Hello, my name is Tammy and I have analysis paralysis
-Stock photo-not me and not my cabbages-
When is the best time to plant a tree? The age old answer to this question is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree? Well, that would be today.
Since retiring a month or so ago I have been struggling to figure out just what I should be doing to facilitate the creation of a food forest of sorts. It's been nearly seven years since moving to this property and boy, did I have big plans then.
Between one thing and another those plans got derailed and the hopes and dreams of those first days were placed on the back burner. But now, there is nothing holding me back, nothing redirecting my attention, nothing stealing my time and yet.....the struggle continues.
There is such a wide variety of edibles that can be grown in my zone 9b central Florida garden. Fruits include tropicals and subtropicals like banana, pineapple, guava, mango, papaya, oranges and avocados. More temperate fruits like peaches, pears, figs, grapes, and berries of all sorts also thrive here.
There are fruits that push the boundaries of my growing zone like coconut, jackfruit, and breadfruit that like it warmer and rhubarb, gooseberries, and currants that like it colder. These things I've ruled out as they are too finicky for me to start with.
That doesn't even touch on the vegetables, herbs and spices that can be grown here. My gardening goes on non stop, 365 days a year. My dilemma lies not in the choice of plant material but in where to plant, what grows best with what, what should not be planted together, what to prune and when to prune it and on and on it goes.
I feel as though I have read the entire public library on this subject and yet I am paralyzed by fear and indecision. What is there to be afraid of? Failure? Somebody will laugh at me? Putting my lack of knowledge on display?
Enter analysis paralysis....overthinking a situation causing a cessation of forward motion. Perhaps I need to hire a professional to draw up a plan for me. I do not shy away from the physical work, but I feel way out of my element here. It should be possible to provide a good portion of my fruit and vegetable needs as well as supplying some produce to family and friends.
So far I am 100% self sufficient in eggs, lemongrass, ginger and turmeric. Best to shake off that analysis paralysis and get to growing something as I won't survive long on eggs and tea.
Holly, WOW. Tamara, where have you been! I didn't realize you were back. I hope you're doing fine.
Woot Woot!! I have been here but mostly not hahaaa. Actually I just retired so will be around much more now. Don't say I didn't give you fair warning LOL. The leadup to my retirement was so, so busy and I am thrilled to be out of there. Thanks for stopping by! !LUV
@tamaralovelace(1/1) gave you
Go for fast growers like herbs and salad crops to build your momentum up! I grow pineapples in Thailand. So slow and take up far too much room but it's nice to also plant trees that will take time to mature like papaya and mango. We just had our first and last advocado after 8 years from seed. We had to move the tree to make way for a new house and it died!
Anyway, just bung some seeds in and don't over think it...looking forward to pictures :-)
Oh wow, I grieve the loss of your avocado tree! The reason behind it makes it acceptable 😂
I love the idea of the fast growers and herbs do very well here, though the salad crops only do well during our cooler winter months. I will start slinging those seeds and see what happens 😃
Thanks for stopping by and I would love seeing your pineapples!
!LUV
Grown from a top about 18 months ago, this has been a relatively quick grower.
I love seeing them grow!
My god, you can just about grow everything there. I understand your paralysis. Start small and choose three things and add another the next year then the next. In no time you will be laughing!!
Good idea! I did pick up a couple blueberry bushes today and plan to get them planted tomorrow. I would
love to have a 'Food is Free' stand by my front gate. I saw a table in town a couple years back that had bananas and oranges on it with the sign 'No need to be hungry...this food is free' . That thought has stuck by me ever since :)
!LUV
I have blueberry bushes!! They arent very bushy but they do produce blueberries. Over here it is a battle to get them before the beasts do. You name it we have it. It is hard to grow anything in this weather we get
If they produce then you are ahead of the game. I have to use netting to protect some of my fruits and even then some get eaten. I will just double my plants and let them take their share but woe to them when they leave me nothing LOL
I should improve my netting. I am quite a shit gardener. Lol!
Did you have naturally acidic soil or did you go through the whole sawdust and ericaceous compost routine? My only attempt at blueberries when I had an allotment in Leeds, years ago was rubbish but yet my cranberries did great !
I dug them in with the compost. My soil is acidic but unfortunately like dense clay as well. They do alright but not great. I never thought of cranberries. Those would be good uns to grow!
@tamaralovelace(1/1) gave you
I can understand your dilemma! I’m the same way, I want to make everything a 100 percent correct from the beginning. But not even if we are professionals that would be true. Nothing is ever perfect.
I’m also the kind of person that will read loads on a subject but have a hard time to get started. I like it much more with some real life mentoring. Perhaps there is some community on social media that are also “homesteading” and where you could ask someone to come over. Offer some eggs and lemongrass and why not a cold beer as well, they will help you for sure !
That's a great idea! There are many such groups local to my area and in fact I have joined a few of them already. Mostly I just observe but it seems as though I will have to dip my toe in the water and actually engage lol. That's one of the most valuable lessons Hive has taught me...you have to talk with people 🙂
!LUV
I understand where you're at. I was struggling with what skill I would like to acquire for becoming a freelancer. I was vacillating between proofreading and bookkeeping. I chose to start with a proofreading course because I have some experience in that area. I will focus on that till I complete it and have clients. It did help that there was a Black Friday sale on the proofreading class that made it very affordable. Hope this helps in some way
Oh that's fantastic! I love a sale and when it helps with making a living all the better LOL. With many jobs moving virtual you should have a decent clientele I would think. Once you get rolling you may not even have time to pursue the bookkeeping path! Thanks for stopping by!
!LUV
That is a great thought! Thanks very much for the good wishes! Have a great day! 😀
!ALIVE
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@tamaralovelace(1/1) gave you
Hope you are very well!
Take care.
Thank you! I am well here although I seem to be way behind on my to do list lol. I have been spending nearly all of my time getting ready for gardening season. I hope to soon be posting again. I adore your photography and of course, the cats :D. Remain well, my friend!
Oh dear.. I think yo should just go ahead and plant whatever with the Intuition you already have. You've studied them already.
I've been in situations of overthinking and analysing and not getting results and not doing or achieving anything.
Just take a step and everything gets behind you.
Great idea! I planted a few rounds of seeds today (lettuces) and will continue along the same path! Thanks for stopping by 😀
!LUV
@tamaralovelace(1/1) gave you
🤗
Thank you for the reblog of https://www.vybrainium.com/vyb/@crrdlx/compare-and-contrast-vyb-with-pob. It's appreciated. :)
!LUV
@crrdlx(6/5) gave you
I don’t have much knowledge about planting cycles, etc. I just plant what I wanna eat!! The need to prevent weeds from growing wildly madd me plant bamboos and bananas! I am still part-time at the farm; I should be able to plant more herbs and medicinal plants next year!
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Hi! You are still feeling lazy?! No new posts or photos!?
Hope you are doing very well!
Each line is filled with fun. Thanks for giving us this analysis dear.