Our soil has a very high concentration of sand, which allows for fast drainage. While we get over 60" of rain a year, most of it comes in the summer - our rainy season. During the winter months (as there is no spring or fall to speak of) it's quite dry here and the water-loving grasses tend to show it first.

But, in answer to your question - yes, you can grow a lush garden in most parts of the state. It will be harder the further north you go due to cold, but as long as you amend the soil with organic matter, provide plenty of irrigation when it gets dry, and build shade you can do it.

In general warm subtropical to tropical environments have sandy or poor soils with low organic matter due to the high temps that accelerate breakdown of anything organic. So amend like fawn advised and you'll get by.

Hi
What kind of gardening do you want to do?? Since florida has at least 3 major climate zones as well as dozens of micro climates there are many possibilities for sure. Central frorida actually has more choices than both northern and southern extremes. Best soils are in the north As to rainfall I don't think it's EVER going to return to normal. Sure in drought cycle at least in my area..
Should be a shock going from cool and damp to warm and damp lol. I always thought Washington has some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the whole US. But then I LOVE mountains lol You may have picked a good time to relocate as real estate is going down in many areas .
Good luck with whatever you decide.!! gary

Washington state is a beautiful green place . Nothing at all like central Florida .
The state of Florida is unique . It will never look like any place else . If you want lush and green year round - think tropical rain forest .
It is much , much easier to accept where you are planted and bloom as fits the environment rather than trying to change the surroundings to fit the movie in your head .
Quite a shock to think you have purchased a ticket to see Bambi and end up viewing Chain Saw Massacre 4 .
Florida native plants have their own scruffy appeal . It can take time to appreciate the dry winter beauty of Florida . It's there ; just usually not found in an HOA or artificial theme park .
Celebrate the special things Florida offers like manatee viewing season . Even our sandy well draining soil deserves some respect . Without it , we could not grow citrus and palms successfully .

Good wishes on finding your own parcel of paradise . Many here have found theirs and you will too .

Lush landscapes can be done. Check out Gene Joyner's property. As already listed above; compost, irrigation and mulch will work wonders.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gene Joyner's Property

Hello and welcome!

I lived in Seattle for two years and now live in the Tampa Bay area. I'm happy to give you any info on this area in comparison to gardening in Seattle.

Gardening is much more rewarding here due to the wide variety of plants and the year long growth season compared to 3 months. However, you will have to give up certain plants due to the temps here, ie: the beautiful, huge Rhododenrons.

The Puget Sound area receives it's moisture and rain from the Pacific and Alaskan Gulf Stream. Because the Pacific is so cold and the humidity is so low, the moisture does not stay trapped in the air like the Atlantic Gulf Stream. This is what causes the constant misting/rain in the Puget Sound area, hence, the happy spruce trees.

An odd geographical FAQ, in July and August, the level of dryness in Seattle is actually equivalent to Arizona.

The other difference to keep in mind refers to the light spectrum. Due to Puget Sound being so close to Alaska and the northern hemisphere, the low light spectrum emphasises greens, blues, reds and purples. Whereas in Florida, the light spectrum is much, much brighter and can seem to wash out bright oranges, pinks/fuschia, yellows, whites, etc. making it 'appear' more dry.

I'm a science geek...here's some basic info if you are interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spectrum

Regarding the amount of rain in Florida vs. Puget Sound, Florida has a rainy season beginning in June and lasts until late November. That being said, it typically rains hard for 20 minutes, then it's over and sunny.

In Seattle, I recall months of gloomy, grey days of drizzley, misty sprinkles that would only stop late July and begin again in September. So, it may rarely rain hard in Seattle, but it's a daily sprinkle/misting which of course plants love.

All regions have their 'challenges', but I find gardening here to be very rewarding once you learn the soild and water requirements.

Some lots get scalped to make them easier to build on. Look at established neighborhoods in the same area.

The grasses have been blooming and the prairies in Lake County are beautiful. Because we're entering the dry season (a blessing in its own way) the natural areas will be turning a little brown but you can still water your garden. Sprinklers can be run once a week but drip systems and hand watering can be used any time.

You didn't say where in central Fl you were looking. Cent Fl is considered to be everything between Ocala and Sarasota. A big difference in what you can grow at these extremes. Also what time of the year were you here? The winter and spring months are dry, the summer and fall is when we get our rain, especcially if there are a lot of tropical storms. Another thing, that dry and brown property you looked at may turn into a lake after something like TS Faye (Aug 2008)goes through, so be careful. If you buy property that has never been cultivated you probably have lots of work ahead of you, but there are lots of folks on this forum who will share with you the benefit of their experence.

good luck john

Just make sure you don't buy where there are Cypress trees, even tho' it looks dry... Cypress only grows where there is high water table and will flood, as well as breed mosquitoes..... and developers will try and sell you a swamp ! sally

Actually , Cypress trees grow quite well in different conditions . But , they are one of the few trees that CAN thrive in water or at the edges of swamps .
It is true that Cypress have dominated the margins of wetlands in the past but homeowners are finding that Cypress are highly recommended as a tree to plant in your yard .

A big problem in Central Florida is that land will look dry until we have enough rain to bring up the water table and suddenly you have lake front property in your front yard ! Even the planning for drainage for hundred year flooding was not adequate as the summer of 2004 proved !

Just search out the info and you'll be OK .

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting Cypress

I was born in St Louis Mo. and I will never forget the first time I came back to St Louis from living on Camino Island 60 miles North of Seattle, brown almost dead looking forest compared to the year long lush green forest in the Pudget Sound area. But come spring everything turned green again. Like everyone says you get use to the area you live in after a while. Been down in Tampa for 10 years now and it is the first fall vegetable garden, have yet to try the summer season. Lots to learn but this is the place to do it with the wealth of information from all the people here. Good luck.

It is really dry most of the year except when we get a good summer rainy season and it is like you are wrapped in a hot wet blanket.