Want a More Productive Garden? Here’s the Secret!

[@blissbackyard7052]

I too find it hard to eat whatever I grow! I ended making my garden into a "you pick" events. It was fun for my friends.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s such a fun idea! Great job

[@everettmcdonald2088]

Last April I moved to coastal South Carolina, And the heat and humidity are a challenge, but your channel is a big help. My goal this year is to find an open pollinated and determinate tomato or 2 that grows reasonably well so I can save seeds. I found 5 to try. Floridade and Neptune I heard about from you…..I think. And a bush green bean. Thanks for what you’re doing.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m in love with Neptune. I’m so glad the videos have been helpful. Great goals!

[@2021-j2d]

I like the written goal method. This year I’m going to do a better job documenting what I do in a more organized way. Heading in to year three I’ve written everything down but my journal is getting prolific and I’m finding it hard to go back to find things. My garden isn’t as large as yours but we have been eating almost daily from the garden.

[@annamontone8952]

You can get raw milk at Wright's Natural market in New Port Richey for cheese making. It around 16 a gallon. I'm turning my irrigation system into a drip irrigation system this year. Because I follow a keto diet. I'm introducing more veggies and fresh fruits that are more keto friendly. I also am adding a star fruit tree, along with a pomegranate tree, and a kiwi vine. I'm so excited, and going to plant herbs for me to make a tinctures for headaches ...feverfew, lemon balm, and peppermint. These are the goals for me this time around.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Sounds like a really fun year!

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

Some of my goals for 2025 are to designate one raised bed for my culinary and medicinal herbs, which I have already started. And to set up a section in partial shade to grow a tea garden in potted plants to make my own teas. Plant a continuous supply of starter plants for succession sowing from fall through winter. Put some pathways through my garden to cut back on having to pull weeds. Clear an area to have a place to store and organize my garden supplies. I'm a goal setter too. I have a clipboard with a garden to-do list and I write things down that need to get done. When I'm out in the garden every day, I let my garden speak to me. It tells me what I need to do that day. From harvesting to planting to weeding, by being out in my garden everyday I can see what needs to be done I have found this to be the most productive way of gardening for me. It helps me to multi task and get multiple tasks done in a few hours. Another goal of mine is plant more pineapples my goal is to have the entire outer edge of my garden planted in pineapples they are a very low maintenance fruit and I get to eat pineapples all summer when not much is growing in the garden. I'm growing chocolate peppers and purple cherry tomatoes this year. Happy Gardening in 2025 Donna in Sarasota zone 10a.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

You have such amazing plans for your garden, I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!

[@bonniefillmore9684]

I just redesigned my garden in fall. I now am working on setting goals for succession planting and what to plant for summer. Also if you are looking for Canning recipes Canuary 2025 is in progress (look for the purple logo and forjars sponsors). The conglomerate of youtubers all practice safe canning as per the USDA standards.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I'm always excited for new canning recipes, thanks for the tip!

[@futurefolk9919]

A huge THANK YOU for this idea! I was just talking to my Mom today and looking at the forecast 😬. I'm not going to be able to start my seeds as early as I would like, do I've been trying to figure out how to approach this garden year You have inspired me to look at things a little differently. 💞🥰😘

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I’m so happy the video was helpful!

[@dreday7222]

Love your show. I’ve got figs. Mangos. Guava. Barbados cherry. Ice cream banana. Just added 4 more. Mango. Starfruit. Lychee and super Hass avocado. What a treat.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Wow that sounds like an amazing selection of fruits!

[@mistycarter9809]

My goals are to get the garden mulched...in progress. To grow enough tomatoes to fill my pantry back up with all the yummy stuff and 2 years of peppers again. Happy growing!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

Sounds like a great plan! I'm sure you will have a bountiful harvest!

[@mistycarter9809]

@HomegrownFloridaZ9a I grew fun stuff this year, lots of new things. Now I have to plan to restock the regular stuff. 😆

[@champagnegardening5182]

If I didn't eat it that year, I wouldn't plant it the next year! Now using all the medicinals is a goal for this year.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I love that you're focused on using your plants for medicinal purposes!

[@Chocamatoes]

Great advise thank you ❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

You're welcome! Happy gardening!

[@sonyahogan5673]

I love the index card idea for goals!! I'm going to try it!❤

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It really helps to keep things organized!

[@Ginascottage]

Beauty Berry leaves are supposed to be really good for repelling mosquitoes.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That's a great tip! I've heard that too.

[@mariap.894]

Petrina! If you'd like I can share some lemon grass seeds with you! It grows like crazy in my garden ❤ My goal this year is No gardening during the summer 😢😢it was brutal here in SoFlo.

[@stephaniefuller]

I can never grow cucumbers. For some reason they always get diseased and die.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

That’s pretty common. Try to get them producing before May. I start mine in trays early to get them producing before our rainy season starts

[@stephaniefuller]

@@HomegrownFloridaZ9a so I should start them inside now? Then transplant them out or just direct sow them now?

[@levieats2020]

Can you share your medicinal recipes? We want to try more of those on our farm. I’ve made goat cheese from our goats. It’s delicious!

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

I have a playlist on my channel all for medicinals if you want to check that out

[@levieats2020]

@ okay thanks!

[@albertnett7864]

Eat what you grow.😜

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

🤣 So much truth

[@rebeccastephens6447]

I’m still trying to get myself to eat from my garden

[@2021-j2d]

I like the written goal method. This year I’m going to do a better job documenting what I do in a more organized way. Heading in to year three I’ve written everything down but my journal is getting prolific and I’m finding it hard to go back to find things. My garden isn’t as large as yours but we have been eating almost daily from the garden.

[@HomegrownFloridaZ9a]

It's awesome you're eating from your garden almost daily! That's what it's all about. I have the same problem with all my notes too 🤦‍♀️