February is here and (hopefully) the severest of the cold snaps have passed. Unfortunately, it’s been a cold January with prolonged periods of below average temperatures so we’ll need to watch the extended forecasts closely. Regardless, we are all definitely ready to get serious about our vegetable gardening now that the spring season is upon us!
Preparing Your Garden Beds
If you’ve been following us (see September blog), you likely took steps to prepare your soils for fall gardening. Now that it’s February, you can renew your efforts to clean out any dead plants, brush, leaves or debris that may have fallen or blown into your garden and flower beds throughout the winter months. Till your soil to mix existing materials and add new organic matter (i.e., compost or soil enhancements & mixes) to boost your soil for the coming season.
Given our sandy soils, you’ll want to fertilize your garden beds. We recommend Espoma’s organic Garden-Tone® (3-4-4) for your herbs and vegetables or their Synthetic GardenFood® (5-10-5), depending on your preferences. (Espoma’s organic PlantTone® is equally ideal for your flower beds). Plants such as tomatoes and corn will need more frequent applications while beans and carrots require less. Note Sarasota’s fertilizer ban begins June 1st, prohibiting the application of materials containing Nitrogen and Phosphorus. You’ll likely need to plan to use iron-rich materials or other organic composts during this time.
Protect Against Nematodes
Microscopic Parasitic Nematodes damage the roots of your plants, preventing them from absorbing adequate water and nutrients from the soil. Yellowing, wilting and generally poor growth may suggest infestation. And while there are several options for reducing the risk of nematodes, the most practical approach is to add plenty of organic matter to your soil to improve soil structure and its ability to hold water and nutrients.
Your Vegetable Garden
February welcomes the first of the “warm weather” vegetables to your garden along with multiple holdovers from January, (i.e., Celery, Radish & Turnip). And many February vegetables can still be planted well into March along with additional “warm weather” plants. If you feel you’ve missed the optimal planting time for your favorite vegetables, check with your trusted gardening expert to verify suitability.
The University of Florida Extension offers the following general planting guide for February and March:
FEBRUARY VEGETABLES
| Easy to Transplant | Arugula, Beets, Boniato, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Eggplant, Endive, Gingers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Pepper, Swiss Chard, Sugarcane, Tomatillo, Tomatoes |
| Transplant Carefully | Amaranth, Calabaza, Celery, Long Squash, Luffa, Mustard, Papaya, Pineapple, Potatoes, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes |
| Use Seeds | Bush, Pole & Lima Beans, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Chayote, Corn, Cucumbers, Okra, Onion (bunching), Peas (English & Southern), Okra, Radish, Squash, Turnip, Watermelon |
You can also plant your favorite herbs, including Oregano, Chives, Dill, Sweet Marjoram, Fennel and Basil. Mint, Sage and Thyme will also perform well.
MARCH VEGETABLES
| Easy to Transplant | Boniato, Chinese Cabbage, Endive, Gingers, Kohlrabi, Peppers, Roselle, Sugarcane, Tropical Spinaches |
| Transplant Carefully | Amaranth, Calabaza, Long Squash, Luffa, Papaya, Pigeon Pea, Pineapple, Seminole Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Yucca |
| Use Seeds | Bush, Pole & Lima Beans, Cantaloupe, Chayote, Corn, Cucumbers, Okra, Onion (bunching), Peas (English & Southern), Okra, Radish, Squash, Watermelon |
Add Lavender, Tarragon Lemon Balm and Coriander to the above herbs for an even larger selection of suitable March herbal plantings.
Pollinator Attractors
A garden makes a great place for flowering pollinator attractors! Beautyberry, Beach Sunflower, Goldenrod, Hibiscus, Cassia Bush and Sunshine Mimosa are just a few that will not only add color and life to your garden but also benefit your growing vegetable plants. Consider including one or two of these in your spring garden!
Conclusion
Spring in Southwestern Florida is a great time to begin or expand your vegetable garden. With a little preparation, you can work your garden for fresh, homegrown vegetables year around.