It's cheaper to keep shopping at Publix!
And you'll get a much better harvest.

Why not just add the veggies into the garden. I have tomatoes and peppers near the hot tub. Herbs near the tangerine tree and pineapples in any open space. My garden is small, but if you just let them grow with in other plants they will do great. There is nothing like relaxing in the hottub munching on a fresh tomato

Saitpfla,
I have been trying to grow veggies for a while now. In the ground, and then in raised beds. Last year we have bought to my father in law a present: earth box, and planted some tomatoes. He harvested so many tomatoes almost work free (just adding water) compare to my harvest (which was much much much less) and based on everyday effort of watering and weeding, and fertilizing, not to mentioned preparing the soil in the bed, summer solarizing, and I don't know what else am I forgetting. Since that eye opening experience, we have bought 10 earth boxes, and most of my veggies are grown in them. This is my second season with EB, but I recommend them very much. Also, sun space in my garden is as well prime space, so we drag these boxes to use up every sun spot in the garden (they are heavy but move able, compare to raised beds). So, if you starting from the beginning, I would recommend earth boxes.
But I have to agree with Treefrog, it is overall cheaper to buy in Publix, but then they are not as good and healthy (at least that is how I rationalize my spenditure ;-)
Veronika

I got to thinking about this due to viewing some of the folks pics our here...people are growing their own coffee, loads of exotic fruits, barrels of veggies...dang...I'd starve to death having to rely on myself for sustenance. I have to say, I am impressed and a little bit jealous too.

Yeah, it is spring. I always get the spring garden bug and start planning on the BIG '08 VEGGIE HARVEST. Then, the heat and the bugs ruin my fantasty along with my newly planted veggies.

Maybe I'll just sit down and wait for this idea to pass....

I have seen people with earth boxes fail at tomatoes also so I am not totally sold on them.
A raised bed can look like a sand box. Usually a rectangle though.
I place wet sheets of paper or cardboard on the bottom to suppress weeds then add manure and compost,etc. Prepare and make it a goal to begin your small veggie patch in late September or October.
To start REALLY simple put a pepper plant in a pot.
Another simple method is to buy a bag of compost or manure and while the bag is laying there cut a hole in the bag.Plant a tomato seedling RIGHT in the hole of the bag.
The hot summer months are not so good for gardening, Enjoy the summer by reading everything you can on FLORIDA gardening. Call the county ext and ask if there are any programs you could attend.Volunteer at some community gardens.

Thanks, Goldenpond! From what you have described, I already do the 'raised bed' approach with my flower garden. Instead of outlined in timber, I use stone/cement edging. Then, I lay down the newspaper layers, add soil, etc and mulch.

Why do they call it a 'raised bed'? The term is what confused me.

Are there any good summer veggies to plant in Florida? Perhaps that is why my cucumbers failed so miserably?

Summer veggies have to be more tropical here. Not what you're used to buying in the grocery store. Things like chayote, calabaza, malibar spinach, katuk, green papaya, culantro, basil, eggplant, certain chile peppers, southern peas, pigeon peas, malanga, boniato, sweet potatoes, purslane, ginger, there are others.
For more familiar North American vegies fall is the time to grow them.
Mix them in around your ornamentals, as george said. Many are quite pretty that way.
I remember one winter doing a border of curly parsley along a client's front walkway. They loved it and the comments they got from every visitor. They were never at a loss for garnish.
Eggplants and chile peppers are also very attractive landscape plants.
BTW don't feel bad about the cukes. Not many people around here can grow them to fruition because of the vine borers and powdery mildew.

I like to concentrate on melons and squash in the summer. I still grow cherry tomatoes and peppers seem to love the heat!But watermelons YUM!
Our English language has many ridiculous words that have way too many meanings! I guess I understand the raised part ,why they started calling garden patches beds is unknwn to me. I did hear that plants don't like to sleep in a wet bed ! In other words water early in the day.
We use the composite decking so it doesn't rot. I have a blueberry patch done this way and it allows me to adjust the soil accordingly.Don't forget to try some of the hanging gardens if your space is limited.

"Raised bed"- the level of soil is above the regular ground. Can be simply mounded into planting areas, with no border, or have sides of wood, stone, whatever to hold the soil in place. Raising the level you plant in allows good drainage and the use of low areas in your yard. Also usually makes weeding easier.

I make raised beds for nearly all my plantings. Some are bordered by hacienda stones, some with RR ties, some with wood, and the biggest raised beds are low, long hills that my orchards are planted on. We used to get badly flooded here, so we had to build up the rootzone areas so the trees wouldn't drown.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Raised bed veggie gardens

GCmastiffs: you are living my dream -- wow! I love your yard...your patch of gardeners paradise! Does it take most of your time to maintain? I bet you never have to go grocery shopping...very cool!

...and Gus and the Wagon - he is just adorable!! - as adorable as a dog that is the size of a pony can be! :)