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Yaffa's Yard

Co-Founder | Director

Did you know you can use fruit and vegetable peels as plant fertilizer? Instead of tossing them, recycle those peels into nutrient-rich plant food! Here's how:

Banana Peels: Rich in potassium, they boost your plants' growth and flowering. Simply chop and bury them in the soil.

Another option is to soak the banana peels in water for 3-4 days, drain and use to water your plants as normal.

Citrus Peels: Dry and grind them

into a powder to deter pests and

add nutrients to the soil.

Did you know onion peels can be used as a natural fertilizer for your plants? Instead of discarding them, try these methods to give your garden a nutrient boost:

Compost Addition: Add onion peels to your compost bin. They break down and enrich the compost with essential nutrients.
Peel Tea: Soak onion peels in water for a few days to create a nutrient-rich "tea." Use this liquid to water your plants for a growth boost.
Direct Application: Dry the peels and grind them into a powder. Mix this powder into the soil to improve its nutrient content.

Apple Peels: Full of nitrogen, they help improve soil structure. Just mix them into your compost or soil.

Carrot Peels: High in vitamins and minerals, they can be added directly to the soil or compost.

Potato Peels: Packed with phosphorus, they support root development. Compost them for best

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Michelle Card

Executive Director

In my quest to find the perfect refreshing summer garden dessert, I found this amazing Pineapple Swirl Cheesecake recipe!

Optimal Recipes gets all the credit for this beautiful dessert. Click here for more:

Optimal Reciepes's

Ingredients:

To prepare this comforting Refreshing Southern Pineapple Orange Swirl Cheesecake, you’ll need:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

24 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 cup orange juice

1 tbsp orange zest

Orange and yellow food coloring (optional)

Pineapple slices, for garnish

Orange slices, for garnish

Whipped cream, for garnish

Mint leaves, for garnish

How to Make Refreshing Southern Pineapple Orange Swirl Cheesecake

Follow these steps to create your own delicious Refreshing Southern Pineapple Orange Swirl Cheesecake:

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.

Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.

Mix the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined.

Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the crushed pineapple, orange juice, and orange zest until well combined.

Color the batter: Divide the batter into two bowls. Add orange food coloring to one bowl and yellow food coloring to the other, if desired. Swirl both batters together in the prepared crust.

Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before running a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool completely before removing the rim of the pan.

Refrigerate: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Garnish and serve: Garnish with pineapple slices, orange slices, whipped cream, and mint leaves before serving.

Emiliano Camargo

Master Gardener

Sweet potatoes, Sweet Life!

As a foreigner starting a new life in this country, two foods transformed my palette: sweet potatoes and peanut butter. Sweet potatoes, in particular, have become a staple in my kitchen due to their incredible versatility. Whether in savory or sweet dishes, sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin A. They’re also a fantastic source of healthy carbohydrates, perfect for anyone who exercises or gardens like me.

Many people don’t realize you can eat sweet potato leaves too! While they're a bit tough to eat raw, like kale or collard greens, cooking them makes them delicious. Boil, stir fry, or add them to soups—they're a great alternative when you run out of other greens in your garden. Fresh from the garden, they taste amazing and are packed with nutrients.

Growing sweet potatoes is incredibly easy, especially in frost-free areas like South Florida. They thrive in low-nutrient, sandy soils, making them low-maintenance. You can start with store-bought sweet potatoes or explore various varieties, such as the Okinawa sweet potato, known for its white skin and purple interior. Propagation is simple: place a sweet potato in water, and once it grows slips (leaves and roots), you can transplant them into your garden. Space them a foot apart and mulch well to retain moisture. Watching videos can help you understand the process better.

Unlike regular potatoes, which belong to the nightshade family, sweet potatoes are part of the Morning Glory family. This makes them an excellent alternative for those sensitive to nightshades or grains. Despite being high in carbohydrates, sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index, meaning they convert to sugar slowly in your body.

Don’t forget to utilize the leaves of the sweet potato plant. They are a nutrient-rich superfood, containing vitamins A and C, carotenoids, and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Experiment with different varieties and cooking methods, and remember—it's okay to fail, experiment, and learn. Gardening is all about having fun and gaining experience. Happy planting!

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