Your Central Florida Yard

Your Central Florida Yard

By Anne Yasalonis and Julie SchelbLeisureHome & Garden
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Your Central Florida Yard episodes

  • Weeds in the Home Landscape

    Struggling with weeds in your yard? Proper maintenance is key to promoting healthy plants and combating weeds. In this episode, we discuss essential tips and strategies for effective weed management in your landscape

    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/    

          • Weed ID, including UF/IFAS Florida Weed ID Videos: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/weed-identification.html 

            • Weed ID: https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/news-and-publications/publications/other-publications-and-resources/weed-identification-guide/ 

              • Weed Management for Florida Lawns: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP141 

                • Reading the Weeds https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/reading-the-weeds/ 

                • 33 min
                • A Tropical Yard in Central Florida

                  Does the thought of living in central Florida bring to mind a tropical-looking landscape? There are many plants that thrive in this area from ornamental plants like palms and foliage plants to fruit trees. What even does a tropical yard look like? Can Florida native plants help us achieve that look? Join us to find out in today’s episode.


                  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/
                        • UF IFAS Extension Polk County YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xcbdX1cDeyXlXUmaW9wBg
                          • Climate Zones https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/climate-zones
                            • Florida 101: Florida Weather https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/flaglerco/2023/10/26/florida-101-florida-weather/
                              • 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
                              • https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
                                • Ornamental Palms for Central Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP020
                                • 27 min
                                • Hurricane Prep for Landscapes

                                  Living in Florida includes being prepared for hurricanes. Many people know how to get their homes ready but what should do for your landscape? Join us to learn how to prepare your garden and landscape for hurricane season along with tips for recovery after the storm.


                                  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 Yard ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠
                                        • Hurricane Landscaping https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/hurricane-landscaping.html  
                                          • Hurricane Recovery: Wind-Resistant Trees for Home, Business, and Park Landscaping  https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/09/21/hurricane-recovery-wind-resistant-trees-for-home-business-and-park-landscaping/  
                                            • Trees That Can Withstand Hurricanes https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/trees-that-can-withstand-hurricanes.html  
                                            • Is my tree safe? Recognizing conditions that increase the likelihood of tree failure https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP507  
                                            • Tree Risk Assessment  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/tree-risk-assessment.html  
                                            • Pruning Shade Trees in Landscapes: A Plan for Training Shade Trees https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP276
                                            • Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/media/disasterifasufledu-/docs/Florida-Homeowners-Handbook.pdf
                                            • Disaster Preparation & Recovery https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/
                                            • 36 min
                                            • Water Woes and Your Landscape

                                              What do we do when the rain stops, the water bills rise, and those watering restrictions kick in? Join us to learn about future water options for Polk County, FL, tips for saving water outdoors, and drought tolerant plants.

                                              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/⁠
                                                  • Direct Potable Reuse Pilot https://www.polk-county.net/services/utilities/programs-and-rebates/
                                                  • Lower Floridan Aquifer Exploration https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/lower-floridan-aquifer-exploration
                                                  • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/FFL-Plant-Guide_v03222022_web.pdf
                                                  • The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/FFL-Handbook_03172022_web.pdf
                                                  • Ten Ways to Save Water https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/irrigation/ten-ways-to-save-water.html
                                                  • Drought Tolerant Plants for a Florida-Friendly Landscape – Zone 9 https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/03/11/drought-tolerant-plants-for-a-florida-friendly-landscape-zone-9/
                                                  • 23 min
                                                  • When Grass Won't Grow

                                                    Having trouble with your lawn? Learn about possible causes for lawn decline, proper cultural practices, along with groundcover alternatives to help when your grass won't grow.

