Author: Lindsey Hall

After weeks indoors, it is tempting to move plants back outside as soon as the sun appears. Many North Florida gardeners try this too early, and it can cause stressed plants, slow growth, and fewer blooms than expected. Cold snaps, late frosts, or strong winds create extra challenges for tender plants, and the first flowers…

Your Florida yard might look calm right now, but trouble is already hiding in plain sight. That soggy corner, the pile of old pots, the “I’ll deal with it later” clutter by the fence can quietly invite pests, plant disease, mold, and expensive damage before spring even shows up. Once Florida heat and rain kick…

Florida oak trees do more than grow in backyards. They define neighborhoods, cool homes, shelter wildlife, and add real value to property. One wrong cut at the wrong time of year can weaken an oak and open the door to pests and disease that take years to undo. Many homeowners trim trees when branches look…

Even in the final weeks of January, flashes of orange and black are still drifting across Florida skies. While much of the country assumes monarch season has ended, these iconic butterflies continue to appear in southern and coastal regions where mild temperatures and winter blooms offer vital refuge. Florida has become more than a temporary…

North Florida winter doesn’t look harsh, but it quietly wrecks a lot of gardens. One small habit trips up more homeowners than anything else, and most people don’t realize they’re doing it wrong. Plants that looked fine in fall suddenly yellow, stop growing, or struggle when spring shows up. The problem usually starts underground. Cooler…

January in Florida turns every garden into a playground for growth. While the rest of the country battles frost and frozen soil, your garden enjoys gentle rains and mild temperatures that make multiplying your favorite greenery effortless and free. Empty borders and bare spots can transform into lush, thriving spaces ready for spring blooms. This…

If you live in Florida, Valentine’s Day is more than candy hearts and roses from the store. It is one of the sweetest planting windows of the year. Step outside right now and you can actually feel it. Cooler mornings, gentle sunshine, and soft evenings create perfect conditions for flowers that grow fast and bloom…

Florida gardeners have a serious advantage that most of the country does not. While northern gardens shut down, our landscapes keep growing, blooming, and thriving nearly year-round. The secret is choosing plants that actually love heat, humidity, and summer rain instead of fighting against it. Lilies are a perfect example. Some varieties explode with color…

Hurricane season in Florida is not just something that happens on the weather channel. You feel it when afternoon storms start rolling in faster, when the air gets heavier, and when neighbors begin tying down patio furniture or trimming trees before the first named storm shows up on the map. For many homeowners, the yard…

Florida hibiscus should be bursting with bold tropical color, not sitting there tall, leafy, and disappointing. If your plant looks healthy but barely flowers, the problem usually is not fertilizer or water. It is how and when pruning happens. Many gardeners accidentally cut off future blooms without realizing it. Others skip pruning completely and end…

Florida backyards are full of concrete patios that look more like forgotten slabs than inviting outdoor spaces. The truth is, that plain gray surface has massive potential. With the right design touches, your patio can become a shaded retreat, a weekend hangout zone, and a cozy place for evening gatherings all in one. Sun, heat,…

Florida backyards don’t have to just look good. They can smell amazing too. On the right evening, the air can fill with gardenia, jasmine, citrusy blossoms, or tropical flowers that make your whole yard feel different the moment you step outside. With Florida’s long growing season and warm climate, it’s easy to grow plants that…

When you step outside on a January morning and hear birds calling from your trees, it feels peaceful. What most people don’t realize is that many of those birds are struggling to find enough food to make it through the day. Winter may look gentle in Florida, but it quietly creates one of the hardest…

Walk through a South Florida neighborhood on a hot afternoon and one detail keeps showing up in unexpected places. Small green rosemary plants sitting beside front doors, tucked near porch steps, or lining entryways that bake in the sun. It looks deliberate, almost coordinated, yet most homeowners never talk about it. This herb is not…

Florida gardeners know the frustration. You build a beautiful raised bed, plant healthy seedlings, water faithfully, and still end up with wilting leaves, weak growth, and disappointing harvests. The sun is intense, the rain comes fast and heavy, and the soil underneath often drains too quickly or stays soggy for days. It can feel like…

One week your Florida lawn is bright green and thriving. The next, it looks faded, patchy, and suspiciously brown. Suddenly you start wondering if something went wrong. Did the grass get sick? Did you forget to water? Is this expensive damage waiting to happen? You are not alone. Every winter, thousands of Florida homeowners panic…

Florida homeowners spend millions every year trying to keep lawns green and landscapes healthy, yet many unknowingly damage their plants by fertilizing at the wrong time. That bag of fertilizer promising fast results can do more harm than good if it hits your yard during the wrong season. Yellow patches, weak growth, runoff into storm…

Florida yards take a beating. The sun is intense, rain disappears for weeks at a time, and watering restrictions make it even harder to keep everything looking alive. Still, across the state, more homeowners are finding ways to keep their landscapes green, colorful, and inviting without running sprinklers nonstop or watching water bills climb. Low-water…

