May 2023 GardenTour ~~~ FOODS we grow in N. Florida. Edible Yard ~ Food Forest ~ Permaculture

Bathtubs as raised beds
   • Raised bed BATHTUB gardening!!!   Indestru...  

3 bin, counterweight lid compost system
   • Building a 3 bin COMPOST system  ~  COUNTE...  

Seminole pumpkin - easiest crop in Florida
   • AMAZING Seminole pumpkin - the easiest thi...  

Elderberry fritters
   • ELDERBERRY FLOWER FRITTERS - a magical treat!  

What it looked like in July 2021
   • The Garden in July - our EDIBLE YARD in  N...  

There aren't many 'market' vegetables that love the Florida summer heat and humidity. But that doesn't mean there isn't food to be grown! Every yard, at any time, can be an edible yard.

Okra, peanuts, sweet potatoes, moringa, cassava, chaya, longevity and okinawa spinaches, cow peas, butterbeans, garlic chive, sugar cane and many more, aren't adverse to the Florida summer environment.

All those listed and and then some, are tucked in throughout our garden and chicken yard in North Florida.

This year, we expanded our row garden system (back to the roots), as we found it impossible to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, etc. within the permaculture system.
Our row gardens are abandoned after every season, so the soil can regenerate. This also eliminates the nematodes getting out of control, attacking our corps.

When we started out we had nothing but large pecan trees with grass underneath. Now, almost 8 years later, it's an edible 'jungle' paradise with annual and perennial food and pollinator plants scattered throughout. I mention a lot of them in the video, but of course forgot to mention a whole lot as well. :)

To witness the return of an eco-system (albeit on a small scale) is mind blowing and immensely satisfying. So many birds! Skinks, toads, lizards, butterflies, but especially the enormous variety of insects we now have.

We still battle stink bugs (for lack of natural predators), and the occasional surge of army worms. But due to the increase of nesting birds, the army worms seem under control most of the time.

Happy growing! :)