South florida is a world apart. Go to the florida forum, there are some experts there.

Agree that the Florida Gardening forum here would be your best bet for advice.

I know from reading other FL posters that it isn't so much that you have to use different varieties but that your planting times is so very different from those used by most of us that gardening there is totally different. South FL is essentially southern hemisphere gardening - so winter is your gardening season.

As for "repellant plants", that's a highly debated technique which most seem to find has little benefit no matter where one gardens.

Dave

PS: and don't forget to make use of all the resources available from your local county Ag extension office too

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening in Florida

I believe that the problem may be the plants you are buying, and what season you are planting them in. If you buy your plants from a big mega store like Home Depot or Lowes, you run the risk of buying plants that are heavily dependent on fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. I would recommend you grow your garden from seed, and follow a planting guide.You can check out our Facebook page for free info on planting and seed selection.

Quick bits of advice would be;
Grow from heirloom seeds
Grown in season
Grow organically
Plant companions

Even people with a black thumb should have no problem growing a beautiful garden if they stick to those few guidelines. Hope this helped, feel free to contact me at flseeds@live.com or here for more information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Facebook Page

I grew a container garden in south FL for several years. It's a fabulous climate for gardening! Just don't expect broccoli and peas in summer. See link for planting calendar.

As mentioned above, fall winter and spring are the only times worth growing many of the traditional annual veggies.

Look into tropicals! First of all, get some pineapples going! There is nothing more satisfying than growing a pineapple, tons of youtube on how to start from the tops of storebought pineapples.

Sweet potatoes!

Ginger, lemongrass, turmeric do fantastically.

Grow mangoes, coconuts, loquats, bananas, citrus!

Some exotic summer veg are malabar spinach, kang kong (ipomoea aquatica), asian winged bean, Moringa Oleifera.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/calendar/index.html