Hello from Florida, USA

Hi All

What a surprise to find this site! My name is Aimee, I am originally from South Africa.

We're staying in the states for a while and figuring out where we will eventually settle. At the moment, we are renting a house in Florida and because we are renting, I can't go too wild in the garden.

I'm trying to find a balance between lawn culture and sneaking in some things on the borders of the driveway and paths.

We will be buying a house in about 6 months and I am very excited to have a bit more freedom. I have some saplings in pots in preparation.

My husband is focused on resale value and I am focused on food yield and cyclic systems. I see some persuasion and convincing ahead.

Hopefully one day, I can buy my own place outright and just do my thing. This has been my biggest challenge since I discovered permaculture and I imagine for many other people as well. I see Heather Jo Flores finally got her very own place. So happy for her.

Glad to be here. I hope to learn and connect more, not just online but in person too.

Cheers!

Welcome to Permies!

As someone with a non-Permie partner, it is a bit of give and take. Once I started having flowers pop up and obtaining yields from crops, I was entrusted with digging up lawn and replacing it with polycultures.

I might not be able to replace my entire front yard with milkweed quite yet, but I have at least halved my lawn and struck an esthetic balance.

What kind of saplings are you tending?

Hi Aimee,
Welcome to Permies!

I agree with Timothy that it can take time. But keep in mind that fruit trees bring food, flowers, and property value. Cane fruit like blackberries and raspberries can bring some. Perennial shrubs that flower can also add property value while adding food for pollinators. Often times if you keep it neat looking, and on edges or near the house where people are used to seeing flower gardens it can help with aesthetic and monetary value. Some of the less neat looking permaculture gardens are less appealing to the average joe.

Thank you guys!

It's such a lovely feeling to be welcomed.

I appreciate the advice and finding the balance between what looks good and creating a yield will be a great learning experience.

I have a few things I have grown from seed: A couple of avocado trees, some lemon trees and a mango tree. I have been told that my seeds from store bought fruit may not yield the fruit I originally ate.

I am trying to manage my expectations and still planting seeds for the hell of it. If the tree dies, so be it. If I have to graft later on, then there is practice in that.

I'm on a tight budget at the moment. I have been waiting for my US work authorization for 5 months so trying to be as frugal as I can. I'm hoping it comes any day now so I can get a remote job and build cool things like water systems and buy nice seeds and plants.

The local plant exchange has been good too and there are seeds at the library as well. I am grateful for that and the warm hospitality of American people.

Welcome Aimee!

Sounds like you're really on your way. I'm glad you found a local plant swap. Those groups can lead to finding your community in a new city.

I agree that it can be tough to convince others that getting rid of the lawn and planting other food/pollinator food plants can be a challenge.  What I have learned, is that the money-saving piece is a big convincer. If you no longer have to buy all these foods from the store or spend hundreds watering a lawn, it's very noticeable when you look at your budget.

Good luck! I look forward to reading more about your journey.

Hi, Aimee! Welcome, and glad you're here.
I think being aware of constraints and discovering/exploring all the (not so obvious, initially) ways of working within them does incredible things for our own personal growth. I'm looking forward to reading more about your try-it-and-see adventures!
Please let us know how it's going.

Welcome to Florida.      There is a very active permaculture group in St Pete  very close to you.

If you get a chance to get out I recommend a visit to this place...

https://echonet.org

They grow all kinds of edible plants all around the world, and one can learn about these useful plants at this location.

I as a matter of habit kill many seeds trying to get plants to grow it is all part of the plan.

I also think you probably would enjoy this site.

thesurvivalgardener.com

Many tips about growing in Florida..

Peace

Thanks for the welcome Suzanne, Sara and Mart.

Mart - Thanks for the links. I had a look at the sites and they are not for me. I will feel like a heathen and things will get awkward if I get involved.

I do appreciate links to Florida people. Learning about Florida aspects is helpful. Hopefully there are more secular spaces out there.

Sara and Suzanne - I'm flattered that anyone would be interested in my journey and would love to share milestones and accomplishments.

Let's hope I get to put those trees in the ground one day!

Lovely people here - Lots of love.

Maybe check out some of the videos Pete Kanaris (Green Dreams) puts out. His whole deal is edible landscaping. Obviously doing what he does may be a little much, but seeing those yards has moved me out of pure practicality in design and helped me realize it can be pretty too. (Turns out that food plants are just plants that make food! Who knew!?)