Welcome to the blog, where the main focus is to answer commonly asked questions 
from new gardeners, and I welcome your feedback! Let me know what subject you'd like me to cover! 
~ David Stack


 

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Oct 08, 2025

How to Deter Iguanas from Your Garden – Tips, Plants They Avoid & Effective Solutions

  đź¦Ž Iguana-Resistant Edibles: Community-Sourced Insights from South Florida GardenersIf iguanas are eating your garden, you're not the only one. To find out what these reptiles truly don't like, I asked members of the South Florida Edible Gardening and Sustainable Living Facebook group for their experiences. They confirmed a common trend: iguanas have very specific tastes. A

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Mar 01, 2023

Effective Microorganisms® (EM®)

GET 15% OFF ANY TeraGanix Products by using the link and the discount code below.DISCOUNT CODE: STACKSURBANHARVEST STORE LINK:  https://www.teraganix.com/?ref=stacksurbanharvestBokashi Compost Starter Kits, EM-1®, Bokashi bran, EM-1 Compost Accelerator, and more.TeraGanix's Effective Microorganism® (EM®) products offer a natural and sustainable approach to improve soil healt

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Jun 07, 2025

Bidens alba: Benefits, Uses, & Why This Wildflower Is Important — Attracts Bees, Offers Medicinal Value

Bidens alba, commonly known as shepherd’s needles, Spanish needles, or beggarticks, is a wildflower you’ve probably seen growing along roadsides, in empty lots, or popping up in your garden. With small white petals surrounding bright yellow centers, it might seem like just another weed. But Bidens alba plays a much bigger role in our ecosystem — and in some traditional healing practices —

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Apr 27, 2025

How to Fill a Raised Garden Bed on a Budget with Hugelkultur & Mel’s Mix

Filling a raised garden bed with high-quality soil can quickly become expensive. But there’s a smarter, more cost-effective method: combine hugelkultur with Mel’s Mix! This approach not only saves money but also improves soil health over time, giving you thriving, happy plants. Let’s break it down.  WHAT IS MEL'S MIX?Originally developed for Square Foot Gardening, Mel’s Mix

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Jun 11, 2023

Mushrooms in Your Garden: A Sign of Healthy Soil & Natural Enrichment

Mushrooms: The Indicators of Healthy SoilHave you noticed mushrooms sprouting up in your garden? This is a good sign! Those fungi are actually fruiting bodies of microorganisms that play a critical role in decomposing organic matter. As they break down fallen leaves and other plant debris lurking underground, they enrich the soil with nutrients. The Role of Mushrooms in Soil EnrichmentMushroo

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Apr 20, 2023

Reviving the Taste of Florida: New Hope in The Donaldson Tree

 What’s more iconic than a Florida orange? Do you remember the days when you could pick a juicy, ripe Florida orange straight from your own backyard tree? For many home gardeners in Florida, this was a cherished tradition that brought a sense of pride and joy. However, in recent years, this simple pleasure has been threatened by a devastating disease called citrus greening, w

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Apr 10, 2023

How to Combat Powdery Mildew in a Regenerative Garden

Identifying Powdery Mildew & Early Intervention Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects many plants. It's easy to identify in its early stage because it is often preceded by downy mildew, which causes yellow spots on leaves. Prevention and early intervention is key to stopping its spread. Always remove the infected leaves, branches, vines, and dispose of them. Don't waste t

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Mar 30, 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Making Mel's Mix: The Perfect Soil for Your Garden and Potted Plants

Are you planning to repot some plants or fill a new garden bed with excellent soil? "Mel's Mix" soil, a popular soil mixture created by Mel Bartholomew, the author of the book "Square Foot Gardening," is a great option to consider.  If you live in South Florida, and you're looking for a pre-mixed, high quality soil, you may want to take a look at the soil mix offered by Tree Amigos

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Mar 13, 2023

Why You Shouldn't Use Epsom Salt In Your Garden

The objective with a regenerative garden is to establish a vibrant ecosystem that supports not just your plants but also the soil microorganisms, beneficial insects, and other wildlife that live there. To do this, you must start with healthy soil that is abundant in organic matter, teeming with life, and able to hold onto moisture and nutrients.The use of Epsom salt is one typical gardening techni

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Mar 11, 2023

Regenerative Gardening Practices for Leafminer Control: Protecting Your Garden's Health & Supporting Beneficial Insects

Leafminers are tiny larvae that tunnel through the leaves of plants, leaving visible trails. The serpentine lines in the leaves may seem like a cause for concern, in most cases, leafminers do not cause significant harm to the plant's overall health.As a gardener, it's critical to understand that the use of chemical sprays to control leafminers can be harmful to beneficial insects such as bees, lad

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Mar 05, 2023

Basil & Beyond: Tips for Combatting the Blotch Leafminer That Won't Harm Beneficial Insects

If you notice ugly blotches on your basil leaves, you might be horrified. You're not alone, so don't be alarmed. The blotch leafminer, a common pest, is likely responsible for these spots. The leaves are host to these tiny larvae, which leave behind unsightly spots.But don't give up on growing basil just yet! Without the use of toxic pesticides, there are methods to control and possibly prevent th

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