May Gardening in Florida: Top 20 Vegetables to Plant NOW

[@hazelbellefarm476]

People not in Florida just don’t get it when we say “it’s hot.” 😂 It’s so nice to find other Florida growers!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Right?!!! It’s a leve of hot that most don’t get to experience

[@spearageddon3279]

Facts. 🔥

[@coyotejoe2654]

Great video I would like the Everglades tomato packet so I could cook the tomatoes with some okra I grew to help get rid of the slime on the okra anyways hope you have a great day

[@tcquiltstudio]

Everglades tomatoes are one I’ve never tried even though I’ve gardened for many years. I would love to try them.

[@Chocamatoes]

We Puertorican love pigeon peas. I have 13 trees. I have so far gathered about 10 pounds of them. Yum!

[@lauracoker]

❤ Florida /Avon park Florida!

[@karenguth8529]

Hi, i am in southern coastal SC, we have similar weather . I really enjoy your. Videos, you are very easy to listen to and talk about relevant issues for me. Talking about clothes to wear… i wear long pants snd long sleeves when i garden because of the bugs. I would live to wear shorts and a tank top. How do you handle the bugs when wearing shorts? . I have tried about 37 varieties of tomatoes and haven’t come up with many that can tolerate our heat. I have never heat of everglades and would love the try them. Thanks for all you do . Karen

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Honestly, I get chewed up by bugs a lot. I’m working on a homemade mosquito spray from my garden herbs but I haven’t gotten the mix right yet but I’ll make sure to show it once I do.

[@evita9882]

Great tips. I think i will try the experiement with a few luffah plants. I keep hearing great things about everglade tomatoes. But they are so hard to find. It would be great to win them

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Luffa is a great plant for summer and they are so fun to grow

[@carolynwheeler7651]

I have been looking for Everglades tomatoes. I’m in Cape Coral (zone 10 a) and my backyard was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ian. I lost everything from fences, trees, to wicking tub planters. I could lament but I am not. Ian actually did me a favor. I was really wanting to re-landscape, but the thought of all that demolition was daunting. Guess what?? Ian did the demolition for me, and FEMA hauled it all away for free.😁🎉 Now I’m starting from scratch, and I am sooo glad that I have found your channel. You are exactly what I need to guide me through this!!! I would love some Everglades tomatoes from you, but if that doesn’t work out I will definitely check out Echo. Thank you so much for your videos!! Can you feel me haunting your channel??😱 Love, love, love it!!🤩🤩

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m so glad you are okay after Ian. It’s amazing how you are looking at the silver linings through that tough experience. Florida tough 💪

[@conniecrites5148]

Great video. I would love to win the everglade tomatoe seed giveaway. I saw how abundant they produce.

[@sylviakirchel2519]

Love Everglade tomatoes, I used to munch on them while walking through the garden. Like that Sun Joe chipper!!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The chipper is one of my favorite tools. My hubby got it for me for my birthday a couple years ago 💚

[@shine521]

Love the video! I searched Florida gardening in May and yours was the first I watched. Clicked on your description and you're in Spring Hill! Hello neighbor! 👋 I'm in Brooksville.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Hi Neighbor 👋. You are right up the street from me. Thanks so much for watching

[@theBDank]

I would love to win the everglades seed giveaway! I am just starting out and have some peppers, lettuce and chive onions going in my small home garden so am looking to add tomatoes to the mix for additions to our salads. Love your content, super informative!

[@hascjl]

I would love to try the Everglade tomato’s! I love tomato’s year round but of course haven’t had any success in the summer. No luck on finding them locally in Gainesville though. We’ve done the tick tock recipe several times, it’s amazing, especially with fresh ingredients!! Thanks for the videos, just started watching you from wild Floridian:)

[@joew717]

another source for LOTS of free mulch is to reach out to a tree service that's working in your area and they'll be more than happy to drop off a truck load in your yard instead of burning fuel hauling it all the way to a dumpsite (where they sometimes have to pay for disposal). Also consider edible plants that thrive in similar environments like Cuba, Thailand, Africa, Caribbean, etc. This year in addition to everglades tomatoes I'm trying out a variety bred for south Florida called Floradade tomatoes, hopefully they'll do well!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I love Floradade tomatoes! I have some growing right now. Thanks for all the great tips! 💚

[@daniellesmith8021]

I am trying Again to Florida garden . I get knocked down but I get up again🎉😂 I will give them a good home with a little help from my gentle giant who is also excited for the garden adventure .

