1. HOME GARDEN GUIDE Guide for maintaining a healthy, thriving garden

2. January What to Do  Remove all old plants and flowers  Add nutrient rich compost to garden and water generously. Cover garden with fabric or reusable plastic to help solarize garden.  Draw out Spring garden plan(* see reference site for information)  Interplant for pest control and best use of space  Make sure location gets 6-8 hours full sunlight a day  Begin seedlings for Spring crop inside  * Reference site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdfhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdf What to Plant  Begin seedlings that can be transplanted (end of month)  Marigold, Daisy, Black-Eye Susan, Nasturium  Cantaloupe, Collards, Cucumber, Tomato, Peppers, Squash, Watermelon  Beginning seedlings allows them to grow healthy and strong indoors during nights that are too cold for growth  Plant 2-3 seeds per pod and then thin, leaving only strongest seedling to grow.

3. February What to Do  Remove fabric from garden (middle of month)  Add nutrient rich compost to garden and water generously.  Add a layer of old newspapers or hay to garden to increase water retention and weed prevention  Plant seedlings for Spring crop (end of month)  Plant seeds for direct sow What to Plant  Plant Seedlings(end of month)  Marigold, Daisy, Black-Eye Susan, Nasturium  Cantaloupe, Collards, Cucumber, Tomato, Peppers, Squash, Watermelon  Plant seeds (end of month)  Asters, Peonies, Nasturium  Beans, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Kale, lettuce, Peas, Turnips  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size  Interplant seeds and seedlings for variety of height and best use of space

4. March What to Do  Check seedlings for spacing (thin as needed)  Blend compost and add to garden once every two weeks to encourage seed growth  Plant Herb garden within vegetable garden  Water seedlings and seeds every two days to keep moist and encourage hearty growth  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Thin plants as needed to allow strongest seedlings to grow What to Plant  Plant Herbs  Basil, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Ginger, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size and spacing  Interplant seeds and seedlings for variety of height and best use of space

5. April What to Do  Check seedlings for spacing (thin as needed)  Mulch garden with hay, newspaper, or cypress mulch to prevent weeds and retain water  Water seedlings and seeds every four days to keep moist and encourage hearty growth  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Thin plants as needed to allow strongest seedlings to grow  Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms What to Plant  Plant Herbs or Warm season crops in open spaces  See varieties described in February and March  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size and spacing  Interplant seeds and seedlings for variety of height and best use of space

6. May What to Do  Check plants for mature and ripe vegetables  Water plants every four days to keep moist  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Pinch off plant leaves or branches that look diseased or burnt  Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms What to Plant  Plant Herbs or Warm season crops in open spaces  See varieties described in February and March  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size and spacing  Slow down on planting at this time to allow soil to recharge for next planting

7. June What to Do  Check plants for mature and ripe vegetables  Water plants every four days to keep moist  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Pinch off plant leaves or branches that look diseased or burnt  Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms What to Plant  Plant heat loving vegetables and herbs  Okra, Southern Peas, Tomatoes  Basil, Tarragon, Rosemary

8. July What to Do  Remove all old plants and flowers  Add nutrient rich compost to garden and water generously. Cover garden with fabric or reusable plastic to help solarize garden.  Draw out Fall garden plan(* see reference site for information)  Interplant for pest control and best use of space  Make sure location gets 6-8 hours full sunlight a day * Reference site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdfhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdf What to Plant  No planting at this time  Add rich compost to garden and cover with plastic  Kills weeds and nematodes  Increases nutrient value of garden

9. August What to Do  Remove plastic from garden and water generously  Add compost to garden  Plant Fall herb seeds (end of month)  Begin Fall vegetable seedlings (end of month) * Reference site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdfhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdf What to Plant  Beginning seedlings allows them to grow healthy and strong indoors during days that are too hot for growth  Plant 2-3 seeds per pod and then thin, leaving only strongest seedling to grow.  Plant herbs for Fall  Basil, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Ginger, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme  Plant seedlings inside to avoid high temperatures  Broccoli, Cabbage, cauliflower, Collards, Lettuce, Onions, Peppers,  Squash, Spinach, Tomatoes  Marigold, Daisy, Black-Eye Susan, Nasturium

10. September What to Do  Add compost to garden  Plant Fall vegetable seeds (end of month)  Plant Fall vegetable seedlings (end of month) * Reference site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdfhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdf What to Plant  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size  Interplant seeds and seedlings for variety of height and best use of space  Plant vegetable and flower seeds for Fall  Beans, beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, English Peas  Marigold, Daisy, Black-Eye Susan, Nasturium  Plant seedlings in garden  Broccoli, Cabbage, cauliflower, Collards, Lettuce, Onions, Peppers,  Squash, Spinach, Tomatoes

11. October What to Do  Check seedlings for spacing (thin as needed)  Blend compost and add to garden once every two weeks to encourage seed growth  Plant Herb garden within vegetable garden  Water seedlings and seeds every two days to keep moist and encourage hearty growth  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure * Reference site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdfhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/vh/vh02100.pdf What to Plant  Plant Herbs or Cool season crops in open spaces  See varieties described in August  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size and spacing  Interplant seeds and seedlings for variety of height and best use of space

12. November What to Do  Check plants for mature and ripe vegetables  Water plants every four days to keep moist  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Pinch off plant leaves or branches that look diseased or burnt  Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms What to Plant  Plant Herbs or Cool season crops in open spaces  See varieties described in August  Plant seeds generously in rows (to be thinned later) according to their growth size and spacing  Slow down on planting at this time to allow soil to recharge for next planting

13. December What to Do  Check plants for mature and ripe vegetables  Water plants every four days to keep moist  Monitor garden for insects and disease  Monitor garden for moisture every day depending on temperature and exposure  Pinch off plant leaves or branches that look diseased or burnt  Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms What to Plant  No planting at this time