Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida
Delicious produce from seed to table“A wonderful and well-researched book that describes all aspects of organic gardening, from seed to harvest, as well as how to gather seeds from your labors for subsequent years. This book will help you create a garden that will produce food for yourself and your family, whether you live in Florida or not.”--Nell Newman, president of Newman’s Own Organics“With demand and desire exploding for fresh, healthful, locally grown produce, Ginny and Melissa are right on time. Hold a copy close, dig a plot, and grow your own!”¾Michel Nischan, president of Wholesome Wave“If you want to grow your own vegetables organically but are unsure how to get started—this is the book for you.”—Steve Christman, Floridata.com“An excellent addition for any Floridian interested in raising food, either on a small-scale commercial basis or simply for the pleasure of seeing a garden grow.”—Marilyn E. Swisher, coeditor ofManaged Ecosystems: The Mesoamerican Experience With food costs on the rise, people are turning to their own backyards for affordable and delicious produce.Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Floridahelps amateur gardeners get closer to their food and save money. It is also an invaluable guide for small farmers who wish to expand their operations in order to participate in farmers markets or CSAs.           Experts Ginny Stibolt and Melissa Contreras provide  simple and accessible advice for successful vegetable gardening in Florida, where soil types vary and mild winters do not clear out all pests. They offer suggestions for opportunities beyond the home garden, advice on what to do with over-abundant harvests, and strategies for developing a community garden. Stibolt and Contreras also address pest management, appropriate bed types, irrigation, seed saving, proper harvesting, and food safety.          Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Floridaarranges plants by family to help growers design their crop rotation schemes and features some unconventional but robust Florida native plants that are suitable to grow alongside traditional vegetables, such as meadow garlic, tomatillos, Seminole pumpkin, spotted horsemint, jicama, and prickly pear. Ginny Stibolt, botanist, lifelong gardener, and garden writer, is the author ofSustainable Gardening for Florida.Melissa Contrerasis a Miami-Dade County Master Gardener and founder of the Urban Oasis Project.