Are you new to Florida and finding it difficult to keep a thriving garden? Well, you’re not alone. People want to know how to grow edibles and ornamentals in temperate North Florida. Our soil is like beach sand, so how do we manage plant needs for water and fertilizer?
Walk with us as we recall facts learned during a Master Gardener class. Over the next several weeks we’ll discuss steps to transform a window landscape. In Gardening 101, we’ll go step-by-step to sketch, execute, discuss and demonstrate plant selection and installation.
“Knowing your soil’s pH is paramount.”
“The first and most important thing you can do prior to planting is to have your soil tested,” said Aimee Reisbeck, 2025 Master Gardener volunteer. For a small fee ($10) the University of Florida soil analysis report provides pH and ppm of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Depending on what you are growing, or plan to grow, the report recommends pounds of nitrogen (N), P and K to apply per 100 square feet, 1000 sq. feet or acre.
Collecting a composite soils sample is easy. This links to a web post and video. Download the soil sample form or stop by Levy Extension Center, 625 North Hathaway Avenue, Bronson for a form and instructions. Mail or deliver the composite soil sample, form and payment to the University of Florida, Gainesville.
Our soil analysis report indicates this garden bed has a 7.4 pH, a bubble off neutral toward alkaline.
“This [Master Gardener] class is so much more than I thought.”
Christy Read, Rod Watson, Lee Drawdy and I used the jar method to calculate our soil texture. Soil texture is the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay in a soil. This impacts water and nutrient holding capacity, porosity and ability of roots to grow in that environment.
Non-foaming soap and water was stirred into a cup of soil. Allow particles to settle out over several days. Measure total volume of particles and divide each layer of sand, silt and clay by total volume. Multiply by 100 and graph out on soil texture triangle. We have a sandy loam soil. Florida soil can vary greatly in mineral content and composition.
Light is a limiting factor.
Facing 27A, the front half of the bed receives 8 hours of direct sunlight. As the day progresses, the building shades the back of the bed. By noon, half the bed is shaded. Vegetables would receive enough light in the front half of the bed but will not flower or grow well in the shade. Conversely, dwarf mondo can tolerate shady conditions, but like a potato chip, dries to a crisp if planted in full sun.
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
North Florida receives 52-54 inches of rainfall and most of that falls during the rainy season. Based on Florida-Friendly Landscaping principle #2 Water Efficiently, we’ll group plants and irrigate in the morning and when plants show sign of wilt, but like the eagle pushing her fledglings out of the nest, once plants are established, they are on their own.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping principle #1 is Right Plant, Right Place. Happy plants are better able to resist disease and pest infestation. Matching plants to our light, soil pH and soil moisture conditions is one way to keep plants happy and thriving. Our team has come up with a plant “wish list” based on the site conditions. We hope you’ll follow along on our educational experiment.
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