Hello! I'm a new gardener seeking and collecting data to start growing mostly fruits and vegetables. I'd like to find catalogs and information about the best times to grow different plants, especially since here we don't have winter as such. Temperatures fluctuates from around 60: to 90: year round, and since I'll be growing my plants near the Yunque Rain Forest we have dry periods but 2/3 of the year are quite rainy. Is anybody there with a similar situation?
Thank you!

Carmen:
I have grown tomatoes,peppers, melons, basil etc in the environment you have described.
Buy a calabaza and throw the seeds in the soil,stand back and in 3 months enjoy your squash.
Lack of water can be a problem, but mulching helps.
There are organic calcium supplements that will help with the problem of blossom end rot caused by lack of water.
Right now our problem is lack of sun, and there is no solution for this.
Check out http://www.biconet.com/ for products to help with any problem.
Most are organic in nature .
The people at the site are friendly, knowledgeable and ship here without any problem.

Paz para Vieques

Hi Carmen, I live in Hawaii, and have found that the best thing to do is look around and see what everyone else is growing. Look, then ask them. Some things grow for me, and others just don't. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason. I have lemons that won't quit, and an orange and a tangerine tree that just can't get going. I can't figure it out. Good luck!

Carmen - In addition to squash, I have found okra,sweet potatoes and yams do well in the heat. melons are a good choice too, but be prepared to water them if you hit a dry spell. Good luck!

Hi! I live in zone 10, about 120 miles north of Key West, Fla. My situation might be almost similiar to yours. According to the Florida Coop. Extension, my tomato and pepper planting season is August to March. Cucumbers and melons need the warmer part of the year, but before it gets too hot and (humid!), or there is more problems with disease. I use soap spray and Bt for the bugs,(handpicking too!) I had some good luck last season with bush beans. I discovered that cherry tomatoes keep going til July! Even with humidity and temps of 96. Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment!...DeepSouthZone

Hi, Vieques... I've been trying to find also a "ciruela roja o ciruela viequense" tree. Do you know anything about it? How can I get one?
Thanks for your reply! It was most valuable!!! Carmen

Thanks!! Good advice. I've started to do just that, ask everybody about everything! I've actually learned a few things through this asking "adventure so far.

Thanks, Texas Tom. I'll try all those. Recently we had 6 weeks of steady rain! But the sky has been clearing up and now it is raining less frequently and temperatures fluctuate between 65-85:.By the way... what is the difference between sweet potato and yams? We call it batata here, but only now of white or yellow "batata".
Carmen

Thank you Lisa for your ideas! I found some messages here and was so thrilled. Now I don't find myself so alone. I've found many new gardening in similar areas-friends! Your information is very helpful. I took notes from all the ideas to use them really soon!
Have I experimented! I planted two blackberry plants and they are growing great so far! My neighbors can't believe this!
Carmen

Carmen
I have never heard of such a tree. I know of a red "jobo" but no "ciruela". "Ciruela" means prune
I hope that is some help.
If you get time, check out www.netexplosion.com/vcgc

Now there is something I haven't tried yet, but not to fear, trying is a big part of the fun! My husband lived 1/4 mile down the street from me when we were kids. He told me that he used to get all scratched up trying to get as many raspberries, blackberries, and mulberries in him before his mom called him for dinner. He got in plenty of trouble for the berry juice all over his shirt, messy hands and face! He remembers there were a lot of berries on those canes. I was surprised, I didn't know they could grow that good here, especially wild and unmaintained. So, I'll get out the books and read up on planting and care, thank you Carmen, for this idea!

Hi, Vieques:
The red "jobo" may be what i'm looking for. Do you know how I can get seeds or a little tree? When I was a child I used to visit some friends there and always remembered that tree and especially its fruits. Can you help me find one? I live in the San Juan area but spend weekends in Canovanas where I'd like to plant this tree. Just tell me what I can do. Thanks Vieques
Carmen

Hello Lisa
The plants I bought are from an add I found in OG. These are Doyle thornless Blackberries from Severtson Farms. You can contact them trough
www.fruitsandberries.com and they are in Texas.
Good luck,

Carmen
I'll ask a few friends and let you know their answers

Thanks! Loved all about your Children's Gardening Club. Just wrote a note to encourage them and seek more info. I'm a teacher in Rio Piedras and would like to develop a school elective class to teach the basics of organic gardening when I feel more confident about what I have learned and practiced. Please, do let me know if you find out anything about the red jobo, ok?
Carmen