Hillsborough County Extension provides resources to residents on Florida-friendly landscaping practices through their Residential Environmental Horticulture program. They offer workshops on topics like composting, irrigation, and landscape design. The Extension office has demonstration gardens showing concepts like using native plants. Master Gardener volunteers also give presentations throughout the county. Residents can contact the Extension for soil tests, questions, and information on various gardening topics.

1. Hillsborough County Extension
5339 S County Road 579
Seffner, FL 33584
(813) 744-5519
Website: http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu
FACT SHEET: Residential Environmental Horticulture
LYNN BARBER, B.A.
FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOODS AGENT
WE CAN HELP!
Hillsborough County is the 22nd largest, but 4th most populated county in Florida.
Our Environmental Horticulture department reduces the adverse impacts of
population growth and urban expansion through comprehensive education and
resources about Florida-friendly landscaping practices that conserve water and
energy, reduce storm water runoff pollution, and protect our natural resources.
Our Residential Environmental Horticulture program offers workshops on composting, micro-irrigation, rain
barrels, and landscape design. pH soil tests are performed for a nominal fee. The Bette S. Walker Discovery
Garden, located in the courtyard at the Extension office, is a “living lab” which illustrates the concepts of
Florida-friendly landscaping. We also have a perennial/butterfly garden, native plantings, and compost and
mulch demonstration areas for viewing. Master Gardener volunteers offer monthly presentations at public
libraries throughout the county.
For information regarding Residential Environmental Horticulture and the Master Gardener Program contact
Marina D’Abreau, Ed.D., 813-744-5519, Ext. 145, mdabreau@ufl.edu
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Agent, Lynn Barber, B.A., Ext. 105,
barberL@hillsboroughcounty.org
Community Association Outreach Program Coordinator, Lisa Strange, M.A., Ext. 142,
strangel@hillsboroughcounty.org
Horticulture Program Assistant, JoAnn Hoffman, Ext. 139, hoffmanj@hillsboroughcounty.org.
Compost Happens Program Coordinator, Barbara Watson, Ext. 146, watsonb@hillsboroughcounty.org.
Water-Wise Program (micro-irrigation) Coordinator, Maria Carver, Ext. 144,
carverms@hillsboroughcounty.org.
For answers to home horticulture questions, the Master Gardener phone support is Ext. 7.
For instructions on taking and submitting a soil sample, dial Ext. 6.
We provide Solutions for your Life.
Whether you need informational assistance in environmental selection and placement of plant materials,
attracting wildlife, becoming a Master Gardener volunteer, community association landscaping choices,
composting or micro-irrigation, We Can Help! We have the answers through science-based, researched
information. This information is easily accessible at our office in Seffner, located at 5339 County Road 579,
(I-4 Exit10, ¼ mile South), on-line at http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu or by calling 813-744-5519.
Hillsborough County Extension is a cooperative service of Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal
Employment Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age,
disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M., University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.