Dr. Phillips Urban Garden Project
A Living Case Study in Regenerative Gardening, Biodiversity & Food Production
The Dr. Phillips Urban Garden Project is an ongoing regenerative gardening initiative located in Central Florida (Zone 10A).
Started in February 2026, the project documents the transformation of a suburban growing space into a productive ecosystem that supports food production, pollinators, biodiversity, soil health, and community connection.
Through seasonal observations, ecosystem tracking, harvest records, and educational content, this project serves as a living case study exploring what is possible when we work with nature rather than against it.
Project Goals
The goal of this project is to demonstrate what's possible when we work with nature rather than against it.
Through regenerative gardening practices, ecosystem tracking, and seasonal experimentation, we're transforming a suburban backyard into a thriving edible ecosystem that grows food, supports wildlife, strengthens biodiversity, and reconnects people with the natural systems that sustain us.
Build Healthy Soil
Grow Food
Support Pollinators
Increase Biodiversity
Track Ecosystem Development
Share What We Learn
Ecosystem Snapshot
June 2026
01
Soil Health
85% Soil Coverage
Mulch, living roots, and organic matter helping protect and build soil.
02
Biodiversity
4.2/5 Score
Describe the item and add all the relevant details you would like to share. Double click to edit the text and change the description.
03
Food Production
Ongoing Seasonal Harvests
Tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, flowers, berries, and more.
05
Pollinator Activity
54+ Pollinator Observations
Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects regularly visiting flowering plants.
04
Ecosystem Resilience
Perennial Plants Producing
Blueberries, blackberries, figs, citrus, and future food forest planning.
06
Wildlife Habitat
Growing Wildlife Presence
Cardinals, woodpeckers, nesting activity, and increased habitat value.
Timeline
February 2026
-
Frost damage assessment
-
Added 900 lbs compost
-
Installed cattle panel trellis
-
Planted tomato seedlings
April 2026
-
Increased pollinator activity
-
Cardinals nesting in bitter orange tree
-
Blueberries developing
-
Blackberry fruit ripening
-
Wildlife observations increase
-
First larger tomato harvests
-
Cucumbers planted
-
Fertilization Began
-
Sweet potatoes reached ~40% bed coverage
-
Blackberries began flowering
March 2026
-
First larger tomato harvests
-
Cucumbers planted
-
Fertilization begins
-
Sweet potatoes reached ~40% bed coverage
-
Blackberries began flowering
May 2026
-
Consistent harvesting of blueberries, tomatoes, blackberries,
-
Flowers like zinnias, cosmos, vinca blooming
-
Multiple varieties of butterflies, bees, and pollinators visiting garden often
-
Cardinals snacking on blueberries from garden
The Beginning
With the beds cleared, we’re starting fresh by rebuilding soil health and planning layered companion plantings for long-term regeneration.
This true reset begins beneath the surface. We started with 900 lbs of mushroom compost & cow manure to support beneficial microbes, nutrient cycling, and a thriving ecosystem.
We wanted to go into this project intentionally. We're planting UF/UFIAS recommended plants for zone 10A, and choosing crops that support the existing ecosystem instead of fighting it.
After unexpected frost damage in zone 10A, we’re taking this as a reset moment by observing what survived and learning how to design a more resilient system.