[@cherylbaker6113]

Thank you for all of the tips on growing Everglade Tomatoes, it will be so much fun to put that knowledge to work and share all of my progress, with my friends. I am fairly new at gardening, I am having so much fun. Once again thank you for sharing so much with us.

[@liamthompson9090]

As long as you are enjoying gardening, you're doing it right.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Liam is right. If you are having fun, u are doing it right!

[@liamthompson9090]

Excellent tips--but, I'm not wearing a dress. 😂 Grass clippings are an excellent mulch for providing quick nutrition, especially in the high heat and humidity of Florida summers, as they break down quickly.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

😂 I should have picked some fun attire for men too

[@oreopaksun2512]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Kilts?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@oreopaksun2512 Love that! 😂

[@deborahallen2833]

I would love to try the Everglades tomatoes. I'm trying to get my grandkids interested in the garden. Even the littlest one's would be excited to grow/pick/eat those tiny things! I just had a knee replacement and I can't really do much in the garden by myself yet, so something that would get the kids excited about gardening would be amazing!!!

[@MistySlocomb]

I was introduced to the idea of Everglades tomatoes by "David the Good" and have really wanted to try growing them. Thank you for the possible opportunity.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I love David’s channel. He has such an amazing garden.

[@oreopaksun2512]

Thank you, I am good on Everglades tomatoes, but yes, anyone who gardens in Florida should try these guys. Even if they are tricky at germination, I just need one to grow for the season, then root the suckers from pruning around its base, and "succession plant" out into the garden as the original ones start looking sad. Ones not needed when transplant time comes get gifted, or composted, so there is always seedlings available to go. Great tips for summer gardening. I don't think I can do the night gardening thing because I will out-scream you over worms when I see shiny eyes looking at me from the Conservation behind my house, because it is prolly not Bambi at night. And, yeah, pass on May 6th, too. Don't wanna scare my neighbors....or my dog. ROFL

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

🤣🤣🤣 Girl, you are too funny

[@annettejohnsson4633]

Just found your videos & am loving them. Moved into this home just over 2 yrs ago, but have been battling Eastern Lubbers & havent risked planting a garden yet because of them. I'm ready to start gardening again & have heard a lot of people talk about Everglade tomatoes. Would love to give them a try! Thanks for all you do!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I have a lot of lubbers too. I kill the ones I can but I’ve noticed over the years that they usually move around a lot once they get bigger. I get a ton of babies but once they get big, I only find 1 or 2 at a time and they are easy enough to get rid of. They are pretty destructive but not as bad as I use to think.

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

I night garden too and I work in the shade and go in and out a lot too. We garden the same. I live in Zone 9b. Today it was overcast so I worked on my small Aloe farm I have growing in my front entry in raised beds.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

We do garden the same! I’m not alone 😀

[@DawgTunez]

I struggle to get the Everglade tomato seed I get to germinate ... would love to try yours

[@soniahofmann4969]

I'm new to Florida gardening and I'm really really excited I've never heard of Everglades I would be overjoyed to grow a tomato in the summertime in Florida... I'm new to your Channel and I've learned a lot in the short time that I've been watching you I find you very easy to follow and I love examples that you give us I'm getting into the groove here I think ...I'm from the West Coast😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Thank you so much for watching Welcome. I think you will really love to garden here once you get the hang of it 💚

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Congratulations! You have been selected as this month’s winner for the seeds. Please contact me at [e-mail] to claim your prize.

[@sandramorton5510]

I have been growing Everglades for two years, as you said they grow everywhere. I do not need any, if I win pass on to someone else. To confirm, the ones you said to plant and forget are Seminole pumpkin, Okra, Pidgeon peas, Luffa, T something squash, Sweet potatoes, Roselle. I have all started except the Luffa for I do not have any Trellis's. Best wishes everyone for the summer.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Tahitian melon squash. Pretty much any one of the heat loving summer plants!

