Your Central Florida Yard – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you interested in growing vegetables but want to start small? Do you have limited space to grow vegetables? Whether you garden exclusively in containers or you just want to mix it up and try multiple growing methods, join us to find out what you need to know for growing vegetables and herbs in containers.  

Sources for this episode: 

• 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, ⁠polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu⁠   

• Your Central Florida page ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/ ⁠ 

• Vegetable Gardening: Container Media ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/container-media/ ⁠ 

• Container Gardens ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/newsletter/2013/more/containers-raised.shtml ⁠ 

• Growing Vegetables in Containers ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/growing-vegetables-in-containers/⁠  

• Minigardening (Growing Vegetables in Containers) ⁠https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/IR/00/00/34/28/00001/VH03200.pdf ⁠ 

• For more information on soil mixes : ⁠https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/homemade-potting-mix/⁠ and ⁠https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/container-vegetable-gardening/#:~:text=Try%20mixing%20your%20own%20with,the%20pH%20to%20around%206.5⁠ 

• Cleaning Your Container Pots ⁠https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/gadsdenco/2015/07/28/recycle-by-cleaning-your-container-pots/⁠ 

Music: Green Beans by Big Score Audio 

In today's episode we discuss some basic tips to help you grow a successful vegetable garden in central Florida.

Sources for this episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/
• Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021
• Vegetables to Grow in Florida: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/
• Find a series of vegetable gardening articles here: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/vegetable-gardening-in-florida/
• IPM: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/integrated-pest-management/
• Introduction to Soil Solarization: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN856
• Vegetable Crop Planting and Harvesting Dates: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uqa22hybg0s3oyf9yishd/Vegetable-Crop-Planting-and-Harvesting-Dates.pdf?rlkey=j0kkba0brfsdzezdjr1bm74mf&st=b4o8hvnj&dl=0
• Vegetable Garden Crop Rotation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3x59ajoghto5e5t/Vegetable%20Garden%20Crop%20Rotation.pdf?st=5ohzzpws&dl=0

Music: Green Beans by Big Score Audio

Lichens you might be saying, what are those? Learn how to recognize lichens in the landscape and what exactly they are.

Sources for this Episode:

• Field oriented keys to the Florida lichens by Rosentreter, DeBolt, and Kaminsky https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herbarium/lib/pdf/Rosentreter_Field_oriented_keys_to_the_Florida_lichens_Dec_2015.pdf

• Lichens https://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/biota/lichens.php

• Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Lichens - Harmless Epiphytes https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep485

• Life of Lichen https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1296

• Lichens https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/lichens.shtml

• Lichens All Around https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2021/05/25/lichens-all-around/

• About Lichens https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/about.shtml

For more information and to contact us: ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/

What do you know about Spanish moss—there are many myths and legends but are they true.   

Sources for this Episode:

• Spanish Moss: ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/spanish-moss.html⁠

• Garden Myths, Volume One: ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/garden-myths-one.html⁠

• Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Lichens---Harmless Epiphytes: ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP485⁠

• Florida’s Native Bromeliads: ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw205 ⁠

For more information and to contact us: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/

Struggling with weeds in your yard? Proper maintenance is key to promoting healthy plants and combating weeds. In this episode, we discuss essential tips and strategies for effective weed management in your landscape

Sources for this episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Weed ID, including UF/IFAS Florida Weed ID Videos: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/weed-identification.html 

• Weed ID: https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/news-and-publications/publications/other-publications-and-resources/weed-identification-guide/ 

• Weed Management for Florida Lawns: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP141 

• Reading the Weeds https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/reading-the-weeds/ 

Does the thought of living in central Florida bring to mind a tropical-looking landscape? There are many plants that thrive in this area from ornamental plants like palms and foliage plants to fruit trees. What even does a tropical yard look like? Can Florida native plants help us achieve that look? Join us to find out in today’s episode.

Sources for this Episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/

• UF IFAS Extension Polk County YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xcbdX1cDeyXlXUmaW9wBg

• Climate Zones https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/climate-zones

• Florida 101: Florida Weather https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/flaglerco/2023/10/26/florida-101-florida-weather/

• 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

• Ornamental Palms for Central Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP020

Living in Florida includes being prepared for hurricanes. Many people know how to get their homes ready but what should do for your landscape? Join us to learn how to prepare your garden and landscape for hurricane season along with tips for recovery after the storm.

Sources for this Episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

• Your Central Florida Yard ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠

• Hurricane Landscaping https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/hurricane-landscaping.html  

• Hurricane Recovery: Wind-Resistant Trees for Home, Business, and Park Landscaping  https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/09/21/hurricane-recovery-wind-resistant-trees-for-home-business-and-park-landscaping/  

• Trees That Can Withstand Hurricanes https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/trees-that-can-withstand-hurricanes.html  
• Is my tree safe? Recognizing conditions that increase the likelihood of tree failure https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP507  
• Tree Risk Assessment  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/tree-risk-assessment.html  
• Pruning Shade Trees in Landscapes: A Plan for Training Shade Trees https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP276
• Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/media/disasterifasufledu-/docs/Florida-Homeowners-Handbook.pdf
• Disaster Preparation & Recovery https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/

What do we do when the rain stops, the water bills rise, and those watering restrictions kick in? Join us to learn about future water options for Polk County, FL, tips for saving water outdoors, and drought tolerant plants.

Sources for this Episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

• Your Central Florida page ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠
• Direct Potable Reuse Pilot https://www.polk-county.net/services/utilities/programs-and-rebates/
• Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/lower-floridan-aquifer-exploration
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/FFL-Plant-Guide_v03222022_web.pdf
• The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/FFL-Handbook_03172022_web.pdf
• Ten Ways to Save Water https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/irrigation/ten-ways-to-save-water.html
• Drought Tolerant Plants for a Florida-Friendly Landscape – Zone 9 https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/03/11/drought-tolerant-plants-for-a-florida-friendly-landscape-zone-9/

Having trouble with your lawn? Learn about possible causes for lawn decline, proper cultural practices, along with groundcover alternatives to help when your grass won't grow.

Sources for this Episode:

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/
• Reading the Weeds https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/reading-the-weeds.html

• Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries (page 14: Table 1: Comparison of lawn grasses available for use in Florida) https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/GIBMP_Manual_Web_English.pdf
• Weeds as indicators of soil conditions in lawns and landscapes https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP634
• Landscaping in Florida shade https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP457
• Groundcovers for Shade https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/landscaping-for-specific-sites/groundcovers-for-shade.html
• Rain Gardens https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/rain-gardens.html
• Lawn Insect Pests https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/lawn-insect-pests.html
• Turfgrass Disease Identification Chart https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/turfgrass-disease-flow-chart.html
• Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP236

Learn about what plants to grow, how to start them, how to maintain them, and different ways you can enjoy wildflowers all summer right in your own back (or front!) yard!

Sources for this Episode:

• Wildflowers For All Seasons: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/wildflowers-for-all-seasons.html 

• A Guide to Planting Wildflower Enhancements in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1180 

• Wildflowers for Central Florida Home Gardens: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/orange/hort-res/docs/pdf/County-Fact-Sheet---Wildflowers.pdf 

• Creating Wildflower Habitats in Gold Course Out-of-Play Areas: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1316 

• Florida Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/

• Florida Wildflower Foundation Seedling Images: https://www.flawildflowers.org/wp-content/resources/pdfs/Publications/SeedlingImageProject_Report-Ver2007-96DPI_Images.pdf

For more information and to contact us: ⁠⁠⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