It is clear that spring has arrived, regardless of what the calendar says!
Some of our cool season crops, like cilantro, mustard and radishes are bolting and flowering. We often let them do this so our honey bees and native bees have a ready food source in early spring when many warm season flowers may not be out yet.
At this time, we are in the process of transplanting our tomatoes, peppers and eggplants out into the garden. We started them from seed indoors in January, and now that we have passed our last average date of frost. We are checking the forecast daily to be sure there are no predicted cold snaps and getting those plants in our beds. If you are unsure of your last average date of frost, March 15 is a safe date recommended by UF/IFAS for putting your spring crops out.
We are also beginning to direct seed crops such as beans, cucumbers and squash
They don’t like to be transplanted, so we sow them where they will grow. They germinate best when soil temperatures are above about 60°F., so we don’t put them out too early. Our raised beds and in-ground plots are all in the 60-65°F. range, so it’s time to get them started as well.
If you are new to gardening in general, or new to gardening in Florida, beans are a great spring crop to start with
They grow in most any well-drained soil, do well in large containers, and don’t require trellising or staking. Florida-friendly snap bean varieties include ‘Bush Blue Lake’, ‘Contender’, ‘Roma II’, ‘Provider’, and ‘Cherokee Wax’ (a yellow wax type). If you’re interested in growing shell beans, try ‘Horticultural’, ‘Pinto’, ‘Red Kidney’, ‘Black Bean’, or ‘Navy’ varieties. Keep the soil consistently moist while the seeds are germinating, and once they come up water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. Be careful not to over-fertilize. Beans are legumes that fix their own nitrogen. If you add to much nitrogen, you may get beautiful leaves but not many beans. See the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide for more detailed planting information.
Consistently warmer weather in April allows us to plant some of our heat-loving and more tropical crops that need a long growing season
If you have a lot of space, think about Seminole Pumpkin, sweet potatoes or luffa gourds. All grow well over the summer with minimal disease or insect pressure and very little care. April can also bring the first of our early tomatoes. There’s nothing better than scouting the garden in the spring sunshine and popping cherry tomatoes into your mouth as you go! Unfortunately, we are not the only ones that love the spring plants and fruits. Remember to observe your plants daily and look for insects or caterpillars near the growing tips or on the undersides of leaves.
Planting resistant varieties and planting the right crops in the right place at the right time goes a long way toward minimizing insect problems. Most problems that do arise are fairly easy to solve by hand picking or with horticultural soap or oil, especially if they are caught early. No matter how you slice it, it’s a great time to be a gardener in northeast Florida!
Article written by Beth Marlowe, Urban Garden Program Assistant, March 2023
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