Summer Gardening Tips

What makes a Thanksgiving meal Florida-style? Join us as we explore the vegetables, herbs, and local favorites ready for harvest in Central Florida gardens just in time for the holiday table. Fresh, local, and uniquely Floridian!Please take a moment to complete a survey about Your Central Florida Yard podcast:  https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_blQN8MyguTW3IEuSources for Show Notes:    Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Citrus in the home landscape: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS132 Vegetable gardening guide: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 Peanuts: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/peanuts/ Growing herbs: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/herbs/ Edible flowers: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/edible-flowers/ Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode 21 Growing and Cooking with Herbs https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-and-cooking-with-herbs/id1724213516?i=1000708088345 Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode 35 Grow It, Eat It, Edible Florida-Friendly Plants https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-it-eat-it-edible-florida-friendly-plants/id1724213516?i=1000767173633 Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode 15 Holiday Decor from the Garden https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holiday-decor-from-the-garden/id1724213516?i=1000679727661 Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

In this episode, we're joined by Garnet, owner of PlantLocal, a native plant nursery in Lakeland. From butterflies and pollinators to drought resilience and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, we'll learn why native plants matter, how to choose the right ones for your yard, and why choosing Floridanative plants makes gardening easier and more sustainable in Florida!Please take a moment to complete a survey about Your Central Florida Yard podcast:  https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_blQN8MyguTW3IEuSources for Show Notes:    • Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    • In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041,  [email protected]    • Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter:  https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/   • Plant Local Florida https://www.plantlocalflorida.com/• Polk Forever https://polkforever.com/• Florida Wildflower Foundation https://www.flawildflowers.org/• Florida Native Plant Society https://www.fnps.org/Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Ornamental grasses add a unique texture and interest to landscapes in central Florida. There are so many ways to use ornamental grasses, but what ornamental grasses grow well in central Florida yards? Join us in this episode on native ornamental grasses!Sources for Show Notes:    Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/  In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     Ornamental Grasses:https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/ornamental-grasses/ Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Maintaining a lawn is one of the most common questions that our Plant Clinic gets. Join us in this episode to to hear from Master Gardener Volunteer Rich on best practices for maintaining a lawn the Florida-Friendly way.Sources for Show Notes:    Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     Catch can test: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/duval/horticulture/commercial-hort/DuvalCo-How-to-Calibrate-Your-Sprinkler-System-Illustrations-2024-FNL-Digital.pdf  Bahiagrass: https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_Turfgrass_Homeowner_Guides_Fact_Sheet_Bahiagrass_2024_Digital.pdf St. Augustinegrass: https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_HomeownersGuideToStAugustinegrassManagement_Factsheet_Final.pdf Zoysiagrass:https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_HomeownersGuideToZoysiagrassManagement_Factsheet_Final.pdf  Fertilization:https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP236 Establishing your Florida lawn: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH013 Watering your Florida Lawn: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH025 Fertilization: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH014 How to take a soil sample: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/indian-river/docs/pdfs/UF-Landscape--Veg-Garden-Test-Form-SL136.pdf Setting Irrigation Run Times https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/residents/water-conservation/irrigation/irrigation-scheduling  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Are you interested in starting a food forest in your central Florida yard? Join us in this episode to hear from Master Gardener Volunteer Jessica on how to combine fruit trees, edible shrubs, herbs, vines, pollinator plants, and groundcovers into a layered landscape that mimics a natural ecosystem. Learn how to provide food, habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and reduce maintenance over time with your own food forest. Sources for Show Notes:    Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     How to start a food forest in your central Florida yard https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2026/06/15/how-to-start-a-food-forest-in-your-central-florida-yard/  Planning a Food Forest https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/planning-a-food-forest/ Cultivating a Food Forest in Your Yard https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/highlandsco/2024/05/29/cultivating-a-food-forest-in-your-yard/  Fall is the Perfect Time to Start a Food Forest https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/10/26/permaculture-and-edible-landscaping-will-provide-for-future-generations/   Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Summer is hot, and in central Florida it is REALLY hot! Join us on this episode as we discuss tips and tricks that can make gardening in the summer a bit easier.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/  Garden hoe tutorial: https://youtu.be/woHNgHkbWzA Protect the waterfront:  https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-9-protect-waterfront/Polk County fertilizer ordinance: https://polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Polk-County-Fertilizer-Ordinance-March2013.pdf Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

There is increasing interest in growing food—usually in dedicated vegetable and herb gardens, but there are plants that have both ornamental qualities and are edible. Join us on this episode to find out which Florida-Friendly plants have both ornamental qualities and also can be eaten.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Find information about nutrition and nutrition programming in Polk County: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/  Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/  Floridacitrus.org/recipes  Chickasaw Plum https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/  Citrus https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/  Blueberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/blueberries/  Beautyberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/beautyberry/  Prickly pear cactus https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/prickly-pear/  Perennial peanut https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/  Rosemary https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary/  Roselle or Sorell  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/roselle/  Seminole pumpkin https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/seminole-pumpkin/ AND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU   Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

Do you compost or would you like to learn how to get started? Join us in this episode to learn about composting as an easy way to reduce waste at the curb and to make a free soil amendment for your garden and landscape beds.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Composting: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/waste-reduction/composting/ Compost tips for the home gardener: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP323 Trash Talk: Alternatives to Traditional Composting: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/trash-talk-alternative-composting/ Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.    

Are you familiar with milkweed? Join us on this episode to learn why we recommend planting native milkweed and removing non-native milkweed from your yard.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Monarch and Milkweed: An Important Update: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/09/25/monarchs-and-milkweed/ Milkweed: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/milkweed/ Native milkweeds: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/native-milkweeds/ Creating a Native Wildflower Garden in Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-a-native-wildflower-garden-in-your-central/id1724213516?i=1000648747914 Florida Native Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/monarchs-and-milkweed/ Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.    

After February 2026’s cold snap reminded Central Florida gardeners that frost and freeze damage can happen even here, many are wondering what to do next. In this bonus episode, we cover when to begin plant recovery and the best steps to help your landscape safely bounce back.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   Your Central Florida Yard page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Winter Is Coming: Protect Your Plants from the Cold: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2025/01/06/winter-is-coming-protect-your-plants-from-the-cold/ Cold Damage on Palms: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG318 USDA Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ Palm recovery (this video shows Lantan palms, but this applies to all types of palms recovering from the cold): https://youtu.be/BWyDzmyO1e4?si=XVZiPsfzTBSS_Sgn   Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.