Florida vegetable gardens are much like others in the fall. When creating a vegetable garden in Florida, it is important to manage it as it would be done in cooler places. The best part about our climate is the multiple growing of vegetables in the long summers. What is considered fall vegetables are actually the second summer crop that is planted in late summer.
Restarting the Garden
To start the fall garden, plant the new seeds that are more appropriate for the weather. Vegetables that are suitable for the Florida gardens are beans, carrots, beets, and other root vegetables that do not require hotter weather. Even if a rare frost occurs during the time that they are growing, these vegetables will only benefit from cooler night-time temperatures.
Consider an Indoor Garden
As the temperatures are winding down, it becomes more difficult to grow vegetables from seeds outdoors. Set up your seed trays indoors to allow the vegetable to have a head start on its growth before moving it to the outside garden. Some vegetables that thrive in this are peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes, and broccoli. You’ll want to make sure they stay well-watered and have a place near natural sunlight. Windowsills or sunrooms typically work best depending on the size you want to grow.
Unusually Warm? Plant These
If the weather just doesn’t seem to be cooling down, don’t fret! There are still many vegetables that can be planted in the fall that will grow in warm temperatures. My advice is to keep a close watch on your soil temperature. Meat thermometers work just fine for this task. If the soil temperature is near or above 85 degrees, stick to growing vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Remember to Water
The cool breeze overnight isn’t typically something to worry about, however dry plants can take a large toll from the wind. Water your plants in the morning to allow for them to absorb the warmth from the sun to help give a stronger protection from the cold and wind overnight.
To further prepare the garden for fall, gardeners need to apply compost or another natural fertilizer to boost the growth of the plants. Monitoring the rainfall is important in knowing how much they need to be watered. If the rain that is falling is less than an inch per week, the plants must be additionally watered.
