Q: I planted some beans and tomatoes about ten days ago and they really are not doing very well. Do you have any suggestions as to why? What am I doing wrong?

A: July is really a difficult time of the year to plant vegetables. You might get lucky and receive some reward for your labor but it would be better to plant earlier in the year or try something next month in August. It is entirely too hot right now and the insects and diseases are at their peak. It would be better to wait a few more weeks and begin preparing your fall garden.

There are many vegetable choices for fall gardening in Northeast Florida and I am sure you will achieve success. Try snap bush beans such as Bush Blue Lake, Contender or Provider. Yellow Wax bush bean variety such as Cherokee Wax is another possible choice. Consider Horticulture, Pinto, Red Kidney, Black Bean or Navy Beans for shelling bush peas. You might try tomatoes again by planting them in August. Try growing fall tomatoes and maybe you will be one of the fortunate ones. However, do not be discouraged if the tomatoes are not successful in the fall, some people have good luck, others do not.

See the Florida Gardening Guide for more information on what can be planted and the time best of time of year to plant. This document was published by the University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021

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