Thanks Takeback, good advice.

One more thing--talk to me about mulch--please, ELI8 bc the word is used in so many general terms, literally please someone ELI5 even. Simple what it is and what it does; how it works and why. How it benefits my rock hard ground.

Im pretty sure if you saw my desert soil youd think FL was incredible! I almost want to post a pic. Im glad you pointed out the heat loving ones, I will do that. Its good to realize that there are actually things I can grow here that maybe some climates cant as well--thats a good reminder. Yes, the lettuce does great here in winter, past 85 degrees and they bolt, but winter never freezes enough here, on the coldest day here they will do fine.

I grew basil one year in warm weather, going to try again, so far this year its done poorly. I did use shade tho that year so Im working on getting that back up.