I once traveled through the West Bank region of Israel. This is along the Jordan River that runs into the Dead Sea, and it is far below sea level and supper hot. Yet, it provides endless fruit and vegetables not only in Israel but to Europe. How can they grow in the summer? Shade cloth roofs over the gardens. This cuts the temperature enough so the vegetables will grow. This might work in a courtyard villa. A roll of shade fabric could be rolled up in the fall and spread out in late spring.

Vegetables that do well here in the summer heat: okra, sweet potatoes, purple hull peas.

I’ve had beautiful cabbage late November through mid January.

when in Rome....
 

How would your wife feel about fruits in addition to some vegis? My friends seem to do very well with banana, papaya, lemon, lime, and just started a pineapple. These all seem to love the climate in TV.

I found all the posts interesting to read. For some gardeners certain plants do not grow well and for others they do.
Lettuce, kale, corn lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, white potatoes when the weather gets cooler, string beans, etc. are some of the veggies I grow.
Wish everyone a good growing season.

Mache lettuce, (corn lettuce) tatsoi also donquite well.

Considering how many things she grows now I'd say it's safe to assume that if you can eat it she'd be willing to grow it.. lol

Lots of free seed sites on the web. Check it out.

I agree that tomatoes and apples are not the same in the south. I think they need the cold temps to develop the flavor that we are used to.

I had to use netting to protect my tomatoes from birds and little critters in Minnesota. Sounds like the same here. I have been reading some suggestions for shade cloth. Is that something that covers the plants all the time or just when particularly hot and sunny? Should I plant Tomatoes where there is more shade??

Backyard vegetable garden
 

This year my wonderful husband who has, I believe, ten green thumbs, has grown peppers: Italian, bell, and jalapeño. We have had lovely tomatoes, basil, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Lots of rain helped!

Climate issues I
 

I find Florida has two seasons for gardening Early spring and summer/fall. The big problem is the insects and critters that love your garden. The upkeep becomes a real chore. Are you going to use pesticides or go organic? Then there are mold and fungus issues with the humid and wet season. For tomatoes you will need to get some good soil.. not Florida Loam. They need magnesium and manganese for good taste. They grow big and juicy in Florida but are often tasteless unless you get good soil.

I grow potatoes, tomatoes, peppers green and super hot, , corn, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, papaya, orange, lemon, lime, edamame, bush beans, blueberries, plumeria.

3 keys. Real soil (sand sux) and water. Drip line with fertilizer tank. Don't fight July to August heat.

Buy a pineapple and twist off the top and tell your wife to plant it-my husband has about 15 pineapple plants all around the house! They are very sweet too but takes 2-3 yrs. We have a fig tree-I think my husband got over 355 figs!!!!So far! As far as gardening-keep it backyard. We have the herbs in pots in front-to the side of the driveway

Thanks.
Do you grow in pots, raised beds or in the ground?

I don't think you are allowed to grow pot. But there is a store up the road that will sell you any kind you like as long as you have a Mask on and know the secret handshake to get in. Raccoon salute - YouTube Tell 'Em Lucky Nucky sent ya! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: God Forbid.

I have had good luck with tomatoes. There is a nursery off the main street in Leesburg that sells a rectangular plastic container, a stand for it to sit in that raises it up to non-backbreaking level, and knows how much soil, etc. I had lovely tomatoes one winter and just took it up again this year with seeds my friend started in January, harvested a month or so ago, and have started a second crop with plants bought at Lowe's. They are called Sun Boy or something like that, and are supposed to tolerate the extreme heat. But I do have them positioned so that they are in shade during the afternoon.


I also have herbs--basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemongrass & mint. If we can't get back to the EU next summer, I may turn much of that side of the CYV into a container truck garden. I'd like to try eggplant and baby squash.

You can grow vegetables.

Check YouTube for Florida gardening. Lots of Florida gardeners giving really good info. The season here is roughly Sept/Apr but there are some hot weather crops as well. I do large pots and vertical gardening in a protected area. Very little bending over! Look at Gardening with Leon for his take on easy watering tubs, a great space saver.

Good luck with a garden in Florida. Gardens are a rarity in Florida due to the sandy soil and extreme heat.

Resource
 

Check with the Master Gardener program. They have great advice specific to the area. Link below.

Sumter County Master Gardeners - TheVillages

I use three systems all with no dirt. 1. A drip hydroponic system. I use a 35 gallon rubbermaid barrel fillrd with water and nutriants. A pump in the water, a timer. A hose is attached to the pump, the hose is streached across two towers on plants. Perlite and coconut shells (shreaded)
2. Areoponics. A 20 galon reservoir a pump, a timer. Both of these setups need to be refilled every 2 weeks.

Be sure to plant where you can water with fresh water. You don't want to eat food grown with non-potable water!