The sage advice from Gary (above) is good for all south Florida gardeners planning to install a pond. These photos show parts of the ponds we installed in the large (36' x 60') screened enclosure in our own Florida garden. It's in Naples (Zone 10b), where we carefully chose a location whose water table is deep enough so that our garden is never flooded, even in the rainiest summer season. We top off the water level about once a month, only in the dry winter season. The screen cage keeps out any falling leaves, and minimizes excess heat in the hottest days of summer. (Clicking on each photo will enlarge it to show greater details.)The ponds we installed were added solely for their attractive features, giving us the opportunity to admire dozens of species of underwater and floating aquatic plants. The blooming water lilies, papyrus, lotus, pickerel reeds and other flowering plants have added a high value to our property. The lively movements of the hundreds of goldfish and other fish species swimming through the aquatic vegetation further enhance the beauty of the ponds. We haven't added any koi because of their voracious appetite for water plants. The screened enclosure protects the fish from being eaten by the beautiful but hungry herons, egrets and other predatory birds flying overhead. The enclosure also serves as a pool cage over our swimming pool, covering our 24' x 36' patio and the well-planted garden area within the enclosure. It creates our own outdoor dining area which we use every day, protected from any mosquitos. We also hold free gardening classes beside the ponds for members and visitors of our Gardeners of Southwest Florida group.The two-hour classes are given on weekends two or three times a month throughout the year, often taught by professional horticulturists. They're also held in the gardens of many of the other members of the group, so that those who attend can see each host's favorite plants and gardening techniques. Everything in the group is free: membership, classes, plant exchanges, snacks, drinks, etc. Over 1,300 families with gardens around Naples and Fort Myers are current members of the group, and more are always welcome. Anyone wanting to learn about creating ponds, choosing appropriate aquatic plants and fish, and many other techniques of gardening in this semi-tropical area of Florida can instantly join the Gardeners of Southwest Florida group for free, with no obligation. Hundreds of photos and full details of the 123 previous classes and upcoming classes are available on the group's extensive and informative website at www.meetup.com/FloridaGardeners.Shown above: Group co-leader Peter Kacalanos, tending to a stand of cattails.

I have two FlordaSun peach trees and I'm in Alachua County. I planted them in January of 2012. They did not break dormancy until mid-April last year. Several people on this forum told me they were likely goners, but that happily was not the case. The trees did not bloom last year but I didn't expect much since they were new. So far this year the trees are still dormant. Given what happened last year, I'm not concerned yet. These peaches are supposed to require 300 chill hours, and they've had well over that, but it was the same last year even though we had an early spring-- they got their chill hours earlier in the winter.

I think you're too far south and we had such a warm winter last year, too. I live in Stuart, right on the coast and the local edibles nursery told me to forget it when I asked about any of the low-chill stone fruit. They're low-chill, not no-chill and if my area is too warm (except for way out west), for sure Miami is. We certainly didn't have more than about ten chill hours here last winter, so you can't have had more than that, and those trees need an absolute minimum of 100, preferably more, just to survive. You might look into the Ceylon peach, which has the lowest chill hours of anything peachy, or go with the flow and look for something more tropical. There's plenty of stuff you can grow in Miami that won't grow even this far north. Also, big box stores are your very worst option for any kind of fruit tree. They sell what the distributor has in stock, not what is suitable for your area. You must do your own research and not rely on the fact that they're in the corral at HD or Lowes to make your choice. This post was edited by writersblock on Sun, Aug 31, 14 at 13:07

johnb51: That's what I have heard: that SW side is more economical and less crowded but it probably depends on 'where' exactly lol. I would have to be zoned agriculture and away from the larger cities a little bit since I have chickens and loud roosters. They do make good fertilizer! :P I was also born in L.A. but later moved to Phx AZ. I love it in FL. The humidity took some getting used to compared to the Southwest. I've been out here 3 years now. marinfla: I like your mango story. Its funny how little things can change our lives. Your yard sounds like paradise. I can't wait until I can put my fruit trees in the ground and not worry about freezes so much. Bob1016: Sounds like you had quite an education in fruit trees since you were very young. What a nice environment to grow up in! I can imagine that you miss it and your grandfather quite a bit. njoasis: Sounds fun! I just bet they do! Can you make a good mojito? lol