September is a month of curious contradictions and juxtapositions, at least for gardeners in panhandle Florida. Depending on the individual characteristics of the environmental factors of the year, events and occurrences can, and often do, cancel each other.
Still, much can be accomplished during this transitional period from summer to autumn. The summer of 2024 has delivered an ample bounty of rain, as the mosquitoes and weeds will testify.
Historically, September is the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. However statistically the ninth month has been a dry period, and the accumulated surplus may literally dry up in the weeks to come.
In the home landscape, now is the time to add annuals and bedding plants to complement the soon to arrive colors of the fall season. These may be started with seeds in some cases, but there are many species and cultivars readily available in retail establishments and nurseries.
With less than a week to go until the beginning of autumn, activities are centered on plants, both ornamental and vegetable, which will grow and produce for at least the next few months. Some, like these radishes, can produce several crops during panhandle Florida’s cold season.
Ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia are all good candidates, along with numerous others. The key to successfully establishing these plants is to meet their needs for sun, water, and soil.
Sun exposure involves where the plants are located relative to objects which may provide shade from the ever-changing position of this natural light source. Commonly only the east to west movement of the sun is considered, but there is another factor to remember.
As autumn progresses towards winter, the sun will continue its shift further south. This progression will continue until the winter solstice on December 21, 2024.
If a planting bed is near a structure and will potentially affect the sun exposure, another sight should be considered.
A proper level of soil moisture will be needed, even in the coldest days of winter.
High levels of organic matter in growing zones helps with the retention of critical moisture. Mushroom compost, homemade compost, peat moss and many other growing media will help keep the appropriate level of dampness during drier times.
September in north Florida is a great time to get the fall and winter vegetable garden off to a good start. As with annuals and bedding plants, the sun exposure, soil and water are all considerations.
Whether strawberry sets or collard seeds, these and almost all others will need full exposure to the sun. If obstructions to the light are a potential problem, evaluate them before planting so mediocre performance is avoided later.
Much like bedding plants and annuals, vegetables will yield better with a soil amended with organic material.
There is something important to keep in mind about fertilizer application, however. It is very easy to over apply nitrogen. That overapplication could create a flush of tender leaf growth.
If unseasonably cold weather arrives, plants can be injured or killed when foliage is not given the opportunity to harden off.
Broccoli, radishes, cabbage, kale and many others can be planted now for harvest in the mild days of the region’s late autumn. Some, like radishes, can have multiple crops over the course of the cool seasons.
One concern with early autumn gardening is an aggressive and prolific pest, the fall armyworm. This caterpillar’s population is reaching its seasonal peak, and tender young plants are the entre of choice.
Monitor the garden and be ready to treat, or gather for disposal, this voracious pest. Tasty vegetables should be enjoyed by the gardener, not insects in the last days of their life.
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