Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

Last week we had a RARE visitor to South Florida:RAIN.

Mother Nature rained with a vengeance .Luckily , I am experimenting with a Flood/Draught Tolerant Container Garden .This reminds me of a friend who wanted to garden in a shallow area and I advised her to use  RAISED BEDS BORDERS to counter flooding.She did not want to listen. Imagine what happened to her vegetables? All oversoaked and lost.TOO much water is as bad as NO water at all.The ROOT system of the plants can be destroyed by either way:  Flooding or draught.

It is best to safegaurd against inclement weather , by implementing safe procedures  to protect the plants.

Here are some thoughts to share with you from my experience in gardening in South Florida areas prone to inclement weather hardships.

1-It is HELPFUL to consider PROFESSIONAL ADVICE from a local farmer/gardener before you attempt to start a veggie garden.

2-It is a MUST to study and measure the topography and the nature of the area intended for a veggie garden.Is there a slope or other hidden obstacles in the ground like :Pipes,entangled thick roots, toxic debris, etc?.Is the soil PH right ?Is it Alkaline or is it Acidic?

3-It is RECOMMENDED to get some LOCAL Gardening Education  by attending a  class or workshop and cultivate an INNER AWARENESS before you start DIGGING and cultivating the ground.Ask yourself: What kind of gardening methods to follow?What is best for your location: Raised Beds?Double Dig?Containers?Organic / Conventional?Ask questions.Read locally oriented gardening books.Check out and visit vegetable gardens in your area.Knowledge is power.ACTING on your knowledge is SELF EMPOWEREMENT! Do not let Ignorance or Fear interfere with your Passion to garden. JUST DO IT!

Here is what I do to safegaurd my garden against flooding and draught:

1-I choose native plants and  SEASONAL rotating crop- planting .

2-I build a protection border around my plots .I make sure that the location I choose is not prone to flooding.

3-I use  trenches for draught tolerant gardens .I  harvest  rain water by using rain barrels. I safegaurd against top soil erosion by using raised beds especially in areas that are subject to flooding.

Practice makes perfect and mistakes are our best teachers.