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Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) is a tropical vine that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida. It is known for its unique, flavorful fruit and its beautiful, fragrant flowers. However, it’s important to note that passion fruit is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, so it’s best to grow it in a protected location or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months. If it does die back during winter months, it may still return when temperatures consistently rise again.

When choosing varieties of passion fruit to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some cold hardy varieties for central Florida include:

‘Incense’: This variety is known to be one of the most cold-hardy passion fruits, withstanding temperatures down to 30°F (-1°C).

‘Nellie Kelly’: This is another variety that can tolerate colder temperatures than most passion fruits, withstanding temperatures down to 32°F (0°C).

‘Sweetheart’: This variety is considered to be cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 28°F (-2°C)

And there is the native passion flower/fruit known as maypop (passiflora incarnata).

Passion fruit prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and warm weather. It can be trained to grow on a trellis or fence, or it can be grown in a container. When planting passion fruit, make sure to space the plants about 6-8 feet apart, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Passion fruit requires regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer. Passion fruit vines are heavy feeders, so they will benefit from regular fertilizing.

Passion fruit vines can be propagated from seed or from cuttings. When planting from seed, it’s best to use fresh seed as the germination rate is low for old seed. When propagating from cuttings, take cuttings from vines and root them in a rooting hormone. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted to its final spot.

Passion fruit plants are generally self-fertile, meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that a single passion fruit vine can produce fruit without the need for another vine for cross-pollination. However, it’s worth noting that the overall fruit production and fruit size may be improved with cross-pollination of different varieties.

In terms of reseeding, passion fruit plants can produce seeds that will germinate and grow into new plants. The passion fruit plant will produce seeds inside the fruit, which can be collected and planted. However, seed-grown passion fruit plants may not be true to the parent plant, and may be less productive.

Some varieties of passion fruit are known to be hybrid, so seed from those varieties will not produce plants identical to the parent plant. In that case, the only way to propagate is by rooting stem cuttings.

Passion fruit takes about 1-2 years to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the skin turns from green to yellow or purple. To harvest, simply cut the fruit off the vine with a sharp knife.

Passion fruit is a nutritious and flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh, used to make juice, or used in cooking and baking. The flowers of the passion fruit vine are also edible and can be used as a garnish or in salads.

Passion fruit is a flavorful and nutritious fruit that can be grown in a food forest in central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold-hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the vines from frost and cold temperatures. A passion fruit vine can produce a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit for many years.

Avocado (Persea americana) is a tropical fruit tree that can be grown in a food forest in Central Florida, but it’s important to note that it requires a warm and frost-free climate, and it can be challenging to grow in this area.

When choosing varieties of avocado to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some cold hardy avocado varieties for Central Florida include:

Varieties that are not suitable for low temperatures include ‘Donny’, ‘Dupuy’, ‘Simmons’, ‘Pollock’, ‘Nadia’, ‘Hardy’ and ‘Waldine’. On the other hand, cultivars such as ‘Tonnage’, ‘Taylor’, ‘Lula’, ‘Kampong’, ‘Meya’ and ‘Brookslate’ are more cold-hardy and rarely survive below freezing temperatures (24°F – 28°C). F) can also withstand. ). 

Moderately hardy species include ‘Beta’, ‘Choquette’, ‘Loretta’, ‘Booth 8’, ‘Hall’, ‘Monroe’ and ‘Reed’. 

The most cold hardy varieties include Mexican-Mexico hybrids such as ‘Brogdon’, ‘Ettinger’, ‘Gainsville’, ‘Mexicola’ and ‘Winter Mexican’ that can tolerate temperatures in the low 20s. 

When planting avocado trees, it’s important to choose a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Avocados prefer warm weather and high humidity, making them well-suited to the climate in Central Florida. Space the trees about 20 feet apart, and make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Avocado trees require regular watering, but be careful not to over-water, as they do not tolerate soggy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.

Avocado fruit takes about 3-5 years to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the skin turns from green to black. To harvest, simply cut the fruit off the tree with a sharp knife or pruners.

Avocado fruit is a nutritious and versatile fruit that can be eaten fresh, used in cooking, or made into guacamole. The leaves, bark, and seed of the avocado tree also have medicinal properties.

Avocados are propagated by grafting a desirable variety onto the root stock of a hardy and disease-resistant avocado tree. This makes sure that the tree will be able to survive the cold temperatures, but it will still produce the fruit of the variety that was grafted on.

Another important factor to consider when growing avocado trees in Central Florida is that avocados require a specific type of pollinator, known as a “B” type avocado, to produce fruit. This means that you will need to have at least one other avocado tree of a different variety (preferably a “B” type) in order for your tree to produce fruit.

