Guides: Gardening: Outdoor Gardening

Florida Friendly Landscaping

Florida Association of Native Nurseries
Plan your native garden and find out where the plants you want are sold using this site.
Florida Native Plant Society
Find native plants for your yard using the FNPS database and connect with other gardeners for advice.
Florida Wildflower Foundation
Learn about native Florida wildflowers, find out what is in bloom, and get lots of gardening tips here.
Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative
Learn about Florida wildflowers and order seeds for your garden from this site.
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Find out about Florida native plants, and which may grow well in your area, with this database from the University of Florida.

American Horticultural Society
The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is a respected and longstanding gardening organization. Connect with other gardeners, find local events, and learn about sustainable gardening on their official website.
Craftsy through Libby
Craftsy is a site that offers videos, tutorials, and more. Check out the gardening classes for free with Libby using your library card!
Dave's Garden
Dave's Garden is an online community of gardeners with over 250 forums, including one for Florida. Look up thousands of plants and read user reviews in the "Plant Files" section.
FNPS Blog
Learn about Florida native plants with this blog from the Florida Native Plant Society.

Gale OneFile: Gardening and Horticulture This link opens in a new window
The Gale OneFile Gardening and Horticulture database contains practical advice and articles for gardeners of all skill levels, from first time hobbyist to horticulture professional.

We have many, many titles on gardening. Here are some links to some of our newer books on specialized topics.

Composting
Learn how to create your own compost to save money and the environment while creating a thriving garden.
Container Gardening
Some plants don't like to live in Florida sand. Container gardening is a good way to grow herbs and vegetables too.
Florida Gardening
Explore this comprehensive collection of "how to" books for Florida gardening.
Garden Design
Design your dream garden with these guides.
Growing Food
Learn to grow your own food with these titles, or learn new skills to make your current garden more successful.

Food Gardening Guide
Learn the basics of gardening for food from The National Gardening Association. This guide includes advice for growing common garden fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Pests and Diseases
Diagnose plant problems and find solutions to keep your garden thriving.
Soil Testing
The soil your plants are planted in can make a big difference in the success of your harvest. You can get your soil tested in Orange County at the UF/IFAS Extension Orange County Plant Clinic.
Vegetable Gardening By Season
Growing vegetables in Florida requires the right timing. Learn when to plant what with this guide from the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Vegetable Gardening in Florida
Learn all about how to start a vegetable garden in Florida or plan your next crop with this guide from the University of Florida's IFAS extension.

City of Orlando Composting Guide
Learn to create your own nutrient rich soil for your garden using kitchen scraps and yard waste. Request a free composter from the City of Orlando to get started.
Find a Community Garden Near You
Do you want to grow your own food, but don't have the space? Find a community garden in the City of Orlando and meet fellow gardening enthusiasts at the same time!
Orange County Rain Barrel Program
Learn how to conserve water and save on your utility bill with Orange County's Rain Barrel Program.
Residential Horticulture for Orange County
The UF/IFAS Orange County Extension provides plant clinics, plant profiles, soil sampling, and other information tailored to the needs of Orange County residents.