Editorial policy

Sourcing

• Horticultural claims are grounded in university extension and government sources first — UF/IFAS, USDA, NOAA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• Peer-reviewed publications and official product documentation are used where extension guidance is thin.
• Retailer marketing copy, forum posts and social media are never used as the sole basis for a factual claim.
• Sources are listed on the article when a claim depends on them.

Fact-checking and review

Drafts move through a fixed workflow: research, draft, automated editorial checks, human review, then approval. Automated checks flag medical or health claims, pesticide and chemical advice, invented prices or availability claims, and statements that conflict with Florida climate and USDA zone reality. A human editor must clear every flag. Nothing publishes automatically.

Use of AI assistance

We use AI tools to help research topics and assemble structured first drafts. AI-assisted drafts are never published as written and are never published without a named administrator reviewing and approving them. AI is not permitted to invent first-hand growing experience, product testing, prices, availability or affiliate links. Where a guide describes hands-on experience, that experience is real and human.

Product recommendations

Product suggestions are limited to an internally reviewed library of approved, active products. We describe what a category of product is for and who it suits. We do not fabricate test results, star ratings, prices or stock status. Affiliate relationships never change which products we recommend. See the affiliate disclosure.

Corrections and updates

Guides show a published date and, where relevant, an updated date. When we correct a substantive factual error we update the guide and note the change. If you spot something wrong, tell us on the contact page — Florida-specific corrections from local growers are genuinely welcome.

Independence

We do not accept payment for favorable coverage, sponsored guide placement or paid links inside editorial content. Advertising and affiliate revenue keep the site free and are disclosed where they apply.