What to Do After a Freeze: A North Florida Guide to Tropical Plant Recovery

After a winter freeze, patience is essential for recovering tropical plants in North Florida. Despite their sad appearance, damaged foliage protects healthy tissue. Key advice includes leaving plants undisturbed until spring, as many can revive. Careful pruning, delayed until new growth appears, can aid in recovery, ensuring a resilient garden.

Red-Shouldered Hawks in Florida: A Familiar Forest Raptor

I was driving home on Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach and spotted two very majestic-looking birds on a street sign. I later learned they were red-shouldered hawks, are the most common raptors in the state. If you spend time near wetlands, wooded neighborhoods, or forest edges in Florida, you might have heard the sharp, ringing … Continue reading Red-Shouldered Hawks in Florida: A Familiar Forest Raptor

Eating Black Viola Flowers: Growing and Cooking with this Dark Beauty

I've started giving edible flowers a try in my Gardyn hydroponic stand, and my Black Viola flowers are now blooming, and they are delicious! Read on to learn about these beautiful black flowers, with tips on growing and using them in cooking. Closeup of Black Viola Flower What Is a Black Viola Flower? The Black … Continue reading Eating Black Viola Flowers: Growing and Cooking with this Dark Beauty

What Are Bagworms? The Tiny Hitchhikers You Don’t Want in Your Florida Yard

Yesterday I spotted a strange little cocoon hanging from a leaf, and saw it start wiggling. Then a little worm popped out of the top and went back in. I had just seen my first bagworm! At first glance, these mini mummies seem harmless, but inside that tiny, camouflaged case is a voracious caterpillar just … Continue reading What Are Bagworms? The Tiny Hitchhikers You Don’t Want in Your Florida Yard

Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds to Your Yard in North Florida

I love looking out my window and spotting a blur of green and red zipping around my plants. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are common in North Florida, and there are some things you can do to attract these charming little bundles of energy to your yard. Here’s everything you need to know about spotting them, attracting them, … Continue reading Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds to Your Yard in North Florida