After February 2026’s cold snap reminded Central Florida gardeners that frost and freeze damage can happen even here, many are wondering what to do next. In this bonus episode, we cover when to begin plant recovery and the best steps to help your landscape safely bounce back.

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida Yard page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Winter Is Coming: Protect Your Plants from the Cold: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2025/01/06/winter-is-coming-protect-your-plants-from-the-cold/ 

• Cold Damage on Palms: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG318 

• USDA Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ 

• Palm recovery (this video shows Lantan palms, but this applies to all types of palms recovering from the cold): https://youtu.be/BWyDzmyO1e4?si=XVZiPsfzTBSS_Sgn 

 Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.    

Whether you’re tired of mowing, dealing with shady spots where a lawn will not grow, or just want a low-growing plant for the landscape, groundcovers might be the solution you are looking for! Join us in this episode to find our some of our favorite groundcovers for central Florida yards.

Sources for Show Notes:  

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:  

https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/  

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]  
• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/   
• Groundcovers: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/groundcovers/
• Florida peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/florida-peperomia/
• FFL Plant Guide: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/
• FFL Lawn Ornaments (Groundcovers): https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/10/05/embracing-lawn-ornaments-a-starter-guide/

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Join us in this episode as we tale a closer look at trees with  interesting bark.  Whether you’re designing a landscape or just love trees, you’ll come away seeing bark in a whole new way!

Sources for this Episode:

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Bark Appeal https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/bark-appeal/  

• River Birch https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/river-birch/ 

• Betula nigra: River Birch https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST094 

• Crapemyrtle https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/crapemyrtle/ 

• Lagerstroemia indica: Crapemyrtle https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST342 

• Platanus occidentalis: Sycamore https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST484 

• Ceiba speciosa: Silk-Floss Tree https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST162 

• Chinese Elm https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chinese-elm/ 

• Ulmus parvifolia: Chinese Elm https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST652 

• Winged Elm https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/butterflies/browse/Details/395 

• Live Oak https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/live-oaks/ 

• Quercus virginiana: Southern Live Oak https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST564 

• Chickasaw Plum https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/ 

• Prunus angustifolia: Chickasaw Plum https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST504 

• Lichen podcast episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lichen/id1724213516?i=1000640669411  

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

Join us in this episode to hear some of the frequent questions our plant clinic has received from central Florida gardeners. 

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Fertilizing Your Florida Lawn https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/fertilizing-the-lawn/ 

• General Recommendations for Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH014 

• Planting Your Florida Lawn https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/maintenance-and-care/planting-your-florida-lawn/ 

• Preparing to Plant a Florida Lawn https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH012 

• Basketgrass, A Common Landscape Weed https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2018/09/28/basketgrass-a-common-landscape-weed/ 

• Tomatoes https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/tomatoes/ 

• Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 

• Your Florida Lawn in Winter https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/maintenance-and-care/your-florida-lawn-in-winter/ 

• Wildflowers For All Seasons https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/wildflowers-for-all-seasons/ 

•  Wildflowers in the Garden https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/wildflowers-in-the-garden/  

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

Join us in this episode to learn about which garden tasks can make a big difference in the appearance of your landscape.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• Color in Landscape: Finding Inspiration for a Color Theme: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP425 

• Choosing and Installing Mulches: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/mulch/ 

• Florida-Friendly Mulches and Their Uses: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP626 

• Quick Tips on Hand-Weeding in Your Florida-Friendly Yard: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2023/07/14/quick-tips-on-hand-weeding-in-your-florida-friendly-yard/ 

• Trimming and Pruning Trees:  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pruning/pruning-and-maintaining-trees/ 

• Trimming and Pruning Shrubs and Hedges: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pruning/pruning-shrubs-and-hedges/ 

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

While fall in central Florida may not bring the dramatic color changes seen in other parts of the country, that doesn't mean it lacks seasonal beauty. Join us in this episode to learn about plants that bloom in the fall and plants whose foliage fits right into that classic fall color palette right here in central Florida. We also talk about tips on using natural items for your fall decor.

Sources for Show Notes: 

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• Wildflowers for the Central Florida Home Garden: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/orange/hort-res/docs/pdf/County-Fact-Sheet---Wildflowers.pdf 

• Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/vegetable-gardening-in-florida/ 

 Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Are you considering adding fruit trees to your central Florida yard? There are so many varieties of fruit trees from temperate to tropical that it’s hard to know what will grow here. Join us in today’s episode to learn about what fruit trees can be grown in central Florida yards.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• USDA Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ 

• Mango: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216 

• Papaya: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG054 

• Lychee: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG051 

• Banana: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040 

• Link to YouTube, Growing Bananas in Your Central Florida Landscape: https://youtu.be/kdX-zPQCwag?si=CvS79gvDJHhaL_FP 

• Citrus: https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/  

• Citrus: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/citrus/ 

• Peach: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/peaches/ 

• Mulberry: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/mulberry/ 

 Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Do you have a favorite fragrant plant? Looking to add more fragrance to your landscape? Join us to find out about bringing fragrance into your landscape with plants.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• Fragrance Gardens https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/fragrance-gardens/ 

• Fragrant Houseplants https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/fragrant-houseplants/ 

• Fifty Fragrant Plants For Florida Landscapes https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2020/04/07/fifty-fragrant-plants-for-florida-landscapes/ 

• The Strongest Sense https://sites.psu.edu/sml6791/2022/04/28/the-strongest-sense/ 

• Physiological Effects of a Garden Plant Smellscape from the Perspective of Perceptual Interaction https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048905/ 

• Insect Odorscapes: From Plant Volatiles to Natural Olfactory Scenes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31427985/  

• "Fragrantly Florida-Friendly": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdGkitsNvp8 

• Sensory gardens: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/sensory-gardens/ 

• Find all of the plants mentioned in today’s episode by searching for the plant name on Gardening Solutions: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 

  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Houseplants are popular, but they aren’t always easy to grow. In this episode, we’ll share tips for keeping your houseplants healthy and help you get started with indoor gardening.

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening 

• Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

• Houseplants Light Requirements and Selecting Appropriate Plants: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/houseplant-list.pdf

• Light for Houseplants: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/light-for-houseplants/

  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Ready to add a splash of color to your central Florida yard! Join us as we highlight summer flowers that thrive in the heat, attract pollinators, and keep your landscape vibrant all season long.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/