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DON’T LET THE COLD STOP YOU
FROM GROWING WHAT YOU EAT Winter is nearly upon us but the cold temperatures and short days ahead need not stand in the way of growing vegetables in your north Florida garden. Surprisingly, some of America’s favorite veggies thrive in our cooler winter weather here in north Florida. Now is a good time to set out broccoli, cabbage and onion seedlings, and to sow seeds for beets, carrots and radishes. In north Florida, beets are planted from September to March; broccoli, August to February; cabbage, September to February; onions, October to December; and carrots and radishes are planted from September to March. Though the recommended planting dates for lettuce in north Florida is September to October and February to March, I also set out lettuce seedlings in November, December and January. I protect them with row covers when overnight lows dip into the 20s. This way, we have fresh salads even when the weather is as cold as the keel of a kayak. We have been harvesting lettuce for about six weeks now and the harvest will continue until the hot weather sets in, usually about the end of May or first of June. My broccoli harvest began about two weeks ago and will continue until early March, which is when I will need the garden space for other crops. Otherwise, the harvest could go on until the weather gets warm. Broccoli is so very easy to grow. If you haven’t yet, you should give it a try in your garden.
Before long, we will begin to enjoy fresh carrots. I am looking forward to it. The carrots from the grocery store have been really rubbish lately. This year I am trying a variety that I have not grown before: Sweet Treat Hybrid. I will let you know if they live up to their name. Carrots are easy to grow, too. If you have children in the family, they will really get a kick out of harvesting – and eating – them.
I am very pleased with my pumpkin and winter squash harvest. I harvested a total of 42 butternut and acorn squash, and five pie pumpkins that weighed about two pounds each, just the right size for a single pie. And what terrific pie! The butternut and acorn squash is equally as tasty. Growing pumpkins and other winter squash in north Florida can be a real challenge but this year it was well worth the effort.
The pumpkins we are now enjoying are called Small Sugar pumpkins, an heirloom variety (also known as New England Pie pumpkin). In regions where pumpkins grow better, these average 5 to 8 pounds. I was happy mine grew to just over two pounds here in my northwest Florida garden! The acorn squash I grew this year is also an heirloom variety, Table Queen, the original acorn variety dating back to before the Civil War. It is considered the best acorn squash ever and I can’t argue with that. The very tasty butternut squash from my front-yard garden is Waltham Butternut, an All-America Winner. Pumpkins and other winter squash take up lots of garden space. If you would like to try growing some next year, give them plenty of room and be prepared to give them lots of care. Sweet potatoes are another tasty treat we are harvesting now. I have had great success with the Beauregard variety, or “Mississippi Reds,” as they are often known. They are delicious and have such a wonderful aroma when they are baking. Sweet potatoes need little care and thrive in our sandy soil and hot summer weather. Such a wonderful reward for such little gardening effort! Always eager to try something new, next year I am determined to try the white sweet potato, O’Henry. I missed out on the O’Henry’s last year because I waited too late to place my order and the nursery ran out of stock. While they may not arrive until June, I have already ordered them for next year. I have a sneaky suspicion they will make a wildly delicious sweet potato pie. And I have made it my mission to find out... stay tuned! - - - -
-- Elmer from
Tallahassee writes: Hi Elmer, Thanks for visiting my blog and for the email. I think you can get away with a 6" pot for a single lettuce plant. Fresh homegrown lettuce is very tasty; it is a regular staple in my garden in cool weather. And so easy to grow! Thanks again for visiting my blog and good luck with your lettuce. |
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