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| Blueberries, two in the mouth and one in the bucket. |
It’s also the time of year when vegetable production slows down in our area. Some species which produce fruit such as tomatoes and peppers, will not set fruit when temperatures are in the 90s, and bugs and funguses get the upper hand in the heat and humidity.
However, this week we were still able to harvest many tomatoes of all varieties, hot peppers, and green beans as well as a few ears of corn, long beans, and a couple of cucumbers.
Peggy brought dill seeds to share. They can be used as seasoning in pickles and salad dressings or planted. Dill prefers temperatures between 60°F and 70°F for optimal growth and in north Florida can be planted during the cooler months, typically from September to February.
However, this week we were still able to harvest many tomatoes of all varieties, hot peppers, and green beans as well as a few ears of corn, long beans, and a couple of cucumbers.
Peggy brought dill seeds to share. They can be used as seasoning in pickles and salad dressings or planted. Dill prefers temperatures between 60°F and 70°F for optimal growth and in north Florida can be planted during the cooler months, typically from September to February.
It’s frustrating because the dill is gone by the time the cucumbers are ready. Try freezing the dill just as it starts to bloom and make seeds. It can also be dried for use as seasoning throughout the year, but dried dill is not as goods for pickles. To save seeds, wait till the flower heads are mature.
We have also been planting summer cover crops to take the place of spent plants and to prepare the soil for fall planting.
We often report the good things that happen in our garden, but we also have setbacks and disappointments.
The VegHeadz garden is next to the tropical portion of the Extension Demonstration Garden and in fact, when we expanded the vegetable area a few years ago, we took over part of the tropical garden area. One positive aspect of that move was the incorporation of two tropical trees into our garden area which have bloomed beautifully and provided shade for our garden shed and work area.
We have also been planting summer cover crops to take the place of spent plants and to prepare the soil for fall planting.
We often report the good things that happen in our garden, but we also have setbacks and disappointments.
The VegHeadz garden is next to the tropical portion of the Extension Demonstration Garden and in fact, when we expanded the vegetable area a few years ago, we took over part of the tropical garden area. One positive aspect of that move was the incorporation of two tropical trees into our garden area which have bloomed beautifully and provided shade for our garden shed and work area.
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| Tabebuia |
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| Cry Baby Tree — Erythrina crista-galli |
Unfortunately last winter’s hard and prolonged freeze killed one of those trees, a Tabebuia. Cutting it down was on the todo list, but a recent storm and strong winds broke it off and removal has now moved to the top of the list. It missed the garden shed and other garden structures, so we were lucky.
That same storm blew over Glenn’s heirloom corn and bent some of the bamboo all the way to the ground.
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| Heirloom corn, a storm casualty |
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| Formerly erect bamboo bowled over by the wind |
Finally, a few weeks ago we had repeated instances of missing plants and shrubs. We hope they were put to good use. Fortunately we’ve had no more losses recently, which means more produce for delivery to the Kearney shelter for the homeless.
Small losses in a very successful gardening season, and we’re thankful.
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