[wiltma]

We use grow boxes. Cheaper but same idea as earth boxes

[seetshaw]

I had a beautiful garden in Maryland. Here it was big time trouble with bugs, disease, heat, animals even when I tried things adapted to “Florida “. I was planting in well composted ground. I did have great success with Swiss chard and cherry tomatoes. They were very happy. Greens, herbs do ok. Tomatoes, buy them! Did a few pineapples from tops ( delicious)! Did finger bananas.

[wiltma]

Just looked at Simon Seed Facebook page and it seems like they have joined up with a farm and are no longer on Magnolia. The farm is on Lewis. Seems really good. Thanks for the info. We are still eating tomatoes from our February planting but this is the end till Fall

[seetshaw]

Figs did wonderfully well. Keep away from your foundation as roots go under. I had them espalier on the garage.

[Nucky]

It's not much Kenswing but we just got NOTHING but Lemons, Limes, and some that looked like a mix. Not bad for a first try from people from The Concrete Jungle. You will be fine with your garden just sell the tractor and backhoe. Hopefully, things will be back to normal around the entire country and you will be so busy with other things the Garden could be less in size than the one on The Ponderosa. I'm sure your Garden will grow Happiness and Common Sense. We need more of that around here. I'd bet The Love Shack on it!

[Michael A. David]

We used a Hydroponic garden and it worked well. I don't care what you do with Tomatoes down here they will never taste the same as up North. I'm looking into a tube hydrophonic garden. Check it out on line.

[OpusX1]

Originally Posted by algi45

Simon Seed is no more, alas. Earthboxes are good. Peppers do best.

That’s too bad. It was a great old place.

Almost forgot to mention that birds, especially mockingbirds are a problem for tomatoes. When/if they find the tomatoes they will take a few pecks right before you’re ready to pick.

[Astron]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Do you have one? What can you grow successfully in the Florida Climate?

My wife loves her garden and wants to continue growing her own vegetables when we move.…
Will any of those make it in FL? We currently live in Western Washington. The climate is a tad different.. lol

Thanks.

After years of helping my Wife garden in Florida, my suggestion is to use pots to avoid nematodes, avoid tender plants like lettuce, and stick with silk plants!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Do you have one? What can you grow successfully in the Florida Climate?

My wife loves her garden and wants to continue growing her own vegetables when we move.

Right now she grows:

Kale (2 varieties)
Swiss Chard
Squash (4 varieties)
Tomatoes (4 varieties)
Peas
Fava beans
String beans
Cucumbers
Beets
Carrots
Radishes
Onions
Lettuce (2 varieties)
Arugula
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Jalapeno peppers
A bunch of different herbs
Pumpkins
Watermelon
Strawberries
Blueberries
Figs

Will any of those make it in FL? We currently live in Western Washington. The climate is a tad different.. lol

Thanks.

Isn’t FAVA beans the same one that Hannibal Lecter refers to in Silence of the Lambs? 😳😳

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

I think Simon closed and Dirty Dog took over their business. Dirty Dog organic sis a CSA and also sells organic products. I have bought starter plants and vegetables from them.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

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We've had veg gardens beside our home in The Villages for over 4 years. Tomatoes and peppers seem to do best for us - but the conditions in summer here are NOT ideal. These links should help>

Starting a Garden

ENH1189/EP450: Central Florida Gardening Calendar

Vegetable Gardening by Season - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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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.

[matandch]

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.

[lmack]

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.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

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.

[VICAR OF DIBLEY]

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