There’s something quietly magical about fall gardening in Central Florida. The sun softens, the pests retreat, and—best of all—you can grow a huge variety of vegetables that struggle during our scorching summers. But not all seed varieties are created equal. Some bolt in our heat. Others get gobbled up by bugs before they take off. … Read more
A Beginner’s Guide to This Timeless Garden Guild If you’re new to gardening in Central Florida, the idea of planting corn in the land of lizards and sandy soil might feel… a little foreign. But here’s a beautiful surprise: Florida’s long growing season makes it an ideal place to grow the “Three Sisters” — corn, … Read more
If the heat of July has you wilting, your garden might be feeling it too. But here’s the good news: while much of the country is still deep in summer mode, Central Florida gardeners can already begin preparing for fall—our most bountiful growing season. Yes, now’s the perfect time to plan—and even start planting—your fall … Read more
Right now in central Florida, the thornless blackberry canes are blooming—soft white petals opening like tiny invitations to bees. Soon, the green berries will blush red and then ripen into deep, sweet black. But what many gardeners don’t realize is that this humble bramble offers more than just a summer snack. It’s a beautiful, medicinal … Read more
No yard? No problem. Learn how to compost in small batches—without bins, gimmicks, or a huge pile. If you’ve ever thought composting required a giant backyard, a spinning bin, or a complex system of layers and thermometers—you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: composting can be simple, small-scale, and surprisingly effective… even on a … Read more
Turn Today’s Harvest Into Tomorrow’s Garden July in Florida may be hot, humid, and full of mosquitoes—but it’s also the perfect time to look around your garden (or even your fridge!) and start saving seeds. This month, I’m challenging you to take the July Seed Saving Challenge:Can you harvest and store seeds from at least … Read more
July in the Florida Garden Surviving the Swelter & Savoring the Sunshine Welcome to the heart of summer! July in Central Florida is bold, bright, and brimming with life—and humidity. While we may be tempted to retreat into air conditioning, our gardens are thriving (and thirsty!). This month is all about smart maintenance, summer-hardy crops, … Read more
It’s big. It’s bold. And it’s bad news for your garden. If you’ve been in Central Florida during the warmer months, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera). These vibrant yellow, orange, and black grasshoppers can grow up to 3 inches long, making them one of the largest grasshopper species … Read more
Mid-June in Florida brings heatwaves and wilting leaves, but you don’t need to suffer—and neither do your plants. Try these offbeat but surprisingly effective garden cooling tricks. Watering with Frozen Herbs Chop up mint, basil, or lemon balm, and freeze them in ice cube trays. Pop one near the base of container plants or herbs … Read more
June is buzzing with life—literally. In the heart of the month, pollinators are hard at work, and your garden is a living runway of wings, antennae, and the hum of activity. Here’s who to look for this time of year in Florida and how you can roll out the green carpet for them. Native Pollinators … Read more