Vegetable Gardening Seminar - October 10, 2020

So you all are here to learn about vegetable gardening and crop rotation. The reason why I combine both of those topics is because they do go hand in hand like love and marriage. Alright? I could teach you all how to have a very successful first season of gardening, but then the next season, what are we gonna be doing? Right? So instead of doing that, I'm going to teach you all how to plan for crop rotation because making a plan gives you a better chance at success.

Right?

So, what we're gonna talk about is garden planning. Alright? Garden planning includes crop selection and site requirements. How are you going to grow your plants? I'm quite contrary and do things differently in my garden, but there are various ways of producing your crops, and whether you're going to use seeds or purchase stock is a big question. Right? When should you be planting things and how do you get the most out of your gardening space? Alright. We’ll also discuss garden management, such as how to water, the importance of mulching, making sure that your garden bed is prepared by pulling out as many weeds as you see, and managing that afterward. And of course, the application of fertilizer. Alright? And one of my other favorite things, composting. Composting is important, and of course, I'll always encourage you all to come to us for help when you're trying to figure this out.

Garden planning and crop selection. What can be grown here? Beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, lettuce, onions, radishes. Almost anything that you've grown anywhere else can be grown here. It might just be a different variety. Because never would you go to a garden store in October to purchase tomato seedlings. Welcome to the Republic of Florida. That is something that you really have to think about. Grow something you know you like and are going to eat because then you’re fully invested in its success. Do not grow it just because it can be grown. You will ignore it if it starts to annoy you, and it's going to become a bigger problem. Right? Consider the things that you're actually going to use. Have a game plan for what you intend to use.

Alright?

Site requirements. Full sun. What state do we live in? The sunshine state. Believe me, you can still get a sunburn on overcast days. Full sun means direct sunlight for at least six hours of the day. If you don't have direct sunlight for at least six hours of the day, then you have to juggle with what you intend to grow.

Tomatoes and cucumbers need a lot of time for that particular spectrum. If you have a neighbor down the street and you all are buddies, you can trade out. You'll give them some of the herbs from your garden, and they'll give you some tomatoes. Keep your garden near a water source. I had a garden that went derelict because we didn't have water. Water is important here because our soil is very sandy. It will not hold water, fertilizer, or anything. You need to work with our soil, and that is important to recognize.

Keep your vegetable garden bed away from competing tree roots. One plant is going to win in a competition; there will only be one victor. You don't want to see what your carrots will look like if growing under an oak tree. They're not appetizing. Ensure well-drained soil. I have not met a vegetable crop yet that likes to keep its roots wet. So make sure that you have well-drained soil.
Next, how are you going to accomplish your gardening endeavor? I am happy to say that I am 44 years old. I do not intend to be crawling around on my hands and knees through several acres of garden beds. Be honest with yourself. If you might need to go ahead and make a raised bed because you do not want to be bending, squatting, and all of that. Then do so.

Seed or purchase stock? Seeds are less expensive. Buy lots of seeds. Purchased stock is more expensive, but at least you know that it germinated. For time, you might want to use purchased stock and then use seeds the next go-around.

When to plant? You can plant here all year round. There is no season that you cannot plant something edible in Florida. Tomatoes, zucchinis, and eggplants can be grown from fall through winter and spring. However, know when to say when. Rotate your garden beds seasonally because, here in Florida, what some people call annual, due to one proper growing season, can be perennial here.

Maximizing Space. The average house lot is a quarter acre. If you’re only trying to grow food for the average household size, you have enough space, be it in containers or outdoors in the ground. Maximize space with trellises. Put your trellis to the north end of your garden so it doesn’t shade out the rest. Wide rows make it easier to pull out weeds and prevent you from stepping on your plants. Interplanting short season crops with long season crops helps manage garden space and keep weeds at bay while waiting for the long-season crops.

Garden Management: Mulching your garden beds helps reduce weed competition, moderate temperature, and prevent water from evaporating. Overhead watering is not recommended. Water at the roots with soaker hoses or drip irrigation to prevent fungal infections. Water in the mornings before 10 o’clock, keeping plants hydrated during the day. Young plants need one inch of water per week applied frequently; mature plants need two inches of water per week applied less frequently.

Fertilizing: Fertilize your vegetable gardens appropriately. Fertilizer is not the answer to all your problems. Identify the problem before applying fertilizer. Use organic fertilizers if you manage your soil organically. Leafy crops like nitrogen-rich fertilizers, while root and fruit crops need potassium. Read the labels on fertilizers.

Pest Issues: Identify the problem first. Determine if it's an insect or a disease and then identify the specific issue. Rotate crops to reduce pest and disease pressure. Use marigolds to repel certain insects, both above and below ground.

Crop Rotation: This is a part of your overall planning process. Rotate by plant family. Follow the recommended rotation schedule to reduce pest pressure and to balance soil nutrients. For instance, follow planting beans (Fabaceae) with tomatoes (Solanaceae) to optimize nitrogen use for tomatoes. Cover crop with marigolds or zinnias in the summer for aesthetic value and to provide for pollinators while resting your garden bed.

If you have any more questions or need support, contact us at ircmg1@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Master Gardeners of Indian River County.