Kim and I are unusual. We are both born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. We weren’t just born in the same city, we were born in the same hospital about 6 weeks apart from each other. It used to be Humana Women’s Hospital, but today it is St. Joseph’s, and it also happens to be the same hospital both of our girls were born at. Our roots in Tampa don’t stop there. Kim’s dad went to Hillsborough High School, and so did Kim and I (Go Big Red!), and while my parents weren’t born here, they relocated to Tampa at a very early age and have lived the majority of their lives in the area.

But we know that isn’t the norm. One of the things that makes the greater Tampa area vibrant, fun, and dynamic is the fact that there are so many people from somewhere else. And whether you are from the Northeast, the Midwest, or somewhere even further away, there is one comment that we hear regularly: “I had a beautiful garden back in [insert place you are from], but I can’t get anything to grow in Florida.” So, while we wouldn’t be able to tell you how to garden in New York, Indiana, or Ohio, we have gardened in our local area long enough to know what makes it a challenge.

If you are new to the Florida area or new to gardening generally, check out our New to Florida Gardening virtual seminar (click the photo below). We address some of the challenges that are unique to Florida and go over the basics for creating thriving gardens. We also answer some of the questions that were sent in. Hope you enjoy!