Carolyn Saft, Suwannee County UF/IFAS Extension
Contributor
We are nearing the end of freezing cold snaps and many gardeners are anxious to get their plants in the ground if they haven’t already. For people new to North Florida, getting an early start on your veggie gardens can help beat the summer heat and avoid some pests and diseases. We have all heard that growing your own food has many health benefits that include:
- Helping you eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Deciding what kinds of fertilizers and pesticides are used.
- Controlling when to harvest your food. Vegetables that ripen in the garden have more nutrients than store-bought vegetables that must be picked early.
According to Dr. Helen Delichatsios, an internist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, “Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate.”
At our school gardens in Suwannee County, we have witnessed the children get excited about eating the lettuce and veggies they are growing. Parents have asked, “How did you get my child to eat romaine lettuce? They won’t eat it at home.” Our answer is simple--they had ownership in the production process and were eager to taste what they worked so hard for.
A colleague of mine shared that her husband was not a big fan of vegetables, especially broccoli, for most of their married life. When they moved to Suwannee County, they started their first garden planting a variety of veggies. Much to my colleague’s surprise, her husband started eating broccoli because they were able to grow it.
I do believe we are more inclined to eat more vegetables when we grow them ourselves. Need help getting started? We have a free publication, you can either swing by our office and pick up a hard copy or follow the link for The Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021. The guide shares what vegetable to plant when, typical yields so you know how much to plant, spacing, what cultivar types do the best in Florida and some tips on pest management. We also have UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers at the Live Oak Library every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the growing seasons that will help answer your gardening questions.
Our last program in the Lunch and Learn: Gardening Series at the Live Oak Public Library is on Edible Landscaping on Thursday, May 19. This program runs from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and all are welcome. We hope to see you soon and share our best wishes for a bountiful harvest. The Live Oak Public Library is located at 1848 Ohio Ave. S, in Live Oak.
UF/IFAS Extension is an equal opportunity institution.