33317

Apr 6, 2026 · 8 zones analysed

Kitchen garden

Before & Concept

Concept is illustrative — not a build spec

Recommended Plants

6 plants

Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen')

Foreground foundation strip near gate

Heat-tolerant kitchen herb that repels aphids and spider mites; thrives in Zone 10b filtered light and anchors the companion planting scheme.

Sunlight

Partial to full sun, 4-6 hrs filtered

Watering

Moderate; keep evenly moist, avoid waterlogging

Soil

Rich, well-draining, amended with compost

Maintenance

Pinch flower heads weekly; replace every 4-6 months as plants go woody

Spacing

18 inches apart; cluster of 3 plants

Seasonal

Succession-sow every 8 weeks year-round in Zone 10b

Tips

Neem oil for aphids; iron phosphate bait for slugs in wet season

Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'Solar Fire')

Foreground chain-link fence, first panel from gate

Heat-and-humidity-tolerant Florida variety; uses vertical fence space in narrow corridor; classic companion to basil for pest deterrence and flavor.

Sunlight

Full sun, 6+ hrs; position at canopy gap

Watering

Regular deep watering 2-3x per week; drip irrigation ideal

Soil

Deep, fertile, pH 6.0-6.8; slow-release tomato fertilizer

Maintenance

Weekly tie-up to fence; prune suckers; fertilize every 3 weeks

Spacing

24-36 inches from neighboring plants

Seasonal

Best production Oct-Feb; can grow year-round with management

Tips

Neem oil for whiteflies; handpick hornworms; improve airflow to prevent fungal issues

Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus)

Mid-corridor beneath window awning along foundation

Nearly indestructible in Zone 10b; tolerates partial shade under awnings; strong aromatic oils repel insects; essential in local Caribbean cooking.

Sunlight

Partial shade to full sun; adapts to filtered light

Watering

Low to moderate; very drought-tolerant once established

Soil

Any well-draining soil; tolerates poor or sandy conditions

Maintenance

Trim monthly to keep bushy; propagate by cuttings easily

Spacing

18-24 inches; one or two offset clumps

Seasonal

Evergreen year-round in Zone 10b; no dormancy period

Tips

Virtually pest-free; treat occasional mealybugs with rubbing alcohol on a swab

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Mid-corridor against chain-link fence

South Florida culinary staple; natural citral oils repel mosquitoes and soft-bodied insects along the walking corridor; adds structural ornamental clump.

Sunlight

Full to partial sun

Watering

Moderate; tolerates brief drought once established

Soil

Well-draining; tolerates most South Florida soils

Maintenance

Harvest outer stalks from base; divide clumps annually in spring

Spacing

3 feet per clump; one clump in this zone

Seasonal

Grows year-round; cut back hard in early spring to refresh

Tips

Generally pest-free; improve airflow at base to prevent rust fungus in wet season

Malabar Spinach (Basella rubra)

Background section of corridor trained up chain-link fence

Vining leafy green that thrives in South Florida heat where cool-season spinach fails; uses vertical fence space beautifully; continuous harvest year-round.

Sunlight

Full to partial sun

Watering

Moderate to high; consistent moisture improves leaf quality

Soil

Rich, composted; pH 6.0-6.8

Maintenance

Harvest leaf tips regularly to encourage branching; tie new growth to fence weekly

Spacing

12-18 inches at base; two plants trained along fence

Seasonal

Perennial in Zone 10b; peak production in warm season; may slow Dec-Jan

Tips

Neem oil for occasional aphids; relatively pest-resistant overall

Okinawan Spinach (Gynura crepioides)

Low border in front of Malabar spinach and bare soil gaps throughout bed

Nutritious shade-tolerant ground-cover green ideal for palm-filtered light; fills bare soil gaps as living mulch; purple foliage adds ornamental value.

Sunlight

Partial shade to filtered sun; ideal for this corridor

Watering

Moderate; keep consistently moist

Soil

Any fertile, moist, well-draining soil

Maintenance

Harvest outer leaves regularly; trim to prevent legginess

Spacing

12 inches apart along border

Seasonal

Year-round in Zone 10b; most vigorous in warm months

Tips

Iron phosphate bait for slugs in wet season; otherwise very hardy and low-maintenance

Full Plan

Cross-check with a local nursery

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