Lady Florida. Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 While a lot grows in Florida, and Central Florida in particular where I live, the only thing I think that's grown commercially on a large scale near me is Indian River Citrus. Oranges, grapefruit, and lemons mostly. For some reason I don't know of limes growing around here. There are a few small farms that grow berries and some vegetables, but not enough to really count as local crops. A little further away but within driving distance there is corn and strawberries (in two different directions). Much farther south sugar cane is big. The largest cow-calf ranch in the U.S. is near here, though I don't know if you'd count this as a crop. They don't sell the beef, but instead sell the cattle. It's the Deseret ranch, which is owned by the LDS church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Commercially cattle (beef and dairy) and oranges are the big ones here. On a smaller scale but still commercial production levels we have strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Of course there are smaller farms that grow veggies, but it is a hard business here. Florida being a giant sandbar and all, the soil is awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Of course there are smaller farms that grow veggies, but it is a hard business here. Florida being a giant sandbar and all, the soil is awful. I always shake my head when people make the blanket statement about how it's cheaper to grow your own vegetables. Yeah. No. By the time we turn our sand into workable soil, we've spent way more than we'd spend on just buying the food. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I always shake my head when people make the blanket statement about how it's cheaper to grow your own vegetables. Yeah. No. By the time we turn our sand into workable soil, we've spent way more than we'd spend on just buying the food. :D So true. Dh and I have been adding compost and mulch to our garden every year for 6 years now. It is finally not awful, but still far from great. We keep trying though! We have also learned to stick with thing that grow here on their own, even poorly. That way when we put them in our sort of not entirely sandy garden they thrive, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I always shake my head when people make the blanket statement about how it's cheaper to grow your own vegetables. Yeah. No. By the time we turn our sand into workable soil, we've spent way more than we'd spend on just buying the food. :D We are on clay and I also have a raised bed (filled half-and-half with my own compost and top soil). The things I planted in the open ground - apart from the swiss chard, which seems bomb proof - are really struggling, whilst the plants in the raised bed are doing really well. Soil makes an enormous difference. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We are on clay and I also have a raised bed (filled half-and-half with my own compost and top soil). The things I planted in the open ground - apart from the swiss chard, which seems bomb proof - are really struggling, whilst the plants in the raised bed are doing really well. Soil makes an enormous difference. L I have raised beds too, but that's why it costs more. I have to buy the makings of soil (I do compost but am not always patient enough to wait for it to be ready). Even though I do grow some things, I'm spending a lot of money to grow them. It's still cheaper for me to buy produce than to grow it. My backyard vegetable garden is merely a hobby garden. I'd go broke trying to feed us from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Forgot flax! And alfalfa.... Trees and peat moss, too, but not exactly grown as crops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a27mom Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We have a huge variety. But primarily corn and soybeans. Our county is king for agriculture in IL. The other large commercial crops: Pumpkins (IL is the biggest pumpkin producer in the US) Wheat Dairy Hogs Also on a smaller scale: Cattle Chickens Sheep/goats Local vegetable and fruit farms. Maple syrup farm A little bit of everything- except those that require year round warmth. Oh and other large commercial harvest: Wind At least 60 turbines visible from my window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Beef, some dairy Chickens Corn Soybeans Hay But there's also Sod Apples Peaches Pumpkins Blueberries, blackberries, red and black raspberries, strawberries Cherries Goats Pork Alpaca Veggies Wheat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 For the most part we have feed corn, soybeans, and downstate there are tons of chicken houses. Some farms are more diverse, but when you look at the majority of the primary farmers in the state, they typically rotate feed corn and soybeans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.