[@MrAntdez]

Thanks for the thai soldier beans - I can't wait for them to grow. We are going to do your Summer challenge with luffa. I'm putting it on a front yard trellis and doing nothing to it and see what happens! : )

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear how they both do in your garden 🪴

[@tinabuggy5632]

OMG you live a couple of miles away from me. Glad to see another Florida gardener that understands our heat. Would ❤to win some seeds. I just checked your about and I live about a mile or so away from you. I would love to meet you and see your gardens.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Hi neighbor 👋. So glad you are enjoying the channel. It’s always fun to connect with local gardeners 👩‍🌾

[@MrDvbail123]

I absolutely love watching your videos. They have helped me so much as a new gardener. I did get a pack of Everglades tomatoes from Elise (The Urban Harvest), unfortunately the package got wet, so I had to plant them all at once and was not ready yet. I put several in seed trays and also created a 3-4 foot row in the corner of my garden area and just direct sowed them. The ones in the seed trays are doing much better that the ones that were direct sowed. I would love the opportunity to try them again. This time with a plan in place.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That happened to me just yesterday with some beans. It’s a bummer but it’s also a little experiment to see the best way to do it next time.

[@donnadube3]

I have been looking for some everglade tomatoes for so long! I've learned so much from your videos so it would be so fun to give these everglade tomatoes a try. Thank you for all the great tips to help our gardens thrive in this Florida climate! Sure is different than gardening up north!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yes it is, lol. It takes a little time to adjust to it but you got this!

[@donnadube3]

@Homegrown Florida I don't know that I'll ever get used to the huge variety of bugs here a n d surprises sometimes, but me too I wear gloves!! Lol

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@donnadube3 my neighbors probably hear me scream all the time when bugs jump on me. Never get used to that 😳 🐛

[@TW-gb6mh]

Two years ago I grew seminole pumpkins and got 2 small ones. I wasn't going to try again, but last year one grew out of my compost pile and grew and grew. I think I had 53 pumpkins that I was able to harvest! They were small, the perfect size for a side dish for dinner. Just ate the last one last week. I am definitely growing them again this summer! In fact, I cut down the azalea bush to give the soon to be pumpkin patch more room.😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The same thing happened to me too! I wasn’t super impressed the first year but then they just magically exploded

[@TW-gb6mh]

Maybe they are just shy? Take a while to get to know us?😂

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@TW-gb6mh 😂 I’m gonna go with that. It was a get-to-know each other time

[@lulusworld9980]

Hi from Florida !!!!! Loving your videos ❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Hi neighbor 👋

[@Collington23]

I’m a new Florida gardener in zone 9b. I mainly grow showy flowering plants but I’ve recently started some fruits and veg. Just started growing some Roma tomatoes and would love to try Everglades tomatoes too!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s awesome. I just recently started growing lots of flowers

[@exploringgames948]

Being from Canada idk if I can enter but goodluck to everyone entering the Giveaway! I have the same indoor self watering pots they come in handy for sure, I should definitely grow some plants that attracts bees and bumblebees, I don't have many flying around other than wasps... I'm also going to grow some sunflowers I think they're neat looking! Just waiting on this weather to stop being so weird, it's going to rain 6 days straight and the nights are only around 4-5c (40f) so I can't take any of my plants out yet D: As always thank you for all the useful information you provide us, have a good weekend momma 🙏

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Unfortunately the giveaway is only for US at the moment but I’ll definitely look into Canada to see what the regulations are. Thank goodness for the self watering pots otherwise my indoor plants would die 🤣

[@jq2911]

#FloridaSummerGarden sounds like a fun experiment. I just planted some Sweet Potatoes 10"-12" plants this weekend (clothed) and my Okra has already broke ground. Its a good start for this challenge.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

🤣 Clothed! It sounds like you have an amazing start to your summer garden

[@TW-gb6mh]

