Related to butternut squash Seminole pumpkins can be hardened off for winter storage. They’re said to have originally been grown by Native Americans in the southeastern United States. They have a wonderful flavor especially when baked with spices similar to pumpkin pie!
Ladybugs are very helpful for pest control in our garden. Here we see a bright red ladybug eating aphids on punterella, an Italian variety of chicory. The ladybugs in our garden are native to the area and were not purchased.
We’re 
very fortunate along the Gulf Coast that we can grow a diverse variety of fruit trees. Satsumas, pictured here in our garden, are related to tangerines and are an easy fruit for beginning gardeners to try.
Cool weather gardening offers a tremendous variety of vegetables. A few minutes harvesting in our garden yielded cabbage, lettuce, parsley, kale, kohlrabi, fava beans, onions, chard, and fennel bulb.
Related to okra, cotton, and hibiscus roselle is a re
al attention-getter in our garden. It loves our hot summers whether rainy or dry. The bright red fleshy “fruit” resembles cranberry in flavor and can be used to make jams, jellies, teas, and chutneys. The leaves are also edible and the beautiful flowers attract hummingbirds.
I really love this plant. It’s beautiful and huge compared to other plants that grow in the cooler seasons. The pattern of glossy green and white is fascinating. But beware the prickly leaves! This is not a plant you want to put next to a path (unless you don’t want anyone actually using the path)!
Milk thistle is related to other thistles, artichokes, and cardoon as well as lettuces and sunflowers.