Growing Great Groundcovers

Grow it, Eat it! Edible Florida-Friendly Plants

There is increasing interest in growing food—usually in dedicated vegetable and herb gardens, but there are plants that have both ornamental qualities and are edible. Join us on this episode to find out which Florida-Friendly plants have both ornamental qualities and also can be eaten. Sources for Show Notes:    * Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-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 [polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu]    * Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    [https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/]  * Find information about nutrition and nutrition programming in Polk County: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/ [https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/]   * Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/ [http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/]   * Floridacitrus.org/recipes  [https://www.floridacitrus.org/recipes/]  * Chickasaw Plum https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/]   * Citrus https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/ [https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/]   * Blueberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/blueberries/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/blueberries/]   * Beautyberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/beautyberry/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/beautyberry/]   * Prickly pear cactus https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/prickly-pear/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/prickly-pear/]   * Perennial peanut https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/]   * Rosemary https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary/]   * Roselle or Sorell  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/roselle/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/roselle/]   * Seminole pumpkin https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/seminole-pumpkin/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/seminole-pumpkin/] AND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU]     Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Start Composting in Your Central Florida Yard

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/ [https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/]    * In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu [polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu]    * Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    [https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/]  * Composting: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/natural-resources/waste-reduction/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 [https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP323]  * Trash Talk: Alternatives to Traditional Composting: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/trash-talk-alternative-composting/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/fertilizer/trash-talk-alternative-composting/]  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Native Milkweed for your Central Florida Yard

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/ [https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/]    * In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu [polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu]    * Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    [https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/]  * Monarch and Milkweed: An Important Update: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/09/25/monarchs-and-milkweed/ [https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2025/09/25/monarchs-and-milkweed/]  * Milkweed: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/milkweed/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/milkweed/]  * Native milkweeds: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/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 [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/ [https://www.flawildflowers.org/monarchs-and-milkweed/]  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Cold Recovery for Plants in Central Florida Yards

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/ [https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/]    * In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu [polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu]    * Your Central Florida Yard page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    [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/ [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 [https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG318]  * USDA Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ [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 [https://youtu.be/BWyDzmyO1e4?si=XVZiPsfzTBSS_Sgn]     Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Growing Great Groundcovers

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/   [https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   ] * In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu [polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu]   * Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/ [https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/]    * Groundcovers: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/groundcovers/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/groundcovers/] * Florida peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/florida-peperomia/ [https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/florida-peperomia/ ] * FFL Plant Guide: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/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/ [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.