Ready-To-Grow Gardens

At the time of writing this we are still blessed with a nice window of cooler weather.  It is a time when South Florida can grow a wide selection of favorite veggies and herbs that will not usually grow well in our warmer rainy season.

Lettuce, red rain and chinese cabbage

Plants currently in stock can be seen here.  Our raised bed garden packages are a great way to grow cool veggies and herbs.  It is also a good time to start planning for food forest planting, which usually happens in late spring or summer.

In South Florida we finally are now getting some cool fall weather and it is the best time to be planting veggies and herbs that like it this way.  This includes many of our favorite annual crops, crops that are typically grown through the summer in northern climates are well suited to be grown throughout the winter here.

Ready-to-Grow Gardens just moved locations to a much larger space in West Miami (4590 SW 122nd Ave, 33175).  We currently have a greenhouse full of young plants, many that are ready to be planted.  If anybody would like some they can be picked up from us at our location by appointment on weekend afternoons or be delivered on orders over $100.  Most plants are in 4″ pots and are $4 each. Quantity discounts available.  To make an appointment or place an order please text 786-436-7703 or email dylan@ready-to-grow.com.

Herbs:

• Basil
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Culantro
• Cuban Oregano
• Dill
• Lemon Balm
• Mint
• Oregano
• Papalo
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Shiso
• Spanish Tarragon
• Stevia

Veggies:

• Arugula
• Beans (direct seeded in garden)
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Carrots (direct seeded in garden)
• Celery
• Chard
• Chinese Cabbage
• Cranberry Hibiscus
• Cucumber (direct seeded in garden)
• Dandelion
• Eggplant
• Endive
• Han Tsai Tai
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Malabar Spinach
• Miami Spinach
• Mizuna
• Mustard
• Okinawan Spinach
• Okra
• Pak Choi
• Pepper (Hot)
• Pepper (Sweet)
• Radicchio
• Radish (direct seeded in garden)
• Red Rain
• Sorrel
• Tatsoi
• Tomato
• Yard Long Bean
• Yukina Savoy

What are the specifics of how to start a food forest?

Like with all edible gardens, usually the starting point of installation lies in choosing the location.  Ideally the food forest will be planted in a space with full sun, rich-well draining soil, and ideally away from large trees with aggressive root systems (banyan trees as an example).  If the soil isn’t rich it can later be improved with the addition of compost, organic fertilizer, and mulch, however, it is important that the site receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight throughout the whole year.  Trimming trees that make shade is one way to create more light for a site. Also bear in mind that once fruit trees become taller they will receive more light.

Continue reading →

I know I am late posting this, but here is the most recent issue of edible south florida. Click here to view the online addition.  I wrote a column about food forests on page 15 and there are a lot of other great ones, including one on foraging in South Florida.  The next issue for summer will be out soon!

Spring is an exciting time to be doing edible gardening in South Florida.  At the beginning of it one still has enough cool weather to plant short-season winter annuals but it is also a good idea to start planting veggies and herbs that are more heat tolerant.

It is also a good time to start working on food forests and planting fruit trees.  If any of you would like help planting a last round of cool weather veggies and herbs or help with designing, planting and/or maintaining a food forest or fruit trees we’d love to help!