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.

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

Planting Water Lily Tubers from Amazon: My Experience

Ordering and planting water lily rhizomes (or tubers) off Amazon, or anywhere online, is tough because it's not like you can return them months later if you got a dud. Luckily, my water lily experience was a positive one, so I'm sharing where I ordered mine, and how I planted it. Ordering Water Lilies on … Continue reading Planting Water Lily Tubers from Amazon: My Experience

Should You Water Plants Before a Freeze?

As temperatures drop, gardeners often worry about how to protect their plants from freezing conditions. One common question is whether you should water your plants before a freeze and if that will help protect them. The short answer is yes—proper watering can actually help insulate plant roots and increase their chances of survival. However, timing … Continue reading Should You Water Plants Before a Freeze?