Winter feels like it’s been going on for quite some time, but more cold fronts are likely in the future. At least the days are slowly getting longer, which is great. The weather this month is usually good for working outside. Check out the following recommendations:
Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Seminar. A free Florida Friendly Landscape Seminar will be held on Saturday, March 25 at the O’Gurry Convention Center. The event will begin at 9:00 am and his four scheduled presentations will be “Indian River Lagoon Updates.” “Keystone Species, Soil, and Compost Touches,” “Bats in Your Florida Backyard,” and “Be Native! Solutions for Erosion and Runoff.”
After the final presentation, we will give presents to visitors by lottery. There will be stalls at the event, so please come early and enjoy shopping, or feel free to do so during break time or after the seminar. Follow this link fflseminar2023.eventbrite.com to sign up for a free ticket.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping, series. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping class series is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 5th and will continue over the next seven consecutive Tuesdays. Classes meet from 9am to noon. Each class he covers two topics and the series costs $75. Check out the Eventbrite page at 2023fflclassseries.eventbrite.com to see all the topics covered. This class is perfect for those just starting out in gardening in Florida or wanting to improve their gardening results.
Cut back the roses. Mid-month is a good time to prune hybrid rose bushes. Pick 4-5 main canes to form a new shrub and prune the rest. return. Flowers are produced 8-9 weeks after pruning. If you grow old garden roses such as china, tea, bourbon or damask, you can also lightly prune them if needed.
Water the lawn once a week. If your lawn is yellowish from short days, continue to water (up to once a week) and celebrate not having to mow too often this month. Don’t expect or try to make the lawn green until then.
How healthy are your vegetables? Check your garden for diseased, insect-infested, old or non-producing plants and cut them off at the soil line. ) and does not disturb the soil.
more:These winter flowers can survive the cold in central Florida.Sally Scalera
more:Now is the time to prune crape myrtle, but don’t commit crepe murder.Sally Scalera
more:Now is the time to prune crape myrtle, but don’t commit crepe murder.Sally Scalera
Vegetables to plant this month. Vegetables that can be planted in February include arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, and lettuce. , mustard, okra, onions (green and shallots), peas, peppers, potatoes (Irish and sweet), radishes, spinach, pumpkin, sweet corn, chard, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon.
A note about growing both sweet peppers and hot peppers: Plant them far apart, such as on either side of your house, to preserve their flavor. When planting vegetables in a garden or container, be sure to inoculate the planting hole or soak the soil with microbial products. Peas and beans should be inoculated with appropriate nitrogen-fixing bacteria. For more information on how to establish a soil food web in your garden, please email the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Master Gardener (brevard-mg1@ifas.ufl.edu).
Seeds to sow. Vegetable seeds that can be sown in February and planted in March include arugula, beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, kohlrabi, okra, pepper, southern peas, spinach, pumpkin, sweet corn, chard, There is watermelon and so on.
Herbs to plant from now on. Herbs that can be planted in February include basil, oregano, chives (both onions and garlic), dill, fennel, parsley, sweet marjoram, mint, sage and thyme. One more note: plant dill and fennel far from each other. Otherwise, the flavors may mix.
Bulbs to plant. Bulbs you can plant this month include agapanthus, amaryllis, euonymus, canna, dog lily, crocosmia, dahlia, hurricane lily (Lycoris spp.), rain lily, and spider lily.
Like vegetable plants, herbs and bulbs can benefit from inoculating the planting holes with beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae.
Visit the Farmers Market. Check out the vendors and their products available at the Brevard County Farmers Market every Thursday this month from 3-6pm at the Wickham Park Pavilion.
- A & D Hives – Natural honey, pollen, beeswax and other hive related products. All from the hive.
- Capt’n Tony’s Pirate Salsa – Incredibly fresh salsa, candied jalapenos and sweet relish.
- Dana’s Cupcakes & More – Homemade cupcakes, candies, pies and more.
- Deep Roots Meat (Second Thursday of the month only) – Grass-fed Florida Angus beef straight from the farm.
- Detox Energy Greens – Organic and vegan powder blends and teas made with herbs, greens and superfoods.
- ET Produce – A variety of produce from Florida.
- Friends Product – Freshly made hummus, garlic spreads, pita bread and more.
- From Christine’s kitchen – delicious homemade jams in a variety of flavors.
- Grandma Locks Apple Butter – Delicious homemade apple butter, apple jelly and barbecue sauce.
- I Love You Peanut – Assorted Homemade Nut Butters
- Mountain Laurel Handcrafts – Locally roasted, organic coffees (flavored coffees, whole grains, ground beans, etc.) served cup or cold.
- My Green Thumb Plant Shop – Fresh herbs, edible plants, bee and butterfly pollinators.
- Nana’s Kitchen – Homemade cakes, sandwich cookies, vanilla and fruit extracts.
- Nonna D’s Olive Pit & Speedy Weenie – Delicious olives, olive oils and flavored vinegars.
- Our Ancestor’ Foods – Local farm-raised pork and pork products.
- Pueo Farms – Farm-fresh, local produce, from root vegetables to vegetables.
- Big Dream Factory – Freshly made pasta, pasta sauces, cheeses and other delicious Italian delicacies.
- Two Swans Bakery – All vegan cakes, muffins, breads and more.
- Vegan Dessert Delights – Delicious vegan desserts including nut butter cups, truffles and more.
- Vital Silver – Homemade soaps and special “colloidal silver” items for humans, babies and pets.
- Zesty Fox Farms – Grow kits for locally grown microgreens, shoots, wheatgrass, and microgreens.
Stay up to date by checking our Facebook page at facebook.com/brevardcountyfarmersmarket.
Sally Scalera is an Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Email sasc@ufl.edu.