The Neighborhood Gardener
April 2026
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Florida’s Native Bromeliads
We are lucky in Florida to have 16 species of native bromeliads. These unusual-looking epiphytes are often called “air plants” because they do not require soil and can absorb moisture and nutrients from the air through their leaves. Ten of Florida’s 16 native bromeliad species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and illegal collection from natural areas. But you can still enjoy some native bromeliads; your local native plant nursery might have a few species available. Learn more about native bromeliads, like cardinal airplant (pictured), in a new article on Gardening Solutions.
Plants and Drought: How to Adapt and What’s at Stake
A drought has many implications for Florida residents, as it places pressure on our water supply and increases wildfire risk. It also poses challenges to vegetation—in your backyard, at your local farm and even in the wild. This new article from Gardening Solutions describes the different categories for drought, how it affects plants, and what you can do in your own landscape. We start with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles like mulching and wise irrigation, and list some resilient plants that–with proper care–are resistant to drought.
Cool Beans
Mix it up in the garden with some cool beans! We share a few species that are not only tasty, they’ll look fun both in the garden and on your plate. Similar in growth habit to pole beans, winged beans have ruffled pods that look ready to take flight. Wow your dinner guests with yard-long beans (pictured). Popular for their extremely long pods, these beans are an excellent source of protein and vitamins A and C. And while you might be familiar with edamame, it might surprise you to learn you can grow these beans in Florida.
Wendy’s Wanderings
This spring has brought extra gardening chores and long, satisfying workdays in the landscape. A number of years ago, a Master Gardener Volunteer shared a simple idea with me: if you want a productive day in the garden, you need to plan and prepare. I’ve come to think of it as mise en place for the garden. A culinary term, mise en place means organizing, prepping and gathering all ingredients and tools before you begin cooking. It’s what allows chefs to move efficiently and confidently through a recipe. The same concept applies beautifully to gardening—and once you adopt it, you may wonder how you ever worked without it.
Plant of the Month: Cosmos
Cosmos flowers attract bees and butterflies, making them perfect for pollinator and children’s gardens. Cosmos is a genus of about 35 species in the daisy family. Two species that thrive in Florida are Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly called garden or common cosmos, and Cosmos sulphureus, called orange cosmos. With an open, sprawling habit, these tough and pretty flowers work well as a border or mass planting. Cosmos are versatile and can be planted anywhere in the state; just be sure the danger of frost has passed before sowing the seeds in a space with full sun.
April in Your Garden
With April’s warming temperatures and new growth, now is a good time to monitor your plants for pests like aphids feeding on tender leaves. Gardeners can continue to plant some warm-season crops like beans and Southern peas. North Florida gardeners can also plant peppers and okra, while those in Central and South Florida can plant pineapple. Add mulch to minimize weeds and conserve moisture during dry weather. Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil.
For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida’s gardening regions—North, Central and South.
What’s Going On?
If your Master Gardener Volunteer program or Extension office is having an event, be sure to share it with us.