Y’all……we have fruit.
I don’t care how many seasons you’ve gardened — the first time you see actual fruit developing on your plants, the first real payoff after all those weeks of planting, watering, fertilizing, trellising, and fighting off pests… it hits different every single time. This week I walked through the gar-deen with the camera to give you a full tour and show you what’s coming in, and I’m not going to lie, I was grinning the whole time.
Let me take you on a zone 9B Florida homestead garden tour — what’s growing, what’s thriving, what’s been a challenge, and what I’m most excited about heading into summer.
The Tomatoes Are Producing
The tomatoes are absolutely the stars of the show right now. After all that work — the deep planting, the fertilizing, the Florida weave trellising — they are loaded with developing fruit and I couldn’t be happier with how they look.
The plants are tall, the stems are strong, and the trellis is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do — keeping everything upright and aired out. We haven’t had the disease pressure I was bracing for, and I think that’s a direct result of getting the trellis in early and keeping the foliage off the soil. If you haven’t tried the Florida weave yet, check out our full Florida Weave Trellis guide.
We’ve got tomatoes at all stages right now — small green fruit that just set, others sizing up nicely, and a few that are starting to blush with color. Getting close, people. Getting very close.
The Squash and Melons Are Taking Off
The squash is going absolutely wild, which is exactly what squash does. The vines are spreading out, the plants look healthy and dark green, and we’ve already had our first squash of the season. There is truly nothing like walking out to the gar-deen and picking something you grew yourself.
The melons are climbing and the vines are getting established. We’ve seen our first female flowers setting, which means fruit isn’t far behind. I’ve been making sure the pollinators have access — we’ve got some flowering plants nearby that have been drawing in the bees, and it’s clearly working.
Sweet Potatoes: Slow and Steady
The sweet potato slips are doing what sweet potato slips do — they kind of look like they’re doing nothing for a while, and then suddenly they explode. We’re in the “quiet phase” right now where the plants are establishing their root systems underground before the vines really take off.
I’ve learned to be patient with sweet potatoes. They’re not dramatic growers in the early stages, but once they hit their stride, those vines spread fast and the plants become almost indestructible. I’m expecting a really solid harvest come fall.
Blueberries and Strawberries Coming Along
The newly transplanted blueberries are settling in, and I’m seeing new growth on several of them which is a great sign — new growth tells me the roots are taking hold in their new location. We’ve got a few small berry clusters developing on the more established plants, which is incredibly exciting.
The strawberries are a work in progress. Florida’s heat is no joke and they’re feeling it a bit, but the ones that are thriving are really thriving. We’ve had a handful of berries already — small victories that mean a lot.
What I’ve Learned So Far This Season
Doing this gar-deen tour gave me a chance to reflect on everything we’ve been through since the first seeds went in and the first raised beds got filled. Here’s what stands out:
Soil is everything. Every single plant that’s thriving right now is in well-amended, well-draining soil. The plants in spots where we cut corners on soil prep are the ones that have struggled. It’s the most fundamental lesson and I learn it fresh every season.
Consistency beats intensity. I’ve had better results this year showing up every day or two for 20–30 minutes than trying to do marathon sessions on weekends and neglecting the gar-deen in between. Plants need consistent water, consistent attention, and consistent care — not occasional heroics.
Pest pressure is manageable when you catch it early. The harlequin bugs, aphids, and cabbage worms I dealt with earlier this season could have been devastating if I’d let them go. Because I caught them early and addressed them quickly, the damage was minimal and the plants recovered. You can read exactly how I handled all three in the Pest Control & Garden Problems section.
The gar-deen teaches you if you let it. Every challenge, every setback, every unexpected success — it’s all information. I’m a better gardener today than I was at the start of this season, and I’ll be better still by the time we reach fall.
What’s Coming Next
We’re heading into the hottest stretch of the Florida summer and the gar-deen will start shifting. Some things will wind down — the cooler-weather crops are already fading. Others will hit their peak — tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, and our tropical plants love this heat.
I’ll keep sharing everything here and on the YouTube channel — the wins, the challenges, the unexpected moments and the lessons learned. That’s what this journey is all about.
Thank you all for following along, for your comments and encouragement, and for being part of the Urban Suburban Homestead community. This gar-deen is growing, and so are we.
Zone 9B Florida Homestead Garden Tour — What’s Growing Right Now
- Tomatoes — multiple varieties, heavily fruiting, Florida weave trellis in place
- Squash — first harvest in hand, vines spreading strong
- Melons — first female flowers set, fruit development beginning
- Sweet potatoes — establishing quietly, vines gearing up to take off
- Blueberries — transplants showing new growth, established plants with small berry clusters
- Strawberries — adapting to the heat, first berries harvested
- Peppers — steady producers, loving the warmth
- Herbs — basil, rosemary, and more doing well alongside the vegetables
Watch the full gar-deen tour video above — I walk through every bed and show you exactly where things stand. If you’re on a similar homestead journey, drop a comment below and tell me what’s growing in your garden right now. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Urban Suburban Homestead YouTube channel so you never miss an update!
