Your Central Florida Yard

By Anne Yasalonis and Julie SchelbLeisure Home & Garden

Your Central Florida Yard episodes

March 17, 2025A Gardener's Story with Celia
Join us for A Gardener’s Story, a special bonus episode where we sit down with a UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer who’s dedicating their time and expertise to help our communities thrive. Stay tuned as we dig into the inspiring story of Celia, a Master Gardener Volunteer with UF/IFAS Extension.  
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/  
Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-master-gardener-program/   

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
28 min
March 10, 2025No Mow March
What is No Mow March? Well, it’s a movement encouraging homeowners to put their lawnmowers away for the month of March. The idea is to let your lawn grow naturally, which provides a temporary refuge for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Join us to learn more about No Mow March in today's episode!
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/   
No Mow March:
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/lawn-and-garden/no-mow-march/

Making a pollinator hotel fact sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ljqwghsmys0yxu8sefuw8/AEGEZ5ECiF0PeBOEgN7Tz7o/Creating%20a%20Pollinator%20Hotel.pdf?rlkey=z8hlixi5091pnf8xuovsc3psp&e=1&dl=0

Attracting Native Bees to Your Florida Landscape: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1255

Plants for Pollinators: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/bee-plants/
Support Florida’s Pollinators All Year Long https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2024/06/21/support-floridas-pollinators-all-year-long/

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
17 min
February 10, 2025Florida-Friendly Edible Plants
In this episode we explore edible plants that not only thrive in our unique climate but also align with Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles.
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 pagehttps://centralfloridayard.substack.com/   
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening
Growing Seminole pumpkins in your central Florida landscape:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU
Florida’s Edible Native Plants:https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/floridas-edible-native-plants/
Edible Landscaping Using the Nine FFL Principles: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594 Edible Plants:https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/
Selecting a Citrus Tree:https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/selecting-a-citrus-tree/
Landscape Design Principles:https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG086
Blueberry Gardener's Guidehttps://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
20 min
January 13, 2025Garden Journaling: Good for Your Garden, Great for You
Do you use a garden journal? Wondering how it can help you improve your gardening skills and techniques? Join us as we dive into the world of garden journaling and how gardening can boost your overall wellness.

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/⁠  
The Positive Effects Of Gardening On Mental Health ⁠https://today.tamu.edu/2022/05/18/the-positive-effects-of-gardening-on-mental-health/⁠
Gardening for wellness: ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/gardening-for-wellness/⁠
Why 'plant blindness' matters — and what you can do about it ⁠https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190425-plant-blindness-what-we-lose-with-nature-deficit-disorder⁠
Plant Blindness YouTube (Marc Frank): ⁠https://youtu.be/Z5k5qgGJdac?si=ZMfZ8sLoPqN8CvuG⁠
Garden Guide and Journal Available for Sale ⁠https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2020/09/02/garden-guide-and-journal-available-for-sale/⁠

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
20 min
December 09, 2024Holiday Decor from the Garden
In this episode learn how to use plants in the landscape to naturally add holiday color and interest in and around your home along with ways you can use foliage, flowers, and fruit as decor as we approach the holidays.

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/  

Holiday Decor from the Garden: Ideas and Inspiration https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2024/12/09/holiday-decor-from-the-garden-ideas-and-inspiration/

Holiday gift plants: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/holiday-gift-plants/
What’s Growing On? Holiday Flora and Fauna: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/volusiaco/2022/11/29/whats-growing-on-holiday-flora-fauna/
Holiday decorating with fresh greenery: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holiday-decorating-with-fresh-greenery/
Wildcrafting for the Holidays (a recorded webinar from UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu5xrsizcdE
Go a little “greener” this year, consider a Florida native Christmas Tree https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2019/11/04/go-a-little-greener-this-year-consider-a-florida-native-christmas-tree/
Sand pine Christmas tree sale at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/2024/12/06/florida-land-steward-update-december-6-2024/

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
32 min
November 11, 2024Part-Time Gardening: Tips for Newcomers, Seasonal Residents, and Snowbirds
Are you new to Florida or are you a part-time resident? Join us for tips on gardening in central Florida including debunking five common garden myths.

