Tag: summer

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Container Gardening Tips

Container Gardening in Florida

Why Grow Vegetables and Herbs in Containers?

Container gardening is one of the easiest ways to grow fresh vegetables and herbs in Florida. Whether you have a patio, balcony, porch, or small backyard, containers allow you to enjoy homegrown food while using very little space. Growing in containers also helps reduce weeds and gives you greater control over soil quality and plant health.

One major advantage of container gardening in Florida is the ability to control sun exposure. During the cooler months, many vegetables and herbs thrive in full sun. However, as temperatures rise in late spring and summer, some plants can become stressed by intense afternoon heat. Because containers are portable, you can easily move plants to a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, helping protect them from excessive heat and sun stress.

Choosing the Right Container

Choose a container with drainage holes and use a high-quality potting mix designed for container gardening. Many gardeners have good success with potting mixes that contain compost, peat moss or coconut coir, and slow-release fertilizer. For beginners, a potting mix labeled to feed plants for up to six months can help provide nutrients during the early stages of growth.

Container size is especially important when growing vegetables. In general, deeper-rooted crops require deeper containers. Small herbs can often grow successfully in relatively shallow pots, while vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and okra perform best in larger containers that provide plenty of room for root development. A plant’s root system largely determines how much water and nutrients it can access, which in turn affects plant size, health, and productivity. When in doubt, choose a larger container rather than a smaller one.

Florida Container Gardening Tips

Florida’s heat can cause container plants to dry out quickly, especially during late spring and summer. As temperatures rise, containers may need watering daily or even twice daily during extreme heat. During the cooler months, plants generally require less frequent watering. Check the soil regularly and water when the top inch feels dry.

Most vegetables and herbs grow best with 6–8 hours of sunlight each day. However, some leafy greens and cool-season herbs may benefit from afternoon shade during Florida’s hottest months. Regular harvesting, proper watering, and occasional fertilization will help keep container-grown plants healthy and productive throughout the growing season.

Learn More

For more information about growing vegetables and herbs in containers in Florida, visit these University of Florida IFAS resources:

• Growing Vegetables in Containers in Florida
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/growing-vegetables-in-containers/

• Growing Herbs in Containers in Florida
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/herbs/

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What’s the Difference Between Winter Squash and Summer Squash?

The difference between Winter Squash and Summer Squash has to do with the thickness of it’s skin. Thick-skinned squash are referred to as “Winter”. Thin skinned are referred to as “Summer”. This has nothing to do with when to grow them.

Where do the names come from? Historically, thin-skinned squash have been more popularly eaten during the Summertime. Thick-skinned have been more popularly eaten during the Wintertime. Hence the names.

Growing Squash in Florida

North Florida & Central Florida: Sqaush can be grown over two growing periods. Late Summer into Winter (August/September through December/January) and Late Winter through Early Summer (Last Frost through Early June). 

South Florida: Squash can be successfully grown over one long period. Late Summer through Spring (September through April).

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Summer Growing Season

Okra Flower

Grow your summer garden in the Sunshine State from May through September.

The hallmark of Florida’s Summer growing season are humid heat and almost daily rains. Summer tends to be too hot for many of the Spring Plants to thrive, but many fruiting plants started during Spring can be harvested into the Summer.

There are two major keys to growing a successful Summer Garden in Florida; growing the garden in Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade and making sure that plants are well-watered. The Sun during the Summer time is very intense, in fact too intense for many plants. It is recommended for the novice, especially during the Summer, to emphasize container gardening. This will give the gardener the ability to move plants around into less sunny or more sunny spots that the plants may find more suitable. Pay careful attention to what the plants are telling you, if they become droopy, while having been well-watered, this is a sign that they need to be in more shade and less sun.

Summer being such a sweltering season in much of the state, make sure that the plants are getting enough water. Signs that need water may include: wilting, droopy appearance, dusty soil (not moist to the touch, etc. Due to the excessive heat it can not be overly emphasized how critical careful attention to regular watering of the garden can be.

How long does Florida’s Summer Growing Season last?

On Average: The Summer growing season typically lasts May through September.

More Specifically: North Florida is normally June through September. Central Florida runs Mid-May through Early October. South Florida typically begins in late April and can run as late as November.

GROW THE FOLLOWING HERBS AND

VEGGIES THROUGHOUT THE FLORIDA SUMMER

Okra

Jalapeno Pepper

Green Pepper

Eggplant

Yellow Squash

Seminole Pumpkin

Everglades Tomato