Avocado trees can be grown in a food forest in Central Florida, but it’s important to choose cold hardy varieties and to take extra precautions to protect the trees from frost and cold temperatures. Grafting the variety you want onto a hardy root stock, and having a pollinator nearby, will also increase your chances of success. With proper care and attention, an avocado tree can produce a bountiful harvest of nutritious and delicious fruit for many years.

Lasagna gardening, also known as sheet composting, is a method of gardening that involves layering organic materials to create a nutrient-rich soil bed for planting. This technique is called lasagna gardening because it involves layering materials just like one would layer lasagna noodles and sauce in a baking dish.

The concept of lasagna gardening is simple – instead of tilling and turning over the soil, you layer organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, and compost on top of the existing soil to create a healthy growing environment for your plants. It’s a way to compost in place. As the layers decompose, they release nutrients into the soil, which nourish the plants. It’s sort of a bottom up approach as opposed to top dressing with compost or fertilizer to eventually drain down. And it mimics the way nature does it when vegetative matter falls to the forest floor in various layers and subsequent seeds sprout up out of it.

Lasagna gardening has many benefits. It requires less work than traditional gardening methods because it does not involve tilling the soil, which can disrupt the soil structure and destroy beneficial microorganisms. It also conserves water because the layers of organic materials help to retain moisture in the soil. Additionally, lasagna gardening is an excellent way to repurpose yard and kitchen waste, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Lasagna gardening is suitable for a variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers. It works best in areas with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight.

To create a lasagna garden, start by selecting a site and gathering the organic materials you will need. Then, layer the materials in the right order to create a nutrient-rich soil bed. The layers will break down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil and creating a healthy environment for your plants. Once your lasagna garden is established, it requires minimal maintenance, and you can continue to add layers of organic materials as needed.

This method is not only a great way to repurpose kitchen and yard waste, but it also helps to conserve water and suppress weeds. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a lasagna garden layering:

Step 1: Choose Your Site

The first step in creating a lasagna garden is to choose the right site. Look for a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and make sure it’s large enough to accommodate the size of your garden. Keep in mind that you’ll be building up layers of organic materials, so you’ll need enough space to do so.

Step 2: Gather Materials

The next step is to gather the materials you’ll need to create your lasagna garden. The beauty of this method is that you can use a variety of organic materials, including:

• Newspaper or cardboard
• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Compost
• Manure
• Straw or hay
• Wood chips
• Coffee grounds

Try to use a mix of brown (carbon-rich) and green (nitrogen-rich) materials to create a balanced compost pile.

Step 3: Layer the Materials

The key to lasagna gardening is layering the materials in the right order. Here’s how to do it:

• Start with a layer of newspaper or cardboard to suppress weeds. Wet the material thoroughly to help it decompose faster.
• Add a layer of grass clippings or leaves. This will provide a source of nitrogen for your plants.
• Add a layer of compost or manure. This will help to add more nutrients to your soil bed.
• Add a layer of straw or hay. This will help to create air pockets and improve drainage.
• Repeat these layers until you’ve built up a bed that’s at least 12 inches deep. You can continue to add layers as you have materials available, but make sure to top it off with a layer of straw or leaves to help retain moisture.

Step 4: Plant Your Garden

Once you’ve built your lasagna garden, it’s time to plant your seeds or transplants. Make sure to dig a hole in the layers to plant your seeds or transplants directly into the soil. As the layers decompose, they’ll create a nutrient-rich environment for your plants to grow. If your materials are still sort of large and bulky to plant seeds in, I will usually add in some compost or soil into the layers to plant seeds. Then the layers will break down into the soil in the hole you just dug over time.

Step 5: Maintain Your Garden

Lasagna gardening requires minimal maintenance once it’s established. You can add more layers of organic material as needed to keep the soil bed healthy and weed-free. Make sure to water your garden regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.

Lasagna gardening layering is an easy and effective way to create a nutrient-rich soil bed for your plants. It’s an effective, sustainable, and low-maintenance method of gardening that can yield bountiful harvests while conserving resources and reducing waste. By following these steps, you can create a sustainable garden.

Here is an excellent demonstration by David The Good on how to make a lasagna garden bed.

Star fruit, also known as carambola (Averrhoa carambola), is a tropical fruit tree that is well-suited for growing in a food forest in central Florida. It is a fast-growing, productive tree that is known for its unique, star-shaped fruit and numerous health benefits.

When choosing varieties of star fruit to grow in your food forest, consider selecting a cultivar that is well-suited to the specific growing conditions in your area. Some popular star fruit varieties for central Florida include:

‘Arkin’: This is a sweet variety known for its crisp texture and high yield.

‘Golden Star’: This variety is known for its sweet, juicy fruit and yellow skin.

‘Maha’: This variety is known for its sweet, juicy fruit and tolerance to disease.

