Not just tacit

October in the Garden

Ah, finally. We’re moving into fall. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but October seems to be one of those pivotal months of the year. The weather starts changing, we move into holiday season mode, and it’s just generally a great month for finding events and festivals to keep us occupied.

Depending on if you are a gardener, or even if you’re considering getting started with gardening, October is a great month to start. It’s cooler, and there’s plenty to harvest and plant, and you may just be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor with holiday guests around the table.

According to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Floridians are able to garden and harvest all year long, including right now. They recommend creating a gardening plan with strict planting deadlines so you don’t miss your window to plant and harvest at the right time later. Be sure to plant according to your region and zone of the state, which you can find on the UF/IFAS website at gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu.

In Florida, fall is an excellent time to start a vegetable garden. Cool-season vegetables to plant in October include broccoli, lettuce, carrots, Brussels sprouts and radishes.

If you’re planting in an area already used for spring and summer crops, be careful to remove all dead or diseased plant matter, including roots.

You may want to have your soil re-tested to check the pH level and determine what nutrients you might need to add. Till your soil a few weeks before planting, and then add organic matter, such as cow manure or compost.

Planting in October means you must heed the climate zones. For instance, central and Southern Floridians can plant the following:

Bedding Plants: Pansy, dianthus, and petunia

Bulbs: See agapanthus, rain lily, and other lily varieties flourish in your garden next spring or summer by planting them now. To really make the bulbs shine, add organic matter to the planting bed.

Herbs: Try planting parsley, sage, cilantro, chives and garlic from seeds or plants this month.

Vegetables: Plant beet, Brussel sprout, carrot and onion, which can grow and last throughout the winter.

If you aren’t a fan of any of the listed vegetables, flowers or herbs suggested, you can always create a gardening operation indoors. Find a grow kit online, including a lamp, and try growing anything you like! It’s not guaranteed that if you plant tomatoes indoors right now that they’ll flourish as they would have in spring, but it can be a fun challenge for those confident in their gardening abilities.

No matter how you decide to celebrate October—gardening or just enjoying local fall festivities, take care, and we’ll see you next month!

Rebecca

Rebecca Fending, Editor

Have a great month and we'll see you in November!

Published monthly by Lifestyles After 50 Volume 33, Issue 10

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