonsai type of plant to enjoy.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Come on out and join in the fun while sharing the magic of okra — one of Florida’s forgotten summer vegetables. There will be samples of delicious okra dishes, okra recipe books, okra seeds, fresh okra for sale by local growers, and an okra recipe tasting contest. Come for some seasonal food and learn about sustainable living!

This presentation will explore Florida’s 16 Native Bromeliads: Spanish Moss, Ball Moss and Tillandsia Air plants. Growing decorative Bromeliads and Pineapples will be discussed, along with other plant life forms found in Florida’s tropical environment. Hands-on demo plants are provided for additional interest.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Learn how to grow loofahs — yes, those scrubby sponges — right in your own backyard. This class covers everything from planting seeds to peeling and drying your harvest. Get tips on sunlight, types of support, and when to pick them for the best results.By the end, you’ll be ready to start a loofah jungle and collect home-grown scrubbers.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Whether you are new to Florida or a long-time resident, this seminar will explore the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping and how it can not only help you maintain your home landscape, but help it thrive! The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program is here to help you learn how to have healthy and beautiful landscapes that protect Florida’s natural resources by following nine science-based principles that you can learn about at this seminar. For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Learn the basics about vegetable gardening the Florida way.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

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.

There is a science behind how to properly prune your trees, palms and shrubs. Sadly, most plants are poorly pruned, leading to future problems. Learn the techniques of natural or “organic” style of pruning for your trees, palms, and shrubs.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principle #1 is “Right Plant, Right Place” and includes site condition-matching native and non-native plants, but NEVER invasive plants. Properly selected native plants can be incorporated into home landscapes to add interest, drought and cold tolerance, and wildlife use. If you want to welcome pollinators into your home landscapes, native plants are the way! Join us to learn about great native plant choices for Pasco County landscapes.

Pollinators are critical to our ecosystems, and they are in trouble. Who are the pollinators and why are they important to our world? Why should we care about them and how we can help them survive an ever-increasing warm climate? A healthy garden with the right plants will support natural beneficial insects and their needs. Learn what’s causing their decline and how planting a pollinator-friendly habitat in our yards will benefit them. For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

September ushers in the start of another Florida autumn gardening season, and if you are wondering what needs to be done in your landscape for best care now, then this presentation is for you. We’ll review routine landscape maintenance tips and tricks, as well as discuss specific jobs to do before the central Florida growing season ends.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

We love our plants and our pets, but sometimes they don’t mix. We will explore the various plants that we keep in our homes and our landscapes, some of which may cause potential harm to our non-human family members. Many popular plants contain toxins that can cause mild irritation or be potentially life-threatening. Join us for this informative seminar as we opt for plants known to be safe for pets, placement of those plants, and having rooms/outdoor areas dedicated to plants ‘off limits’ to our pets.

For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco

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.

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.