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The purpose of this document is to provide background information to all stakeholders—including scientists, legislators, local governments, landscape managers, Extension agents, Master Gardener Volunteers, homeowners, and the general public—on the underlying issues of fertilizer use, with an emphasis on an urban setting, and to outline the current state of the science on urban fertilizers and water quality in Florida. This information is presented in response to 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that also include discussion of several technological and regulatory solutions that have been adopted around the state. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

The Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article outlines the results of the net irrigation estimation. Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

This publication evaluates the frequency or number of times an irrigation maintenance problem occurs, as documented by Urban Mobile Irrigation Labs (UMIL) audits, and provides a list of the most common irrigation maintenance problems in residential irrigation systems. Written by Thomas R. Olmsted, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Water quality and quantity are important issues. The frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this publication, based on extensive UF/IFAS research, address common concerns related to water, irrigation, fertilizers, best management practices (BMPs), landscapes, and landscape maintenance. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, Laurie E. Trenholm, Ed Gilman, Chris J. Martinez, John L. Cisar, Thomas H. Yeager, Amy Shober, and Geoffrey Denny, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised September 2024.

This Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article shows the calculation of evapotranspiration for selected sites throughout the state (plus one in Alabama, to cover the west side of the Florida Panhandle). Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

The Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article explains how the weather data were gathered and checked for quality. Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

This publication discusses turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations from UF/IFAS. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Improving irrigation efficiency can contribute greatly to reducing production costs of vegetables, making the industry more competitive and sustainable. This publication is intended to help growers to conserve water through the use of soil moisture sensors. Written by Rafael Muñoz-Carpena, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

The purpose of this publication is to familiarize irrigation managers, contractors, Extension agents, homeowners, and other interested persons with programming guidelines for an irrigation timer in Florida. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

AE459, a 12-page fact sheet by Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, Consuelo C. Romero, Kati W. Migliaccio, and Kelly T. Morgan, provides a step-by-step calculation of the reference evapotranspiration (FAO-56 method) for a given location from the available weather data. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2010.

This publication aims to provide basic information about rain sensors when incorporated into automatic irrigation systems. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

This publication summarizes the basic concepts of three most-used NO3-N leaching quantification methods in field conditions. Written by Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2022.

This publication summarizes the basic concepts of three most-used NO3-N leaching quantification methods in field conditions. Written by Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2022.

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

A new 5-page UF/IFAS numbered publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. The information presented here is intended to inform water management district personnel, utility staff, public employees, and other educators and communicators who are charged with developing policies, promoting water use efficiency, and enforcing irrigation restrictions as a water conservation tool. Written by Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas Taylor, Deirdre Irwin, and James Harmon. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc418

A new 5-page UF/IFAS numbered publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. The information presented here is intended to inform water management district personnel, utility staff, public employees, and other educators and communicators who are charged with developing policies, promoting water use efficiency, and enforcing irrigation restrictions as a water conservation tool. Written by Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas Taylor, Deirdre Irwin, and James Harmon. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc418

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook.

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook.

AE436, an illustrated fact sheet by Michael D. Dukes, reviews current turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations and unifies them to provide a coordinated science-based turf and landscape irrigation recommendation. Includes comprehensive reference lists. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Originally published December 2008. This update April 2020.

AE436, an illustrated fact sheet by Michael D. Dukes, reviews current turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations and unifies them to provide a coordinated science-based turf and landscape irrigation recommendation. Includes comprehensive reference lists. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Originally published December 2008. This update April 2020.

AE436, an illustrated fact sheet by Michael D. Dukes, reviews current turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations and unifies them to provide a coordinated science-based turf and landscape irrigation recommendation. Includes comprehensive reference lists. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Originally published December 2008. This update April 2020.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems.

As freshwater resources become increasingly scarce and droughts become more frequent, there is a need for efficient use of water resources. Designing efficient irrigation systems and equipment will not only save money but also conserve water. This 10-page fact sheet discusses factors to consider when designing irrigation systems. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, and Laura Vasquez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2020. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae539

This article is part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture. The rest of the series can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_ET-based_irrigation_scheduling_for_agriculture.

As freshwater resources become increasingly scarce and droughts become more frequent, there is a need for efficient use of water resources. Designing efficient irrigation systems and equipment will not only save money but also conserve water. This 10-page fact sheet discusses factors to consider when designing irrigation systems. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, and Laura Vasquez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2020. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae539

This article is part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture. The rest of the series can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_ET-based_irrigation_scheduling_for_agriculture.