Florida gardens never really sleep. Tomatoes ripen in winter, citrus trees stay green year-round, and backyard beds keep producing long after gardeners up north pack it in. Unfortunately, insects and critters love this nonstop growing season just as much as the plants do. One week your garden looks perfect, the next week leaves are full…

Florida summer doesn’t mess around. One afternoon in the sun is enough to show you which plants were never meant to survive here. You deal with blazing heat, heavy humidity, sudden storms, and long stretches where the temperature barely drops at night. If your yard has struggled through past summers, it isn’t because you’re doing…

Florida soil looks nothing like the rich garden soil shown in magazines and viral videos. Most yards start with pale sand that drains fast, heats up quickly, and struggles to hold water or nutrients long enough for plants to thrive. Many homeowners respond by adding more fertilizer, hoping it will fix weak growth or yellowing…

You have probably driven past a Florida home and instantly noticed how fresh, cool, and polished the yard looks compared to others on the street. The plants seem brighter. The beds look cleaner. The whole property feels more inviting. What most people do not realize is that this transformation often comes from one simple detail,…

Most Florida homeowners have seen it happen. The yard looks great for a while, then a cold snap rolls through or summer heat drags on and suddenly everything feels thin, patchy, and tired. Plants that once looked full start dropping leaves, slowing down, or leaving awkward gaps that make the whole space feel unfinished. It’s…

Florida yards are built for shade. When the heat settles in and the sun feels relentless, a fast-growing tree can seem like the perfect solution. Many homeowners plant what looks good today, never imagining that the real trouble starts years later, underground or high overhead. Some of Florida’s most popular trees come with hidden risks…

Florida yards take a beating. Relentless sun, sudden downpours, sandy soil, and months of heat can turn even a well-intentioned landscape into a tired, patchy mess. Many homeowners know the frustration of planting something beautiful in spring, only to watch it struggle or disappear by summer. The good news is that Florida curb appeal does…

Florida gardeners know the frustration well. You plant strawberries with high hopes, water faithfully, and wait for that first ripe berry, only to bite into fruit that looks beautiful but tastes disappointingly bland. In many yards across the state, the problem is not effort or fertilizer. It is the environment beneath your feet. Florida’s sandy…

February is when most Florida yards get ignored. The mower stays in the garage, the grass looks fine at a glance, and it feels safe to assume lawn season can wait. That quiet stretch is exactly when small problems like thin spots, weeds, and drainage issues start setting the tone for spring. Many homeowners don’t…

Every spring in Florida brings the same mix of excitement and second guessing. One warm afternoon makes it feel like planting season has arrived, while the next cool morning raises doubts all over again. Garden centers are stocked, tomato plants look healthy and ready, and the urge to get everything in the ground is hard…

Florida backyards are bursting with potential, even when they look quiet and ordinary at first glance. Beneath the sunshine and sandy soil lies one of the best fruit growing climates in the entire country, capable of producing sweet, juicy harvests faster than most gardeners ever expect. While many people assume fruit trees take half a…

Growing tomatoes and basil together in a Florida garden turns a simple planting bed into a high-performance food factory. These two favorites thrive in the same sun-soaked conditions and make the most of Florida’s long, warm growing seasons. When planted side by side, tall tomato plants rise like living trellises while basil spreads below, filling…

Florida winters give gardeners an advantage that few other regions enjoy: the ability to grow and maintain vibrant, colorful landscapes while the rest of the country lies dormant. Snapdragons, petunias, dianthus, and violas flourish in the cooler temperatures, providing months of eye-catching blooms. Trailing lobelia adds elegance to containers and borders, while ornamental cabbage and…

January in Florida can surprise even the most seasoned gardeners with its sudden frost. The Sunshine State is known for warmth, palm trees, and vibrant gardens, but winter cold snaps can strike without warning, leaving tender tropical plants vulnerable. One night of freezing temperatures can blacken leaves, stunt growth, and turn months of careful landscaping…

Florida homes are made for greenery, but sharing your space with cats and dogs changes everything. A beautiful houseplant can turn into a hidden danger the moment a curious pet decides to nibble. Many of the most popular indoor plants sold across Florida are toxic, even in small amounts, which makes choosing the right ones…

Florida crape myrtles are famous for their clouds of summer color, yet many of them never come close to their full flowering potential. The reason is not the heat, the rain, or the soil. It is the way they get pruned. Across Florida, countless crape myrtles are cut back hard every winter, leaving thick stubs…

While much of the country is buried under snow and frozen ground, Florida gardens are quietly alive, active, and preparing for what comes next. This brief seasonal pause is deceptive and it feels calm, but your landscape is actually at a critical turning point. Your garden needs attention right now to stay healthy, resilient, and…

Florida gardens aren’t meant to be ordinary. With year-round warmth, dramatic rain cycles, and an ecosystem unlike anywhere else in the country, the Sunshine State rewards gardeners who work with nature rather than against it. That’s where native plants come in. When you choose plants that evolved right here in Florida, you’re not just decorating…