As our population density grows, communities are being built with less space to fit more houses. Homes are often left with narrow lot lines and smaller yards than communities built in the ’80s and ’90s. The amount of space we have to grow plants and vegetables is getting smaller, and our desire to grow our own fresh, organic produce is getting bigger. For plant lovers and … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Treat Your Lawn and Garden to a Fruity Makeover
It’s easier than you think to add some fruit and color to your yard. There are many options for fresh fruit from the convenience of your own home. Just think about the next time you want to make lemonade and going out back to pick the lemons with your kids. Then the next time you entertain, you can tell your friends the mint and lime in the mojitos are all home-grown. Not only … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Plant for Our Planet!
It’s out with the old and in with the new for our fall vegetable gardens. Fall is the time to clean out any surviving summer vegetable plants that have been baked by the sun and soaked by the rain. Any plants that are still looking good right now are extremely heat-tolerant like Malabar spinach, okra, and winged beans. Hot peppers and eggplants are still hanging in there, too. … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Is Your Summer Vegetable Garden a Producer or a Pest?
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...]