Pam Brown, UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension Agent
Have you ever tasted a tomato that actually ripened on the vine? Or eaten broccoli that was cooked as soon as it was harvested? If so, you know the joys of growing your own vegetables. With concerns about the safety of some vegetables, the distance they travel to our tables, and the pesticides used in other countries, it makes sense to try to grow at least some vegetables for ourselves. Fall through spring is the prime time for growing veggies here in this part of Florida.
Many of us do not have room for a full fledged vegetable garden. But, properly planted and tended containers can produce quite a bounty of vegetables. You must choose the site for your containers carefully since vegetables require at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun, especially those producing fruit like tomatoes and peppers. Lettuce and other greens can stand a little less full sun.
Many kinds of containers are suitable for growing vegetables. They will need to be large enough to hold the mature plant. A five gallon planter, bucket, can, or basket will be large enough for one tomato, pepper, or eggplant. Commercially available window boxes or other “grow boxes” that are specifically designed for vegetable gardening are also appropriate. Just remember, it is imperative that there be holes in the bottom for drainage in any container you choose to use.
It is best to use a commercial growing medium or potting soil to fill your containers. You should not use soil from your landscape since this can possibly add weed seeds, diseases, nematodes and harmful insects. Choose a potting soil that contains some sand and perlite for drainage. The main function of the growing medium is to provide the vegetable plants and their roots with the three necessary ingredients for growth – nutrients, water and air.
Vegetables grow fast and need a consistent source of water and fertilizer. Many containers will need to be watered every day once the plants start to mature. Allowing the plants to wilt from lack of water will reduce the yield and also affect the taste. Choose a slow release fertilizer with Magnesium and micro nutrients or one of the fertilizers labeled specifically for vegetables. Incorporate fertilizer into the growing medium at planting following directions on the label for the amount to use. Never use turf fertilizers for vegetables. The ratio of nutrients is not appropriate.
There are always pest challenges. Look at your plants often and watch for caterpillars, whiteflies, aphids, and other insects. Many times there will be beneficial insects that come along to help control the bad ones. But, if not, be sure that any pesticides that you use are labeled for vegetable gardens. Try the least toxic pesticide first.
I cannot cover all of the information that is necessary for growing veggies in this space. You can access the “Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide” on the Internet at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021. In addition, this Vegetable Gardening Topic index http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Vegetable_Gardening provides publications on all veggie gardening topics including organic gardening and pest control. Vegetable Gardening in Florida by James Stephens is the best book for gardening information. It is a great resource and contains the best pictures of insect pests and diseases of vegetables.
I wish you successful gardening and good eating.
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Comments:
June 1, 2012
A very good guide to beginning gardeners and arborists. One thing I can't stress enough when teaching about gardening is your placement. Look for whats above, behind, below, and what it could grow to block or overcome. Happy Gardening!
-Oscar Valencia
February 9, 2012
I was unable to make the live presentation today at 3:30 pm - any chance that someone video taped it for viewing later? Thanks!
October 27, 2011
Helpful knowledge.Especially 6 precaution. People should know about these things before hiring a contractor.Thanks for sharing highly valuable knowledge.
Foam Coating
October 24, 2011
Recycling helps the earth because it could save animals, it could save birds, puppies and all kinds of them. A lot of the animals that recycling helps to save are the ocean animals. There are a lot of animals in the ocean that mistake trash for food. They're eating things that we could be recycling. Check out this video: http://youtu.be/-H51E2gwXwc
October 24, 2011
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October 21, 2011
Nice post. For having proper air in your home you got to be right with your ventilation works.
June 19, 2011
Have you read Teaming with Microbes? Good book that is doing a lot to help me understand the good side of fungus and all the other tiny stuff in the soil. Who knew?
June 19, 2011
I saw several nymphs this season for the first time ever. They are some of the more bizarre bugs to have in the garden, but I hope they'll have a good effect!
May 20, 2011
thank you for this post jane! really helped me out. I thought these were death killing bugs! Take care
-Jason
May 1, 2011
We have the dog vomit slime mold for the first time in our yard as of this spring.
Thank you for this post, it is reassuring to see that what we are doing (organics ONLY) are making a difference!
