Fall Vegetable Gardening
Fresh, Healthy, Homegrown . . .words restaurants use describing the best meals on their menus. You can have better tasting food without ever leaving home. All it takes is a backyard veggie garden. And in Florida, you get a second chance in the fall. Below are our tips for garden success.
(Click to open a printable PDF version of the information below.)
Site Selection
- Choose a sunny spot with 6+ hours of sun per day.
- Make sure there is a water source nearby and that the garden is easy to get to.
Plan the Garden
- Pick veggies your family likes to eat.
- Make a simple garden design plan to organize your selections.
Prepare the Soil
- Amend the soil with rich, organic material, such as peat, cow manure, or homemade compost. You can also use a pre-mixed soil such as Black Gold Flower & Vegetable Soil or Black Gold Garden Compost.
- Always plant with Espoma’s Bio-tone to get plants off to a great start.
Plant Seeds or Vegetable Seedlings
- Starting from seeds is economical and lets you find great varieties.
- Use planting guides to determine when to plant.
- Stagger planting times to extend harvest season.
- Try companion planting.
Take Care of Your Veggies
- Water daily at first, and slowly reduce frequency.
- Fertilize weekly with Foxfarm’s Grow Big or monthly with Espoma’s Garden-tone.
- Check garden regularly for insects and disease, and be prepared to spray if needed.
Pick when ripe and enjoy!
Warm-Season Vegetables: plant in September
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Beans
- Squash
- Zucchini
Cool-Season Vegetables: plant as the weather cools in October
- Collards and Cabbage
- Lettuce and Spinach
- Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Radishes and Carrots
- Snow Peas
Anybody can sell you plants, we make sure you succeed.