Carolyn Saft
Contributor
After another steamy summer, I am thankful we are getting closer to cool weather. Fall is a good time to grow cool season vegetables. You can grow arugula, beets, broccoli, bush and pole beans, Brussel sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, eggplant, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach, squash (winter), Swiss chard, turnips and even short season tomatoes.
If you are new to gardening or new to Florida’s growing seasons, we have a publication that will get you started on the right track. Check out our Vegetable Gardening Guide at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 to learn when and what to plant in our area.
Do you have a favorite herb or plant that you would like more about? Knowing how to root plants from cuttings is an economical way to expand your plant collections and share with family and friends, or landscape your yard on a budget.
Have you ever planted seeds and nothing happened? Starting your garden with seeds is a way to save money on plants and grow the varieties you want.
Plant parasitic nematodes in our sandy soil can take their toll on our vegetable gardens. They damage the root system and reduce the ability of a plant to obtain water and nutrients from the soil. Root-knot nematodes are one of the most destructive plant-parasites. High infestations can kill many types of vegetables. Some of the vegetables that are commonly damaged by root-knot nematodes are tomatoes, beans, peppers, peas, carrots, field peas, squash and melons (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/NG005). One option is to grow your plants hydroponically. You will have the added benefit of less weeding too!
Have you ever tasted zesty microgreens? They add concentrated amounts of healthy nutrients and antioxidants to your diet. They are not just sprouts (which do not have leaves) but are baby vegetables. It is an easy way to get the nutrients you need in small amounts of food.
Suwannee County Master Gardener volunteers and I are offering a six-week series, “Seed, Plant, Grow!”, consisting of demonstrations and hands-on activities starting Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Participants will learn to take cuttings, start seeds, grow transplants, what herbs to grow, the best way to water herbs and vegetables, floating hydroponic systems and growing yummy, healthy microgreens. Participants will take home cuttings, seeds, an herb and parts of a hydroponic bucket grow system. UF/IFAS Extension is an equal opportunity institution. For more information, contact Michelle Drummond at drummond.m@ufl.edu or call (386) 362- 2771.