January Wellness Challenge: Grow a plant

In this revised and updated 2nd edition of Florida Gardener's Handbook, gardeners in the Sunshine State are handed all the know-how they'll need to grow a lush, productive garden. The environmentally sound growing info for both edible and ornamental plants found here is your green thumb map to success. With profiles of more than 300 plants proven to thrive in Florida's unique climate, including shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, vegetables, fruits, tropical plants, lawn grasses, and more, you'll be able to select the best plants to create a beautiful landscape or a high-yielding edible garden. Helpful charts highlight sun and shade requirements and offer clear and concise plant variety information. Month-by-month care and cultivation guides are offered for each plant group, guiding your journey--even if you're a first-time Florida gardener.

Imagine transforming your yard into a garden of Eden. Fruit trees sway overhead, berries and flowers burst forth from the shade, and alongside soft paths sweet potato vines intertwine with passionfruit and native wildflowers. Though the air, bees and butterflies buzz and flutter, spreading pollen and beauty in their cheerful wake.You can make this happen in a startlingly short period of time. You don't need to over-plan or over-think. Spacing isn't super important. You can start with seeds, cuttings or potted trees. You can even plant a decent food forest just by visiting your local international market and collecting seeds and roots to plant.Your limitation is your imagination. Florida wants to grow forests. Before development and clearing, our region was a verdant jungle - a land of lush foliage and beautiful flowers. We can create that flowering jungle again and tailor it to serve us by growing plants and trees that provide food, beauty, wildlife habitat, building materials and fuel.Create Your Own Florida Food Forest shares how you can make your Florida food forest dream a reality.

Updated in this second edition, this essential guideprovides simple and accessible advice for successful vegetable gardening inFlorida.