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Florida summers can be brutal. The sun scorches by mid-morning, mosquitoes swarm by late afternoon, and your best-laid garden plans wilt in the heat. But what if there were a cooler, more peaceful way to enjoy your garden? Welcome to night gardening. With a headlamp, some fragrant blooms, and a little creativity, your garden can … Read more
Hurricane season in Florida isn’t just a concern for rooftops and windows—it’s a serious threat to your garden, too. High winds, torrential rain, and flooding can turn a thriving garden into a tangle of debris overnight. But with a few smart strategies, you can prepare your plants, protect your structures, and bounce back faster after … Read more
Not all fertilizers are created equal—especially when your garden is a sanctuary for butterflies, bees, and native birds. In a pollinator garden, the goal isn’t just to make flowers bloom; it’s to create a lasting, safe habitat where life flourishes above and below the soil. In this post, we’ll look at gentle, DIY ways to … Read more
If your tomatoes are looking tired or your basil’s lost its bounce, don’t reach for a synthetic fertilizer just yet. Florida’s summer fertilizer blackout may restrict what you can buy at the store—but your kitchen holds everything you need to give your edible garden a gentle, effective boost. In this post, we’ll explore how to … Read more
When a storm barrels through Central Florida, it often leaves behind more than flooded streets and toppled fences. It leaves a mess.Branches. Leaves. Twigs. Weeds. Fallen fruit. Torn vines. It can feel overwhelming—but here’s the good news: Much of that storm debris can become compost. Instead of tossing it all to the curb, you can … Read more
From Backyard Garden to Gumbo Pot—Season After Season I first planted okra a few years ago from a seed packet I grabbed on impulse. I wasn’t sure how it would do in my Central Florida garden, but I figured I’d give it a try. It did beautifully. By the end of summer, the plants towered … Read more
When it comes to growing sweet potatoes in Central Florida, the internet is full of advice—some of it helpful, some of it… not so much. Whether you’re dreaming of a lush patch of leafy vines or wondering if it’s too hot (or too late!) to start planting, let’s clear up a few common sweet potato … Read more
Welcome to the Heat & Heart of Summer Gardening June in Central Florida arrives with a wave of warmth and lush possibility. Temperatures hover between 73°F in the early mornings and climb into the high 80s by afternoon. With average rainfall around 7 to 8 inches, the summer wet season begins to unfold—bringing both hydration and … Read more
(All can be grown or foraged in Central Florida) Before modern filters and purification tablets, communities across the world relied on local plants to improve the flavor and safety of their water. While we now know to boil or filter all wild water first, the practice of steeping herbs after purification remains both a wise … Read more
Tucked into woodland edges and sun-dappled clearings across the southeastern United States, the American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) stands out with its vivid clusters of purple berries. More than just eye-catching, this native shrub carries a legacy of folklore, healing, and resilience—rooted in centuries of use by Native American tribes and early settlers. A Native Treasure … Read more