What a great video, thank you! I need to watch it again and take notes. You have given me the push I needed to get out there and sow some seeds. I am so encouraged! Great tips on gardening in the Florida heat. One tip I have is to always drink an electrolyte beverage before heading out. It is a game changer for me. And yes, I would love some everglade tomato seeds!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

What’s your favorite electrolyte drink? That’s a great idea

[@TW-gb6mh]

I like the Propel packets. Taste great, low sodium ( great for me), and I don't think they have sugar, also good for me. Also inexpensive. If I don't have those I will drink am emergen c vitamin c mix. Not my favorite. Of course there is Gatorade, but it has too much sugar etc for me.

[@oreopaksun2512]

Good luck to everyone on the Everglades seed giveaway! But if you are disappointed and still want to grow them, mine were sourced from ECHO Farms 3 years ago, and they are still germinating fine (slow, but fine). ECHO still had 60+ packets available when I checked. And, if you are close enough to St Pete to pick up in person, the Urban Harvest has live plants (skip the long and tricky germination) for $4!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Do you mind if I mention this in next months video when I announce the winners?

[@oreopaksun2512]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9aThanks, I'm all for sharing good gardening info. What I like about ECHO's website is that they show how many of each item is available at the time you are shopping. And, as of now, Cody Cove is also showing availability on Everglades, Pine Island variety (and they provide whopping 40 seeds, because of this variability in germination)

[@stephaniegee227]

I’d live to try these seeds. I’ve never tried these tomatoes before!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

They are crazy sweet

[@janewadsworth6994]

I know how northern gardeners must feel in the winter watching us pluck tomatoes off our vines because I feel the same in the summer watching them with their tomatoes. It makes me so sad 😢, it's near torture. I would love to start a little everglade patch and have some small but mighty tomato flavor to get me through!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I feel the same way! Our summer is their winter.

[@sonnyamoran7383]

I found a heavy producer tomatoes. It's Sweetheart Patio tomatoes. They have so many tomatoes on them it's unbelievable!! And they taste soooo good. My roselle is over a foot tall and looking good. My full sun squash are about to quit on me along with my cucumbers. I'll be replanting squash and cucumbers in September. They do so much better then. I started my okra a month ago. I like to grow them between my southern peas. And I usually get at least 2 plantings of peas. Can't wait to clear out the "bad" stuff and sow all my peas.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Is your roselle blooming? Mine just started. It will stop for a bit and then restart again in fall

[@sonnyamoran7383]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a no blooms yet. But growing strong.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m on the fence. I want to start more but I keep telling myself I have enough. I went through the whole harvest last fall in 30 days. I think I might start more

[@sonnyamoran7383]

@Homegrown Florida I only grew a couple last year just to see how it did. I saved seeds and I have 9 for this year. I plan to make jam/jelly.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@sonnyamoran7383 I love the jam but we are big tea drinkers and it’s outstanding. I’m now thinking I’m definitely going to grow a few more

[@johnliberty3647]

I would be excited to win Everglades tomato’s because it’s my first year in Florida and like to make my own pasta sauce. Usually I use Amish Paste tomatoes but they struggled to fruit in Georgia and probably won’t set fruit here.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

These are super small tomatoes. Currant size. It would take a lot to make sauce but if there is will there is a way. One paste tomato that I have found that works pretty well is San marzano.

[@vnickcolvin4971]

I would love to try Everglades tomatoes, never heard of them before been growing Sun gold for past few years and a Roma variety😊😅 N Florida gardener

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Sun gold is an awesome variety! Very awesome taste 🍅

[@JenicaFahey-we5ib]

Love your videos! I have some Everglade tomatoes sprouting. So glad you mentioned they’re hard to germinate. I was thinking it was me. Direct sow was the only way I’ve been successful (weird). But I’m excited for the little tomatoes. Also, now I MUST buy a sunjoe chipper! Have a sunjoe electric mower and it’s the first one I’ve really loved. Didn’t know they made a chipper. Off to get one!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m really in love with the chipper! The only way I have been able to germinate the Everglades is to direct sow them and totally forget about them, lol

[@evelynrusaw5759]

Great tips, I have some okra on the way and I am going to do as you suggested plant and forget. My Everglades are doing awesome.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Yay! 🎉

[@onmybike]

Great video but I am pretty sure that that was a sponge not a Luffa. Glad to find more Florida specific content.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Haha. You are correct. Stock footage was limited on loofa sponges. Hopefully I’ll have some photos from my garden this season since I am growing it.

