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How To Grow A Lemon Tree

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Lemon tree with ripe fruit
Grow a lemon tree and this could all be yours.

Light 2026 polish. South Florida’s climate is lemon-friendly if you give citrus sun, drainage, and hurricane-season respect. Fresh lemons beat dusty bottled juice for everyday water, cooking, and that little patio flex.

Lemons bring vitamin C and bright flavor. Health claims online get exaggerated — enjoy them as food, not miracle medicine.

How to grow a lemon tree from seed

You can start from fresh seeds (plant soon after removing them so they do not dry out) or buy nursery trees for faster fruiting. Seed-grown trees can take years and may not match the parent fruit. For detailed seed technique, university extension guides (such as New Mexico State’s lemon-from-seed notes) are more reliable than random social posts.

Many South Florida gardeners skip the long seed wait and buy a grafted tree from a local nursery — often the smarter path if you actually want fruit this decade.

South Florida planting tips

  • Sun: aim for full sun most of the day.
  • Soil: well-drained; citrus hates “wet feet.” Raised beds or large containers help in soggy yards.
  • Water: deep, infrequent watering once established; adjust in rainy season.
  • Storms: stake young trees and know your HOA/city rules before planting in easements.
  • Pests: watch for leaf miners and citrus greening concerns — ask UF/IFAS or a local nursery for current guidance.

Container growing on patios

A large pot with drainage holes works for many condo and townhome setups. Use quality citrus mix, fertilize on a label-based schedule, and roll the pot to follow winter sun if you are inland.

Growing more edibles at home? Pair this with our other how-tos like the homemade mosquito trap (because summer bites are real) and keep exploring Popular local tips.

General gardening overview — follow UF/IFAS or licensed nursery advice for cultivars, fertilizers, and disease response.

South Florida Doctor Reverses Blindness Using Stem Cells

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belton-stem-cells-video-baltimore-sun

“We didn’t know how penicillin worked for many years, but it saved many lives in the meantime,” said Dr. Jeffrey N. Weiss of Margate, Florida, speaking about stem cell treatments he has used on hundreds of patients suffering from blindness.

Dr. Weiss has been enrolling blind patients in an unorthodox stem cell study that injects stem cells into the eyes of patients in one of three ways – around the retina, in the retina, and directly into the optic nerve – in hopes of restoring some people’s sight.

According to Weiss, 60% of his 278 patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other diseases have regained some sight.

The procedure is not FDA approved and can cost roughly $20,000, to enroll, but to some, that is a price worth paying to restore their vision.

“I’m happy to be a guinea pig,” said Vanna Belton, who regained her sight after being treated by Dr. Weiss in Florida.

Read about Belton’s stem cell success story, reported by the Baltimore Sun, by clicking here.

As word of his success begins to spread, Dr. Weiss may be a boon to South Florida in the ways of stem cell tourism in the future.

The Best Places to Spend New Year’s Eve in South Florida

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Updated as an evergreen New Year’s Eve planning guide (2026+). South Florida does New Year’s Eve the way it does most celebrations: outdoors when it can, loud when it wants to be, and split across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach so you can pick your vibe instead of one mega-party.

New Year's Eve in South Florida

Venue lineups, ticket prices, and road closures change every year. Use this as a menu of ideas, then confirm the current year’s details on official city, venue, or ticket pages before you go. We are not inventing hours or covers here.

Pick your New Year’s Eve style

  • Beach / bay fireworks: Miami Beach and other coastal cities often plan public countdowns and fireworks. Expect crowds, parking headaches, and bag checks — arrive early and plan your exit.
  • Downtown / riverfront energy: Fort Lauderdale’s downtown and Las Olas scenes lean toward bars, restaurants, and hotel parties. Book dinner early if you want a seat.
  • Neighborhood classic: Coral Gables, Delray, West Palm, and similar walkable downtowns often host smaller festivals or restaurant specials that feel less chaotic than South Beach.
  • House party + early fireworks: Totally valid. Watch a local display, then toast at home with friends who do not want to Uber at 1 a.m.
  • Hotel staycation: Many hotels package rooms with late dining or lobby entertainment. Great if you want a designated driver… you (by elevator).

