Vegetable Gardening for the South Florida Gardener - Monroe County, University of Florida

1. For the South Florida Gardener
Kim Gabel, Environmental Horticulture Agent
UF/IFAS/Monroe County Extension

2. Site Selection 2-3
• Location
• Sunshine
• Root competition
• Soil

3. Planning the Garden 4-9
• Vegetable selection: Start
with “Florida Garden Guide”
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021
• Paper Plans
Succession Planting
• Companion Planting

4. Succession Planting 10
Continuous supply throughout the
season:
Two or more crops in
succession - After one crop is
harvested, another is planted in
the same space. The length of
the growing season, climate,
and crop selection are key
factors. For example, a cool
season spring crop could be
followed by a heat-loving summer
crop.
Same crop, successive
plantings – continuous harvest
Same crops, different maturity
dates - Several varieties are
selected, with different maturity
dates: early, main season, late.
Planted at the same time, the
varieties mature one after the
other over the season.

5. Companion Planting 10-12
Improves growth & productivity
Repels insects & other pests
Increases Nitrogen
Improves Plant Nutrition
Enhances Root Penetration
Improves Plant Environment
Enhances Pollination
Assists germination
Maximizes space
Provides climbing support
Increases Aesthetic value

6. Companion
Planting

7. Garden Tools 13

8. Climatic and Weather Effects 14-17

9. Soil Test http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss156

10. Soil pH 19
http://icsde.ifas.ufl.edu/Accordent/Extension/MGSpecialistUpdate9%2D16%
2D10/

11. Soil compaction

12. Soil-less Media
• Compost
• Potting soil
• Combinations of
ingredients:
vermiculite, peat moss,
sand, bark, other

13. Soil-less Media 37
Sample Mixture
• Sand - 1 bushel “Builder’s Sand” (8 gal)
• Organic matter (peat, compost) – 1 bushel
• 1.25 cups dolomite lime
• 1 cup 8-8-8 fertilizer with micro-nutrients

14. Fertilizing the
Garden Plant Nutrients 22
Macro-nutrients Micro-nutrients
Primary B (boron)
N (nitrogen) Cl (chlorine)
P (phosphorus) Cu (copper)
K (potassium) Fe (iron)
Mn (manganese)
Secondary Mo (molybdenum)
Ca ( calcium) Zn (zinc)
Mg (magnesium)
S (sulfur)

15. Plant Hunger Signs 23
http://hort.ufl.edu/nutdef/
• (N) Yellow older leaves and stunting.
• (Ca) Blossom end rot; die-back at tips. Not a problem
when tomatoes are grown in the ground.

16. Fertilizing the
Garden Inorganic
Fertilizers 24-25
Complete (N-P-K)
Incomplete (Ex. Potassium sulfate)
Ratio (8-8-8, 8-2-12)
Tag shows what’s in the bag and sources
May also contain secondary and micros
Use slow-release and/or organic
Use water soluble if needed

17. Fertilizing the
Garden Fertilizing
Apply as needed, or monthly intervals, broadcast around plants
over root zone.
Apply per 100 square feet - 1# (6-6-6) or 1/3 # (15-0-15)
Less often if organic or slow-release
Main benefit is for nitrogen supply, Liquid fertilizers may be used
as well
How will this effect the soil biology?
http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach_pgs/a_02_sf
w_dgrm_lrg.html

19. Fertilizing the
Garden Organic Fertilizers 26-29
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG323
•Animal derived products: manures & composted products
•Other Animal based products
•Green manures
•Cover crops

20. Organic Matter
Conditions soil
Improves water holding capacity
Improves nutrient holding capacity
Supplies nutrients – slow release
Buffers soil
Increases soil “life”

21. Organic Matter
Animal
Manures 26-27
Kinds & Composition
Condition
Application

22. Organic Matter
Animal Manure Composition 27
Kind % Water %N %P %K
Bull 86 .55 .15 .50
Hen 73 1.10 .90 .50
Horse 80 .65 .25 .50
Sheep 68 1.00 .75 .40
Turkey 74 1.30 .70 .50

23. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic
materials.
Compost is partially decomposed organic matter.
Humus is completely decomposed organic matter.
Mulch is organic or inorganic materials spread on the soil
surface.

24. To compost rapidly, you must "think like a microbe."
What do microbes need?
* Food: Greens
& Browns
* Air (02)
* Moisture
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/compost_26754.jpg

25. Anything that was once a plant.
High Carbon High Nitrogen
“Brown” “Green”
Twigs Manure
Leaves Kitchen scraps
Sawdust Grass clippings
Wood chips Nitrogen fertilizers
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
The ideal ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen is
30 to 1 (30:1)

26. Three classes of bacteria will go to work for you in
an aerobic (well aerated) pile:
Thermophiles
bacteria that thrive at
temperatures between 105-140°F
Mesophiles
bacteria that thrive at
temperatures between 70-90°F
Psychrophiles
bacteria that flourish at low
temperatures down to 0°F
Psychrophiles

27. In later (cooler) stages, other organisms will
assist with pile decomposition
Actinomycetes
Fungi
Sowbugs
Millipedes
Centipedes
Spiders
Earthworms

28. Cold/ Slow/ Passive Composting
Sheet Composting
Top-Dressing with organic material on the soil surface
Trench Composting
Composting directly IN the soil
Cold Bin Composting
Fill your compost bin halfway with browns and bury
kitchen scraps
Heap Composting
A collection of compostable materials

29. Hot / Fast / Active Composting
Fastest rate of composting. Kills weed seeds,
pests, and plant pathogens in the process.
Requires several elements to succeed:
* Minimum size - 3’ x 3’ x 3’ (1 cubic yard)
* Blend of greens and browns
(~ 30:1 C/N Ratio)
* Proper moisture content
* Frequent turning to provide air
* Particle size of less than 2"-3"

30. Sandwich Method
Layer compost materials using a balance of Green and
Brown materials.
* Alternate 3-4" layers of Green
(high nitrogen) and Brown (high
carbon) materials.
* Water each layer as
you build it so material
is moist not wet, like a wrung
sponge.
* End with a Brown layer on
top.

