[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[junieben]

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

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[sswitenki]

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??

[Janlindsey4@gmail.com]

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!

[doctorknow]

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.

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.

[askcarl]

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.

[Spike380]

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

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by askcarl

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.

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

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

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! God Forbid.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Wanted to try growing tomatoes but everyone I spoke to said soil and conditions not conducive so have not tried it yet

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.

[Rwirish]

You can grow vegetables.

[Frogfolly]

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.

[Jtcoggin@bellsouth.net]

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

[Bmillard11]

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

Sumter County Master Gardeners - TheVillages