Jenes Tropicals

🌸 Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow? No, we're not talking time travel—we're talking Brunfelsia americana! This week, Jene’s going full bloom as we dig into this fragrant favorite that keeps the flowers coming, even when the temps drop. It’s cold-hardy, low-maintenance, and blooming with personality—just ...

One of the most rootine questions Jene hears all year is:
“When’s the best time to plant a tree in Florida?”
And the answer is simple: Yesterday. Today. Or Tree-morrow.

From 300 BC to your morning smoothie, bananas have been the top banana for birds, monkeys, and humans alike. In this a-peeling episode, Jene climbs the banana tree of history to uncover how over 500 species of this fruity superstar have swung their way across continents, cultures, and compost piles.

Whether you're a backyard grower in Florida or just really into ...

They say beauty is pain—but in the case of bougainvillea, it's mostly just beauty (with a tiny prickly side). In this blooming episode, we're getting thorny... but in the most fabulous, floral way. 🌸🌵

Discover why the bougainvillea is vine and dandy for your landscape, how it thrives ...

Do you leaf a little extra room in your plant collection for some serious root awakening? 🪴 Well, it's time to branch out and grow your knowledge about the wonderful world of aroids! From the show-stopping Alocasia (aka el...

Are you ready to squamosa-ly fall in love with one of nature’s sweetest treats? In this episode, we’re dishing out the inside scoop on the Annona squamosa—better known as the sugar apple. From its cousin, the atemoya, to a whole bunch of fruitful facts, you’ll learn why this tropical delight is the apple of everyone’s eye (and taste...

🌱 We’re talking soil structure: the underground hero that holds your garden together. Sure, it might look like “just dirt,” but when it comes to growing happy, healthy plants, soil is the root of all success. We’ll dig into the gritty challenges (compaction, drainage, nutrients—oh my!) and unearth some simple ways to make working with your soil a whole lot easier. Fro...

Lettuce turnip the beet, Florida—fall gardening season is almost here, and it’s kind of a big dill. For the next 9 months, you can squash your gardening doubts and kale it in the veggie patch. Whether you’re corny for corn, pumped for pumpkins, or just want to pepper your garden with flavor, Jene’s got t...

It’s August in Florida—which means it’s hot enough to melt your flip-flops and steam your glasses just by stepping outside. But guess what? That’s prime time to level up your landscape and grow some seriously sassy tropical plants! 🌴🔥

In this episode of Jene’s Tropicals, we’re spilling the ...

When you think of Florida gardening, you probably picture palms, oranges, and maybe that one neighbor who tries to grow pineapples in a kiddie pool. But surprise! Florida is also a hotspot for growing some of the world’s tastiest culinary spices. On today’s zesty episode of Jene’s Tropicals, Jene spills the (bay) leaves on flavor-packed plants l...

It’s that magical time of year in Florida when mangos are dropping like sunshine-scented confetti from the sky—and Jene is here to catch ‘em all! 🍋🥭

In this episode of fruity fun, Jene peels back the layers on the mighty mango: the do’s, the don’ts, the health perks, and why your neighbor’s mango tree is suddenly your favorit...

Buckle up, fruit freaks—this week, Jene goes full tropi-crazy with two mysterious, magical, and mildly suspicious fruits: the Lychee Nut and the Longan, aka the Dragon Eye Tree (yes, it’s watching you... and it’s delicious).

Tampa Bay isn’t just a hotspot for sunshine and snowbirds—it’s a fruit lover’s paradise! Thanks to our glorious subtropic weather, you can grow goodies from just about anywhere in the world… right in your backyard. In this episode, Jene dives into the juicy world of subtropical fruit trees and plants—from mangoes that taste like your last vacation to guavas tha...

Is your landscape looking more "blah" than "ahh"? Don’t sweat it—literally! Sure, it's hotter than a jalapeño in a sauna here in Florida, but it’s never too late to spice things up in your yard. In this episode, Gene spills the soil on her top summer landscape pop picks—from the tropical flair of Hibiscus to the bold beauty of King...

Is your lawn looking more “crispy toast” than “lush paradise”? This week, Jene dives headfirst (safely) into the wild world of summer lawn care in Florida. From battling sad sod to decoding mysterious brown patches, she’s got the tips and tricks to turn your struggling yard into the neighborhood’s green envy.

Don’t know w...

Calling all big kids, little kids, and dads—why not surprise Mom with something special and lasting? Starting a flower garden is a fun and meaningful way to spend time together as a family, learn something new, and create lasting memories. In this episode, Jene shares everything you need to know to get started, including her top flower picks for June in Florida.

Read more