                                                    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/
                                                        • Reading the Weeds https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weeds-and-invasive-plants/reading-the-weeds.html
                                                          • Florida-Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries (page 14: Table 1: Comparison of lawn grasses available for use in Florida) https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/GIBMP_Manual_Web_English.pdf
                                                          • Weeds as indicators of soil conditions in lawns and landscapes https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP634
                                                          • Landscaping in Florida shade https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP457
                                                          • Groundcovers for Shade https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/landscaping-for-specific-sites/groundcovers-for-shade.html
                                                          • Rain Gardens https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/rain-gardens.html
                                                          • Lawn Insect Pests https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/lawn-insect-pests.html
                                                          • Turfgrass Disease Identification Chart https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/turfgrass-disease-flow-chart.html
                                                          • Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP236

                                                          • 35 min
                                                          • Creating a Native Wildflower Garden in Your Central Florida Yard

                                                            Learn about what plants to grow, how to start them, how to maintain them, and different ways you can enjoy wildflowers all summer right in your own back (or front!) yard!

                                                            Sources for this Episode:

                                                            • Wildflowers For All Seasons: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/wildflowers-for-all-seasons.html 
                                                              • A Guide to Planting Wildflower Enhancements in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1180 
                                                                • Wildflowers for Central Florida Home Gardens: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/orange/hort-res/docs/pdf/County-Fact-Sheet---Wildflowers.pdf 
                                                                  • Creating Wildflower Habitats in Gold Course Out-of-Play Areas: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1316 
                                                                    • Florida Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/
                                                                      • Florida Wildflower Foundation Seedling Images: https://www.flawildflowers.org/wp-content/resources/pdfs/Publications/SeedlingImageProject_Report-Ver2007-96DPI_Images.pdf
                                                                      • For more information and to contact us: ⁠⁠⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠

                                                                        22 min
                                                                      • Palm Fertilizer

                                                                        Learn what may be causing your palm trees to turn yellow, how long it can take to correct, and what to look for in a palm fertilizer.


                                                                        Sources for this Episode:

                                                                        • Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-grown Palms in Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP273
                                                                          • Fertilization of Field-Grown and Landscape Palms in Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP261
                                                                            • Florida Fertilizer Ordinances https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/fertilizer-ordinances/
                                                                              • State Seal of Florida https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-seal/ 

                                                                                • For more information and to contact us: ⁠⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/⁠

                                                                                  13 min
                                                                                • Trailer

                                                                                  Welcome to the podcast series where 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 and get ready to dig into this monthly podcast for gardeners in and around the central Florida area!  

                                                                                  Together we will talk all things you can find, do, and explore in your yard … and beyond! From small insects and lichens to large trees and waterways, the topics we discuss are all to help you be a successful gardener, responsible Floridian, and natural resources steward (with the best yard on the block)!

                                                                                  Each episode will focus on a specific gardening and landscaping topic with a garden checklist at the end of the episode so you can take what you have learned and apply it in your own yard.

                                                                                  Follow us on Substack to get more content including past episodes, a monthly newsletter, and more.

                                                                                  2 min
                                                                                • Lichen

                                                                                  Lichens you might be saying, what are those? Learn how to recognize lichens in the landscape and what exactly they are.


                                                                                  Sources for this Episode:

                                                                                  • Field oriented keys to the Florida lichens by Rosentreter, DeBolt, and Kaminsky https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herbarium/lib/pdf/Rosentreter_Field_oriented_keys_to_the_Florida_lichens_Dec_2015.pdf
                                                                                    • Lichens https://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/biota/lichens.php
                                                                                      • Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Lichens - Harmless Epiphytes https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep485
                                                                                        • Life of Lichen https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1296
                                                                                          • Lichens https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/lichens.shtml
                                                                                            • Lichens All Around https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2021/05/25/lichens-all-around/
                                                                                              • About Lichens https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/about.shtml
                                                                                              • For more information and to contact us: ⁠https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/



                                                                                                8 min
                                                                                              • Spanish Moss

                                                                                                What do you know about Spanish moss—there are many myths and legends but are they true.   


                                                                                                Sources for this Episode:

                                                                                                • Spanish Moss: ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/spanish-moss.html⁠
                                                                                                  • Garden Myths, Volume One: ⁠https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/florida-friendly-landscapes/garden-myths-one.html⁠
                                                                                                    • Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Lichens---Harmless Epiphytes: ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP485⁠
                                                                                                      • Florida’s Native Bromeliads: ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw205 ⁠

                                                                                                      • For more information and to contact us: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/

                                                                                                        10 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…

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