North Florida Gardening

[Seven Bends]

What are the small orange tomatoes in the center front, and are they different from the ones on the left?

[PlainJane]

What are the small orange tomatoes in the center front, and are they different from the ones on the left?

[mention]Seven Bends[/mention], the small orange fruit are all Atomic Sunset, created by Brad Gates at Wild Boar Farms.
There is quite a range of sizes but they all have light antho stripes and a reddish blush, depending on how much sun strikes each fruit.
Great salad tomato and very prolific.

[PlainJane]

Well, I think I’ve come to the end of the Brussels sprouts; they’re getting pretty knarly.
Steady bean harvest as the bush beans kick in and I’ll start more next weekend.

And I was able to save more fruit than I expected from my Green Bee plants. 10 straight days of hot, wet, steamy weather will make just about any tomato split so I was happy with the haul.

Green Bee is a very unusual tomato. It’s bred to have a crunchy texture and a very long shelf life. I love it and grow it every year.

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[PlainJane]

I’ve grown leeks in New England but this is my first attempt from Florida.
I have to say I’m pretty happy with the results! I started a dozen from pelleted seed along with the tomatoes in mid-January.
I’ll definitely start more this fall when the growing conditions will be a bit more to their liking.

2 for 2 with new veggie experiments - Brussels sprouts and leeks.

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[GoDawgs]

Our brains are kind of running on the same track. I'm going to try again growing leeks this fall. It's been a long time since the last failed effort. That's always puzzled me because I have no trouble growing scallions or onions.

How long did your seedlings grow before planting out? I'm thinking about starting them later this month for October plant out. They're King Sieg. What variety are you doing?

[PlainJane]

[mention]GoDawgs[/mention], I did the regular old King Richard as I could get pelleted seed. (So much easier!)

The seedlings grew for 2 months before planting out; I just lumped them into the same schedule as the tomatoes.
Given I’m quite a bit farther south than you I’ll start the leeks & sprouts in September, probably. Right now I’m fussing with my tomato notes from this year and deciding how many to grow next year.

I may also try a few onions this fall; we’ll see. I typically try to grow stuff that’s expensive to buy organic. I want to do beets this fall as I skipped them the last 2 seasons.

[PlainJane]

Cool weather has finally arrived, and cool weather crops are perking up.
Fennel

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Snap peas, Red Bull (right) and Long Island Improved Brussels sprouts (Thanks @GoDawgs!)

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Leeks and purple kohlrabi

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I planted 3 bags of fava beans and now wish I’d done more.

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Orange, purple and green cauliflower

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The carrots are in one of the big galvanized containers on the patio. There’s Swiss chard and nasturtium tucked here and there.
Lettuce didn’t sprout but the seed was several years old so I’ll try again.

There are some pole romano beans still hanging on but that’s about it from summer stuff.

[Barb_FL]

Keep the lettuce seeds in the freezer and they last much longer. I wasn't getting a 2nd season from lettuce seeds until I started freezing them.

Funny how the weather is so different in parts of the state. We had a really pleasant October and the coolest November I can remember- lots of nights in the low 50s and most days high no more than 75. But it is hot in December - days hitting 80 and nights are high 60s.

Where are your tomato plants? I started most of my seeds on Oct 4 (we were away) but a few in early September that I left unattended. The Sept ones are producing ripe fruit now.

I have 2 Kohlrabi planted out and a bunch of seedlings ready to be planted out; I grew it ages ago; It takes a lot of room so I want to be sure it is something I want to grow before wasting the space. How do you prepare yours to eat?

[Ginger2778]

Lettuce likes a lot of light to germinate. Try just wetting the starting mix, laying the seeds on top, gently tamping/pushing them flat, and put them under your grow light. Don't cover them at all. I bet you'll be surprised at the germination. I thought they were only good for a year, but learned they can last 3 or 4 years with this method.

[PlainJane]

Keep the lettuce seeds in the freezer and they last much longer. I wasn't getting a 2nd season from lettuce seeds until I started freezing them.

Funny how the weather is so different in parts of the state. We had a really pleasant October and the coolest November I can remember- lots of nights in the low 50s and most days high no more than 75. But it is hot in December - days hitting 80 and nights are high 60s.

Where are your tomato plants? I started most of my seeds on Oct 4 (we were away) but a few in early September that I left unattended. The Sept ones are producing ripe fruit now.

I have 2 Kohlrabi planted out and a bunch of seedlings ready to be planted out; I grew it ages ago; It takes a lot of room so I want to be sure it is something I want to grow before wasting the space. How do you prepare yours to eat?

Hi Barb! Thanks for the tip on lettuce seed; I’ll do that.
I’m growing 3 micro tomatoes right now but will be starting the main crop in about 10 days, under lights in the garage. I’ll plant out in mid-March, depending on the forecast.
I only eat kohlrabi raw. I use it in salads or to scoop humus. I can fit at least 6 plants in one of the 30 gal. bags, so it’s not that much space.
We’ve been mostly in the 50s night to 70s day as well but the last week has been warmer. Today is back to overcast and cool.
Jealous you have ripe tomatoes!

[PlainJane]

Good growing weather the last 2 weeks so I checked, and sure enough there’s broccoli, cauliflower, chard and kohlrabi ready to harvest. I hope the Jacarinda purple broccoli/cauliflower tastes as good as it looks!

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[PlainJane]

Carrots and purple cauliflower.

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[PlainJane]

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Peas will be another week, leeks 2 or 3 weeks, then favas and Brussels sprouts. Everything is growing well with minimal bug munching.

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[bower]

Lovely cauliflowers. What peas are you growing?

[GoDawgs]

I see those baby Jacarandas! The ones I did from the seed you sent were planted out at the end of September and were picked Dec. 5. Boy, they were pretty! tasty too. I left the plants in but it seems it's not a variety that makes side shoots. I thought all broccoli made some but I guess not. Still, they provided good color in the garden and were tasty too.

Just cut the last two cauliflowers two days ago. No more until next year as they just can't handle spring temp swings here. Fall only. Yours are looking good. What variety are you growing? Are they self blanching?

[PlainJane]

Lovely cauliflowers. What peas are you growing?

@Bower, I’m growing Royal Snap II, Royal Snow, Shiraz and Green Beauty (all mixed together).

[PlainJane]

@GoDawgs, I’m growing Purple Crush (Renee’s Garden), Song and Vitaverde (Johnny’s) besides the Jacarinda cauliflower/broccoli cross. They all grow somewhat open but I haven’t ever had issues.

[bower]

Shiraz was one of the peas I planted in the heat of summer last year, and it set really well. I've heard nothing but rave reviews of Green Beauty. All told they're going to make a beautiful plate!

[GoDawgs]

@PlainJane, so Jacaranda is a broccoli/cauli cross... that might explain why there were no side shoots, not even a hint of one.

BTW, the purple Brussels haven't made. There are just a few small vestiges of sprouts, like maybe 1/2" and not getting any bigger. I guess I'm just destined to just cross that veggie off my grow list for good.

[PlainJane]

@GoDawgs, I don’t get it.
Here are my Red Bull:

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And here’s the L.I.I. you sent me:

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