Do you have that difficult to buy for person on your Christmas shopping list? I have an idea, especially if that person enjoys gardening.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Bookstore offers a wealth of books, CDs, DVDs, identification decks and manuals. These resources include gardening, lawn and landscape as well as agriculture, wildlife, boating, fishing, health, nutrition, family and community subject matter. And they are all specific for Florida. I’ll highlight a few of the horticulture books in today’s article.

Florida’s Edible Wild Plants is a 154-page book providing descriptions, drawings and pictures on how to identify and use many edible plants found in Florida. It even includes a cookbook section providing details on making calamondin marmalade and sea grape jelly to elderberry champagne and beautyberry cake. The recipes in this guide don’t disappoint. You’ll also find an important chapter on what not to eat, as well as historical and personal narratives about gathering and preparing wild food in Florida. The cost is $17.95.

The Florida Lawn Handbook can help with the difficulties and frustrations most people experience in attempting to grow a lawn in Florida. This lawn book includes chapters on selection, establishment, maintenance, weed control, insect pests, disease problems, nematodes and pesticide application. Color plates identify various grass types, weeds, diseases and insects. The Florida Lawn Handbook is an invaluable aid to growing a beautiful, healthy lawn. Price is $19.95.

Your Florida Landscape is a 234-page resource featuring 240 color prints and fifty-two illustrations. This complete guide to planting and maintenance covers trees, palms, shrubs, groundcovers and vines. This book includes research-based information on common pests, beneficial insects, pruning, fertilizing, watering, mulching and evaluating your planting site. The cost is $19.95.

There are other books on fruit gardening, including citrus and blueberries, a step-by-step guide to creating a Florida native yard, how to grow orchids, excellent resources on lawn, landscape and garden pests and their control, books on attracting hummingbirds and butterflies and much more.

All of these resources are available through the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore. You may order online at http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu or by telephone at (800) 226-1764 available Monday – Friday, 8am -5pm EST or by E-mail at ifasbooks@ifas.ufl.edu. Some of these books may be available at local bookstores. Prices listed in this article are subject to change and do not include shipping or sales tax.