If you’ve been gardening in Florida this year, you already know how unusual the weather has been. After months of severe drought across much of the state, many gardens are struggling. Even established plants can begin to show signs of stress when soil stays dry for long periods. Because of this, I’ve made a small … Read more
Last night, after months of severe drought across Florida, the sky finally opened. For many gardeners, the first instinct this morning is relief. But after a long drought, the first major rain changes the garden in ways that aren’t always obvious. Soil chemistry shifts, dormant seeds wake up, microbes surge back to life, and stressed … Read more
Right now, much of Florida is experiencing severe drought conditions. Beds dry out faster than usual. Plants wilt earlier in the day. Even established plants begin to struggle when rain disappears for weeks at a time. When drought hits, most gardeners focus on watering more often. But one of the most overlooked ways to help plants … Read more
March in Central Florida is the beginning of real spring — but it’s also a decision month. The weather feels warm enough to plant everything, yet the soil and nighttime temperatures still haven’t fully settled into summer patterns. Success in March comes from planting intentionally, not all at once. What March Is Really About March … Read more
Florida has been warm — unusually warm — which is exactly why this upcoming cold snap matters. A strong winter system is pushing frigid air deep into the South early next week.Central Florida isn’t expecting snow, but wind chills in the 30s means overnight temps near or below freezing in many neighborhoods. And after a … Read more
If you’ve ever driven through Plant City during strawberry season, you know how serious Florida is about its berries. Places like Parkesdale Farm Market and the small roadside stands along Baker Street don’t just sell strawberries — they’re reminders that this crop defines our winter growing season. Those berries didn’t appear overnight. They were planted … Read more
Every spring, EPCOT transforms into one of the most intensively maintained landscapes in Florida during the International Flower & Garden Festival, running March 4 through June 1, 2026. Thousands of visitors walk through and say the same thing: “How do they keep everything looking perfect?” It’s a fair question. The gardens face full sun, heavy … Read more
Central Florida is currently in one of the worst droughts we’ve seen in decades. Many areas have had months of dry soil, stressed plants, and watering restrictions — and then finally, a rainstorm arrives. Most gardeners expect everything to bounce back overnight. Usually it doesn’t. After a long dry period, a single rain helps the … Read more
During World War II, more than twenty million households grew food successfully, many for the first time in their lives. These were not gardeners. They were busy families working long hours with rationed supplies and often very poor soil. So what was different? They weren’t given complicated directions. They were given simple rules based on … Read more
Aloe vera is one of those plants most of us think we already know. It’s the sunburn soother, the digestive ally, the hardy houseplant that keeps giving. But Aloe is chemically complex, and researchers are still uncovering new ways its natural compounds interact with the body. A recently published computer-based research study looked at several … Read more