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
In a climate where seasons blur and the growing never truly stops, Central Florida gardeners have a unique gift: the ability to cultivate abundance year-round. But what if you could build a garden that gives and gives—without replanting every season? Perennial herbs and vegetables are the quiet heroes of a Florida edible landscape. They thrive … Read more
Simple, creative ways to keep your garden seeds sorted, safe, and ready for planting If you’ve ever found a mystery packet of seeds at the bottom of a basket—or wondered whether your three-year-old parsley seeds are still good—you’re not alone. As gardeners, we tend to collect, save, and squirrel away seeds with the best of … Read more