Every transformation begins with a question. For me, it started with a thought: What if a forgotten piece of land could come back to life?
From this question, a vision began to take root.
There was a garden along the west side of the FLREC Campus, near UF/IFAS Extension office in Broward County. I pass by that place every day. I often found myself wondering whether this wasteland overgrown with tall bromeliads and ferns could be transformed into something more purposeful.
The Thinking Game
It sat unused for quite some time, quiet, overlooked, yet full of potential, right there in front of me. What started as a simple conversation about restoring a wild area with edible plants soon evolved into a fascinating Food Forest project. There was no clear plan at first. Only the need to create a place to sit, relax, enjoy the sunset, and watch plants grow. That desire quickly became stronger than anything else. What followed was not just a landscaping project. It was a journey from silence to balance, music, then an intense and passionate colorful life. Something born out of curiosity, and a deep respect for nature’s resilience.
From a distance, the area appeared as nothing more than a jungle of overgrown bromeliads and a dense mass of ferns. Rising above this sea of vegetation were five sabal palms. Reaching them on foot was nearly impossible, due to the very large armed bromeliads. A rhomboid arrangement formed by four of the palms immediately flashed new ideas. I could use the shade they formed for an understory that could flourish in shade. Getting closer, I spotted also a few pink tabebuias and gumbo limbos that were volunteering in the area and were growing nicely and undisturbed. On the far west side of the garden, a fiddlewood grew with sweetly fragrant flowers, surrounded by butterflies and other pollinators.
The Challenge
But butterflies were not the only friends around this area. Underneath, hiding between the thick leaves of the bromeliad foliage, were the biggest enemies I had encountered: iguanas. They made my project way much more difficult to accomplish. But, I realized that this time spent studying their behavior gave me the opportunity to understand what kind of diet they have, and their food preferences.
The Plan
My initial plan was ambitious: relocate as many of the bromeliads as possible. I wanted also to assess soil conditions, and determine what plant species could thrive in a revitalized garden. The goal was to rescue and reuse every viable plant found in what I referred as the “Wasteland,” giving each one a second chance elsewhere.
But as the project unfolded, it became clear that the scope of this plan far exceeded the time available. Progress was limited to a handful of Saturdays and lunch hours between July 2024 and October 2025 (Date of the actual completion). Despite these limitations, significant results were achieved. Most of the bromeliads were successfully donated. Along with them, six gumbo limbo trees, each approximately five feet tall, and ten young pink tabebuia trees found home somewhere else. Many of these volunteer plants were relocated to my HOA’s landscape, where they have since established and serve as a positive addition to the property landscape.
Moving Along
The first phase focused on clearing one side of the project area. I tilled the soil with our little gas powered tiller (small but powerful). I also added new soil (after realizing how sandy the actual soil was) and started the big adventure of collecting as many edible food forest plants as possible. Then great ideas came to mind. I could have added a water structure or a unique decoration. Creativity was taking its place in mind.
As the last bromeliads were finding new homes and the soil was turned for future planting, the “wasteland” had slowly begun its transformation. This space now has a new chance to give something back. Standing there, I realized that it was only the beginning of a journey with much more to offer than only plants. Each tree or new plant brought a cultural meaning. A deep connection with the past, and each feature added to the food forest could provide connection with native cultures.
The evolving Food Forest held many challenges, stories, and lessons beneath its surface.
Part 2 will dive into those next steps including how we shaped its structure, battled the unexpected, and began to see the true “Wonderland” emerge. Wait for it.
To learn more about a Food Forest, check out also at this other interesting blog: Cultivating a Food Forest in Your Yard – UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County
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