PermaSolarPotter6d ago

Our plantain tree is alive but very unhappy about the temperature over the last week. I don’t think it got below freezing around here. It would touch down to maybe about 34°F before sunrise and then the sun would come out and warm things up again.

I’m really not one to stress about these things. You won’t find me running around in the cold trying to cover trees with blankets. Kale, collards & mustards are unphased. Tomatoes didn’t seem to mind too much, either. #Florida #gardening #zone10

PermaSolarPotterJan 12
We’re about to pass through another cold snap here. It will be in the 60s during the day and will drop into the 40s at night, with an expected low of 37°F on Friday night. This is very good for controlling the mosquito population. And this may be the last time it gets this cold before the spring, so we really need it. #zone10 #Florida #weather
PermaSolarPotterJan 12
Pigeon peas, plantains & papaya
#zone10 #EdibleLandscape #Florida #gardening
Show threadPermaSolarPotterDec 29
Another thing I’m very happy about is the way I sought the path of least resistance by turning toward tropical perennial food plants such as pigeon peas. We’ve been growing them for years, but I expanded the variety of perennials in our garden when I noticed how much easier they are to grow than tender annuals. Now, we’ve got a whole lot of both and it feels great. #gardening #zone10
PermaSolarPotterDec 29
I noticed that our bougainvillea has found its way to the top of one of our papaya trees creating this image of tropical winter bounty. @gardening #zone10 #Florida #EdibleLandscape
Show threadPermaSolarPotterDec 22

@gardening First small pigeon peas harvest of the season. I wait until they’ve dried on the branch to harvest because the pods are much easier to open. Then I store the dried peas in mason jars. We also eat some of them green.

This is a great time of year for gardening here. It’s when we can grow tomatoes and brassicas without pest pressure. In spite of these being the darkest days of the year, it’s one of the easiest times to grow in this climate. #zone10 #Florida

Show threadPermaSolarPotterDec 8
Difficult to photograph, but the pigeon peas are prolific as usual. They are sweet and tender green now. I do my big harvest once they’ve begun to dry. Plantain tree is in the background struggling through the dry season but getting help from the large olla at its roots. @gardening #Florida #tropical #zone10 #gardening #EdibleLandscape
PermaSolarPotterNov 20
Another cotton thread. Hehe I didn’t even mean to make a pun. I checked the tree today and notice many bolls had burst, with more to come. I’m pretty amazed at what this plant has produced in just six months, from seed. 🧵 #Zone10 #NativePlants #Florida #FiberArts
Show threadPermaSolarPotterNov 20
The ivy gourd (aka perennial cucumber) has begun flowering. I transplanted it into the ground a few weeks ago. It seems to be struggling a bit, especially for a plant that many claim has invasive tendencies. It’s our dry season, so that’s probably why. I’m interested in seeing the fruit appear. #zone10 #EdiblePerennials #Tropical #Florida
Show threadPermaSolarPotterNov 3
The final stage of the Thai red roselle (or sorrel). I’ve already begun collecting seeds to plant late winter or early spring. #gardening #zone10 #GoneToSeed