We’ve just entered spring, a wonderful season where nature blooms back into life bringing vibrant colors adding to the happiness of the warm South Florida sun. Whether it’s your first time or you are a seasoned pro, gardening can provide a much-needed escape from the daily grind by offering a connection with nature. Not to mention it is a great stress reliever and can improve your mood as well.
“It gives you hope,” Ian Wolinsky, an expert in sustainable agriculture, says. Wolinsky, who is a personal chef and farmer, began learning how to care for plants on his grandfather's farm, where he would help as a child. Today, he avoids using synthetic chemicals or pesticides to grow his food because, as a personal chef, he knows first-hand that food tastes better when grown organically. “It gives you an understanding that life does re-create itself.” He has been a leader in the Sustainable Urban Farming movement throughout Broward and Sarasota and is known to help people build garden beds, teaching others how to grow their own food.
We’ve all heard the buzz words “sustainable farming,” but what does that mean really? Sustainable agriculture or farming is an umbrella term used for growing food using methods that will nourish the environment. It is an alternative to mainstream industrial farming practices. “Sustainable farmers seek to support community health and well-being and to work with nature, while still being profitable businesses,” states that nonprofit news organization sentientmedia.org.
Growing plants and knowing which ones will thrive can be tricky because of the options available and specific weather patterns South Florida has. Matt Boyson, Supervisor from Mounts Botanical Garden, located in West Palm Beach, shed some light on the matter. “Before planting a garden or choosing trees for your home, consider placement. Place larger trees farther from your home. A vegetable garden requires at least six hours of direct sunlight and needs to have an easy water source. When placing ornamentals and flowers think about sun conditions and where your eyes will catch the color,” he says.
When planting crops in the spring, one should consider cool-weather vegetation and plants. Some examples of sustainable crops to plant during the season in South Florida are broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, beets and cucumbers. There are many popular herbs that thrive in spring and work wonders in the kitchen as well. Try basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, mint, cumin and coriander. For those looking to gain some color in the yard, gorgeous flower beds like gerbera daisy add pops of pastel yellow, vibrant orange, violet or red. Consider incorporating purslane into your garden — the succulent is partial to warm weather and blooms flowers that provide an array of breath-taking colors.
Don't let spring pass by without taking advantage of the season!
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