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LABOR DAY SIGNALS THE
BEGINNING OF FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING IN NORTH FLORIDA For many in North Florida, Labor Day weekend is the milestone that marks the end of summer. For others, like me, it is a much anticipated beginning. The beginning of the fall gardening season. It’s like spring part-deux. But because the days are getting shorter, the sun is lower in the sky and the temperatures are cooling off, we’re moving away from the warm-weather loving veggies to those that prefer a cooler, less harsh environment. There is still time to plant a few warm season favorites such as bush and pole beans, cucumbers and summer squash. But as Labor Day approaches, the emphasis turns to the cool weather veggies commonly grown in North Florida: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, radishes, and turnips. Starter plants and seeds can be found at the DYI stores and garden centers. An even greater variety of seeds can be found on the Internet. Onion sets should be available locally in October. Now is the right time to start onions by seed. Pests have had all summer to proliferate, so your seedlings may come under attack early on. Once the cooler weather sets in the pressure from disease and pests lessens – and from weeds, too – making fall a rewarding and not-so-strenuous season for North Florida front- and back-yard farmers. Strawberry Alert! Now is the time to order strawberry plants if you want to experience the sweet joy of homegrown strawberries this spring. Your plants will not arrive until sometime in October or November but growers often run out of inventory so it is best to get your order in early. Short-day varieties are best in North Florida. I ordered my plants from Willis Orchards, which has both Chandler and Sweet Charlie strawberry plants, both good choices for North Florida. - - -
-- Ron
writes: If you're in Florida you should be able to get onion sets for most of the sweet onions such as Vidalias in October at Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot and other garden centers. I found my Texas Grano onions at Gurneys.com and was very happy with them.
-- Salli
from DeFuniak Springs, FL writes: Side-dressing is spreading fertilizer in a band alongside of or around plants and working it about two inches into the soil with a rake or tined hoe. The fertilizer should not touch plants stems or leaves. As far as carrots go, I lean towards Nantes Half Longs and Danvers Half Longs (heirloom), but have had good luck with many others, too. |
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