Do you compost or would you like to learn how to get started? Join us in this episode to learn about composting as an easy way to reduce waste at the curb and to make a free soil amendment for your garden and landscape beds.

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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu  

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

• Composting: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/waste-reduction/composting/

• Compost tips for the home gardener: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP323

• Trash Talk: Alternatives to Traditional Composting: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/trash-talk-alternative-composting/

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

Are you familiar with milkweed? Join us on this episode to learn why we recommend planting native milkweed and removing non-native milkweed from your yard.

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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu  

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

• Monarch and Milkweed: An Important Update: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/09/25/monarchs-and-milkweed/

• Milkweed: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/milkweed/

• Native milkweeds: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/native-milkweeds/

• Creating a Native Wildflower Garden in Your Central Florida Yard podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-a-native-wildflower-garden-in-your-central/id1724213516?i=1000648747914

• Florida Native Wildflower Foundation: https://www.flawildflowers.org/monarchs-and-milkweed/

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

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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu  

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu  
• 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 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu  

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu   

• 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, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu   

• 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.