[@Plantasyraices]

I’m a new FL gardener this year. I haven’t tried Everglades tomatoes yet. Would love to try them out!

[@paoladelvalle8794]

I'd love to have some everglades tomatoes!I haven't had and l any luck with tomatoes at all and I have been wanting to grow these.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Congratulations! You have been selected as this month’s winner for the seeds. Please contact me at [e-mail] to claim your prize.

[@johnliberty3647]

Chard survived winters in north west Georgia right on the TN border. Very hardy hot and cold tolerant. Although it grew slow in winter there.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Mine is never ending!

[@TW-gb6mh]

Does the chard taste like beets? I thought I grew some about a hundred years ago, and it was so very pretty...until I tasted it. Am I remembering correctly?

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@TW-gb6mh I think you are. Not so bad once it’s cooked but it’s a little rough raw

[@johnliberty3647]

Not sure if beets and chard are in the same family or if they are different varieties of the same species. I know a chard tap root is rather large and edible but not the size of a beet.

[@TW-gb6mh]

Thanks! I will give it a pass.

[@RichardMuir-f2t]

You are wonderful and I hope that I win the Everglades tomato lottery. I wonder if you could comment on the floridade tomato 😮

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I really love the floraidade variety. Especially for a slicing tomato. I might do a video soon on my favorite varieties of tomatoes if my plants cooperate 😂

[@nancypetrullo9833]

Would love to succession plant these tomatoes! I’ve never tried them. Pick me 😅

[@dedefoutch6827]

Hahaha, I.loved.it! Surprise, May 6th😂, NOW on the more serious side, Great May video b/c of You, I've planted watermelon(black),Red pepper, Cucumber, Blackberry bush , radishes, cilantro& chives, and of course Sunflowers & Marigolds! I started the cilantro/chives&sunflowers from seed. I'm excited to see how my 1rst container garden turns out! I've done pretty well with tropica l plants flowers so im hopeful! Please send seeds! I'm in zone 9, Oh, I got your 🥵heat 🎉😅

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Wonderful!

[@jeaniedeveau]

We love fresh tomatoes everyday and store tomatoes aren't tasty anymore for us after getting them from your yard. I really need tomatoes for our hottest part of the year and never grown everglades. I am on my 3rd round of floridade's tho. Best producing for our yard so far.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I really like the Floridade variety too. It’s a solid producer.

[@sndymny3]

I came across a video on dehydrated okra that is spiced up. You could create your own spice to your liking but it sounded good to me. But I thought about you because I remember that you were going to try growing okra. I commented before about pickled or fermenting it....dehydrated okra is another option. The reason I am suggesting this is because unless okra is fried..dried..or pickled....its gross. In my opinion other cooking methods produce a slimy gross vegetable. Like boiling.....gross. anyway just offering up my own experiences with okra. And it's so easy to grow here in fl. I live in central Florida....I'm learning alot from you as well. 😎

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s something I didn’t consider. Using it like a dried spice. You get the flavor without the texture. I’m so picky about texture so I’ll definitely try this. Thank you!

[@evelyn-y3b]

Wonderful advice you are sharing !!! Good job .Been fl gardening on the spacecoast for over 40 years YES Fl igardening is awful HA Cannot find the video you shared about echinacea gave you problems with germ.Put them in the frig for a week or if you forget about them its fine too HA Then start them. Keep it up kiddo yer doin GREAT :)

[@evelyn-y3b]

Thought of something else HA Get shade cloth CHANGED my world well my garden world. I also do 3 week not 2 start seeds every 3 uppot or transplant every three.I also plant by phases of the moon.That comes from John Jeavons another changed my garden world :)

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

THANK YOU!!! I’m guessing a lot of flowers might benefit from this? Flowers have been making me pull my hair out with germinating. I’ll try the fridge trick.

