Might apply but probably doesn't

Here's a web 'community' I stumbled upon yesterday. Freedom Gardens I honestly wasn't looking. It covers the US and has a great vibe to it and a great philosphy behind it, but as with most general gardening sites, books, and advice it doesn't always apply to Tropical Miami (Gardening Zone 10b-11.)
Which is actually true about everything. When we first moved to Miami in 96, my dear supervisor sent me two books to read ahead of my assignment. They covered wonderful information and their exciting experience in their context. But no it didn't apply here.
Even our laws, especially traffic laws, seem like only suggestions. They don't actually apply. Can you see anywhere else in the country, a vehicle with a home made vehicle tag on cardboard? Surely you remember where the 2000 election of the president of the USA was decided! To vote you don't have to be alive.
This advice will save you a lot of money in buying books. It'll save you time in reading what other people in other places have done. It might apply, but maybe not. It always amazes me and still sometimes surprises me.

Sharing Tropical Gardening Advice

Are you gardening in Miami as well? Please email or post a comment and please consider contributing to this blog. I think we should share as much good advice as we can. But at least add on as a follower.

Lettuce- the lesson for the day

Lettuce here, or at least the type I've planted, needs more shade to thrive. Also lettuce needs to be picked younger before it gets bitter.

Uses for Used Coffee Grounds

No sense in re-creating the wheel. Go to this website for a good list compiled over the last 3-4 years. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf442790.tip.html
Lots of uses include but not limited to- fertilizer, worm food, grass greener, wood or cloth stain, exfolient, and my favorite idea- stuffing for a pin cushion.

Folks don't try to make their friends garden

Gardening doesn't lend itself to the evangelical. However, gardening is incredibly related to my view of Christianity. It's certainly used over and over as fonder for parables in both old and new testaments.
It's patient, for sure. It is slow and careful.
It's based upon a simple and complex relationship. I guess all relationships are complex. In gardening it's soil, seed, sunlight, rain, pollenation, etc.
You can't force it, but it happens naturally as if it were forced.
It's productive. Hopefully fruit is produced.
It can be done alone or with others. I think of the solitary guru on the mountain as well as the communes or abbeys.
But gardening is interesting in that it's not something folks try to get their friends to do. Thought provoking...

Growing Pineapples

Today's subject of interest and eventual research, Pineapples. Here in Miami, it seems a natural to grow pineapple. Of course I was shocked to see my first plant. Our friends Bob and Debbie had a pineapple plant growing at every corner of their pool. She told me how she did it and I was inspired. I've found some others who are growing pineapples.

Here are links to pages that will be more helpful than if I write something on my own.
From Hawii a very informative article, heavy on the science. http://tpss.hawaii.edu/pineapple/pinegrow.htm
A personal article from Southern California http://wierdling.longboys.net/images/pineapples/pineapples.html

Worthy of note: Pineapples like acidic soil. To help that along, sprinkle used coffee grounds in when you plant it, and later around the plant.

Tomato Gardening Tip

In the best case scenario, each blossom will produce a fruit. Maybe not the first couple of blossoms but the second or third bunch should. Mine aren't "setting fruit" so well. So I went researching.
Tomatoes are self-pollenating. Having a pot of tomatoes on your porch up against a wall may mean they won't get enough breeze to blow the pollen around. According to one of the gardening gotta have books, Square Foot Gardening, you can gently shake the plant. The author says it's best to do this at mid-day or early afternoon. I'll keep you posted on my results.

Planting a Relationship

A simple introduction of yourself may seem innocent enough. Hi, I'm Heidi. And you are? Small conversation starts. It's a seed and a seedling. So easy.
Will the plant be a vegetable, a fruit or a weed? You just don't know at the beginning. Watch and see.

It's a Food Driven Book

I get to arrange speakers to share their local insights with interested groups that not only want to volunteer in the community but learn while they're at it. A few summers ago, a local pastor and good friend was asked to speak to a group. He declared, the Bible is a food driven book. I lost all train of thought and focused in. Yes!
It starts in a Garden. In some ways, eating starts the whole SIN thing. It ends in a big party. There are countless feasts along the way. Jesus brings the wine to a wedding feast. When their aren't enough guests the servants were told to get folks off the street. It's beautiful.
What could be less violent? Sitting together and eating. What a great expression of Christ's call to peace. "Eat and drink and Remember me." Ok.