June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.
Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋
Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant
bleeding heart
Bluejay and rabbit
My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.
cherries and strawberries are store bought
The two mangoes on the left are from my tree
Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.
For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the chance to enjoy its harvest. Now that we've sold the boat and traded our sea legs for gardening gloves, we finally get to savor the fruit of that little seedling.
The mango tree in 2016
Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).
Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.
While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.
Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!
How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!
We’ve always had a special place in our hearts for the Florida Botanical Gardens, visiting countless times over the years with family and friends. After moving back to the area last year, I finally had the opportunity to give back by joining the volunteer program.
Now in my second year as a volunteer, it’s deeply rewarding to work alongside other volunteers who share the same passion and to watch the gardens flourish, knowing I’ve played a small part in their care. Each season brings new lessons—about plants, gardening techniques, and the quiet dedication required to keep this hidden gem thriving.
Walking through the gardens, you’ll encounter winding paths shaded by towering oaks, vibrant flower beds bursting with color, and serene waters reflecting the sky, teeming with wildlife. Hidden nooks and charming benches invite you to pause and soak in the beauty, while meandering trails reveal native plants, butterfly gardens, and fragrant herb beds. Every corner offers something new to discover, making each visit a fresh and enchanting experience.
Light Bulb Clerodendrum, a spectacular flowering shrub
Here are a few photos I took just days before a cold snap rolled in — 39°F this morning! I’m hoping the sudden chill didn’t cause too much damage to the plants and flowers.
Volunteers at work
Can you smell the lavender already?
Giant milkweed
Quintessential Florida scenery
The Florida Botanical Gardens is dog-friendly, so your leashed furry companions are welcome to explore and enjoy the gardens with you. This hidden gem is slowly being discovered—and it likely won’t stay hidden for long. Of course, being a “hidden gem” is a double-edged sword: you want others to experience its beauty, but not at the expense of crowded paths, trampled plants, or worse—the audacity of people stealing them!
Click here to see hours and upcoming events at the Florida Botanical Garden.
I have to admit—I was never really drawn to still-life paintings. But that all changed when I saw Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Something about those bright, joyful blooms bursting off the canvas completely changed my perspective. I was smitten.
Sunflower on a lovely summer day at a friend's farm in TN
Van Gogh's artwork on a house in Mount Dora, Florida
That same vibrant energy came to life at the St. Pete Saturday Morning Market. The sunflowers there were so cheerful and radiant, it was impossible to walk by without smiling — or wanting to take a bunch home.
Saturday Morning Market
Feeling inspired, I decided to try growing my own sunflowers. I picked up a pack of Mammoth Russian seeds from the Dollar Store and planted a few in a large tub. A few weeks later, I was thrilled to see little seedlings pushing through the soil. When they finally bloomed, I was amazed - these sunny giants were absolutely stunning. What a rewarding experience! Sunflowers are not only easy to grow, but truly breathtaking once they reach full height.
One year, I even documented the life cycle of a sunflower by taking a photo every day and turning it into a time-lapse video. At the end of the season, I carefully cut off the flower head and placed it in a paper bag to dry out for seeds. A perfect plan — until my well-meaning hubby unknowingly tossed the whole bag! 😢
This video below shows a butterfly on the sunflower.
From my Florida garden
If you’re ever in the Tampa Bay area, I highly recommend spending time in downtown St. Pete. It's such a charming spot, filled with cozy restaurants, local art galleries, and museums. In fact, the city just had a Free Museum Day two Saturdays ago —and it was a great way to explore without spending a dime.
And don’t miss the Saturday Morning Market, which kicks off its season on October 4! There’s live music, friendly vendors, fresh produce, and that laid-back Florida vibe that makes it such a fun way to start the weekend.
And for all you beach lovers—you’re in luck! The stunning Gulf beaches are just minutes away, offering the perfect setting for sunbathing, shell collecting, a barefoot stroll along the shore, or simply soaking in one of Florida’s breathtaking sunsets.
