John Tomson

Hi Megan,
  I just recently moved to the Tampa area (Lutz) and have been reading much about what grows well here. Things I have noticed during local walks are very healthy starfruit trees and a beautiful mulberry. I had a nice long chat with the folks at Jene's nursery in St. Pete, and based on their advice I just planted mulberry, lychee, mango, fig, and passion fruit. They've been in the ground for a week and already nice new leaves are budding. I'll keep posting on how everything is doing. I'd love to hear more from folks who have been in Tampa awhile to get other opinions on what thrives here.
John

Thanks Mike. Already checked there and so far not much is posted about zone 9b in Florida. Would love to hear what locals have to say.
  Hoping to learn,
     John

I am new to Tampa, Florida (zone 9b), but have already noticed several carambola trees (Averrhoa carambola) growing almost wild and producing copious fruit. Am hoping to read about other fruit trees that do so well here.

Hi Meagan,
  I just moved to the Tampa area and now have a small plot (1/2 acre). It's currently planted with traditional grass, a few oaks, some saw palmetto, and a lone carambola. I am eager to plant a "food forest" and have been reading Gaia's Garden and several books by David the Good. Of course I would like to do much gathering of information before I plan out my plantings this spring. Like you, I am in zone 9b. Could you please list the fruit trees, ground covers, etc. that have grown really well in our zone? Also any other resources you found particularly useful in the Tampa area?
 Hoping to join the club of permaculture,
    Many thanks,
       John