Are you bored with the usual tired Valentine’s options like boxed bonbons and odorless hothouse flowers? This year seek out some unique, Florida-centric Valentines fun!

For an extravagant, supremely romantic (yet not too expensive) gift, you could get your sweetheart a vanilla vine. Vanilla is just now being grown in Florida. Like love and friendship, vanilla plants take warmth and attention and a lot of careful nurturing to flower and achieve their full potential.

Go for a walk in the woods or a paddle on a lake.

And for dessert? How about a sweet treat made with beautiful, delicious Florida strawberries? (Not feeling adventurous and don’t want to fire up the oven when it’s 85 in the shade? That is not a problem. You pretty much can’t improve on a bowl of fresh strawberries.)

No special somebody this year or special somebody far away? Still not a problem! February is the perfect month for a second “Friendsgiving,” especially in Florida, where the weather is starting to warm and delicious things are starting to grow. Take a trip to the farmers’ market for supplies and then get together with good friends for a Valentines picnic with Florida produce.

Consult Ask IFAS for more ideas, and have a wonderful February 14th!

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