North Florida Garden Gazette

Reviving tired garden soil? These tested DIY methods deliver real results for veggie growth:

• Biochar combos excel: Charged biochar alone or with...

Backyard gardening perks for North Florida growers:

• Boosts confidence: Kick off your week in the garden to power through work ahead.
• Invites...

North Florida's rising temps are triggering earlier pest surges—ants, mosquitoes, roaches, and fire ants active 2-4 weeks ahead.

Protect gardens and...

April trend in North Florida: Plant heat-tolerant veggies for bountiful summer harvest.

• Swiss chard beats spinach/lettuce in heat
• Southeast picks: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Ruby Red
• IFAS spring tips guide North Florida planting

Discover sustainable container and raised bed gardening in North Florida-style Zone 9/10:

• Raised beds via Vego (code SOUTHERN_DIRT_GARDENER10OFF)...

Trend alert: UF/IFAS ramps up tools for spotting soil-borne threats in veggies and ornamentals—vital for North Florida growers.

• Ubiquitous soil...

• Skip direct soil addition: Unbroken eggshells don't release calcium quickly enough for plants like tomatoes suffering blossom end rot.
• Protect...

Elevate your mid-century modern home with these tough, clean-lined ornamentals suited to zones 8-9:

• Feather Reed Grass (zones 4-9): Upright,...

Perfect for our steamy summers:

• Organic, heirloom slicing tomato – Non-GMO, open-pollinated, determinate growth
• Drought- and heat-tolerant – Thrives in North Florida's tough climate
• Ideal for garden plots and raised beds

Drought Alerts in North Florida Panhandle

• 🔥 Calhoun County D4 Exceptional Drought: Calhoun County has entered USDA Drought Monitor D4 status,...

• Calhoun Co in D4 drought: New plants need 1" water several times/week; established every 7-10 days. Water AM/PM to cut evaporation.
• Mulch for...

Key strategies to overcome blossom drop from 75°F+ nights and harvest in North Florida's heat:

• Time it right: Plant March-April for early summer...

• Versatile and fuss-free: Attractive foliage, flowers, and compact growth for beds, borders, rock gardens.
• Drought-hardy performer: Thrives in...

• Pest-repelling pros: Marigolds emit an odor that repels pests while attracting pollinators to flower beds.
• Summer squash synergy: Guards against...

Boost your North Florida landscape with natives over invasives:

• Expert guidance: Emily Bell of Florida Wildflower Foundation covers invasive...

• Straw bale gardening beats poor soil woes—uses bales as growing medium with compost activation, mimicking raised bed benefits like joint ease, pest...

Trend toward easy tools and tips for precise, low-effort watering in Florida's humidity:

• Precise needs: Established turf requires ½-¾ inch/week,...

• UF/IFAS App for Bees: Use Q&A to create custom lists of 82 Florida-Friendly plants, plus design tips and zone filters.
• Butterfly Nectar Stars:...

Key signs to watch in North Florida gardens:

• Leaf spots (brown, black, yellow, white) and wilting from fungal/bacterial diseases
• Sooty mold black...

North Florida gardeners rejoice: These sun-loving, drought-tolerant bloomers thrive with minimal care in sandy soils and heat.

• Pentas & Lantana:...