Melbourne beach, FL

6d ago · 7 zones analysed

Kitchen garden

Before & Concept

Concept is illustrative — not a build spec

Recommended Plants

6 plants

Cherry Tomato 'Sweet 100'

Lower fence-side soil strip, staked to fence boards

Thrives in Zone 10 long warm season; compact for narrow bed; classic basil/marigold companion

Sunlight

Full sun, 6+ hours

Watering

1–1.5 in/week via drip; consistent moisture

Soil

Rich, well-draining amended loam, pH 6.0–6.8

Maintenance

Weekly sucker pruning; tie to fence weekly

Spacing

24–30 in from large neighbors

Seasonal

Plant Oct–Jan; pause June–Aug in peak heat

Tips

Companion basil and marigolds reduce whiteflies/aphids; inspect weekly for hornworms

Genovese Basil

Interspersed in clusters throughout the fence-side strip between tomato and marigolds

Essential kitchen herb; repels whiteflies/aphids; thrives in Melbourne Beach heat; perfect tomato companion

Sunlight

Full sun to part sun

Watering

Moderate; keep evenly moist

Soil

Rich, well-draining with compost

Maintenance

Pinch flowers immediately; cut back by one-third every 3 weeks

Spacing

10–12 in between plants

Seasonal

Year-round Zone 10; succession sow every 6 weeks

Tips

Watch for aphids and slugs; excellent companion for tomatoes and peppers

French Marigold (Tagetes patula, dwarf)

Scattered between basil clusters along entire fence-side strip and as front path edging

Suppresses soil nematodes common in FL; deters whiteflies; attracts beneficials; year-round bloom in Zone 10

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Tolerates poor soil; compost improves bloom

Maintenance

Deadhead weekly to extend flowering season

Spacing

8–10 in

Seasonal

Year-round; most vigorous Sept–May

Tips

Avoid overwatering in humidity; root exudates suppress root-knot nematodes prevalent in Florida soils

Malabar Spinach (Basella rubra)

Midway up the fence-side strip, vining up fence boards with clips

One of the only leafy greens that thrives in FL summer heat; vines on fence maximizing vertical space; edible and ornamental

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Watering

Moderate; more drought tolerant than true spinach

Soil

Average to rich; heat and humidity tolerant

Maintenance

Harvest outer leaves regularly; remove flowers to delay bolting

Spacing

12–18 in; 1–2 plants cover large fence area

Seasonal

Best April–October; slower in cool months

Tips

Generally pest-free; occasional slugs; ideal heat-season spinach substitute

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Upper third of fence-side strip near the deck, as a bold aromatic anchor clump

Zone 10 landscape staple; repels mosquitoes and flying pests; harvestable culinary stalks; heat and humidity thriving

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Well-draining; tolerates sandy FL soils with compost

Maintenance

Divide clumps every 2 years; harvest outer stalks; cut back to 6 in after cold snaps

Spacing

24–30 in diameter footprint; one clump sufficient

Seasonal

Year-round; rebounds quickly after rare cold events

Tips

Near pest-free; natural mosquito deterrent; harvest lower white stalk for cooking

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Left path edge running full length of corridor as weed-suppressing harvestable ground cover

Replaces weedy groundcover; handles light foot traffic; culinary herb; attracts pollinators; evergreen in Zone 10

Sunlight

Full sun to part sun

Watering

Low once established; very drought tolerant

Soil

Well-draining; tolerates poor sandy or rocky soil

Maintenance

Light shear after spring bloom; no fertilizer needed

Spacing

10–12 in for groundcover planting

Seasonal

Evergreen Zone 10; blooms spring–early summer attracting bees

Tips

Virtually pest-free; avoid heavy clay or wet spots; excellent weed suppressor once established

Full Plan

Cross-check with a local nursery

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