Your Central Florida Yard

Anne Yasalonis and Julie Schelb
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Monthly

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 and get ready to dig into this monthly podcast for gardeners in and around the central Florida area! This podcast is brought to you by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County.  

  1. 2d ago

    Maintaining a Lawn in Central Florida

    Maintaining a lawn is one of the most common questions that our Plant Clinic gets. Join us in this episode to to hear from Master Gardener Volunteer Rich on best practices for maintaining a lawn the Florida-Friendly way. 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/      Catch can test: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/duval/horticulture/commercial-hort/DuvalCo-How-to-Calibrate-Your-Sprinkler-System-Illustrations-2024-FNL-Digital.pdf   Bahiagrass: https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_Turfgrass_Homeowner_Guides_Fact_Sheet_Bahiagrass_2024_Digital.pdf St. Augustinegrass: https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_HomeownersGuideToStAugustinegrassManagement_Factsheet_Final.pdf  Zoysiagrass:https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/media/agronomyifasufledu/turfgrass-science/turf-science-pdfs/home-owners-guide/EH_HomeownersGuideToZoysiagrassManagement_Factsheet_Final.pdf   Fertilization:https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP236  Establishing your Florida lawn: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH013  Watering your Florida Lawn: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH025  Fertilization: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH014  How to take a soil sample: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/indian-river/docs/pdfs/UF-Landscape--Veg-Garden-Test-Form-SL136.pdf  Setting Irrigation Run Times https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/residents/water-conservation/irrigation/irrigation-scheduling   Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

  2. Jul 13

    Starting a Food Forest in Your Central Florida Yard

    Are you interested in starting a food forest in your central Florida yard? Join us in this episode to hear from Master Gardener Volunteer Jessica on how to combine fruit trees, edible shrubs, herbs, vines, pollinator plants, and groundcovers into a layered landscape that mimics a natural ecosystem. Learn how to provide food, habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and reduce maintenance over time with your own food forest. 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/      How to start a food forest in your central Florida yard https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2026/06/15/how-to-start-a-food-forest-in-your-central-florida-yard/   Planning a Food Forest https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/planning-a-food-forest/  Cultivating a Food Forest in Your Yard https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/highlandsco/2024/05/29/cultivating-a-food-forest-in-your-yard/   Fall is the Perfect Time to Start a Food Forest https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/10/26/permaculture-and-edible-landscaping-will-provide-for-future-generations/    Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

  3. Jun 8

    Summer Gardening Tips

    Summer is hot, and in central Florida it is REALLY hot! Join us on this episode as we discuss tips and tricks that can make gardening in the summer a bit easier. 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/     Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/  Garden hoe tutorial: https://youtu.be/woHNgHkbWzA Protect the waterfront:  https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-9-protect-waterfront/Polk County fertilizer ordinance: https://polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Polk-County-Fertilizer-Ordinance-March2013.pdf  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

  4. May 11

    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/    In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu    Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     Find information about nutrition and nutrition programming in Polk County: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/   Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/   Floridacitrus.org/recipes   Chickasaw Plum https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/   Citrus https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/   Blueberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/blueberries/   Beautyberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/beautyberry/   Prickly pear cactus https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/prickly-pear/   Perennial peanut https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/   Rosemary https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary/   Roselle or Sorell  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/roselle/   Seminole pumpkin https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/seminole-pumpkin/ AND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU     Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

  5. Apr 13

    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/    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.

  6. Mar 9

    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/    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.

  7. Feb 21 ·  Bonus

    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/    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.

  8. Feb 9

    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 out 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.

See All (39)

Trailer

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

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 and get ready to dig into this monthly podcast for gardeners in and around the central Florida area! This podcast is brought to you by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County.  

Information

  • Creator
    Anne Yasalonis and Julie Schelb
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anne Yasalonis and Julie Schelb
  • Show Website
    Your Central Florida Yard

You Might Also Like