The Neighborhood Gardener

February 2026

National Strawberry Day is February 27   | Sign up for our e-newsletter

Seed Saving

Collecting and saving seeds can be appealing for many gardeners; it is a way to preserve traits of the plants you love, carry on cultural traditions and save money. Not only that, you can also connect with the community by passing along seeds to family, friends and neighbors. Seeds can be collected from annuals, perennials, vegetables and fruits. There are different methods for each type of plant, depending on the way the seed grows on that species. This updated article on Gardening Solutions lists methods for collecting and storing your seeds.

Antique Roses

In Florida, roses can be perceived as difficult to grow, but older varieties, known as “antique” or “old garden” roses, are usually easier to maintain and more disease resistant compared to modern roses. The American Rose Society defines an old garden rose as any type introduced before 1867. Antique roses come in a wide range of colors and forms, and many are quite fragrant. This expanded article on Gardening Solutions explains the differences between classes of old garden roses and offers recommended cultivars for Florida.

Heirloom Vegetables

For centuries, gardeners have collected the seeds of the best-tasting, best-performing vegetables for future planting. Heirloom vegetables are varieties that have come from these seeds. For many, heirloom vegetables are a cherished link to the past and a way to carry on cultural traditions. But these plants are often passed down informally; names vary and varieties grow better in some regions than others. This makes it difficult to list recommendations, but we have a few heirloom vegetables that can be grown across Florida.

Wendy’s Wanderings

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on love languages — specifically, one’s love language as a gardener. You may remember Gary Chapman’s book “The Five Love Languages.” A lovely concept, really… though clearly written for normal people, not gardeners. With my sincerest apologies to Dr. Chapman, I’ve taken the liberty of translating the five love languages into terms gardeners truly understand.

Plant of the Month: Collards

No vegetable says Southern cooking like collard greens. This cool-season crop is a staple in many Florida homes and has been established in kitchens throughout the South since the 1700s. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) are in the Brassica family, which includes broccoli, kale, turnips and more. Collard cultivars that do well in Florida include ‘Georgia Southern’, ‘Vates’ and ‘Top Bunch’. Gardening Solutions has more on planting dates, care and harvest of collards.

February in Your Garden

February’s weather is mercurial, so hold off on pruning any freeze damage until next month. Vegetable gardening is in full gear in North and Central Florida, but gardeners throughout the state can plant carrots, lettuce and bunching onions. This is also a good month for planting flowering bulbs like crinum and agapanthus. Prune roses this month to improve the overall form. After pruning, fertilize and apply a fresh layer of mulch. Blooming will begin 8–9 weeks after pruning.

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.