[@fotomanal]

Just tried Everglades tomatoes and totally fell in love with their taste and sweetness. Thanks for the tips you shared about them!! They seemed to grow pretty much wild at this fellow's house and he mentioned that he totally ignores them!! Got to find some seeds soon!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

They do live up to the hype for sure

[@lisataylor4384]

FL newbie and tying to wrap my head around the gardening here (zone 10a). Just got your planner and it’s the best I have found! Have just planted some of the summer crops you mentioned in this video (Amaranth, Okra, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin, sweet potatoes, the only one missing from my wishlist is the Everglade tomato (everywhere I’ve looked is sold out). Your timely offer could complete my wish list! Thanks for sharing with us!👩🏻‍🌾😅

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Hi neighbor 👋 sounds like u have a great summer garden coming in. Very exciting 💚

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

I would love to have some FL Everglade Tomatoes. I have looked for them at the garden center where I live but could not find them. I live in SW FL zone 9b. I would also be happy to send you some of my purple heirloom tomato seeds. I have had wonderful success with these tomatoes this year and they are still producing very sweet juicy tomatoes.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Sadly they don’t sell them in most garden centers. I wish they did. That would be awesome. Are the purple tomatoes the Cherokee purple? I grew them one year but I might try them again.

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Honestly, I don't know. I brought these super delicious purple heirloom tomatoes from my local farmers market. They were grown locally so I saved some seeds to try them this year and my garden is bursting with tomatoes. They are some of the easiest tomatoes I have ever grown. I made sure to save seeds this year. If you want to swap seeds I'm happy to do so. I am growing them under my shade tunnel. I have been harvesting them since February and they are still producing. 😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@user-hz7kv6js6l that sounds very intriguing. Could you email me at [e-mail] and we can connect.

[@cynthiamuscarello2368]

I need these badly, in Houston Tx a tomato will not bloom or fruit past mid June, so confusing I thought tomatoes love heat. Any way I’m a beginner just learning and love your videos!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The same thing happens here in FL. They like heat but not too much. Finicky tomatoes lol

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Congratulations! You have been selected as this month’s winner for the seeds. Please contact me at [e-mail] to claim your prize.

[@2021-j2d]

Are squirrels and bunnies a nuisance in your open garden? If so, what can be done to deter them without harming them? Happy (almost) summer.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Squirrels really like my fruit trees. I have dogs that chase them so that helps. I don’t have a problem with bunnies mainly because I have a 6ft privacy fence around the whole backyard. In general, they are not a huge problem for me

[@evelyn-y3b]

Dollar tree pinwheels.I have them everywhere in the garden.I harvested my first green slimjim eggplant yesterday set it on the potting table came in the house for more coffee and when I came back out it was gone :( Stinkin squirrels !!!!! They steal my sunflower heads,maters but NEVER an eggplant.The pinwheels have saved my maters .I over plant sunflower EVERYWHERE .I will never leave a harvest eggplant unattended again. Hubby want to get a squirrelinator from Tractor supply bur you haul them off others come.Ace has a squirrel repellent have not tried it. Vinager spray is suppose to repel them have not tried it.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@evelyn-y3b squirrels are terrified of my dogs so I let my pup hang out in the garden a lot. Whenever we cut their hair or brush them, I put their hair in my beds. That makes the squirrels think the dogs are around from the smell.

[@2021-j2d]

@@evelyn-y3b thanks

[@evelyn-y3b]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a what a GREAT idea.We do not have doggo's but have 3 granddogs:) Will ask the daughter to save hair for my garden !

[@kimberlyrusso2541]

I would like to try this kind of tomatoe. But i would be growing them in a pot. I want to start a kitchen garden but have to get a bed started. I am think about using cinder blocks. I need something sturdy to support myself on because of mobility issues.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

A container would work great for these guys. You could do a whole kitchen garden in pots if you wanted to. They even have cucumber varieties that are bush types that do well in pots

[@oreopaksun2512]

You want a large pot, that can take a large trellis. Everglades can really grow long, even the side shoots, and will form fruit everywhere. So to avoid chasing little clusters of tomatoes all over the ground, plan on growing them up.

