Gardening (Miami, Jupiter, Lake Worth: rent, houses, live in)

[firsttimer99]

I've been looking at a LOT of houses in Delray, Boca and Jupiter and I've noticed... nobody seems to have a vegetable garden. Is it impossible to grow veggies there or just not very popular?

(these are all non-HOA homes of course!) LOL

This Southern Californian is curious as I'm about to go pick some tomatoes, zucchini and jalapenos out of our garden.

[DaniellaG]

I wonder if the summer is too hot for them. I am clueless about gardens but maybe more in the winter here in FL. It is so hot in the summer though this may have no impact. Did you try to do a search on the net or possibly ask at a place that has plant products in FL? They may be able to give you direction or what items are good. I remember as a kid going strawberry picking in the winter. That was fun and brings back nice memories.

[rainroosty]

...our peppers are growing like crazy here in Lake Worth, along the Intracoastal.....

[blacksmith76]

We are avid gardeners and just moved down here from Denver. Everyone I've talked to says a lot of the traditional garden vegetables don't do well in the summer here because of the hot and wet climate, so fall and spring are the better times to garden.

However, there are a lot of tropical fruits in season here right now. I have bought from a couple different small time growers out here in Loxahatchee. There is even a person who sells mangos, longans, and jackfruit on the side of the road on Southern Boulevard. That's something you won't find anywhere else in the mainland US. There is a fruit stand called Robert is Here in Homestead, south of Miami that has a lot of local produce.

[firsttimer99]

I did read up on it and discovered that the Florida planting season is the opposite to the rest of the US. More like Australia! Go figure. Due to the super hot summer weather. Thanks for the responses though. Good to know your peppers are growing rainroosty!

[firsttimer99]

Hey blacksmith76,
Just saw your post! Wow. That is fantastic. I must admit, it would be absolutely thrilling to grown tropical fruits! We can devour a pineapple a day and go through mangos and papayas like nobody's business as well. Very cool news on the fruits. btw... we just paid a small fortune to get some jackfruit here in LA the other day as well.

[blacksmith76]

Nice, well you are considering moving to the right place if you like tropical fruit! That was a big part of our decision to relocate here. It's a shame more people down here don't take advantage of the climate. Check out the plant descriptions on this site to get an idea of all the things you can grow:

Pine Island Nursery: Products Page A - B

[faithfulFrank]

When I bought our home in central Florida, it had a huge, nice producing Valencia orange tree. It's awesome. I've since planted a Meyer Lemon, a Mineola tangelo, a ruby red grapefruit, and a navel orange.

I'd like to plant some other fruit trees. I need to do more research as to what will do well. I have a small orchard up here in NY. My wife has a nice garden up here, and looks forward to planting one down there when we make the "big move".

Frank

[firsttimer99]

Nice to know faithfulFrank! I can totally imagine growing those wonderful fruit trees! WOW!!! We have considered moving many places but finally, it seems like maybe this will be the right one. What with warm water and the possibility of growing fruit? Can't wait to fly out there and check it out.

"Big move" huh? you're funny. LOL

[faithfulFrank]

I say the "big move" because as many here know, i live in NY, but have about 2 years or so to retirement. The Florida home we rent out to snowbirds and those who are looking to move to the area.........we then are only down there about two months a year. We live for those trips down there!

Frank