Florida Matters: Residential Landscaping Trends

By Robin Sussingham,

Published September 27, 2016 at 9:10 AM EDT

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Jim Kovaleski of New Port Richey said that on half an acre of land, he grows hundreds of different types of vegetables, which he sells at the local farmers market, Tasty Tuesdays.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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Jim Kovaleski of New Port Richey said that on half an acre of land, he grows hundreds of different types of vegetables, which he sells at the local farmers market, Tasty Tuesdays.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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The garden in Jim Kovaleski's yard, which he calls Freedom House Farm, is his sole source of income.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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The garden in Jim Kovaleski's yard, which he calls Freedom House Farm, is his sole source of income.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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Local realtors refer to Jim Kovaleski's New Port Richey neighborhood as the "garden district" because of how his urban garden has caught on with his neighbors. There are now eight front yard gardens, some of which Kovaleski manages.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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Daylina Miller/WUSF

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GreenDreams employee Ian Bonnes prepares the ground before planting a new banana tree.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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GreenDreams employee Ian Bonnes prepares the ground before planting a new banana tree.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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The nearly 7-acre Sandhill Farm in Spring Hill, operated by GreenDreams, is used as a nursery for GreenDreams employees to experiment on growing fruit trees, produce and more.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

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The nearly 7-acre Sandhill Farm in Spring Hill, operated by GreenDreams, is used as a nursery for GreenDreams employees to experiment on growing fruit trees, produce and more.

Daylina Miller/WUSF

This Florida Matters segment originally aired on June 28, 2016.

A massive fish kill in the Indian River Lagoon in spring has been linked to fertilizer use, and with growing concerns about pesticides and where food comes from, more people are growing their own produce right in their own yard.

This "edible landscaping" has become the basis for some businesses.

WUSF's Daylina Miller takes us to a farm in Spring Hill where a landscaping business grows loquat trees, lettuce and more to sell to Floridians in the Tampa Bay and beyond.

Then Florida Matters Host Robin Sussingham talks with Stephen Gran, the Hillsborough County Extension Director, and Eric Stewart, the manager of a Habitat for Humanity garden project in New Port Richey. They help us sort out best practices for healthy, interesting and even edible home landscapes.

You can listen to the show at 6:30 p.m. EST Tuesday, June 28 on WUSF 89.7 FM or stream it on wusf.org

Guests:

Stephen Gran, the Hillsborough County Extension Director. Coordinates and supports the staff and services of UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension.

Eric Stewart, the manager of the Habitat for Humanity garden project in New Port Richey and a proponent and teacher of edible landscaping.

Resources referenced in show:

Hillsborough County Extension Office - workshops, lectures and information on locals 4-H youth development, agriculture, family and consumer sciences, forestry, lawn and garden and professional horticulture

Tasty Tuesdays in New Port Richey

Buying seeds:

Johnny's Selected Seeds - Superior Seeds & Gardening Tools

Kitazawa Seed Company: Asian Vegetable Seeds