Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

S.Florida Community gardens are growing more , in numbers.Most of the new comers to S.Florida need some Tropical Gardening orientation as they mostly come from the cold Up-North!

Here are some suggestions for the new comers to make their toil in the soil less painful and more fruitful!

1-Put on garden safety gear when you garden.That includes sun glasses,gloves,hat,long sleeve shirt,bugs repellent..DRINK PLENTY OF SPRING WATER and always HYDRATE!

2-Double dig the soil and extract any debris or toxic substances.Know WHERE YOUR SOIL COME FROM!Avoid adding soils that have fertilizers or other contaminents like PCB,Plastics etc..

3-Trans-plant seedlings from local farmers rather than directly planting  GMO or commercial seeds that take longer to grow and harvest.Seedlings bought from SOME garden centers might have fertilizers and pesticide or herbicide contents.Choose varieties that give bountiful harvest like  cherry tomatoes !

4-Avoid using pesticides or herbicides by choosing  the prevention method rather.Plant companion pest reppeling HERBS like :Cuban oregano or Basil .

5-Choose DIVERSITY in planting varieties of plants that Co-exist and Complement!For example I grow sunflowers and corn and cucumbers or pinto beans TOGETHER , so the former can be used as natural trellis by the latter!Also I plant short term harvesting plants like arugola and lettuce with long term harvest plants like tomatoes together.Plants love to co-exist and are more productive and efficient when used as such in LIMITED SPACE GARDENING!

6-Choose SEASONAL draught tolerant NATIVE plants to S.Florida .Prefer Nutritional content over taste and flavor.Use Xeroscaping ,or the right plant in the right place:do not plant water loving plants alongside with desert loving plants!

7-Get help in ORGANIC TROPICAL GARDENING from a local urban farmer or someone who have experience in TROPICAL FARMING.It is different to garden in Florida ,but it is not difficult to adjust.There is no green or brown thumbs.There is awareness versus ignorance!

8-Use Garden ERGONOMICS Body Functional Movements .There are certain exercises for first time gardeners to strengthen certain muscles and gaurd against injuries by using properTRAINED  muscle FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS  !

9-Use ERGONOMIC TOOLS .Use Organic Soil.Use Organic Seeds.

10-Keep learning.Attend worrkshops and ORGANIC gardening classes.

References to check out  Organic Gardening Books and web sites:

www.Rodale Ulitmate Organic Gardening Encycloped

How to grow organic vegetables in containers

Container and small space gardening

Four season gardening

New square foot gardening

Happy community  gardening  

Alternative Community Farmer WPB/Fl

http:www.localharvest.org/farms/M20618

Welcome to the growing season in S.Florida.Now , we will experience a flood of now birds looking for organic vegetables to buy LOCALLY so they head to the green market or farmer market in hopes of getting some.Guess what?No local farmers are found ?Why? Because the farms were gone long time ago as the developers took over .Now the trend is to grow organic veggies in the  home backyards,community gardens ,school and church yards .Most people have no clue about Organic gardening here because there are not many  programs available to the public in general.

I give workshops and classes upon request  to groups who live close by.The first thing to know is HOW MUCH OF:

1)Time you have to spend gardening?

2)Budget to spend on the garden?

3)Space you intend to use for gardening?

Profesional help is important to know before you grow.

HERE,The fall season is the BEGINING of the growing season...not the END!

We in  S.Florida,are at odds with most of the other US regions ,with respect to our planting and harvesting timetable! While you guys UP NORTH prepare to harvest the pumpkin , we here DOWN SOUTH get ready to plant the pumpkin seeds!WE have no HARVEST YET, except for the summer crops like OKRA,CALALOO,WATERMELON...

So , what is required first ?

1-Setting our awareness compass to the SOUTH front .Get some education on GROWING YOUR OWN FROM A LOCAL FARMER.Books confuse you because they are written for general purpose.You need information abiout your AGRICULTURAL  REGION 9-10.

2-Adjusting our gardening skills to the way of the TROPICS.

Look for what grows best and not what you like and want.Attend classes and workshops in your area.Buy or exchange seeds from local growers .

3-Patince.Patience.Patience.It takes TIME!

4-Gardening is a process.So let there be a starting date .You learn as you go, but the best thing is to get a professional help at hand while you garden.

5-Join a Community Garden in your area.Learn the process first and then apply it to your own backyard.

6-Set a budget and make it feasable and workable, without the need to  file for bankruptcy or exploit  your Garden Counsultant !

I have met a lot of people who have a wish list to start a garden and it takes them years before they do it.They fail to ask for local prodfessional help.They rush to buy stuff from the garden center and expect that this will be it.They buy gardening books that were writen to accomodate colder regions.They are confused ,angry and still WANT TO GET THE GARDEN STARTED RIGHT NOW!So,they  go shopping for the convenient ready plants,bagged soil,chemical fertilizers ,pesticides ...and the bill : You will be AMAZED!!!!SOOOOOOOO expensive! So , what is the alternative?GROW AND MAKE YOUR OWN !WE CAN HELP!

Wait a minute.I know out side is soooooooo   HOT!There are zilions of mosquitos, and "NOTHING GROWS IN THE SAND...MAY BE BEACH CASTLES!"kind of attitude.Well , let us start small.Choose an area that is not prone to flooding .Raised beds is a safe way to garden in S.Florida just in case .

We need to work on ourselves first before we start digging.Awareness is important.Application of what we learn is important as well.Our attitude and our dedication to the GARDENING PROCESS will determine whether we fail or succeed.

HAPPY  GROWING SEASON!