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30+ Survival Foods to Grow to Live on Your Garden (in Florida)

Robin Greenfield・25 minutes read

Various plants like yucca, katuk, and sweet potatoes offer a range of edible options for cooking and consuming, while herbs like rosemary and basil provide flavor and versatility in the garden. Additionally, plants such as moringa and elderberry provide nutrient-rich options for homemade supplements and food products, promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Insights

  • Yucca or Cassava is a versatile, high-calorie plant with edible roots and leaves but contains cyanide, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation to avoid toxicity risks.
  • The initiative offers a diverse range of plants, from Katuk to Moringa, promoting self-sustainability by providing nutrient-dense options for food sovereignty, reducing dependence on external food sources.

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Recent questions

  • What are some versatile plants for a garden?

    The Summary highlights various versatile plants suitable for a garden, such as yucca, katuk, sweet potatoes, perennial spinach, okinawa spinach, rosemary, southern pea, cuban oregano, African blue basil, papaya, turmeric, everglades tomato, tethonia, lemongrass, sorrel, loofahs, Biden's Alba, elderberry, and moringa. These plants offer a range of benefits from edible parts to medicinal properties, making them valuable additions to any garden.

  • How can I grow plants that attract pollinators?

    The Summary mentions African blue basil and tethonia as plants that attract pollinators. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you can create a welcoming environment for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These plants not only enhance the biodiversity of your garden but also contribute to the pollination of other plants, promoting overall garden health.

  • What are some edible perennial greens?

    The Summary introduces okinawa spinach, longevity spinach, and perennial spinach as edible perennial greens. These plants can provide a continuous harvest throughout the year, making them a sustainable and reliable food source. With vibrant leaves and easy growth in suitable climates like Florida, these perennial greens are excellent choices for those looking to incorporate more nutritious options into their diet.

  • How can I reduce reliance on grocery stores for food?

    By starting a survival garden with the help of the Food Forest starter bundle mentioned in the Summary, individuals can take steps towards reducing their reliance on grocery stores. Growing a variety of plants like yucca, sweet potatoes, and moringa can provide a diverse range of fresh produce, herbs, and medicinal plants right at home. Donations supporting food sovereignty initiatives further empower communities to cultivate their own food sources, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience.

  • What are some low-maintenance plants for a garden?

    The Summary highlights several low-maintenance plants like katuk, dwarf everbearing mulberry, Cuban oregano, and everglades tomato. These plants require minimal care and attention while still offering valuable benefits such as edible leaves, fruits, and herbs. By incorporating these low-maintenance plants into your garden, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest with less effort, making gardening more accessible and enjoyable for all.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Diverse Edible Plants for Thriving Gardens

  • Yucca or Cassava is a highly caloric plant that can be boiled, mashed, dehydrated into flour, and its leaves are edible when cooked, with cyanide present in roots and leaves.
  • Katuk is a unique-tasting green that grows well in shade, suitable for salads, sautéed greens, and soups, thriving under large trees.
  • Dwarf everbearing mulberry produces berries for months, suitable for community gardens, while Florida mulberries have larger, sweeter berries and are nematode-resistant.
  • Sweet potatoes are edible both in tuber and greens form, with some varieties producing more tubers than others, and a four by eight-foot bed can yield around 40 pounds of sweet potatoes.
  • Perennial spinach, like Longevity spinach, can produce year-round and cover large areas from a few cuttings, ideal for salads and sautéing.
  • Okinawa spinach and longevity spinach are perennial greens that can die back but often regrow, with vibrant purple leaves and easy growth in Florida.
  • Rosemary is a resilient herb suitable for cooking and garnishing, growing into hedges and bushes, eliminating the need to purchase from stores.
  • Southern Pea or cow pea acts as a ground cover, nitrogen fixer, and edible pea pod, aiding in soil health and providing food.
  • Cuban oregano has a milder flavor than Greek oregano, suitable for garnishing, cooking, juicing, and smoothies, with medicinal properties.
  • African blue basil attracts pollinators, has a unique flavor, and is joyous to have in the garden, offering a different taste from Italian basil.

15:31

"Versatile Plants for Health and Sustainability"

  • Papaya is a plant that grows abundantly and thrives, making it a valuable addition to one's diet.
  • Turmeric is a highly productive plant that can be grown successfully, providing medicinal benefits and joy.
  • Everglades tomato is a small but flavorful tomato that can self-sow and produce abundant fruit year after year.
  • Tethonia is a versatile plant that can be used to build walls, enrich soil, and attract pollinators with its sunflowers.
  • Lemongrass is a prolific herb that can be used to make tea, soups, and curries, and easily propagated by cuttings.
  • Sorrel, also known as Florida cranberry or hibiscus, is a plant that grows throughout the summer and can be used to make tea.
  • Loofahs can be grown to make sponges for various uses, including dishwashing and body scrubbing.
  • Biden's Alba, or Spanish needle, is a nutritious and medicinal plant that can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • Elderberry is a versatile plant that can be used to make syrup, champagne, and edible hedges.
  • Moringa, also known as the vitamin tree, is a nutrient-dense plant that can be used fresh or dried to make powder for a homemade multivitamin.

30:57

"Food Forest Starter Bundle Supports Food Sovereignty"

  • Food Forest starter bundle includes all necessary plants from cuttings or seeds
  • Donations support food sovereignty initiatives for community gardens and schools
  • Enables individuals to start a survival garden and reduce reliance on grocery stores
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