ORIGINAL: geofflambert
I used to grow big beefsteak tomatoes but they don't seem as acid as they used to be. Could be I'm just getting old I suppose. Old people start turning back into kids and eat stuff like Chef Boy-ar-dee and candy and crap like that. [:D] St. Louis moved south a few years back as far as planting zones go. The summer before last I think there was a stretch of six weeks where the temperature topped 100° F every day. A lot of things I used to grow won't anymore. Okra is wooden no matter when you pick them. I've tried two years in a row to grow rhubarb, it comes out of the ground and just withers. I have a friend who gave up on tomatoes too. Hot peppers grow fine (I particularly like the jalapenos) and I have some blackberry plants going. Roses still grow well (some hybrids). I used to grow squash and zucchini, might try that again. Most herbs do fine or at least in spring and fall. Tomatillos do ok.
Found this kind of late. I've never heard of a Santa Rosa Plum. Three years ago I planted a Bruce and a Gold Plum near each other for cross pollination.
Haven't borne any fruit yet. No idea how mature they have to get to start producing.
Florida is a great climate for all but cool weather crops although I do have some cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts growing well so far that I am experimenting with this year.
I have the following fruit trees in my yard:
Loquat x 2
Pomegranate
Fig
Bruce Plum
Gold Plum
Ponderosa Lemon
Key Lime
Banana
Tangerine
Papaya
Nectarine
My vegetable garden is full of tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and peppers of all kinds along with just about every herb under the sun.
Also trying okra, kale, Swiss chard and arugula this year.
Food from the backyard is the only way to go!