It may only be December, but we’re already dreaming about next year’s vegetable garden! Just the thought of hand-picked veggies that are ready to go straight into a salad, side dish, or to be eaten straight out of the garden makes us wish that we could fast-forward through winter and go right into spring.
If you’re thinking of having a vegetable garden this year, you may not be able to start on it quite yet, but there are always things that you can learn during the off-season that you can use once it’s planting time. In today’s blog from Frostproof Grower’s Supply, we want to help those who are new to vegetable gardening in Florida, or who have struggled to grow the perfect garden in the past, create the lush, bountiful garden they’ve always wanted. Keep reading for our Central Florida vegetable growing tips and then visit our website for all of your garden nursery supplies.
Know Your Zone
Florida is a large state with several growing zones. The northern portion of the state experiences regular frosts and freezes for several months out of the year. The central region (which includes Frostproof) has slightly milder weather but can still experience a light freeze here and there. The southern tropical region can support gardens all-year-round with no threat of a hard freeze.
What does all of this mean to you? Knowing which zone you are growing your garden in is the first step in knowing what to plant and when to plant it. Planting under the wrong zone can mean death to your plants in the form of freezing temperatures or harsh sun. Following the recommended planting schedule according to the zone you’re in is the easiest way to ensure a happy, healthy garden.
Plan Your Gardening Space
When it comes time to plant your garden, many beginning gardeners will rush out to the store and buy with their emotions instead of taking the time to consider the amount of space they have. The next thing you know, you’re trying to squeeze five tomato plants, a few types of squash, lettuce, beans, and broccoli in a four by eight-foot space. Although you might be excited to get your garden growing, make sure to take the necessary time to plan out where your garden will be located, taking into consideration the number of hours of full sun that it will get. Although eight to nine hours of sun usually isn’t a problem in Florida, if you happen to have a lot of trees or other structures that provide shade, you’ll want to plant your garden elsewhere where it can get the sun your vegetables crave.
Make Sure You Have Good Soil
Most of the soil in central and southern Florida is primarily made up of sand — something that doesn’t provide the best growing environment for your vegetable garden. For a healthy garden that grows, you’ll want to amend the soil so that it provides the nutrients your plants need. While you can certainly find some recommendations on how to amend your soil by doing a quick online search, we encourage you to talk with a professional who is knowledgeable about the Florida climate and the vegetables you intend to grow. Simply stop by Frostproof Grower’s Supply and we’ll be happy to help provide you with some valuable information and answer any questions you may have.
Plan Your Garden With the Help of Frostproof Grower’s Supply
There are several other steps to planning a successful garden, but the three we’ve discussed here will definitely get you started. Depending on whether you plan to start your plants from seeds or seedlings will determine how you proceed from here.
If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop where you can find all of the gardening tools you’ll ever need plus gardening experts that can help with the most basic to the most advanced gardening questions, we hope you’ll make Frostproof Grower’s Supply your choice for garden nursery supplies. Visit our website or stop by today!