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/⁠ ⁠
A Part-Time and New Resident’s Guide to Gardening in Central Florida ⁠https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2022/12/06/a-part-time-and-new-residents-guide-to-gardening-in-central-florida/ ⁠
Florida Gardening for New Residents ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/florida-gardening-for-new-residents.html ⁠
Month-By-Month Irrigation Checklist ⁠https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gx7lae6qx7j23ev/AADLU6Zmt9MQOnur8Z_Dc7Nna?dl=0&preview=Month+by+Month+Irrigation.pdf⁠
Part-Time Resident’s Water Conservation Checklist ⁠https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gx7lae6qx7j23ev/AACLcAOkXUAxexdL4aRlMQxfa/Part%20Time%20Residents%20Water%20Conservation.pdf?dl=0⁠
Protecting Florida's Water Resources ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/floridas-water-resources.html ⁠
Working in Your Florida Soil ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/florida-soil.html ⁠
Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 ⁠
Garden Myths, Volume One ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/garden-myths-one.html ⁠
Garden Myths, Volume Two ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/garden-myths-two.html ⁠
Garden Myths, Volume Three https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/garden-myths-three.html
Soaps, Detergents, and Pest Management ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/soaps-detergents-and-pest-management.html⁠
Landscape and Vegetable Garden Test Form (soil test) ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS187⁠
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ⁠https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/map-downloads⁠
Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
25 min
October 24, 2024Crape Murder...A Haunting Tale
Have you heard the term “crape murder”? Ever wondered what it means? Join us to learn about caring for crapemyrtles and their sometimes unfortunate and untimely "crape murder".

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/⁠  
Crapemyrtle ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/crapemyrtle.html⁠
Lagerstroemia indica: Crapemyrtle ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st342⁠
Crapemyrtle in Florida, ENH-52 ⁠http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg266⁠
Crapemyrtle Pruning, ENH1138 ⁠http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep399⁠
Establishing Shrubs in Florida Landscapes, ENH1130 ⁠http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep391⁠
10 Steps for Planting in Sandy Soil in Polk County ⁠https://www.dropbox.com/s/t8q4aynlnf27j9x/Planting%20on%20sandy%20soil.pdf?dl=0⁠
Examples of Crapemyrtle cultivars: dwarf (less than 4 ft): Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Chickasaw'; semi-dwarf (around 10-12 ft): Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Acoma'; intermediate (less than 20 ft): Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Comanche'; tree (over 20 ft): Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Miami'.
Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.
Podcast sound effects: "The Tomb" by Vaudeville.
30 min
October 01, 2024Crafting Spooky Season Planters
Are you ready for spooky season? Today we have a fun bonus episode with tips and ideas on combining plants in containers (along with using items found in the yard) for frightfully fun seasonal decor.

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/  

Container Gardening https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/container-gardening/

Spooky Season Planters: Transforming Planters into Hauntingly Beautiful Holiday Decor https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2024/10/01/spooky-season-planters-transforming-planters-into-hauntingly-beautiful-holiday-decor/

Music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio
16 min
September 09, 2024Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Containers
Are you interested in growing vegetables but want to start small? Do you have limited space to grow vegetables? Whether you garden exclusively in containers or you just want to mix it up and try multiple growing methods, join us to find out what you need to know for growing vegetables and herbs in containers.

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/ ⁠
Vegetable Gardening: Container Media ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/container-media/ ⁠
Container Gardens ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/newsletter/2013/more/containers-raised.shtml ⁠
Growing Vegetables in Containers ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/growing-vegetables-in-containers/⁠
Minigardening (Growing Vegetables in Containers) ⁠https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/IR/00/00/34/28/00001/VH03200.pdf ⁠
For more information on soil mixes : ⁠https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/homemade-potting-mix/⁠ and ⁠https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/container-vegetable-gardening/#:~:text=Try%20mixing%20your%20own%20with,the%20pH%20to%20around%206.5⁠
Cleaning Your Container Pots ⁠https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/gadsdenco/2015/07/28/recycle-by-cleaning-your-container-pots/⁠
Music: Green Beans by Big Score Audio
29 min
August 12, 2024Starting a Vegetable Garden in Central Florida
In today's episode we discuss some basic tips to help you grow a successful vegetable garden in central Florida.

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/

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

Vegetables to Grow in Florida: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/

Find a series of vegetable gardening articles here: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/vegetable-gardening-in-florida/

IPM: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/integrated-pest-management/

Introduction to Soil Solarization: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN856

Vegetable Crop Planting and Harvesting Dates: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uqa22hybg0s3oyf9yishd/Vegetable-Crop-Planting-and-Harvesting-Dates.pdf?rlkey=j0kkba0brfsdzezdjr1bm74mf&st=b4o8hvnj&dl=0

Vegetable Garden Crop Rotation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3x59ajoghto5e5t/Vegetable%20Garden%20Crop%20Rotation.pdf?st=5ohzzpws&dl=0

Music: Green Beans by Big Score Audio
29 min

About Your Central Florida Yard

From the publisher's feed

In this podcast we explore how to successfully garden in the unique climate of central Florida.  Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this podcast is for you. So grab your shovel…