There are quite a few plants that are adapted to the climate in the Florida Panhandle that can provide food for your family from your yard. In the following video, County Extension Director, Doug Mayo shares how he grows satsuma mandarin trees and rabbit-eye blueberry bushes along the edge of his yard:

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Rabiteye blueberries are adapted to acidic soils that are common in Florida. The fruit are ready to harvest from May through June, depending on the cultivar you select. Fertilize mature bushes (3+ years) 3 ounces per plant of 12-4-8 over a 4-foot diameter circle in April, June, August, and October. Lawn grasses or weeds should not be allowed to grow near the base of blueberry plants.

Satsuma mandarins are cold hardy citrus that can withstand colder temperatures than other varieties, plus the fruit are ripe in November before hard freezes come. The fruit are almost completely seedless with zipper skins that are so easy to peel the everyone enjoys eating them. They are pretty easy to grow and have and taste wonderful. Fertilize mature trees (5+ years) with three annual applications (spring, summer, fall) of 4 pounds of 10-10-10 per tree. Weeds and lawn grasses should be removed from the area under the tree canopy.

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Want to learn more about these plants? Check out the following UF/IFAS publications:

The Satsuma Mandarin

Citrus Culture in the Home Landscape

Blueberry Gardener’s Guide

North Florida Gardening Calendar

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