Florida’s Bountiful and Hardy Cool Season Crops

Seasonal distractions are at an epidemic level. There are shopping and sales, social events, more shopping, gift wrapping, and then even additional last-minute shopping for those emergency gifts.

The ample rain recently combined with the colder temperatures has created a less than ideal environment for working in the landscape and garden. Even the deer hunters and recreational fishermen are picking their outings carefully when there is soggy weather.

Still for those who need a break from shopping and the other activities requiring a large credit line, there are ample opportunities waiting in the home landscape and garden. Some will produce positive short term results, but most will pay dividends in the coming months.

The relatively balmy winters in north Florida make it possible to continue planting in the garden, and there are so many useful crops which can be grown here without an extraordinary effort. Foremost among these are the cool season leaf crops.

Deer are frequently midnight munchers in home gardens. Leafy winter vegetables are a good substitute for forage in the wild, so the home gardener must take preventative measures to assure any of the crop will be left for human consumption.

Kale, collards, cabbage, mustard and many more can be planted now. Of course starter plants are readily available at garden centers and big-box retailers, and they are inexpensive.

Plants come in small pots or cells, individually or in small numbers. These make it easy for the novice gardener to try their hand at cultivation in little plots or even flower pots.

Even more cost effective are the seeds. The same retail locations which have the plants will likely have the tiny seeds to produce large volumes of cool season leaf crops.

The seeds are easily spread and then lightly covered with 1/8^th to ¼th inch of soil. Little plants will emerge in about a week and may require thinning if planted too close together.

When thinning the sprouts, leave ample space between the plants and remove all the other plants. A good rule of thumb is to leave 12 to 18 inches between plants.

The local cool season conditions provide an ideal environment for growing broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. If planted in rich, well-drained soil and watered as needs, these vegetables can be a high yielding, low maintenance crop in the home gardens of panhandle Florida.

A major advantage of winter gardens is the lack of insect problems. Grasshoppers, stinkbugs, and caterpillars are taking a break from their summer feasting, and the mosquitos and yellow flies are not a challenge for the gardeners either.

Late autumn is a great time to establish and cultivate the home orchard. Plant deciduous fruit trees during this season of dormancy to give their roots time to develop before the warm, dry spring months.

It will soon be time to prune established fruit trees. Shaping the tree and removing problem limbs before the bloom starts is the best way to assure a balanced and well-structured tree, and eliminate the potential for fruit loss.

So take a well-deserved break from the crowds and hazard-laden parking lots, and spend some quality time with plants and hand tools. The peace and quiet is soothing, and the crops are natural vitamin sources.

It is no wonder gardening is considered a healthy activity, and it never requires gift wrapping.