In 49 of the 50 United States, an organic vegetable garden does not exist in the month of January. We are so fortunate in the state of Florida to have warm enough winter months to actually grow our fall vegetables for five or six months straight, depending on the weather. The rest of the country packed up their vegetable gardens months ago due to the harsh cold. Here in … [Read more...]
In the Garden: To Cover or Not to Cover, That Is the Question!
It’s a little tricky in Central Florida to know what to do in order to protect edible trees and plants when it comes to a frost or freeze. We can get away with planting some heat-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers in the fall, when we have a warmer season. When the rest of the country is packing up their gardens in September and October, we are just getting going for the … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Finding Big Ways to Grow Vegetables in Small Spaces
As our population density grows, communities are being built with less space to fit more houses. Homes are often left with narrow lot lines and smaller yards than communities built in the ’80s and ’90s. The amount of space we have to grow plants and vegetables is getting smaller, and our desire to grow our own fresh, organic produce is getting bigger. For plant lovers and … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Treat Your Lawn and Garden to a Fruity Makeover
It’s easier than you think to add some fruit and color to your yard. There are many options for fresh fruit from the convenience of your own home. Just think about the next time you want to make lemonade and going out back to pick the lemons with your kids. Then the next time you entertain, you can tell your friends the mint and lime in the mojitos are all home-grown. Not only … [Read more...]
In the Garden: Plant for Our Planet!
It’s out with the old and in with the new for our fall vegetable gardens. Fall is the time to clean out any surviving summer vegetable plants that have been baked by the sun and soaked by the rain. Any plants that are still looking good right now are extremely heat-tolerant like Malabar spinach, okra, and winged beans. Hot peppers and eggplants are still hanging in there, too. … [Read more...]