31. Mix-It! Method
Mix the Green and Brown materials before adding them
to the compost system
* Add the mixture in 4"
layers.
* Water each layer.
* Speeds up the
composting process

32. After building your compost pile,
manage it by
•Monitoring temperature, moisture
& odor
•Mixing and Turning
•Finishing/Curing
•Screening

33. * Soil Amendment (Use only finished)
To increase the organic matter in the soil.
Work in 1-3” of compost.
* Mulch (Use finished or unfinished)
Apply 3-4 inches thick when possible.
* Potting Mix (Use only finished)
Blend with sand, perlite, vermiculite, etc.
* Compost Tea (Use finished or unfinished)
Fill burlap bag with compost and place in barrel
of water. Use “tea” to water plants.

34. Vermiculture

35. Vermicompost Tea
SUPPRESSING PLANT PARASITIC
NEMATODES AND ARTHROPOD PESTS WITH
VERMICOMPOST TEAS
VERMICOMPOST TEA PRODUCTION AND
PLANT GROWTH IMPACTS

36. Mulches 47-49
Organic Mulches In-Organic Mulches
Hay/Pine straw Poly-plastic
Leaves Newspaper
Bark/Wood chips Cardboard
Yard waste Carpet
Sawdust

37. Weed Control 47-49
Cultivation
Hand-pulling
Mulching
Do not compost perennials
or weeds “in-seed”
Keep weeds out in off-season

38. Gardening options for south
Florida 30-33
http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/veg
gie_gardening.html#
• Container gardening
• Hydroponics (Water culture)
• Organic gardening
• Raised bed

39. Gardening options for south Florida
Containers
• Pots and cans
• Buckets and
baskets
• Styrofoam ice
chests
• Plastic bags
• Barrels and drums
• Imaginative
containers
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH032

40. Hydroponic
gardening
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS18400.pdf

41. Organic Gardening
Composting
No synthetic chemicals
Mulching
(pesticides and fertilizers)
Animal manures
Soil building: Crop rotation
composting
Least-toxic pesticides
mulching
Natural predators
Resistant varieties

42. Raised
Beds
Construction
4-5 feet wide
5-8 feet long or longer
6-12 inch high
24 inch high for wheelchairs
Materials variable
Lumber: non-treated wood,
cinder blocks, or cedar to
resist decay

43. Site Preparation
Raised Beds
Clear debris & plants
Outline area for raised beds
Place newspaper, cardboard, etc
over area
Place raised bed walls
Fill with compost or potting soil
Mulch between beds

44. Don’t step on your soil!
transfers
diseases
transfers
nematodes
compacts soil

45. Seeds or
Transplants?

46. Seeding the Garden 38-41
Advantages
Can plant best varieties
Some veggies don’t transplant

47. Transplantability 42-45
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021

48. Seed Longevity

49. Seed Storage 41
3-15 years
Cool: 35-50° F
Dry: 50-70% RH
Seed moisture low: 10-14%
Refrigerator
Absorbent material

50. Seeding Rules of Thumb 40
Plant 2 seeds/hole
Thin if needed
Plant seed no deeper
than 2x diameter
Press tiny seeds into
soil
Keep seed bed moist
(cover with burlap

51. Thinning Plants 46
Why thin?
Thin when seedlings are small
Seedlings may be used for:
Transplanting
Greens and salad
Leave best plants even if spacing is off
Do not disturb roots

52. Starting With Transplants
42-44
Advantages
Early start, earlier harvest
Avoid bad weather
Choice of plants
Instant success
Ideal seed germination
Required for some: Sweet potato and
Strawberry

53. Setting Plants
4-6 weeks old
Do not disturb roots
Set in moist soil
Water around roots
Set at proper depth
Starter solution helpful

54. Other Plant Parts
Cutting - sweet potato
Tubers – potato
Bulbs – onions
Entire fruit – chayote
Clove – garlic
Stem - cassava

55. Caring for the Garden

56. Soil Moisture and Plant Growth

57. Watering the Garden 50-51
No water - no garden
Hand-held cans or hose
Overhead sprinklers
Drip systems
Soaker hoses

58. Irrigation Considerations
Water early in day
Young plants need 1” water per week -- apply water frequently
Mature plants need 2” water per week - apply infrequently

59. Supporting Tall Plants
49-50
Staking
Trellising
On Fence
Cages
Plant-to-plant

60. For information on
specific plants and other University of
Florida Extension publications
Http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
Http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/

61. Courtesy of:
Jim Stephens Vegetable Gardening Specialist
Sydney Park Brown Extension Horticulture Agent,
Mary Lamberts Commercial Vegetable Crop Agent,
George Fitzpatrick Professor of Horticulture
Adrian Hunsberger, Miami-Dade Extension Agent
Hillsborough County Extension Composting Program