What I Have Already Done

Edibles Already Planted

Citrus:
Oranges: Valencia, Navel, Hamlin, Dancy Tangerine, Key Lime, Nagami Kumquat, Meyer Lemon
Tropical Fruits: Surinam Cherry, Longan, Loquat, Carambola, Jaboticaba, Bananas (Praying Hands and Dwarf Unknown), Peanut Butter Fruit, Papaya, Pineapple
Tropical Vegetables: Chaya, Malanga, Cranberry Hibiscus
Traditional Vegetables: Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato (in pot)
Traditional Fruits: Wild Plum, Cantaloupe
Herbs: Lemon grass, Rosemary, Catnip (in hanging basket), Peppermint (in hanging basket)
Edible weeds: Wild Portulaca (used mostly for birds)

In Pots, but Not Yet Planted:
Unknown Avocado
Barbados Cherry
Two Unknown banana pups
Wild Purple Scuppernong Grape Vines

The Vegetable Garden Spot

I had a vegetable garden for a couple of years when I first moved here, but that became the compost pile, and was taken over by a huge Mexican Sunflower Tree, which I need to remove. Anyone who has one of these will realize that is not such a small task. I also had a small backyard hibiscus nursery, which went away after the hurricane season of 2004 (Charley, Francis, Jeanne, Ivan...need I say more?) That spot has been covered with black plastic for four years now, which I think is sufficient time to kill most everything underneath it, except the fire ants. I plan to build a raised bed there, 4' x 8' to start, then slowly extend it down the entire length of the back yard. I also plan to try lasagna gardening in the first bed, just to see how it will work, as I have access to a lot of organic matter I could use.

The sunniest spot in my yard is not in my backyard, however. It is in my front yard and western side yard. I have yet to figure out how to plant vegetables there that won't be eaten by passing children or unscrupulous neighbors, but I'm sure I will figure something out. I've already planted a banana tree there, and am looking toward planting chaya, which is something not many people recognize as an edible, and is truly a beautiful ornamental. I may also put my Barbados Cherry there, or move my Dancy Tangerine to the front, as it usually has all its blooms blown off by the winds coming out of the northwest in the spring. Putting it in the front yard would protect it from those winds.