[thevillagernie]

most of it will do alright..need water and try to grow in pots.....use the shade to your advantage

[Quixote]

We grow veggies in hydroponic systems (highly recommend Vertigro in Summerfield) and in raised beds. (Our son is an organic farmer, once found rusting cans from DDT buried on our property, and strongly urged us not to grow anything edible directly in the ground. Hydroponically whatever we try is worth a try. we’ve grown an onion that was 1lb 1oz and cauliflower the size of a person’s head.

Two green bean plants gave us an adequate daily supply. Our tomato plants are just finishing, but this summer we will try tomatoes specifically bred for our climate. We found that garlic and shallots did not ‘head’ as well as we would have hoped. Sweet potatoes grow phenomenally; white potatoes do not. Swiss chard and salad greens continue to supply us in a daily basis. We grow some herbs as well.

We had a huge garden up north, and I did a ton of canning. Nothing like that here. Even so, It’s a good feeling to go out and clip salad greens for today’s lunch. You’ll have to experiment, and if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy it!

[Fran from MI]

Originally Posted by Quixote

We grow veggies in hydroponic systems (highly recommend Vertigro in Summerfield) and in raised beds. (Our son is an organic farmer, once found rusting cans from DDT buried on our property, and strongly urged us not to grow anything edible directly in the ground. Hydroponically whatever we try is worth a try. we’ve grown an onion that was 1lb 1oz and cauliflower the size of a person’s head.

Two green bean plants gave us an adequate daily supply. Our tomato plants are just finishing, but this summer we will try tomatoes specifically bred for our climate. We found that garlic and shallots did not ‘head’ as well as we would have hoped. Sweet potatoes grow phenomenally; white potatoes do not. Swiss chard and salad greens continue to supply us in a daily basis. We grow some herbs as well.

We had a huge garden up north, and I did a ton of canning. Nothing like that here. Even so, It’s a good feeling to go out and clip salad greens for today’s lunch. You’ll have to experiment, and if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy it!

Are you doing your Hydroponic Gardening within The Villages? If so, would like more info on what system you are using and how much space it takes up. My wife has a raised bed garden in our back yard and raises Broccoli, Okra, multiple types of Greens, Kale, Spinach, herbs, radishes, etc.

[algi45]

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

[Jensor17]

The soil here is poor, sandy. in Maryland, i could plant seeds Or seedlings and have months of vegetables on huge plants. Here, I took an enrichment academy gardening class and filled a Large pot With basil, One pepper plant and one tomato plant. I had 12 small tomatoes, only ONE pepper, and gangly basil. I suggest you cordon off a small area with rich soil, top soil, bags and bags— and keep it shaded and watered. Large pots on shaded patio or a small raised Garden bed may work, but don’t expect much produce. I Gave Up.

[Fran from MI]

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.

Depending on where you move to in The Villages, there is an option of joining the Community Garden where my wife raises many of the things you have mentioned above. You can rent a raised bed there for $35-$40 per year. They are 4x12 plots and you have access to a variety of herbs that are there as well as figs from a fig tree and blackberries (all in common area). It is located outside the United Church of Christ on CR101 just north of Hwy 466. For anyone interested, you can contact Forrest Nieman (atcdayoh@aol.com) There are currently some plots available, but they usually fill up fast.

[deebrock]

All could info. I did not think you were allowed to have vegetable gardens in the villages.

[Croakn12]

Belview has a feed and seed. White flies are horrible here. They lay eggs on tender leaves and they suck leaves dry. I have a courtyard ville and have a 9×3 garden box. Onions and lettuce do well peppers ok. String beans do ok for one picking then white flies win . I used bag garden soil and its half like mulch. Still experimenting.

[matandch]

The key to successful vegetable gardening in Florida is realizing that the growing seasons are TOTALLY different from what you’ve used to. If you plant tomatoes , peppers and eggplants in late May like you’re used to you will fail! These vegetables are best planted in late February or early March to do well. A second crop can planted in September. Look us vegetable gardening in Florida on the University of Florida web site to find what plants are planted when and follow it.

[Villagesgal]

I'm from Seattle, been here 19 years now. I put in several raised beds, plant in late September when I get back from Seattle and have a nice garden. I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, snow peas, peas, garlic, leeks, scallions, herbs every year. Hydroponic lettuce works too.
There are rabbits here who will eat your garden if you don't do raised beds. Summers here are too hot and besides that's when I'm back home so planting in late Sept works great. The few freezing days we get just cover the raised beds and you'll be fine. My herbs have been producing for years. When we moved here we were only the second couple from Washington State, so many more of us now. Welcome, you'll love it here. Happy growing.
One more thing, join one of the gardening clubs here, they'll help you and you'll learn a lot.

[La lamy]

Thank you for all the info shared, I'm inspired to try a few planters next winter!

[Rsenholzi]

I tried to grow in the ground but they kept being overcome by weeds , bugs , etc. Changed to pots and tomatoes have done well, string beans too. Tried a few more this year but too much rain knocked them out. She will have to adjust her growing season since summer is way too hot . Look online for The best growing season for the vegetables she wants to plant. I know I now get tomatoes twice a year instead of the 1 time I used to. Good luck!

[aldeana]

Yes, you can! Consult with the experts as to when and where in the garden: Institute for Agricultural Science (IFAS) @ University of FL and the master gardeners who are in the complex of buildings next to the Sheriff and Health Dept on Hwy 466. The Villages are in zone 9A. Here's a link. SP 103/VH021: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide

[Pmarlow]

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.

We planted a cherry tomato plant in a pot in February and it was removed a couple of weeks ago. Seemed to grow great . The only pest problem we had was one batch of voracious green caterpillars that I simply picked off the plant and killed. My wife didn’t want me to plant a second crop because she is tired of then now but we have new tomatoes coming in the pot now from dropped fruit. I am going to see if they will get big enough to produce. I think they will. One thing we did notice was that we had to give the one plant 2 gallons of water 3 times a day during the dry season

[Foxmd]

I have had little luck with tomatoes. I do grow Meyer lemons in a pot in my lanai.