Florida Blooms During A Bitter Northern Winter

Much of the U.S. is under winter’s chill or covered in snow and ice. Here in Florida, everything is popping with spring-like color, defying the calendar. The Sunshine State is basking— some say baking— in temperatures reaching the middle to upper 80’s. Living in the Tampa Bay area this time of year is glorious. I look at my garden and enjoy all the color nature provides. The azaleas are blooming with brilliant purple and pink flowers. My window boxes are overflowing with bunches of impatiens.

Beyond the color, there is the joy of planting vegetables in my EarthBoxes. If you’ve never gardened with EarthBoxes, you’re missing an opportunity to easily grow your own food with less water and fertilizer than conventional gardening.

These innovative grow boxes funnel water to a reservoir from which plant roots draw their nourishment. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund , has shipped EarthBoxes to third world nations challenged by drought to create a sustainable food supply for struggling families. About fifteen years ago I met EarthBox inventor Blake Whisenant at his Ellenton, Florida nursery and EarthBox Research Center.

At that time Blake was in his mid-70’s and nimble as a man half his age tending to his sprawling EarthBox garden. Blake died at the age of 88 in 2018. This humble farmer left a legacy for future generations to grow fresh healthy food while living in harsh conditions. In my EarthBox garden, cauliflower and Brussels sprout are thriving in Florida’s winter of warm days and cool nights. An assortment of potted fresh herbs, from rosemary and sage to basil and parsley, are also flourishing and adding flavor to my prepared dishes.

The winter harvest is great. So are the blooms. I can’t wait to see what spring will bring!