plantation

Apr 5, 2026 · 8 zones analysed

Kitchen garden

Before & Concept

Concept is illustrative — not a build spec

Recommended Plants

6 plants

Genovese Basil

Left third of mulched bed, front-center cluster

Repels whiteflies and aphids, companion to tomatoes, essential kitchen herb that thrives in Zone 10b cool season

Sunlight

Full sun, 6–8 hours daily

Watering

Moderate; keep evenly moist, never waterlogged

Soil

Rich, well-drained amended bed — existing mulched bed is ideal

Maintenance

Pinch flower buds weekly; harvest from top to keep productive

Spacing

12–14 in apart within cluster of 3–4 plants

Seasonal

Best Oct–May; succession sow every 3–4 weeks to avoid gaps

Tips

Rotate location each season to prevent fusarium wilt; pair with marigolds for added pest deterrence

Cherry Tomato ('Juliet' or 'Sweet 100')

Left and right wire trellis cages in the mulched bed

Existing trellis infrastructure is perfect; indeterminate cherry tomatoes produce abundantly Oct–April in Plantation's Zone 10b with excellent disease resistance

Sunlight

Full sun, 8+ hours

Watering

Deep consistent watering 2–3x per week; avoid wetting foliage

Soil

Rich, slightly acidic pH 6.0–6.8; side-dress with compost monthly

Maintenance

Prune suckers weekly, tie to cage, fertilize with balanced veg fertilizer every 2 weeks

Spacing

One plant per cage; cages 24–30 in apart

Seasonal

Plant Oct–Feb; harvest Nov–April; remove before May summer fungal pressure

Tips

Use yellow sticky traps for whiteflies; basil companion helps; inspect for hornworm weekly

Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

Center of mulched bed, mid-zone open area

Thrives in Plantation's intense summer heat when other greens fail; fills the June–October productivity gap; lush tropical foliage also attractive

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Watering

Moderate to high; appreciates consistent moisture in summer heat

Soil

Rich, well-drained; mulch around base to retain moisture

Maintenance

Harvest outer leaves regularly; pinch tips to encourage bushing and prevent bolting

Spacing

12–18 in apart; vigorous spreader — give it room

Seasonal

Plant April–June; harvest through October; replace with cool-season greens in fall

Tips

Largely pest-resistant; handpick any caterpillars; excellent summer gap-filler

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Back fence line along bamboo screen, three clumps centered across the rear of the bed

Year-round performer in Zone 10b; citrus scent deters mosquitoes and flying pests across the entire bed; kitchen staple for Thai and Caribbean cooking; softens bamboo fence visually

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Moderate; drought tolerant once established after 6 weeks

Soil

Any well-drained soil; tolerates existing mulched bed

Maintenance

Divide clumps every 2 years; harvest outer stalks at ground level when stalks reach pencil thickness

Spacing

3 ft between clumps along fence line

Seasonal

Year-round grower in Zone 10b; fastest growth in warm wet season

Tips

Nearly pest-free; citronellal in leaves actively deters flying insects across entire garden bed

African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Ring around the young tree in center-right of bed and front border edge of entire mulched area

Root secretions suppress soil nematodes (critical in Broward County soils); scent deters whiteflies and aphids; attracts beneficial predatory wasps and pollinators; provides bold color

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Tolerates most soils; well-drained preferred

Maintenance

Deadhead spent blooms weekly for continuous flowering; replace plants every 4–5 months

Spacing

18–24 in for African types along fence ring; 10–12 in for front border

Seasonal

Best Oct–May in Plantation; may slow in peak summer — replace or supplement with heat-tolerant varieties

Tips

African tall types most effective against nematodes; avoid overwatering which causes botrytis gray mold

Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus)

Front-left corner of mulched bed as low herb anchor

One of the most forgiving and productive herbs in Zone 10b; essential in Caribbean, Indian, and Mediterranean cooking; strong volatile oils deter aphids, spider mites, and beetles year-round

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Watering

Low; very drought tolerant — among the most forgiving herbs for Zone 10b

Soil

Well-drained; tolerates sandy or amended soil

Maintenance

Trim regularly to keep compact and bushy; root cuttings easily in water for free propagation

Spacing

18–24 in; it spreads into a low mound

Seasonal

Year-round grower in Zone 10b; thrives in both summer and winter with minimal care

Tips

Almost entirely pest-free due to essential oils; excellent front-of-bed deterrent; pair with basil and marigolds for maximum pest suppression

Full Plan

Cross-check with a local nursery

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