Dan Jones

Papaya jerky. Thick slices of fresh papaya. Light sprinkling of sea salt on one side, light sprinkling of course sugar on the other, overnight in the oven @ 200 degrees (a dehydrator would be better). Not THE best thing I ever ate, but good sweet/salty snack that utilizes my free supply of papayas!

Fear of Bird Flu, Peak Oil, and the general TEOTWAWKI lead me to start "Prepping". I soon realized that true "Survival and Preparedness" has to include elements of self sufficiency and sustainable production of food. Along the way, I discovered that homegrown food is healthier, safer, cheaper, and tastier. Then I found out that I ENJOY working in the yard, planning, growing, and harvesting. Permaculture isn't just the way to individual survival, but the way to survival of our species and our planet as we know it.

Thanks all. I am doing a LOT of trial and error. Slowly but surely, I am progressing. Operating here, in South Florida, is different then "the books". I'm learning to embrace that and work out the details.

I asked an elderly gentleman what he was groweing and what "the season" was for it. His reply was, "It's Florida. I grow everything all the time." So...in some sense it is NOT as complicated as I am making it out to be!

My current experiment is to plant "winter veggies" in the shady areas, along with the perennials you guys mentioned. Blackberries seem to be happy in the shady spot were the blueberries died. Will try some sweet potato and pigeon peas along the shady back corner and see how that goes.

Over the last 2 years of my adventure, I have learned the two biggest words in my vocabulary; Micro Climate! To elaborate on Brenda's post, It amazes me that you can put two identical plants 2-3 feet apart, give them identical care, and 1 will die and 1 will thrive! WHAT THE HECK is going on in that three feet?

Nick, first "Thank you". I've had tremendous difficulty finding information, specific to my South Florida location.

I don't see banana, papaya, pineapple, or chayote on the list. These are the bulk of my program. They are all CHEAP to grow (pineapple, papaya, and chayote coming from grocery store "waste", and bananas reproducing like rabbits). They produce mulch (not the pineapple so much), require little care, and look nice. Other than the pineapple, they are very fast growers.

Check your Solid Waste Authority for free compost/mulch. Our soil is probably pretty similar, ie retains water like a seive! I knew mulch was important, but after watching the Return to Eden video and discovering free mulch at the SWA, I have made importing this stuff my number one priority!

I'm slowly, but surely, turning my back yard into a food forest. I've run into trouble, though, with shading. Much of my 1/4 acre is shaded by much larger trees to the south and west. Consequently, most or all of my area is shaded, even more so in the winter when the sun's path is farther to the south. I know in nature, there are stories or layers of a forest, but I'm having trouble recreating that in my yard. For example, 7/10 of my blueberry plants died from too much shade. I moved the remaining three into full sun and they are growing sure and strong.

How does one do "close plantings" of various sized plants and trees and still ensure that each gets enough sun?