Introduction to Vegetable Gardening in Florida Bob Prier Master Gardener Charlotte County

Site planning For convenience locate the garden near the house Choose a well drained site Close to a source of water A location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily Where possible, rotate the garden from place to place to help control soil diseases and other pests. (or least rotate crops)

Vegetable Growing in SouthWest Florida “The only thing that Florida soil is good for is holding up the plants”. Gene McAvov, 2009, UF Extension agent Best success of growing vegetables in SW Florida is with augmented soil Alternative vegetable growing programs or

Steps to improve soil First have your soil pH tested. The best pH range for vegetable gardens on sandy soil is between pH 5.8 and 6.3. If your soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.0, no adjustment in pH needs to be made. If your soil pH is below 5.5, apply lime at a rate recommended by soil test. If your soil pH is above 7, best solution is find another site.

Augment Soil Add organic material: –Rotted leaves –Manure: raw manure a month in advance –Prepackaged soil additives, Miracle Gro,Scotts, etc Top Soil (what are you buying?) Compost: make your own or purchase commercial variety. Green Planet on Rt 17 (4694 Duncan Rd has bulk garden compost at reasonable prices. Worm Castings: BEST ADDITION TO SOIL

Worm Composting Composting with worms is easy and produces an excellent soil additive Worm castings contain: –Beneficial Bacteria –Essential Minerals Worm castings help Control Nematodes Web Site: Google video at: backtenfeet.com:worm composting with Rachael Singletary

Benefits of Organic Matter Improves water holding Supplies nutrients- slow release Buffers and conditions soil Helps fight nematodes and other pests

Vegetable Planting Season SW Florida has 2 vegetable growing seasons – Spring and Fall Plant February/March for spring season Plant September/October for fall season Bonus 3 rd Season: cool season crops, plant November through January

Fertilizing the Garden Plant Nutrients (16) Macro-nutrients Primary –N (nitrogen) –P (phosphorus) –K (potassium) Secondary –Ca (Calcium) –Mg (magnesium) –S (sulfur) Micro-nutrients B (boron) Cl (chlorine) Cu (copper) Fe (iron) Mn (manganese) Mo (molybdenum) Zn (zinc)

Fertilizer Broadcast complete balanced fertilizer before planting: 6-6-6, or Better choice is fertilizer with Micronutrients: ex. Sunniland or Lesco At planting time apply bands or rows of fertilizer 2-3 inches from plants in furrows During growing season side dress with fertilizer every 2-3 weeks

Watering/Irrigation Vegetables need frequent watering, especially young plants and during hot windy days, as much as daily. Covering seeds until germination increases germination rate. Water soil, not the plants. Drip irrigation is best. Water early in day.

Weed Pest Management Cover bare soil: paper, cardboard, plastic to cut down on weeds. Weeds grow very fast in Florida; try to stay ahead of problem. Never let weeds go to seed

Insect Pest Management Scout and hand pick Soap & Oil Spray, Bt, Neem Oil Buy Resistant varieties of vegetables Chemical insecticides: –Foliar sprays: cover both sides of leaves –Systemic: once a season –Wear protective clothing –Follow the label SOLARIZATION

Chemical Control Non-systemic –Horticultural oil –Malathion –Carbaryl Pyrethroids Systemic –Imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced )

Animal Pests Birds Moles Rabbits Squirrels Armadillos Raccons Management Control Fencing Trapping Nets for birds Sprays ex. Bonide SHOT-GUN REPELS-ALL

Earthbox (Cost: $32.50 each) Self Contained Watering System….similar to Earthbox Available locally for $20 and up.

Home ‐ made Self ‐ Contained Watering System Cost: $ soil + fertilizer

12” Raised Bed with plywood Cucumbers

Raised Bed 16” with two 2x8’s

Vegetable growing tips Tomatoes: choose VFN for best resistance Cherry tomatoes do very well Pick fruit when it has just started to turn pink, do not wait until fully ripe Try to avoid spraying water on leaves or splashing soil onto leaves Cucumbers: Poinsett good variety Radishes: radishes are easy but get hot as the temperature rises.

Vegetable growing tips Sweet Corn: go to Publix or Winn-Dixie Greenbeans: Bush beans more tender Sugar Snap Peas: plant Nov-Jan but might need frost protection Eggplant: attracts lots of insects Okra: best for summer garden, very productive…check daily in hot season Cucumbers: plant every 2-3 weeks

Tomatoes Staking, mulching very beneficial May not set fruit if nitrogen is excessive Tomato cracking is from uneven watering Use resistant varieties (VFN) Better Boy, Celebrity Sweet 100 Cherry variety Remember to pick at first blush!!

Squash & Zucchini Plant Spring or Fall Feed frequently: every 2-3 weeks Mulch Scout often for insects –Caterpillars, vine borers, aphids –Systemic pesticide is good for vine borers and caterpillars

Cool Season Vegetables Plant late fall to early winter May need to cover if freeze occurs Cabbage Broccoli Collards Lettuce – leaf lettuce Lettuce – head: plant in late fall.

References and Resources Various references in presentation from Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide by Sydney Park Brown et al, UF/IFAS and Vegetable Gardening Basics by Gene McAvoy, UF/IFAS extension agent

Happy Gardening If you have problems, go to a Master Gardener Plant Clinic Bob Prier