County-by-county starting points

Miami-Dade

Think South Beach public celebrations, Brickell/downtown nightlife, and Coconut Grove or Coral Gables for a slightly softer landing. Search the current year’s City of Miami Beach or Miami-Dade event listings rather than relying on last year’s flyer.

Broward

Fort Lauderdale beach and downtown, plus Hollywood Broadwalk energy, are common anchors. Craft-beer and Intracoastal restaurant scenes often run special menus — call ahead.

Palm Beach County

West Palm’s waterfront, Delray’s Atlantic Avenue, and Boca’s hotel/restaurant corridor give you options from dressy to casual. Palm Beach County tourism and city pages usually publish updated NYE roundups in December.

Practical South Florida NYE tips

  • Decide rideshare vs. parking before midnight surge pricing.
  • Hydrate — humid nights + champagne sneak up on you.
  • Screenshot tickets and meeting spots; cell networks get spotty in dense crowds.
  • If you are bringing kids, prioritize official family countdown events over open bar zones.

Looking for daytime ideas the same week? Browse things to do, beaches, and our food starter guide.

Listings and venues change. Confirm dates, tickets, and safety rules with organizers each December.

Review: House of Caviar and Fine Foods in Fort Lauderdale

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Caviar tray

Updated September 2026. Bemka’s House of Caviar and Fine Foods remains a Fort Lauderdale–based caviar and gourmet specialty business (retail/wholesale), with an online presence via houseofcaviarandfinefoods.com / related Bemka storefronts. As of this check, public contact pages still list the SW 3rd Avenue Fort Lauderdale address near the airport corridor.

This article began as a 2015 tasting note from an Art Basel–week sampling event — paddlefish, hackleback, and other roes on mother-of-pearl spoons and blinis. The sensory takeaways still hold as a friendly intro to trying caviar, but treat product availability, pricing, and store hours as things you confirm directly. We are not publishing invented hours or prices here.

What to know before you go / order

  • It is primarily a specialty foods / caviar retailer experience, not a full-service dinner restaurant.
  • Call or use the official site for current retail hours, pickup, and shipping cutoffs.
  • Ask staff for storage and serving tips if you are new to caviar.

Exploring South Florida food more broadly? See our food starter guide.

Business continuity checked via official Bemka / House of Caviar contact pages around this update. Confirm before visiting.

South Florida Surf Cameras

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Deerfield Beach shoreline

Updated 2026. Before you commit to a beach day for surfing, snorkeling, or just parking-lot roulette, live cameras still help. Conditions turn quickly with seabreeze storms and small east swells.

Still-useful camera sources

  • Surfline — continues to publish South Florida spot reports and cams (availability and paywalls change). Start from Surfline’s Florida / Broward / Palm Beach maps rather than old deep links, which rot often.
  • City livestreams — for example, Deerfield Beach publishes municipal beach livestream cameras on its official site. Other cities occasionally offer pier or beach cams; search the city site for “beach cam” for the current embed.

How to use cams like a local

  • Check wind direction and period, not just “pretty blue water.”
  • Morning cams lie less than mid-afternoon sea-breeze messes.
  • Verify lifeguard status and swim advisories on the same city’s site.

Want beach context beyond the feed? Read our Best Beaches in South Florida guide and the Haulover Beach Park bike route refresher.

Third-party camera URLs change. Prefer official Surfline spot pages and city websites over outdated bookmarks.

How To Make Natural Pesticide Spray

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homemade-natural-pesticideSouth Florida in the summer can be full of bugs and pests that will eat all of your precious plants and make you want to stay indoors.

As a result, most people resort to pesticides that can be harmful to them and the environment. Few people know that it is possible to make your own homemade pesticide spray – free of chemicals!

 

Here is how:

1.  Finely chop up a head of garlic and place them in a dish.

2.  Pour in 1 1/2 cups of mineral oil or any oil you may have available, then mix with the chopped garlic.

3.  Pour in a tablespoon of mild liquid soap, then mix the 3 ingredients.

4.  You may add hot peppers, hot sauce, or onions to strengthen up the mixture. I would not add in more than 4 tbsp of hot sauce, hand full of chopped onions, or 4 hot peppers.

