Arlene's Urban Homestead

My name is Arlene, but everyone calls me Arly! I am a mom and wife before all else. But there is so much more to me. I studied culinary arts the Johnson and Wales University. I graduated in 2006 and have been the family resident chef since then. My son lovingly calls me “The House Chef”. You can say they are spoiled when it comes to food choices.

About 2 years ago I became very serious about learning self sustainability. I believe that the world is moving in a way that those who can provide for them themselves will be ahead of any crisis. Money is great, but its not the answer to all problems. Preparedness and know how always seem to prevail. So I decided to become knowledgeable in where my food comes from. This is the only way to make appropriate choices in the foods we eat for my family.

I started a small garden. Trying out tomatoes trees and bell peppers. Those are the most expensive and most used produce in this house. I failed. The pests ate my garden to bits. I got nothing out of my garden. All that time wasted. I decided to research some more and not give up. I tried again. Hydroponics. I failed. I tried again. Raised bed. That was better. But we can continue to up the ante. Garden boxes. Planters. Pots.

Seasons. Crap. Seasons matter. Every plant likes to grow under certain conditions. Just because you need a tomato in January does not mean the tree wants to grow then. And then there are companion plants. Who grows well with the other? Do these guys play nice? Can I plant Tomato with Cabbage? Nope. I have read books and books only to realize that most of the garden books are not geared towards the South Florida gardener. Spring and summer are huge growing times in the northern zones but down here, the deluge of water from the rain storms and the 100 degree weather will murder any hopes of a garden. This is our equivalent to winter. It took me far too long to figure this out. i have to have a winter garden. Literally everything is abundant in the winter in South Florida. At the beginning of June. We are done. See you again in September.

This year, I am trying out something new. I planted VERY Hot peppers. They survived. The peppers love the heat. and everything else hates it. I dried them and keep them for chili flakes. I started my tomatoes in April. I planted them in the Garden Box in July. Crazy, I know. But they are doing great. I figured this will be my fully backwards year. I will try everything the “wrong” way and see how it goes. We do not have freezing cold temps and snow to kill the crops, but over watering from rain and the hurricanes will destroy all of it.

Wish me luck. I will keep you updated. I will be planting seeds in August to start my garden for the fall and winter. I hope to be growing squash and greens and many more. Hopefully this will be my “Great Garden Year”!