[@PatriciaCook-j8y]

Well, I live in Central FL, and drove to Tampa to purchase my first Everglade tomato transplants. One took off, but two had leaves with yellow spots on them. This soon emigrated to the one plant that was taking off. Not only were the leaves affected, so were the fruits. I would love to try to germinate and grow everglade tomatoes from your seeds, should I be fortunate enough to win them, (challenge accepted)! Also if you can, please let me know where I can get seeds for seminole pumpkins too. I grew sweet potatoes last year, and got an abundant harvest! Thanks for your videos and encouragement, from this former Northern (Massachusetts) transplant

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I know flseeds.com has some seeds for the Seminole pumpkin. Sometimes they sell out but then they restock so you might have to keep checking. Good luck 👍

[@PatriciaCook-j8y]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Thanks will check them out!!!

[@miriam_kathleen]

I’m in south Florida, Zone 10, it’s already 90 degrees today! I prefer to go out and garden around 6-7 pm. This means my family eats dinner rather late, but I don’t get heat stroke! 😂 I started growing Everglades tomatoes last year and have not had to sew new seeds since, they just keep providing volunteers and I’m able to over winter them too ( not much winter down here anyway). I’d love to grow Seminole pumpkin, but I just don’t have the room for the sprawling.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The heat really started early this year. It’s been crazy 😝

[@ellenconforti5693]

I grew Everglades last year. It was one of the tomatoes that Wild Floridian recommended for the heat. They grew like crazy. I grew them in big pots. I didn't have any more seeds but you are right they did some volunteering for me and are coming up again in those same pots. WF also mentioned the Seminole Pumpkins so I also started some of those. I have 5 plants and I am excited to see if I get some. Everything is finally taking off. 100 tomato plants this year and they are huge. I also planted some Roselle seeds so I am anxious to make your jelly or cranberry that you made and maybe some teas. Peppers, 4 different kinds of cukes, dragon beans, etc. It is beginning to be a good season. Let's see how long it lasts. Ellen Florida Gardener Zone 9a Your neighbor!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@ellenconforti5693 sounds like you are going to have a great summer garden! Be careful with roselle. It is super addicting, lol. I can’t seem to grow enough of it.

[@lauracochran7130]

We've been looking for these, have not found any available. Our small garden just was destroyed by the hail storm over here in Palm Bay. Starting over. Still hoping some come through the damage. The tomatoes would be a great help starting over. Thank you 😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I heard about all the hail. How awful 😢

[@TW-gb6mh]

Oh, so sorry. That was quite an event - at least it looked that way from the pics. Hope you are able to re-do everything!

[@dawndarretta8598]

Would love to win the seeds because I am hoping to try growing more thru our heat. Last year was my 1st time growing in the summer & all I could get to survive was okra (which no one in my family will eat!), roselle & an everglades tomato. My sweet potatoes did not give me but a handfull of tiny potatoes. Where could we get chayote seeds? Bought some amaranth starts. Am so happy I found your channel!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

So glad u did 💚. Chayote is actually grown from the fruit. Pick one up and just leave it on your counter until it starts to sprout and then partially bury it and it will grow a vine and produce more.

[@dawndarretta8598]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a wow! That is pretty cool. Will get that started. Thank you!!

[@cherylcornelius8701]

Hi I have been trying to get Everglades Tomato seeds for a few years now . I have ordered some but they were not when I got them growing. The tomatoes were larger than a baseball. I would love to try again. I have a very small yard and am trying to learn to grow everywhere I can. Thank you

[@liamthompson9090]

Well, at least the con artists who sold you those seeds sent actual tomato seeds. They could have sent dandelion seeds 😂

[@oreopaksun2512]

Hey, getting such large tomatoes in Florida is a good gardening trick, too. Shame about the stinker seller, tho.

