Our Backyard Garden
In September of 2024, we put in a paver patio to create some outdoor dining in our backyard. We ended up with a bunch of fill dirt and decided to put it to use in a raised, galvanized planter. Our garden began and we were quickly hooked.
Now, everytime before we leave for school and work, as well as when we get home, we head out back to check on the plants and see what’s new that’s growing.
Zone 9b
I follow the University of Florida agriculture page. They publish infographics each month letting gardener’s know what to plant for the season and the zone. I used narrowed down their infographics to make an annual calendar (pictured above) for our family that is full of variety and foods we will actually eat.
This isn’t my first garden, but I’ve learned to adjust my expectation to what will grow here and not just what I want to grow. Otherwise, gardening can be very disappointing. Here is their website: Gardening Solution.
Plant Needs
When planning a garden, it is important to consider the plants’ needs for the amount of sunlight, amount of water, and drainage needs of each. Using my planting schedule of recommended plants from the University of Florida, it becomes really clear why Florida is called the Sunshine state. If it won’t do well with 6+ hours a day, it probably won’t grow well here. Most of the plants listed in the Full Sun category actually prefer 8 - 10 hours of sunlight. Fall and winter crops can be affected by the heat rather than the amount of light they receive each day.
Our Seeds
For convenience, I currently get my seeds from Amazon. I do plan to take advantage of the free seeds offered at our local library. I also like to let my plants bolt/bloom so I can harvest and save these seeds, too.
Bell Peppers, Butternut squash, Broccoli, Cabbage, Canteloupe, Cauliflower, Carrots, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger, Green beans, Kale, Lettuce, Lettuce (with arugula and spinach), Luffa, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peanuts, Pineapple, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes, Watermelon
Tools
Bell Peppers
Planted November
Butternut squash
Will be planted in April
Broccoli
Planted February
Cabbage
Will be planted in November
Canteloupe
Planted in January
Cauliflower
Planted in February
Carrots
Planted in September, harvested Feb - March
Corn
Will be planted in April
Cucumber
Planted in January
Eggplant
Planted in February
Garlic
Planted in October from bulbs leftover in fridge
Ginger
Will be planted in May
Green beans
Planted in January
Kale
Will be planted in October
Lettuces
Planted year-round
Luffa
Will plant in June
Okra
Will plant in May
Onions
Planted in September
Peas
Will plant in April
Peanuts
Will plant in June
Pineapple
Will plant in May from recycled tops
Potatoes
Will plant in March
Pumpkin
Will plant in July
Seminole pumpkin
Will plant in March
Squash
Planted in February
Strawberries
Will plant in October
