Phyllostachys dulcis is supposed to be particularly tasty. I personally don't eat bamboo so I wouldn't know about itÂs taste. I do have a young dulcis bamboo growing in my yard which seems to be doing quite well. I am quite fond of it. Here is a link that might be useful: Phyllostachys dulcis

AZ is hotter than FL but its a dry heat thus so many less insects and fungal issues. Same for many parts of CA. Grapes grow awesome in Phx. We grew lots of yummy seedless grapes there. I really wish I could grow those types there. There is a bunch of blackish purple grapes growing wild all over our property. They have seeds and don't taste all that great. I let the chickens eat them. Maybe they are better for making jams? Anyone know of any seedless varieties that will grow in zn 9a (NE FL)?

This is funny - I'm in USDA Zone 9/10 as well, yet in a COMPLETELY different climate! Here on the Mendocino Coast our problem is _lack_ of heat in summer... it's typically in the mid-60s daytime, mid-50s night, all through summer. So most green beans are iffy - Blue Lake did poorly, Kentucky Wonder not much better, and the yard-long beans are a fantasy. Royal Burgundy and Dragon's Tongue on the other had, performed superbly! And both are, in my opinion, much better flavored than green beans - they are even sweet and tasty uncooked, right off the bush. I just wish they were pole beans so I didn't have to bend over to pick them, although bush types probably do better here anyway (keeps them out of the wind).

There are plenty of southerners on the forums who winter garden vegetables, but you'll find most of them on the Vegetable Gardening Forum. Check it out. It's fascinating and informative. I believe the Texas Forum is pretty active too.