By Amanda Rose Newton With every season change, we see a change in the variety of plants present in our landscape. One plant’s expiration date is another plant’s beginning. Those deceased plants can still offer a wealth of service in your garden, as, through the magic of decomposition, the available nutrients are slowly leached into […]

By Amanda Rose Newton Now that it is September in zone 9b Florida, the intense heat of the summer will soon be behind us. For us gardeners, this means we can get back outside and start planning our edible gardens. Before you do so, consider doing a little cleaning around the landscape. Doing a little […]

By Amanda Rose Newton We have all been there. Just when you think everything is under control, fungi or pests decide to invade your garden! The good news is there is a way to get ahead of the bugs and diseases BEFORE they start as well as manage those that are already making themselves at […]

By Amanda Rose Newton Most of us have planted a milkweed or two in our yards (or container gardens) with the hopes of attracting the beautiful Monarch Butterfly. In addition to the visiting hungry caterpillars and nectar feeding adults, a plethora of additional insects can be found lurking behind the leaves. Milkweed: Toxic Wasteland or […]

By: Amanda Rose Newton Honeybees have been riding a wave of popularity in the last decade, largely due to their mysterious disappearance linked to colony collapse disorder. After years of research, it has been determined that there are many compounding factors leading to the plight of the honeybee and there has been a great effort […]

By Amanda Rose Newton With August officially here and stores stocked with back to school supplies, Fall is just around the corner. While one of the best features of living the Florida lifestyle is the abundance of exotic, tropical plants, nothing quite signals a change in seasons like Fall leaf color. Luckily, there are several […]

By Amanda Rose Newton There are few trees as graceful and effortlessly elegant as the weeping willow (Salix babylonica). The long green branches sway gently in the breeze adding an instant Zen-like quality to the landscape. In these uncertain times, creating a tranquil, reflective space at home can help melt away anxiety and concerns beyond […]

by Liz Lark-Riley For the last seven years, it’s been my joy and privilege to work at Rockledge Gardens…but up until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t planted a single seed since I was a little girl. Like many of you, I’ve taken up new hobbies to keep my hands and mind occupied during the […]

By Amanda Rose Newton Bromeliads are easy to grow, low maintenance plants that give off instant tropical flair and can be grown indoors and out, in trees or in the ground.  Worldwide, there are over 2,500 species, with diversity ranging from the familiar native Spanish moss to the edible pineapple. With so many interesting variations […]

By Amanda Rose Newton Mango madness, that is! If you have caught the madness like we have and are aiming to add a mango or two to your landscape this season, read on to ensure you get the best fruit for you. This year’s celebration of all things mango will play out a little differently, […]