planting depends on a few things: if and when it freezes, the general temperature of your area, and how dry and intense the heat is. as you can imagine, 'florida' is much different compared to most of the 'USA'.
click here to learn which planting zone you are in
after you learn your zone, look up planting times and harvesting timelines. the best resources for this information include your local libraries and plant nurseries. there are tons of video resources out there, too, coming directly from more experienced farmers.
it may feel disheartening to learn that much of the produce found in big box grocery stores may not grow the best in 'florida'. but luckily, we have an abundance of unique fruit 'n' veg that grow extremely well in this climate and soil. and, if you have space and can purchase or create a DIY greenhouse, you can grow even more! but let's not get ahead of ourselves... back to soil!
you can amend the soil by adding compost/nutrients or purchasing some organic soil from a garden supply center.
here is a few examples of what you can grow in florida:
... and so much more!! let's keep going.
we can look to the land that hasn't been touched. i may not see Loquats, Starfruit, or Muscadine Grapes on the shelves at walmart, but i see them everywhere in the wild. the seminole pumpkin is a popular variety of pumpkin that does well in florida, and probably given it's name from the fact that the Seminole Tribe grew these pumpkins. maybe you have never heard of this variety? unlike the 'standard' varieties usually found in grocery stores, this variety flourishes despite the heat and humidity. best of all, it keeps in a dry, cool space for up to a year.
i think it's important to think about what you actually like to eat, so that you don't neglect the plant. here is my advice.
use guides to help with timing your plants. i follow some farmers in my area who are nice enough to share what they're starting and transplanting that month.
think of some veggies you enjoy. pick one or two. for me, i enjoy kale and tomato. these will do fine in containers. hot peppers, strawberries, eggplants also do just fine in pots. i use the UF extension office website for reference on what varieties of these plants do well in 'florida'. radishes aren't too difficult at all, and they're great for beginners since they only need about 3 weeks to develop. pulling them up out of the ground is satisfying!
next, pick a pollinator plant. marigolds are great because they're good for attracting pollinators, they do well for the soil by restoring nitrogen, and best of all, you can eat them! i pick my marigold flowers when they're completely bloomed, rinse them thoroughly, and use the petals in salads. they add color and a hint of floral taste.
next, pick an herb you like. it's great to plant your veggies with herbs as companions. it helps enhance flavors and keep pests away. i personally like rosemary, and i learned recently it can be started from seed just about any time of year. i use catnip in my garden as well as dill.
there is the beginnings of your garden. 1 or 2 veggies, a pollinator, and an herb! YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY!
MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE IS TO NOT GIVE UP.
right now, my tomatoes have stagnated and my radishes haven't developed (except 3 of them, it was a problem with my soil!)… but my kale is flourishing, and my jalapeño has a pepper on it! this is why i suggest starting a few plants, so if a couple don't work out, you still have something to harvest. it's all a learning experience. take what you learn from the failures and adjust and try again. just don’t forget to water your plants!
happy gardening.
i broke into gardening by propagating spinach from cuttings. it was easy! all i had to do was clip off some stems of spinach from my mother-in-laws plants, put it in some water (change the water every other day) and put it in a sunny spot inside. after two weeks or so, some roots grew!
at this point, i keep the roots growing in the jar of water for another week or two. after maybe a month sitting on a sunny window-sill, i transport it to soil. you can do this with the bottom stems of green onions, leeks, and cabbage! this is a great way to try your hand at growing your own food before trying to start from seed.
you can also propagate by taking a healthy stem of a plant, cutting it off with clean tools, and sticking the branch directly into the ground. you must have healthy soil that's kept moist, or else the cutting will dry out and roots will not grow properly. i have done this successfully with sweet potato vine, jalapeno, mulberry tree, loquat tree, purple basil, and african basil.
it all starts with healthy soil. coming soon!