April 18, 2011
Thanks Theresa, there was a host of the Slender Flattop Goldenrod, Euthamia Caroliniana, last Oct. in an open field now just knowing this species, and what I think is the Late flowering Thoroughwort, Eupatorium serotinum nearby in semishade making the bees crazy. Boca Raton, Fl. Eager-to-learn Master Gardener, Pat.
April 17, 2011
We have ongoing problems w/ this @ the city park where I work - I've tried rinsing the affected skin w/ hot water, which seems to help. I understand that cooking neutralizes the sting (people actually make tea from & even eat stinging nettle).
April 4, 2011
This is not the first of your posts I've read, and you never cease to amaze me.Thank you, and I look forward to reading more.
March 10, 2011
Perfect timing as a handout at the nursery. Thank-you! Debra Butler, Golden Rain Nursery
November 13, 2010
this is a lovely tree and I have a large one growing in my backyard, come see it email me at bcaptivated@gmail.com I also have some in 1 gall. pots.
November 3, 2010
What a cool looking mushroom. I think I will take the writer's advice and avoid walking in the dark woods to find it though.
September 28, 2010
I love both the beauty berry and firebush together. Always have flowers or berries, bright colors, drought tolerant to a degree... Nice plants!
September 16, 2010
You are welcome Becky- hopefully you don't find it!
September 14, 2010
I will be on the lookout for chamberbitter! Thank you for the description.
August 31, 2010
Thank you for the excellent tips. Not that I'm complaining about the rain.
April 28, 2010
I promise that the training sessions will be fun an informative. Legislature is a great challenge and incredibly rewarding. I hope you will join me to learn more.
Robert Williams
January 12, 2010
I really like the pic of winter flowers. Your article is very well written cant wait to read more. Interesting Blog I really liked it.
August 22, 2009
Has there been any discussion as to why the population explosion of the spanworms occurred this year? Was it related to the very dry winter and spring (eliminating many wasps) followed by heavy rains which spurred the snowbush's growth?
August 8, 2009
Great links! Thanks for sharing!
August 5, 2009
Great tips. I recommend that all DIYers mow tall in summer just to avoid additional pressure on struggling turf.
Organic fertilizers work well in summer to avoid excessive growth, as long as they have plenty of time to break down prior to those heavy storms you mention.
July 21, 2009
That was an important point you made about fertilizer use during this rainy time. Suggest all use slow-release fertilizers to avoid excess run-off of nitrogen & phosphorus into our waterways.
July 19, 2009
The lawn looks very poor.
July 1, 2009
Pam,
Thanks for such great details. For the 37th Edition of the Festival of the Trees blog carnival, we talked about Survivor Trees. Your post was a fitting addition to the "Hurricane" section!
June 11, 2009
If there are free seminars to be conducted in your community you must grab it. The skills that you will learn from it will benefit your for life.
June 8, 2009
Please direct all of your Lawn & Garden question to hort@pinellascounty.org or call (727)582-2110
June 6, 2009
I got to this page from reading your article about laurel oaks. I would love to chat with you about a problem that I am having with one of the oaks on my property- either by phone, or email. If you could oblige me, I'll send you my email address.
Now, back to reading about these orchids!
February 2, 2009
Great contest! :) Good luck to the entrants.
December 7, 2008
I am fully behind the termination of Sevin use for anything that might come in contact with any beneficial life forms.
October 18, 2008
I hope that this will be lots of fun!
October 8, 2008
Anyone know where I can get some good rain barrels? Not the plastic kind. I live here locally. Thanks! Kelli
August 20, 2008
Great Blog! If any of your readers are looking for Planters
or Window Boxes
there is a company called Hooks and Lattice that sells all different styles and
sizes. www.hooksandlattice.com
July 15, 2008
I briefly read this early this month and discarded it, but while in downtown ST Augustine I saw a palm with symptoms that could be a diseased palm. This was the other day in the plaza (used to be called the slave market). That would be a big jump from Manatee / Hillsborough County, but other palms around this specimen in the area are healthy and it has been in the ground for some time. It probibly is anouther disease or deficiency. I have been in the nursery/ landscape business for 30 years and hate to see the infections that are effecting our major trees, citrus, bays, palms, next? Craig Hartwig.
May 9, 2008
Jane Morse is a super cool Extension Agent. She really gets the job done!
May 9, 2008
Jane Morse is a super cool Extension Agent. She really gets the job done.
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