Plants for the Florida Panhandle
OK, I get it, plants are kind of vague, and there are thousands upon thousands that could be on the list. So my thought was to give you some plant names that may not be as common or come to mind right away. Some of these may be root crops, and others may be types of grain/grass. So if you want to change up your garden a bit and try something new, then keep reading, as there is something for you on the list below.
Don’t forget to come back from time to time to take a look at the list again as it will be added to as time goes on, as well as other posts in the blog, as I will do deeper dives into the specific plants, what they look like, how they grow, how and when to harvest and a recipe using each plant. And if you haven’t read my prior posts on bushes, vines, and trees for the garden space, then you’ll want to read those as you wait for my next post to drop.
Where needed, I will add an * to signify those that are natives to Florida. Also, if you know of any plant that grows super easily in the area that is not on the list, let me know, and I’ll get them added.
Plant
Daikon Radishes(Raphanus Sativus) – a large and mild-flavored radish, great for the cooler part of the year.
Ginger(Zingiber Officinale) – Prefers partial shade. Start harvesting after the second year.
Malanga (Xanthosoma Sagittifolium) – prefers a wet soil. Look up callaloo soup for a tasty soup using the leaves. Roots are edible as well.
Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens) – Not a true spinach, but can be used in place of spinach. It enjoys the warmer weather, unlike true spinach. In zones 9-11, it can be a perennial, which could be stretched to zone 8 with proper protection.
Okinawa spinach (Gynura Bicolor) – Very similar to the Longevity spinach, a part of the same family, but has purple on the undersides of the leaves.
Everglades tomato (Solanum Pimpinellifolium) – This tomato produces loads of blueberry to cherry-sized tomatoes with great flavor. This is one tomato that has zero issues in the area. It can be a short-lived perennial in zone 8+.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum) – Not native to Florida, but is native to America. The Leaves and flowers have a sweet licorice-like flavor and can be used in teas, baked goods, and salads. It is a Perennial
Bee balm (Monara Genus) – Can be used as a tea. Great plant for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. This is also a perennial.
New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetagonioides) – Another warm-weather spinach substitute. This is also a perennial in zones 8+
Pigeon Pea (Cajanus Cajan) – This is a tall plant that sends up a single stock and bushes out at the top. Plant after the chance of frost, the plant will grow all year, flower in the heat of the summer, and produce loads of peas in late summer into fall. It can take a little while to know exactly when to harvest by feeling the peas. But once you get a feel for it, you are rewarded with a pea that has a hint of cucumber (or at least it does to me). A favorite for the whole family.
Prickly Pear Cactus* (opuntia Humifusa) – It goes without saying that this one can make a good point. But the paddles and the prickly pear are edible once you get past the thorns. The paddles have a green bean-like flavor and get slimy when cooked. The prickly pear is great for flavoring ice cream; it needs some sugar to bring out the flavor.
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) – A common spice that enjoys growing in the panhandle. Let the plant get established prior to harvesting the roots. And make sure you leave some, as it is a perennial in zones 8-11
Egyptian walking onion (Allium x Proliferum) – A very tasty Perennial onion that is worth growing in every garden.
Sun Artichoke* (Helianthus tuberosus ) - also known as Jerusalem artichoke, and fartichoke as they can cause an increase in gas after consumption.
Sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor) – This is a gluten-free grain that is super dense for nutrition.
These are a great place to start when researching vines to add to your garden. Pick your top three and figure out where you could add them to your garden. Remember to keep the placement in mind so they grow without casting a shadow on your raised bed.
Come back again next week, when I will be breaking down some of the plants listed over the past few weeks. Adding diversity to your garden will benefit your garden space and increase the good bugs, such as bees and butterflies, as well as the fruit you will get to harvest as they mature.
If you haven’t started your garden yet or are looking to increase what you have, we can help. A personal consultation, either in person or online, will get you on the right track. Forget the learning curve, start in the right direction. If you are not in Florida, we can still get you going in the right direction with the right plants for your climate.
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