Star fruit prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and warm weather, making it an ideal fruit tree to grow in central Florida. It can be planted directly in the ground or in a container, but make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Star fruit trees can grow up to 30 feet tall but can also be pruned to stay smaller for easier management.

Star fruit can be propagated from seed or from cuttings. When planting from seed, it’s best to use fresh seed as the germination rate is low for old seed. That’s true of many tropical trees and plants. When propagating from cuttings, take cuttings from semi-hardwood and root them in a rooting hormone. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted to its final spot.

Star fruit requires regular watering, but be careful not to over–water as it does not tolerate soggy soil. Water it about 1-2 inches per week, or when the soil is dry to the touch. It’s also important to fertilize the tree regularly with a balanced organic fertilizer. Star fruit trees are heavy feeders, so they will benefit from regular fertilizing.

Star fruit trees are fast-growing and productive, but they can be affected by pests and diseases. Common pests include fruit flies and scale insects. Common diseases include anthracnose and leaf spot. It’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases, and to take appropriate action if necessary.

Star fruit is ready to harvest about 6-8 months after planting. The fruit should be picked when it is fully ripe, which is when the skin turns from green to yellow or orange. To harvest, simply cut the fruit off the tree with a sharp knife.

Star fruit is a nutritious fruit that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s often eaten fresh, but it can also be used in a variety of dishes, including smoothies, salads, and desserts. The fruit can also be pickled, or made into jams or jellies.

Star fruit is a flavorful and nutritious fruit that is well-suited for growing in a food forest in central Florida. It is easy to grow and care for, and it provides a unique flavor and many health benefits.

This list isn’t all the way refined, but I generally consider it my master list of permaculture food forest plants to try to keep in stock at my nursery that are appropriate for central Florida, specifically our zone 9a. Most of these plants are the cold hardy varieties listed and may get knocked back in very cold spells like what we had in the 2022-23 season, but should sprout up again quickly in the warmer weeks following. I’ll link each one of these in the near future with their appropriate planting and care blog article here on this site. For now, use this to get some ideas for your food forest to get started on your design. Or, if you’ll be visiting our nursery, use it to highlight your priority plants you’d like to acquire.

75 Edible Perennial Food Forest Plants for Central Florida

1. Moringa Oleifera PKM1
2. Cranberry Hibiscus
3. Elephant Ear (Malanga)
4. Taro
5. Blackberry/Raspberry
6. Florida Cranberry (Roselle)
7. Seminole Pumpkin
8. Longevity Spinach
9. Okinawan Spinach
10. Malabar Spinach
11. Basil
12. Culantro
13. Ginger
14. Turmeric
15. Sweet Peppers
16. Hot Peppers
17. Sweet Potato
18. Papaya
19. Star Fruit Tree
20. Avocado Tree (Del Rio, Pryor, Fantastic)
21. Passion Fruit Vine (Purple possum or Maypop)
22. Blueberry (Rabbiteye or Southern Highbush)
23. Banana (Cavendish, Grand Nain, Orinoco)
24. Fig Tree (Celeste)
25. Barbados Cherry (Acerola)
26. Surinam Cherry
27. Red Mulberry
28. Aloe Vera
29. Loquat Tree
30. Katuk
31. Chaya
32. Cassava
33. Lemon Grass
34. Citrus Trees (Satsuma orange, kumquat)
35. Pomegranate Tree
36. Pineapple Guava
37. Mango Tree (Edward or Haden)
38. Pineapple
39. Mint
40. Peach Tree (Florida Glo, Florida Prince, UF Best, And UF Gem, Tropic Snow, Tropic Beauty)
41. Beautyberry
42. Everglades Tomato
43. Tea Plant
44. Jerusalem Artichoke
45. Sunflowers
46. Chayote Squash
47. Pygmy Date Palm (Roebelleni)
48. Walking Onions
49. Elderberry Tree
50. Native Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
51. Strawberries (Sensation, Brilliance, Medallion)
52. Olive Tree (Arbequina)
53. Pecan Tree (Curtis, Elliott, Excel, Lakota, and Sumner)
54. Chickasaw and Flatwoods Plum
55. Tree Collards
56. Sorghum
57. Amaranth
58. Carlos Muscadine Grape Vine
59. Elderberry Tree
60. Jujube Tree (Chinese Date)
61. Bamboo
62. Sugar Cane
63. Ashwagandha
64. Mushrooms
65. Pigeon Pea
66. Dioscorea Yams (Name, Alata)
67. Cuban Oregano
68. Strawberry Tree
69. Macadamia Nut (Waimanalo, Beaumont, Vista Hybrid)
70. Prickly Pear Cactus
71. Jaboticaba
72. Goji Berry
73. Curry Plant
74. Yaupon Holly
75. Cherimoya