October 2026
By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
The cooler temps of late are lending to optimism that the heat won’t win out and the bulk of the tender transplants that have made it from flats to 4″ pot to the recently prepared raised beds might survive.
With global warming trends, these last few fall gardening seasons have been tough to predict – something I discovered last year as I watched the snow peas shrivel with the heat.
Those like me who are looking for assistance in what grows when in Central Florida might want to take advantage of the free programs on the October Garden Groove Calendar. Most are hosted by master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension at various sites. I noticed that the majority of this month’s programs are being held in east and central Pasco libraries, which might entail a short day trip that could have you exploring other parts of Pasco County.
The IFAS/UF Pasco County Extension is an awesome resource whether it be gardeners wanting to learn more or perhaps 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 cooking classes, a “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” support group, and the opportunity to sign on as a 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 FarmNet Community Dinner on November 7 in Peace Hall. For more info, scroll 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
Photo | Michele Miller
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Basic Vegetable Gardening, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday, October 1 at the Wesley Chapel Library in Wesley Chapel
Do you want to have vegetables from your garden most of the year? If you give them the growing conditions they prefer and do a little planning, you can grow fresh, nutritious vegetables most of the year in central Florida. Basic vegetable gardening is easier than you think. For novice gardeners, learn the basics to get started. For intermediate to advanced gardeners, take a refresher course to improve your knowledge.
For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | 10th Annual Gardening 365 Festival & Plant Sale, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, October 3 at Wesley Chapel District Park in Wesley Chapel
The festival offers a wide variety of vendors, a silent auction, live butterfly exhibit, kids’ zone, garden shoppe, seeds, live ladybugs, food and drink options, and SO much more!
Register early for the Rain Barrel Workshop at the 365 Fest & Plant Sale. This workshop, taught by UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, will be held from 2 – 3:30 p.m. and is a paid event ($65.00) where you keep the rain barrel. Participants will learn how to build, install, and use their rain barrel. Limit one rain barrel per household. At least one household member is required to attend the workshop. Registration ends on September 28, 2026, at 11:00 PM EST to allow time to purchase workshop materials. Class size is limited to 20 U-Build-It participants. The $65.00 fee covers the cost of the rain barrel and workshop instruction. Register through Eventbrite here.
For more on UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
Mosquitoes in Local News
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Master Gardener Adopt a Pond Program Seminar, 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 at the Land O’Lakes Library
Learn about Pasco County’s Public Works Department Adopt-A-Pond and lake management program. This volunteer-driven initiative encourages you and your neighbors to adopt a stormwater pond and help remove invasive plants, plant native vegetation, and clean up trash and pollutants. Adopting a pond can help balance the needs of communities, wildlife, and aquatic plants by improving water quality, preventing stormwater pollution, maintaining plant diversity, and attracting wildlife.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Ask a Master Gardener, 10 – 11 a.m. and Tips For the Lazy Gardener Saturday, October 10 from 10 – 12 p.m. at the Zephyrhills Public Library
Bring your questions on plants to this FREE “Ask a Master Gardener” seminar and get all your gardening questions answered. Stick around to get some tips on how to do it the easy way.
New River Garden Club: Q&A with a Master Gardener, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Satruday, October 10 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel
Come out for the Garden Kickoff in the Discovery Garden. Master Gardener Pete will be there to answer all your questions.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Master Gardeners: All things Aloe, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 13 at the New River Library in Wesley Chapel
The aloe plant is a type of succulent, with its fleshy leaves that store water and a wonderful gel. Learn some useful techniques on how to care for aloe vera, along with the many benefits of this plant!
New Port Richey Garden Club Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 14 at the Faith Methodist Church in Hudson
All are welcome to attend this meeting, which starts with social time at 12:30 p.m., followed by a meeting and seminar on Florida soils.
Address for the Faith United Methodist Church: 12128 St Rd 52, Hudson.
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | All About Composting!, 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City
Yard trimmings, leaves, and other landscape waste can be combined with kitchen waste in the composting process to create fertile, organic matter that can be added to soil, mulch, and potting soil to help your plants flourish. Composting is nature’s way of recycling…actively helped along by you! Join in this informative in-person presentation to learn tips and tricks about the science and art of composting from UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County.
Master Gardeners | Vermicomposting, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20 at the New Port Richey Public Library
Worm composting is a great way to reduce kitchen waste, whether you live in an apartment or a home with a yard. Worm castings can be added directly to houseplants or used in your garden and flower beds. Learn how to build and maintain a proper habitat for vermicomposting, including the right type of worms, bedding, and food.
Seminar presented by Pasco County Master Gardeners. For more information on the program, visit pascocountyfl.gov/services/cooperative_extension/gardening or ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/master-gardener-volunteers-mgvs/
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New Port Richey Farm Net Plants and Pints, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 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.
New Port Richey Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday, October 23 & 24 in Hudson
Great Plants! Great Prices!
Sale will be at 9810 Gary Street in Hudson.
Photo of Orange Pagoda-Clerodendrum paniculatum by Michele Miller
UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension | Master Gardener Seminar: Good Bug, Bad Bug, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, October 31 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City
Did you know that not all insects are harmful to your plants or garden? Some insects can be highly beneficial to your space. How do we identify the beneficial insects we want in our gardens? Come learn how to tell whether a bug is good or bad based on appearance and plant damage. We will also cover how to control unwanted insects with a brief introduction to an integrated pest management system.
From the archives
UF/IFAS Charts on What to Plant This Month
Click the images for more to link to the UF/IFAS website
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
FarmNet Annual Community Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7, in Peace Hall in downtown New Port Richey | Covered Dish or $25
New Port Richey FarmNet invites the community to the annual Community Dinner served buffet style. Labeled vegan or vegetarian dishes are preferred. Animal protein is allowed and requested to be clearly labeled as such. To make a reservation, email Dell deChant at ddechant@tampabay.rr.com or Amanda Zborek at ajozborek@gmail.com.
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)
Master Gardener Volunteers
Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) are adult volunteers recruited and trained by county extension agents and University of Florida specialists to provide assistance in Extension home horticultural programs. Through this program, enthusiastic gardeners study such areas as botany, horticulture, soil science, and plant and insect identification and management. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is administered by the Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
How to Become a MGV
You are required to attend the Meet & Greet – a mandatory informational session covering training, volunteering, and requirements. The training itself is 10-12 weeks long and meets once a week, in-person. There are annual requirements to remain certified, trained volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Pasco County Master Gardener Volunteer, please email Program Manager Jillian Meek.
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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