Florida Gardening Made Easier: How to Use IFAS Resources
Gardening in Florida Isn’t Always Simple—But You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Florida gardening is like no other. Between the sandy soil, intense sun, unpredictable storms, and year-round growing seasons, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure it all out by trial and error. That’s where UF/IFAS comes in.
At Jax Woodcrafters, we love helping homeowners bring their garden dreams to life with raised beds, pollinator gardens, and outdoor spaces that work. But for the how-tos—like what to plant when, how to compost, or how to keep pests off your peppers—we always point clients to the best resource in the state: the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension.
Today we’re sharing why IFAS is a game-changer for Florida gardeners—and how you can use their expert resources alongside your custom garden layout or beds from Jax Woodcrafters.
What Is UF/IFAS, and Why Should Florida Gardeners Care?
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a mouthful—but don’t let the academic name scare you off. Their team of scientists, horticulturists, and local experts has built an entire system of free gardening support, all tailored to Florida’s unique climate.
Whether you're working with a patio-sized container garden or a full backyard transformation, IFAS helps you:
Choose plants that thrive in your region
Understand soil health and how to improve it
Set up Florida-friendly irrigation
Plan a vegetable garden based on seasonality
Explore Gardening Solutions: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/
Top IFAS Resources Every Home Gardener Should Bookmark
We’ve worked with a lot of first-time gardeners here in Northeast Florida, and the one thing they all ask is: Where do I start?
Here’s where:
1. Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
Want to know what to plant and when? This guide is essential for every raised bed or container garden in Florida.
📌 Download the guide →
2. Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
This outlines nine principles for creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes—from right-plant/right-place planning to water conservation.
📌 Visit the site →
3. Local Extension Office Support
Every county has its own UF/IFAS extension office. You can stop in for soil testing, expert advice, or local planting calendars.
📌 Find your local office →
Pairing IFAS Knowledge with Jax Woodcrafters Design
We’ve seen first-hand what happens when you combine IFAS’s planting wisdom with Jax Woodcrafters’ custom-built garden beds—plants grow stronger, soil stays healthier, and yards become more functional and beautiful.
For example:
Use IFAS planting guides to map out seasonal crops, then plant them in our handcrafted cedar raised beds with proper drainage.
Start a pollinator garden using IFAS’s native plant lists, framed with our wooden garden dividers or trellises.
Incorporate Florida-Friendly principles like mulching and water conservation—our bed designs make those practices easy.
Why We Love IFAS (And Why You Will Too)
Florida is one of the toughest gardening environments in the U.S.—but also one of the most rewarding. That’s why we love IFAS: it levels the playing field. Their info is science-based, not opinion-driven. It’s built for real Florida gardeners, whether you're growing tomatoes in Jacksonville or flowers in Gainesville.
And it’s free.
We reference IFAS all the time when we’re helping clients choose the right setup for their space. Their plant database, monthly to-do lists, and irrigation tips work with our handcrafted designs to create thriving, low-maintenance gardens.
Ready to Build Smarter? Use IFAS + Jax Woodcrafters
If you’re already planning your next project—or looking to revamp your existing space—start by checking out UF/IFAS. Then pair that knowledge with custom-built raised beds, trellises, or garden furniture from Jax Woodcrafters.
Together, we’ll help you build a garden that’s not just beautiful—but smart, seasonal, and sustainable.
📌 Explore our raised bed designs →
📌 Check out the latest from IFAS →
Have questions about how to bring it all together? Message us—we’d love to help.