Hurricane-Proof Your Garden

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

Bee-Friendly Fertilizer for Your Pollinator Garden

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

Make Fertilizer in a Central Florida Kitchen Garden

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

Make Compost from Storm Debris

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

Okra: A Summer Classic

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

Sweet Potato Myths

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

Gardening Newsletter | June 2025

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

What a Garden Coach Actually Does

If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a garden center feeling overwhelmed—or worse, spent weeks planting a garden that never really took off—you’re not alone. That’s exactly where a garden coach comes in. Most people are familiar with the idea of a personal trainer or a life coach, but a garden coach? That’s still … Read more

Build Healthy Soil in Florida’s Sandy Climate

If you’ve ever tried to grow a garden in Florida and felt like your plants were drying out, wilting, or simply refusing to thrive—despite your best efforts—you’re not alone. Florida’s sandy soil drains quickly, holds little organic matter, and doesn’t do your plants many favors. But here’s the good news: with a little strategy and … Read more

Why Your Garden Needs Bees

When most people think of bees, they picture honeybees buzzing from bloom to bloom, but the truth is far more fascinating—and local. Florida is home to over 300 species of native bees, most of which are solitary and stingless. These unsung heroes are essential to the health of our ecosystems, gardens, and even our dinner … Read more