Plants to beat the heat

[TCLynx]

Florida can sometimes be real intense and many of the Northern Summertime crops can't take our dead of summer. How bout listing the crops you have been successful with through the heat of summer and what, if any special tricks you used to get them through (like mid day shade or whatever.)

The natural ones to come to mind for me are....
Basil
Okra
Sweet potato
Cow Peas (southern peas, blackeye peas, etc)
Peanuts (though I've never tried them in AP since I'm not sure they could peg. Perhaps I need to try.)

And of course the tropicals
Papaya
Banana
Jicama

[M Cosmo]

http://wcpermaculture.org/planting-schedule-florida

[TCLynx]

There are a few things on that chart that seem rather backwards to me. I usually grow Basil and Nasturtium through the hot season since Basil will only survive winter here if you protect it from frost. Also, the peanuts are a rather long term crop and won't finish up if within the "warm" season periods. I'm usually either harvesting or planting them during the Hot season.
And I would Count the Sunchoke, ginger, and Papaya as perennial so I don't know that they really fit the annual chart.

[Florida Hydroponics]

My Okra is turning into a tree. I didnt realize how big this plant got. Although this is my first time really growing many new vegetables.

[TCLynx]

Where are you from originally? I grew up in Michigan and gardening down here is definitely different. I've got several 4 foot tall Okra plants right now.

Florida Hydroponics said:

My Okra is turning into a tree. I didnt realize how big this plant got. Although this is my first time really growing many new vegetables.

[Ron Thompson]

At least you didn't put half-a-dozen okra plants in a vertigro stand...

If these work out, I'll be doing Southern Pine next year.

[David Hart]

....and scrub oaks, the year after that....:-)

Ron Thompson said:

At least you didn't put half-a-dozen okra plants in a vertigro stand...

If these work out, I'll be doing Southern Pine next year.

[Florida Hydroponics]

I'm originally from this area (orlando/winter garden), but I've NEVER been into gardening. Many plants that Im going now, Ive never grown before - sad to say but I grew up in the consumption/not thinking generation - Im 27. But I have a family now and I've realize now screwed up things are (in many aspects).

My orka tree is probably about 5-6 feet tall. They are starting to produce a pod or two, every couple days. Not a good plant for the greenhouse..haha... its going to be roof level soon.

TCLynx said:

Where are you from originally? I grew up in Michigan and gardening down here is definitely different. I've got several 4 foot tall Okra plants right now.

Florida Hydroponics said:

My Okra is turning into a tree. I didnt realize how big this plant got. Although this is my first time really growing many new vegetables.

[TCLynx]

Might be a big plant for a greenhouse but this time of year, there is only so much that likes that kind of heat.

Of course now during the heat is a good time to start planting for the warm fall season and planning for the cool season. Next spring, sweet potatoes will be a good thing to start to have abundance during the heat of summer.

[M Cosmo]

I planted 120 lettuce plants from 3 week old seedlings I got at Vertigro. My own seedlings are about about 2 weeks away from transplanting. I made a lot of changes in the greenhouse. I will post some pictures to my Album and an update in the Vertical group.
How is everybody else doing?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Great! The photos you shared look wonderful :-)

Today I shared two photos of my research Aquaponic Fish Farm that is still under construction. So far, I have planted about 60 or so red lettuce, 36 or so Basil of different varieties, Swiss Chard, Kale and other leafy greens. I have started a few pepper plants in my gravel beds and planted a few seeds of assorted veggies. All these were started by seeds (mostly from Johnnys Seeds and Seeds of Change). I do not expect spectacular results as I only have new fish systems but I must admit, we are all totally astonished by the growth rate and quality of the American and Genovese Basil. Let's see how the other plants do...So much to learn and share :-)

Michael Cosmo said:

I planted 120 lettuce plants from 3 week old seedlings I got at Vertigro. My own seedlings are about about 2 weeks away from transplanting. I made a lot of changes in the greenhouse. I will post some pictures to my Album and an update in the Vertical group.
How is everybody else doing?

[David Hart]

:-) Ok, so I'm posting in Plants To Beat the Heat in the later part of OCT. Hopefully, I got your attention. :-)

I was at a fall harvest festival yesterday. I was there with a new group, we are forming in Osceola county...."OC Growers", it's a group of local growers and producers, trying to promote the fact that 'we are here'. That yes, there are local grown, low miles foods available.

I met one of the group members and he had brought along some ...'wing beans'. I tried one raw...they are very good.
-They are a perennial (at least for us Floridians).
-They are a tropical plant and 'love' the humidity.
-The vines/bushes can get pretty big ....up to 4 meters.
-The beans are high in protein, up to 40%....with lots of vitamins.
-"ALL" of the plant can be eaten, beans, flowers, leaves, roots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winged_bean

[Dan Ponton]

Do you use a shade house? I am thinking of building one out of 1.5" PVC. Any experience with PVC in central Florida? I am afraid it will not hold up under the sun and heat! I need to protect my garden from the bugs.