[@CrochetingFLGirl]

I have been looking for the Everglades tomatoes for awhile without success. I’ve heard they are prolific and tasty too. I’m a zone 10a and think they should do well here. Thanks for all the good info!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

So glad you enjoyed the video!

[@champagnegardening5182]

The mosquitos be doing to much at night. I don't last past 8pm 😩. My garden has to fend for itself. Now I only plant plants that require no maintenance.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s the way to go for sure!

[@josealeman332]

I have red worms and I put my hands in the containers,, but the worm you show looks little scary, I thought it was a baby snake .lol

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Right? They are so big. It’s crazy

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

Hi Petrina, I don't need the everglades tomatoes. I bought seeds a year ago & they are thriving. I had taken one of the tomatoes & just squashed it in a flower pot & I now have about 15 of them growing crazy. I get handfuls of them daily. Great plant. What plants did you mean when you said to neglect them. I'm interested in trying that. Thanks again, love your videos.

[@liamthompson9090]

She neglected to mention which plants you should neglect.😂

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

😂Oops. Pretty much any on the list to start growing in May. So luffa, sweet potatoes, okra, roselle, Everglades, beans, Seminole pumpkins… all the heat loving ones.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@liamthompson9090 🤣🤣🤣 I got ahead of myself there

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a Thank You

[@liamthompson9090]

You were probably distracted by all those killer earthworms 😂

[@sherrybreak9100]

Where do you get your peanut seeds? I would love to order some!! Sounds so fun!!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Bakers creek sometimes has them. Also southern seed exchange has them too. Although I heard you could grow them from raw peanuts in the grocery store. I might try that this year to see if that works

[@sherrybreak9100]

Thank you for your reply!!

[@Anna-hw2ee]

This is my first year trying Everglades tomato’s and my one plant is exploding with tomatoes! I have them in a pot. Not sure if that was a good idea because of how big it is growing 😬

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It is going to get a bit wild on you but if you add a trellis or tomato cage, that should contain it a bit.

[@hazelbellefarm476]

Fav summer things: Okra, roselle, cherry tomatoes (Everglades), peanuts, cow peas, Armenian cucumbers, Seminole pumpkins, noodle beans, peppers, flowers. Producing a video this week on this! 😊

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’ll definitely check it out. I love seeing other people’s gardens

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

Hot with a side of Hail.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Jacq892]

It's so hot I need a potholder to I open my front door! BTW gardening naked will help me put up a privacy fence free of charge. Paid for by my neighbors! I would love some seeds.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

🤣🤣🤣

[@janicemoyer854]

Just started getting my first Everglades tomatoes a few weeks ago. They’re so good they don’t make it inside. 😅😂

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Mine either. Such amazing flavor for such a tiny tomato

[@marilynearl6887]

My Everglades tomato is dying due to blight and would love some seeds . Since I lost all the Everglades tomato seeds due to hurricane Ian

[@liamthompson9090]

OK. If I win the seeds, you can have them. Petrina, take note.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Does it have any tomatoes on the plant right now? If it does, let them rot and fall to the ground, you will get a ton of volunteers

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

@@liamthompson9090 noted!

[@marilynearl6887]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a yes it does have a couple of green tomatoes on It. I didn’t think of that . That is the only way I had Everglades tomato’s this year but since I let them grow we’re they volunteered I think the ground was already infected with blight from the year before.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

You can always grab them once they are super ripe and bury them somewhere else to avoid the blight. It works that way too.

[@susanparker-heitel702]

I can not get Everglades tomatoes to grow for rye life of me.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

The best luck I have found is to put seeds down in a spot and forget about them. They will eventually sprout. It takes a awhile. If you know someone with actual tomatoes, bury a couple whole. Those germinate even better.

[@backyardfarmerpat]

Another great video. We have very similar content. Maybe one day we can do a colab! ❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I just subscribed to your channel. Looks like you got some hail over there?

[@backyardfarmerpat]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a awesome! Yes I did. Tore up my veggies and papaya. I saw much more damage today

[@bryanspencer8210]

I have to admit, I never thought about doing gardening in a dress, I won't because I will have to shave my legs.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

😂😂😂