Fall in the VegHeadz Garden

Swallowtail caterpillars on Fennel 

Fall has arrived in north Florida and in the VegHeadz garden.  Mornings are cooler and we can work longer.  Weeds are trying to seed out so we need that extra time to remove them and try to reduce next years weed crop.  

Pleasures of the season include a bumper crop of Swallowtail caterpillars on any remaining fennel and parsley.  Soon butterflies will be fluttering around our fall flowers and enjoying their nectar.  

It’s also time to chop and drop some of our cover crops and to put seeds and seedlings for fall vegetables into the ground.  

Monarch caterpillars on Milkweed

  

Pearl millet just before seeding
out.  This is the best time to
chop and drop for maximum biomass
but before reseeding and creating
unwanted plants next year. 

Pearl millet in a small bed.  

The millet has been chopped and piled back on 
the bed to discourage weeds and to decompose and
add organic matter to enrich the soil.

Summer edibles still producing include ground cherries, peppers, winged beans, bitter melon, ginger root, yacon, and herbs such as basil, oregano, and Chinese garlic chives.  

Ground cherries

Winged beans

Bitter melon 

Ginger root