5.  Pour the mixture into a sealable container and let it sit over night. Some let the mixture sit for 72 hours in room temperature.

6.  Add 3 to 4 cups of water into a spray bottle and then add the mixture and shake. You may want to sieve the mixture to remove chunks of vegetables that may cause blockage.

Too lazy or don’t have the time to make your own natural pesticide spray? You can always get a 32oz bottle of Orange Guard on Amazon for less than ten bucks, which uses orange peel extract as one of its main ingredients.

See Also: How To: Make a Homemade Mosquito Trap

 

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How To: Survive Shark Week in South Florida

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Updated for 2026. Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is entertainment. Living in South Florida means sharing the Atlantic and Gulf-side waters with sharks year-round. The good news: serious injuries are rare compared with how many people swim, surf, and fish here. The better news: simple habits cut risk further.

Perspective, not panic

Florida historically records more unprovoked shark bites than other U.S. states, with many incidents concentrated well north of Miami (notably around Volusia County’s surf hubs). Palm Beach County also appears regularly in long-term datasets. That does not mean every dip is dangerous — it means awareness belongs next to sunscreen on your mental checklist. For current statistics and science-based FAQ, the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File is the gold-standard public reference.

Practical habits that help

  • Swim near lifeguards when possible, and heed beach flags / closure signs.
  • Avoid dawn, dusk, and night swimming in murky water when you can choose better timing.
  • Skip swimming near active fishing piers or where people are landing catch.
  • Leave shiny jewelry in the car; some flashes can resemble fish scales.
  • Do not harass wildlife — spearfishing and shark-feeding spectacles belong to trained operators, not casual beach days.
  • If you see a shark, exit calmly and steadily; splashy panic helps no one.

If a rare encounter turns physical

Experts generally advise fighting back against a biting shark — aiming for sensitive areas such as the eyes and gills — and seeking immediate medical care for any bite. This is emergency guidance, not a sport. Call for help as soon as you are safe.

Local context

South Florida’s reefs, inlets, and baitfish runs are why sharks are here. Healthy shark populations are part of a healthy ocean. Respect the water the way you respect thunderstorms in July: common sense, not fear.

Keep reading

Safety notes are general public guidance. Beach conditions and wildlife activity change daily — follow lifeguards and local alerts.

“Move Over” Law Targets Slow Drivers

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move-over-lawA new law that will come into effect on July 1, 2013 states that any motorist in the left lane driving 10 mph or more slower than the posted speed limit must get out of the way of someone trying to pass – or face a $60 ticket.

The “Move Over” bill was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott as a supposed way to reduce road rage on the highways in Florida.

Governor Jeb Bush vetoed a similar bill called the "Road Rage Reduction Act" in 2005, claiming he didn’t understand why the state would punish a motorist who was not speeding.

I usually don’t side with a lot of new laws, but this is one I can support.

I’ve always said that slow drivers can be more dangerous on the highway than faster ones because people need to switch lanes quickly to avoid slowing down behind them, thus more chances for an accident to occur when cars weave into each other’s lanes.

Then again, I also believe the act of pulling someone over on the highway creates dangerous traffic conditions as well.

New Florida Law Bans Texting While Driving

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Texting-Driving

A new law signed by Florida Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 will ban manual texting and e-mailing while driving as of October 1st, 2013.

The first offense will get you a $30 fine plus court costs and a second offense will cost $60.

"As a father and a grandfather, texting while driving is something that concerns me when my loved ones are on the road," Scott said in a statement after signing the bill.

A preliminary report from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded 257,912 reported crashes in 2012, but only 196 involved drivers who said they were texting at the time of the crash. Those crashes resulted in nine serious injuries and one death.

The ban will make the act of texting while driving a secondary offense, which means you would need to be pulled over for another reason in order to get a texting ticket, and you will still be able to text at stop signs and in stopped traffic.