Dried peas from the garden become seeds for the next season's plantings. Photo by Amy Robb. The pinkeye purple hull peas in my garden were in their last stages of production, and only a couple of pods remained on each plant. While it was hard to resist picking the delicious peas, it was with an eye to next year’s garden that those pods were left to dry on the plants. It was time to save the seeds. As we become more attuned to the importance of our local food system, we need t

Learn the keys to success and abundant fruit will follow. Illustration by Kiara Sanchez. There are as many tips to grow tomatoes as there are varieties to choose from. Perhaps it's because this delectable fruit can be temperamental, confounding and downright frustrating if not grown with care. When done right, though, they're absolute bliss. I've been growing them for about twenty years, and when I stick to these simple steps, I get plenty to eat and share during our short bu

Year-round gardening is possible in Northeast Florida, even during the chilly days of winter and early spring. Illustration by Sara Lear Walker. Winter’s a fantastic time to grow food in Northeast Florida. What can you add to your garden this season? Root vegetables like beets, carrots, potatoes and turnips; the luscious leaves of kale, lettuce and mustards; and brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Sugar snap peas thrive in the cooler air as do herbs

By using Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, you will have a better rate of gardening success. Strawberries are perennial plants, which means you could enjoy fresh picked berries for many years. Illustration by Em Spitler. Did you know that Florida is recognized worldwide for its major role in strawberry production? In fact, Florida is the second largest producer of strawberries in the U.S., with approximately 8,000 acres of strawberries grown in the state. Centered in t

Even a small rental lawn, regulated by a homeowners association, can grow food and invite wildlife. Photos by Alexandra Dovel. “Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky-tacky, Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes all the same…” You may remember these lyrics from the theme song of a television show called Weeds, a mid-2000s satire of suburbia. Manicured lawns, beige-on-beige conformity, homes that looked like copy-paste jobs. It was funny because it was t

In the bleak midwinter – or what passes for it here in Northeast Florida – perhaps nothing signifies a southern Christmas more than the vibrant seasonal plants we bring into our homes. Poinsettias, in all shapes and colors; the heraldic trumpets of amaryllis; paperwhite narcissus's stalks of pure white stars; and the equally festive Christmas cactus in all shades of pink, red, purple, orange and white. One benefit of living in the northern subtropics is the fact that these pl

Sometimes called the "Florida Cranberry," this local edible calyx packs a punch. Illustration by Kiara Sanchez. If you want to add a...

Grow everything you need for a salad in one container.

Eight things you can do to help build a healthy bee population in our region.

Florida peaches are growing in popularity among area farmers.

The Man in Overalls neighborhood farms

growing blueberry bushes

composting

grow food from scraps

Soil’s properties are analogous to a three-legged stool – if all legs are in working order, the stool sits firmly on the ground.

Creating sustainable solutions for farmers to improve their soil fertility and hopefully reduce their dependence on conventional fertilizers

Small additions of supplemental carbon can have big impacts on soil health.

Okra is an exceptional garden crop for the hot summer months in Florida.

The diverse organisms found underground work together harmoniously to sustain life.