As freshwater resources become increasingly scarce and droughts become more frequent, there is a need for efficient use of water resources. Designing efficient irrigation systems and equipment will not only save money but also conserve water. This 10-page fact sheet discusses factors to consider when designing irrigation systems. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, and Laura Vasquez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2020. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae539

This article is part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture. The rest of the series can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_ET-based_irrigation_scheduling_for_agriculture.

Part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture, this article identifies typical Kc values for some of the crops commonly grown in Florida. Originally published January 2010 with minor update February 2013. This revision with Sandra M. Guzman, and Haimanote K. Bayabil AE456/AE456: Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Crop Coefficients of Some Commercial Crops in Florida (ufl.edu)

Part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture, this article identifies typical Kc values for some of the crops commonly grown in Florida. Originally published January 2010 with minor update February 2013. This revision with Sandra M. Guzman, and Haimanote K. Bayabil AE456/AE456: Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Crop Coefficients of Some Commercial Crops in Florida (ufl.edu)

Part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture, this article identifies typical Kc values for some of the crops commonly grown in Florida. Originally published January 2010 with minor update February 2013. This revision with Sandra M. Guzman, and Haimanote K. Bayabil AE456/AE456: Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Crop Coefficients of Some Commercial Crops in Florida (ufl.edu)

AE457, a 6-page fact sheet by Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Jonathan H. Crane, and Bruce Schaffer, focuses on the main concepts related to ET-based irrigation scheduling and reviews the use of "smart" irrigation scheduling controllers for agricultural applications. Includes references. Updated May 2019 by Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

This publication is part of a series on evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling in agriculture and outlines step-by-step procedures for implementing a “smart” ET-based irrigation schedule and a do-it-yourself irrigation schedule. Revised April 2019 with Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems. This document is AE260, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1995. Revised November 2006. AE260/CV107: Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

AE457, a 6-page fact sheet by Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Jonathan H. Crane, and Bruce Schaffer, focuses on the main concepts related to ET-based irrigation scheduling and reviews the use of "smart" irrigation scheduling controllers for agricultural applications. Includes references. Updated May 2019 by Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

This publication is part of a series on evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling in agriculture and outlines step-by-step procedures for implementing a “smart” ET-based irrigation schedule and a do-it-yourself irrigation schedule. Revised April 2019 with Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems. This document is AE260, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1995. Revised November 2006. AE260/CV107: Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

This publication is part of a series on evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling in agriculture and outlines step-by-step procedures for implementing a “smart” ET-based irrigation schedule and a do-it-yourself irrigation schedule. Revised April 2019 with Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

AE457, a 6-page fact sheet by Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Jonathan H. Crane, and Bruce Schaffer, focuses on the main concepts related to ET-based irrigation scheduling and reviews the use of "smart" irrigation scheduling controllers for agricultural applications. Includes references. Updated May 2019 by Haimanote K. Bayabil and Sandra M. Guzman.

This section contains basic information on vegetable water use and irrigation management, along with some references on irrigation systems. This document is AE260, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1995. Revised November 2006. AE260/CV107: Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

This 8-page fact sheet is chapter 3 of the 2018–2019 Vegetable Production Handbook. It is a minor revision written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, and Shinsuke Agehara, and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department, December 2018. CV297/CV297: Chapter 3. Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

This 8-page fact sheet is chapter 3 of the 2018–2019 Vegetable Production Handbook. It is a minor revision written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, and Shinsuke Agehara, and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department, December 2018. CV297/CV297: Chapter 3. Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

This 8-page fact sheet is chapter 3 of the 2018–2019 Vegetable Production Handbook. It is a minor revision written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, and Shinsuke Agehara, and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department, December 2018. CV297/CV297: Chapter 3. Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables (ufl.edu)

Weed control is often a critical component of aquatic vegetation management in Florida waters. While physical, mechanical, and biological controls are utilized where they are feasible, herbicides are the primary tool used to control many troublesome species. This document answers some common questions and provides efficacy information for all herbicide active ingredients labeled for aquatic use in Florida. Written by S. F. Enloe, M. D. Netherland, W. Haller, and K. Langeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised February 2018. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag262

Weed control is often a critical component of aquatic vegetation management in Florida waters. While physical, mechanical, and biological controls are utilized where they are feasible, herbicides are the primary tool used to control many troublesome species. This document answers some common questions and provides efficacy information for all herbicide active ingredients labeled for aquatic use in Florida. Written by S. F. Enloe, M. D. Netherland, W. Haller, and K. Langeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised February 2018. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag262