September Garden Update 2015
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As most of the country is picking the last of their summer gardens, here in Zone 9, its time to start the Fall garden. August is pretty much laid back when it comes to gardening here in Florida. Its just too hot for a garden to grow and since I don’t have a well, it would cost too much to keep it watered. The only thing growing was green peppers. We did get some rain but not the usual amount for the rainy season here. I had to turn on my sprinklers. Ugh
So, I take advantage of the down time in August to get things ready for fall planting and with my small space, I have to plan carefully. I check to see what seeds I have left and replace those I need.
I will also use the Garden Planner to figure out my fall garden as shown in the picture above. I need to rotate crops and that planner really helps me keep up with what and where I have planted and on how well the plants have done in the past. I also can see when to plant certain seeds for this area. Its a great tool.
I hated to pull up my green pepper plants because they still had buds on them, but I needed to make room for the next season. I was able to get another bowl full of them to put up in the freezer.
I left the volunteer watermelon plant growing on its own from a watermelon which split from the spring crop. Maybe I will get a couple of watermelons from it. Its the only plant that is directly planted in the soil. All my other plants are in raised beds.
I added more compost and Black Cow dirt to the three raised beds and worked it into the area well. Maybe its just me, but using a hoe and working ground is so exhilarating for me. I next planted my seeds, added the cages and watered. I do buy my soil and compost because I don’t have the room for a compost pile. Bagged dirt is reasonably priced here and I only needed 3 bags to refresh my raised garden.
I am also planting carrots for the first time. I have read its one of the easiest plants to grow if your soil is loose. The variety I planted is called Burpee Carrot Touchon which doesn’t grow very long. Perfect for my raised beds.
I’m also trying pole green beans in this fall crop. In the past, I have used bush beans since I didn’t have the space for pole beans. One reader suggested to use tomato cages for the beans to climb on. Genius!! The variety I am using is Burpee Garden Bean Heavyweight II. Its a heavy producer and the plants aren’t really tall. Perfect for my small garden.
I also planted Burpee cucumbers,
The cucumbers, zucchini and squash are hybrid seeds which do much better in high humidity areas like Florida. I will still need to watch for powdery mildew. I wash the leaves off with my water hose first thing in the morning so the sun will dry them off. If you can keep the leaves dry, the less chance of powdery mildew occurring. I do have some organic spray for this if I notice some appearing on the leaves. The cooler weather will help too.
I’m exited about the weather cooling off and enjoying my garden time much more and also to see how the new varieties work in my raised beds.
Until next time.
Get your hands dirty,
Tammy
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I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life with my wonderful husband, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, being crafty, exploring with travels and enjoying all this on a budget. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
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We have been enjoying the last of the kale from our winter garden. Now it’s spring and things change. Grapes almost ready to pick xx
I am going to plant Kale for my winter crop. That will be a new one for me too but I love how it tastes and I want to make some kale chips. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, it sounds like you had a very successful summer in your garden. There is nothing like fresh produce 🙂
I have always wanted a garden but live in the city. This is one of the reasons we want to move into our own home and away from the city.
oh Michelle. You can plant pots if you have room for that. I grow quite a few items in pots that do very well. I had tomatoes growing in a 5 gallon bucket last fall. Thanks for stopping by
I wish I was as diligent as you with my garden. Unfortunately life kind of takes over and I forget to water and weed so we don’t have much produce to enjoy. Any tips for busy moms like me?
I loved having a garden this summer, but sadly the seasons are changing here in Pennsylvania. Bookmarking the garden planner for reference next spring.
You could still grow all the cold loving veggies. Kale does so well in the cold air. Thanks for stopping by Jenny
I always want to grow my own veggies and fruits. I failed many times and only did great with our tomato plants. We spent so much money
I have garden envy! My toms were beautiful, but this is what my carrots came to be: https://instagram.com/p/7Y11nYkGzL/?taken-by=martinkadeluxe YIKES!
Oh Chelley. Thats how I have envisioned my carrots to be. I went out today to look for seedlings and nothing. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for stopping by
I’d love to have my own veggie garden. It makes eating healthy a lot easier. Good luck on your garden, I hope everything turns out well.
Thank you Elizabeth. After learning how much I can grow in a small garden, I love having fresh anything in the house now and much healthier.
Sounds like a successful gardening! I can’t wait until I can set up a garden at my new place. I would love to grow my own veggies for us and our bird!
Oh fun. Please share your new garden when its done!
Omg you had great success!!! I so wish I had a green thumb. I would love to grow my own food 🙂
How fun to plant and watch your things grow. Gardening had a lot of happy benefits.
Wow, awesome gardening for sure. Love your veggies!
I wish I have a space for a garden. I have always wanted to grow my own vegetables. I have some pots with herbs and tomatoes, though.
Try large pots. They do very well for some veggies.
My mother in law usually keeps us stocked to the hills with fresh produce from her garden, but we had such an unusually wet spring here in Texas and then the usual scorching heat of summer, that nothing grew very well for her. I miss it. I think I need to start a garden now lol.
I have always wanted to have a garden of my own but I’ve always lived in an apartment. I wonder if those upside down garden things really work.
I have always loved gardening! But alas, I have gardened for the past few years since I’ve moved to a small apartment. Maybe that shall change within the next year or so when I find a new home!
wow, good for you! What a bounty. I’m looking forward for next years planting season. My garden didn’t do well this year.