Florida Space Coast Beach Hello

[marisolstice]

Hey! Technically 10A here, but effectively South Florida climate, as I am on a barrier island between the ocean and a big lagoon. Maybe one frost here in the last 40 years? New to the area, and experimenting with finding several heirlooms that don't mind growing in the ground (beach sand) with heat, humidity, nematodes, salt, and wind. Also super interested in dwarfs so I can fit many varieties in my little neighborhood lot, and less likelihood of supports blowing down in high winds. My "soil" is basically a sand dune that's at least 15 feet deep, 1% organic material (I am amending as fast as possible, but we just moved in), alkaline (8.0 ph) and ridiculously low NPK according to the soil test (P 7ppm, K 11 ppm). Deep well for irrigation. If anyone has tips, I'm all ears! Just put 51 plants in the ground this weekend...5 determinate varieties and 16 indeterminates. I don't mind growing in containers, but I like the challenge of growing in the ground. Been lurking for a bit...this seems like a useful and friendly site.

[Whwoz]

Welcome to the Junction from Down Under @marisolstice , sounds like you will fit right in here and have a fun time doing so.

[PlainJane]

Many of us in Florida grow in raised beds, earth boxes or grow bags because of the soil conditions.
Always an option while you build your garden up!

IMG_3452.jpeg

[bower]

Welcome! We have lots of experienced Florida growers here, and as PlainJane pointed out, most end up with container gardens because that makes it easier. We have growers in similar climates though - you might want to check out the San Antonio Sandbur patch where wildcat82 is also dealing with sandy conditions. And please let us know how your experiments work out!

[FatBeeFarm]

Welcome from the White Mountains of NH! 5A here, cold, windy, 2 feet of snow, and more on the way Saturday. I've got a few days yet before I can get started

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Welcome from America's Dairyland!

The Gotch

[rco3]

welcome from North of the Barge Cut!

I haven’t had a frost here either, in 10 years. Nor have I had much success in growing tomatoes in the sandy soil here. I’ve been more successful with outdoor containers, outdoor hydroponics, and indoor hydroponics. Golden Hour and Mini Marzano from Brad Gates have been producing for me continuously since transplanted into container outside in July or so last year. Orange Hat and Micro Tina have survived the same time indoor under lights but they seem to be getting tired.
A windstorm in December took out the rickety hydro setup outside and I got tired of standing it back up, but I had consistent production until then from Dwarf Mr Snow and Uluru Ochre, Brad’s Atomic, and Blondkopfchen - all in hydro.
Blondkopfchen is the only one I have in the ground right now, and it’s like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree - 2 feet tall bare trunk, a tuft of foliage in the top 6”, and I’ve pulled four fruits total off all in the last few months. It’s a multifloral and even under lights I got dozens of fruits from it, four fruits from a plant is nothing. So, I think the climate works well nearly year-round for the varieties I’ve tried but the soil is more challenging.


— Rob

[AKgardener]

Welcome from alaska

[pepperhead212]

Welcome to the forum!

[GoDawgs]

A hearty welcome from down here in the great state of Jawja!

[Frosti]

Welcome!