Have you ever been inspired by art to try something new?
Whether it’s planting flowers, picking up a paintbrush, or just pausing to appreciate the colors around you—I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
This summer has been brutally hot, with temperatures hovering around 100°F for nearly two weeks straight. Thankfully, some much-needed rain this week has brought a bit of relief and slightly cooler days.
Unfortunately, the intense heat took a toll on the tropical fruit trees at my aunts’ garden — this year, there was no harvest to speak of. No sweet mangoes, no fruits to share or savor.
The post below was written last August, during a very different summer — one filled with abundance, sunshine, and plenty of tropical delights.
Original post (Sep 5, 2024) This summer may have brought the heat, but more than anything, it will be remembered for the incredible bounty of tropical fruits from my aunts’ backyard garden. July was especially sweet — quite literally — thanks to the overflowing harvest from their three mango trees.
For weeks, they shared crates of juicy, golden mangoes with extended family and friends. One tree in particular, a Thai variety known as Nam Doc Mai, stood out. It’s well-known for being a “prolific fruiter,” and it definitely lived up to its reputation.
The Nam Doc Mai mango has a thin pit, silky fiberless flesh, and a flavor that’s intensely sweet — almost candy-like. Its creamy texture is reminiscent of the Ataulfo mangoes you’ll find in local supermarkets, but with a richer, more fragrant flavor that speaks of its tropical roots
The two bigger mangoes are Nam Doc Mai mangoes
Not sure about this variety, but they were sweet too!
The next month, we were blessed with a bounty of another fruit - longan, a cousin of the more popular fruit, lychee. The lychee trees had succumbed to some sort of disease, much to our disappointment. But the longans were simply fabulous! You peel the brownish skin to reveal translucent juicy flesh with a small black seed. They too were very sweet.
Mouth-watering longan, a cousin of lychee fruit
Several years ago, my aunts gifted us a longan tree and a mango tree. While we’re not sure what variety the mango is, both trees seem to be thriving in our yard — healthy, green, and growing strong. We were excited to see our longan tree bearing fruit for the first time this year — we counted ten in total. But after Tropical Storm Debby swept through, only two managed to hang on.
Even though they weren’t fully ripe, we decided to pick them anyway — and to our surprise, they were already sweet and flavorful. It was just a small harvest, but a hopeful sign of what’s to come in future seasons.
This 7-year-old tree produced but 10 longan fruits!
On weekends, our relatives love visiting the Pinellas Farmers and Flea Market in Clearwater. It’s a bustling spot filled with energy, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia.
Hawker-style stalls serve up authentic Som Tum (Thai green papaya salad) and refreshing sugarcane drinks — instantly transporting you back to the street markets of Southeast Asia, if only for a moment.
The tropical fruit selection is just as impressive: coconuts, jackfruit, dragon fruit, sugar apples, rambutans, mangosteens, durian — and of course, more sugarcane. Some are imported, but many are grown right here in Florida.
For anyone missing the sights, smells, and tastes of Asia, this market is a must-visit weekend stop.
Durian and dragon fruit
sugar apples, Mangosteens, guava
Jackfruit vendor
Vendor selling coconut drinks
Served over ice, this coconut water is so refreshing!
At the Pinellas Farmers and Flea Market, you’ll also find a wide variety of Asian vegetables and herbs like Thai basil, culantro, and galangal — essentials in many Southeast Asian dishes. Beyond food, the market offers a colorful selection of tropical plants and flowers, perfect for home gardeners or anyone looking to add a bit of greenery to their space.
turmeric, ginger, red chili, cucumbers
Thai eggplant
Nam Doc Mai Mango plant
With any luck (and more forgiving weather), we’re hopeful that next summer will bring a better harvest. Here’s to sweeter days ahead — and maybe even homegrown tropical fruit of our own.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
