Did you know that in North Florida, fall planting is as busy as spring? In fact, many of the spring crops (beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers) can be planted again!
Here’s how my garden is doing and my plans for this month.
The summer showers and sweltering heat have finally taken their toll on many of my spring plants. However, the herbs, green beans, and ‘Marketmore’ cucumbers are doing well by the shed.
I have moved many of my herbs from my pallet potting bench to the shadier garden, as the summer’s heat was drying them out too quickly.
I ripped up the tomato jungle, but took some cuttings from the ‘Roma’,’Super Sweet 100′, and ‘Brandywine Pink” tomato plants for propagating. I am rooting them in water, as the heat seems to be a bit oppressive now for rooting them outside. I have a post about how to root tomatoes in this post.
The cucumbers are done. They exceeded my expectations, while the tomatoes in general underperformed.
The sweet potatoes are running, the new row of okra has buds, and I have a cantaloupe and watermelon ripening,
It is a little strange to be preparing in the heat for fall/winter crops when sweater weather is a distant memory, but I will sweat while starting seeds for crops that will likely taste the best after a light frost. The best source that I have found for vegetable planting times in Florida is here.
So what is on my to-do list?
- Plant more green beans.
- Start broccoli, cauliflower,collards, and cucumbers. More fall crops can be started next month too.
- Make pesto. I transplanted the basil cuttings that I rooted, so hopefully I will be able to make some to freeze. It is a vibrant addition to winter spaghetti sauce.
- Stuff and roast banana peppers. Anyone have a favorite recipe?
Not too busy, the heat of summer is when I tend to let what I have done in spring do its thing. I haven’t had to do much weeding, even after pulling up the tomato plants. Less weeding is the main reason why I mulch.
Oops, almost forgot. I hope to try my first ground cherry this month too. The plant is from some seeds that I got for free, and I am so excited to try them! One of my big goals for this year was to grow fruit, and I really hope this plant succeeds.
How is your garden? Did you have a crop that exceeded your expectations?
Coffee to Compost 
Your garden looks great. Mine is still doing good especially the cucumbers and now tomatoes. Just planted the new beets for fall and am thinking of trying some radish before it’s too late. Want to get as much in before the first frost as I can, Then I’ll have the long winter months to plan for Sprint 2015.
Sprint 2015- love it! Yes, planning can be half the fun. It is definitely a wonderful way to spend a chilly afternoon.