How in the world does a summer vegetable garden in the Orlando heat become a producer? Well, you just need to know your climate and plant-heat-tolerant, pest-resistant summer varieties of vegetables. In zone 9b, I like to focus on many Asian varieties of vegetable plants that thrive in similar scorching environments. It can be a little intimidating to try new things when it’s … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Certify Your Garden As a Butterfly Habitat
Here’s what’s happening now in the Summer Vegetable Garden. June was the last month for most of our spring vegetables to keep producing. The heat-sensitive vegetables like beefsteak tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash are all going to typically stop producing in June. Even if your plant still looks healthy when we are consistently in the 90s, the plants are just not able to produce … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Spring Vegetable Gardens in Full Bloom
The vegetable gardens in Lake Nona are in full bloom for the spring. If you planted your spring vegetable garden back in March, then your seeds have all sprouted and matured, and your starter plants have started to produce. Now is a time for fertilizing, pruning, and dealing with any insect issues in the garden. When the season started, most gardeners amended the soil with … [Read more...]
In the Garden: The Power of Herbs!
Did you know that herbs are not only delicious and nutritious, but they can also be used in landscaping and they can help control insects in the surrounding areas of the yard? Herbs can be a beautiful addition to the Florida-friendly landscape. Any lawn can be enhanced by adding heat-tolerant herbs like the beautiful rosemary or African Blue Basil to the border of walkways … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Attracting Pollinators to the Central Florida Garden
Many of us live in areas that have had a lot of recent construction or current construction that is damaging to the environment and natural habitat. We recognize the animals that are displaced, but what about the beneficial insects like bees, butterflies and other pollinators? Pollinators are vital to a vegetable garden. Some vegetables are self-pollinating, but others … [Read more...]