Hello from Sunny Florida!

I just learned of the concept of SFG and really like it. I have been wanting to start a backyard garden but know my limits of endurance and gardening time. 

 I have already ordered the new edition of the book SFG from my library and intend to read that and these topics so I am well prepared for this great adventure!

I do have some questions about gardening in Florida. I am a native Floridian and had a mother and grandmother who were "into dirt" as they say.  I have found that growing plants in Florida whether vegetables or ornamentals is entirely different from the rest of the USA. The intense heat and high humidity of our summers and our mild winters coupled with our poor sandy soil make gardening a challenge. ( Good Thing about SFG is lousy soil is not an issue) Here is my question: I plan to plant a garden in Dunedin Fl in October. Do I really need a space that gets 8 hours of Florida sun? It can still be pretty intense even that late in the year.

My next question is : Given the USDA Hardiness Zone of 9A, what vegetables would you recommend to start with? My family enjoys fresh salads. Would a "salad garden" be a good beginner choice?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

 from Northern California. Our climate is similar except that we don't believe in humidity out here.  We do have the same problem with sun. I learned years ago that "8 hours of full sun" doesn't mean the same thing for us as it does where 80 degrees is a "hot summer day." I look for 4 hours a day of filtered sun. So far it's working okay, but this is my first year, so I am NOT an expert. Welcome and good luck. 

Hi Flelderlaw. Welcome from Atlanta, GA.

I saw your other post as well. Remember, it's all a learning process! That's my big piece of advice.

You might look at gardenate.com for planting suggestions. You can sign up to get a monthly gardening list based on your zip code.

And there's LOTS of advice in the archives. I'd start with "Florida," "zone 9a," etc. to see what's there...

Flederlaw!
I'll bet once you read the book everything will start to make sense and you'll know exactly what to do. After that, if you still have questions, I think there is a regional thread that includes Florida on this forum. I'll bet there are folks there that can help you out.

CC

Welcome Flelderlaw! I know zero about your weather conditions and growing tips, but as CC said, your Regional Thread will help out there! The book will really help clarify a lot of info, even here, you aren't getting Mel's version in its entirety.

Great adventures, trial and error, successes, and yes failures await! Learn and take pictures, and keep detailed notes! THe first year, at least for me was very eye opening!

from Ohio!

Hi Flederlaw, I welcomed you and offered some suggestions under your other post. "New Member in West Central Florida"