Miami, Florida means South Beach and Coconut Grove to lots of people. But I spent the last 48 hours surrounded by Miamians who have so much to teach me about how to garden and live within the cycles of nature.

Miami means palms and mangos to many. But I spent the last 24 hours with people who grow food and flowers, fruits, wheat grass and bulbs.

I went to this amazing commune sort of the place –a permit culture farm. 15 or so people live in a treehouse, growing their food with chickens, emus, goats and bees. They catch rain water, use composting toilets (that work beautifully) – all in the middle of the city.

I went to see, to lay back, to learn lessons, start to figure out how I want to tell the world that gardening needs to change. It needs to mimic nature a bit more. Be less fussy and more soul satisfying.

Garden Lessons from Florida

Feed your soil. Great soil makes for great plants. I have one area of my yard where I take all the pruning, leaves etc. Id never put all that great organic matter out on the street for the city to take away to some dump.

Let your grass grow high. I know, some people dont want you to have it it all. Save time and gas in the mower by cutting grass at 3 inches.

Get a rain barrel. Not only does it save energy, but rain water is SO much better for your plants.

Get a dwarf fruit tree, one that is easy care. Stay away from peaches! Look for Strawberry Guava or Dwarf Mulberry. Or, add three blueberry bushes, different varieties all planted right in the same hole or pot. I have blueberries mixed in my perennial border and guave used as a hedge at the back fence.

Plant a low palm as a center piece of your perennial border. Silver saw palm or dwarf palmetto takes no care, no extra water, loves heat and all those crazy summer perennials can smoother it — it will still look great next winter.

Get some bees. Or talk your neighbor into getting some. Bees pollenate fruit plants that you eat, that birds and other wildlife eat and provide honey thats really good for you.

Plant a luffa vine for shade. They’ll grow fast, help cool you and give you great fruits for scrubbing your body this fall!