The Florida Gardener

rootsredefined
  • 4.7 (14)
  • HOME & GARDEN

When it comes to gardening, Florida may as well be its own country. Our subtropical to tropical environment hosts a diverse variety of plants, BUT you may have to throw much of what you know out the window because what the rest of North America is doing doesn’t always apply down here. So come along as we discuss gardening in the Sunshine State!

  1. JAN 26

    EP 30: Plant Q&A | “How To Find Reliable Sources of Gardening Advice?”

    We had a listener in SW Florida write in with a couple questions. "I'm struggling to find reliable sources of gardening advice. I'm getting lots of suggestions of things to try, but the advice is not consistent, and I end up mostly confused...do you have any suggestions on the best sources for local gardening advice?" "Also, I'm going to be away for several months and wondering if there are people who can be hired to take care of my fruit trees and other plants." Tune in to episode 30 for my response. Have your own question for the show? Write in to us. RootsRedefined.com > The Florida Gardener Podcast > Write in to the Show Episode Resources: 1. South Florida Plant Guide (online plant guide) south-florida-plant-guide.com 2. Stacks Urban Harvest (website + youtube) stacksurbanharvest.com 3. Flip My Florida - tv series. free to watch on youtube. just search the name. 4. Your Central Florida Yard - podcast. Available on Spotify and Apple podcasts. 5. Become a Florida Master Gardener - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/what-we-do/become/

    11 min

  2. JAN 14

    EP 29: How I Started My Garden Business

    I’ve had a few folks reach out inquiring about how I started my gardening business - some of you are even interested in starting your own!  So, I decided to dedicate an entire episode to this. I hope you enjoy. SAY HI, SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER & SHOP MY GARDEN: RootsRedefined.com EPISODE RESOURCES: Courses & Certifications: FNGLA, UF Audio Books: David Goggin’s “Can’t Hurt Me” Minimalism “Live a Meaningful Life” Podcasts: The Minimalists, Plants Grow Here, Native Plants Healthy Planet, The Beet, Gardening with the RHS, BBC Gardeners World Shows: Your Garden Made Perfect, Monty Don (he has been in many!)

    23 min

  3. 12/01/2025

    EP 28: Plant Q&A | “What’s Wrong with my Rubber Tree?”

    This is a new segment where listeners can write in with garden and houseplant questions. Today's patient is a 30-year old houseplant (ficus elastica). Unfortunately, this little lady is not doing well and her parents are worried about her decline in health. Let's see if we can help! Shop My Garden (& support the show): RootsRedefined.com > Amazon Garden Collection Have a question for the show? Submit your question one of two ways: ​Email: roots.redefined@gmail.com ​Website: RootsRedefined.com ＞ The Florida Gardener Podcast ＞ Write in to the Show Article sourced for this episode: https://growplant.org/blog/rubber-tree-life-cycle/

    13 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    Send Me Your Garden and Houseplant Questions!

    Ready for your 5 minutes of fame? Send in your garden and house plant questions!  Potted, in ground, cut flower, dish garden. If it relates to Florida gardening or interior plants I would love to try and help. No question is dumb or silly - if it's on your mind let us know. Write in to the show and I’ll answer your question on a future episode. Submit your question one of two ways: 1. Email: roots.redefined@gmail.com 2. Website: rootsredefined.com > The Florida Gardener Podcast > Write in to the Show

    1 min

  5. 11/10/2025

    Part 2: A Lovely Chat with a British Gardener

    We are back for Part 2! If you want to keep the conversation going, I encourage you to connect with Bailey. He’s planning a  third trip to Florida, this winter. If you have a neat spot he should check out whether it’s a botanical garden, a hidden gem in Florida that no one knows about, a neat plant you’re growing at home, or even a cool skate or surf spot.  He is very interested in all things the sunshine state.  Connect with Bailey: baileyjwa@gmail.com

    35 min

  6. 10/20/2025

    EP 26: A Lovely Chat with a British Gardener

    I couldn’t be more excited to share that we had our very first guest on the Florida Gardener Podcast! Bailey is head gardener at an 19th century estate in Dorset, England. We got to talking because believe it or not, Bailey is a listener of the Florida Gardener Podcast and he has visited Florida a few times now. My love and appreciation for British gardening runs deep. So, when Bailey was kind of enough to do the podcast, I was beyond elated. Cozy up with a warm cup of tea and enjoy this episode! Connect with Bailey: baileyjwa@gmail.com

    1h 35m

  7. 09/23/2025

    EP 25: Controversial Conversations: Gardening in an HOA

    Always consult with your HOA prior to make any changes to your landscape. I do not provide legal advice. This episode is for entertainment purposes only. 🌼 Let’s Connect: RootsRedefined.com

    9 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    EP 24: Strapped For Thyme: Become a Better Butterfly Gardener in 8 Minutes

    Host plants discussed: ​dutchman’s pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa or Aristolochia macrophylla) Host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly and Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly do not plant Aristolochia gigantea for a butterfly garden. it can be toxic to larvae. ​purple passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata), Yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea) and Corkystem passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) .Host plant for Gulf Fritillary Butterfly ​frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)Host plant for White Peacock, Common Buckeye and others. ​milkweedIf possible do not purchase tropical milkweed. Look for native species. If purchasing tropical milkweed be sure to cut it back in the fall to help prevent the spread of OE. (more notes on tropical milkweed and how to care for it are at the bottom of these show notes) *coontie (Zamia integrifolia) not discussed during this episode but I wanted to mention anyway. its a host plant for the atala butterfly - looks similar to a fern and its florida's only living cycad! Resources discussed: ​Florida Wildflower Foundationflawildflowers.org search bar top right of home page >search "bring on the butterflies" click on the first article that comes up which should be titled “bring on the butterflies”. this article will provide a list of larval host plants along with pictures. ​Florida Wildflower Cooperative floridawildflowers.com I order all of my florida native seeds from them ​Garden for Wildlifegardenforwildlife.com my go to resource for potted pollinator plants when visiting a local nursery or garden center is not an option. Tropical Milkweed The below is from Rainbow Gardens (they are based out of Texas). Tropical Milkweed MUST be cut all the way back after the fall butterfly migration to deter disruption to the natural migratory pattern of monarchs and to help eliminate the spread of OE spores (a debilitating infection that adult monarchs can contract. We actually advise to cut your tropical milkweed back at least 2 times a year, in June and November. If you can cut back 3 times it’s even better. Add a cut back in late winter/early spring, in early February.). After cutting back your tropical milkweed, let the wounds heal closed (a couple of days, and then you can spray it with a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol (91% strength) to further sterilize the plant. Don’t spray during the heat of the day. Read the full article here: https://www.rainbowgardens.biz/annuals-and-perennials/planting-tips-milkweed-butterflies-host-nectar-pollinators/ Let’s Connect: RootsRedefined.com

    8 min
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

When it comes to gardening, Florida may as well be its own country. Our subtropical to tropical environment hosts a diverse variety of plants, BUT you may have to throw much of what you know out the window because what the rest of North America is doing doesn’t always apply down here. So come along as we discuss gardening in the Sunshine State!

Information

  • Creator
    rootsredefined
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © rootsredefined
  • Show Website
    The Florida Gardener