Hey Fellow Floridians - Year 2 - Page 237

Gardenboy · June 24, 2019

My tomato season is usually done by Mother's Day. I then plant various flowers like amaranthus, sunflowers, salvia, basil and other herbs. Also have beans from Jan. to May. I have strawberries only for 2 months..got real hot to fast after Easter. I did not grow okra or cucumbers this season. I grow in 20 gallon containers all my veggies. My romaine and deer tongue lettuce was real good this season. I also grow sorghum during summer months. I have 5 mango trees that are producing good this season. They produce every other season. Will get less next year. Let's hope all the hurricanes stay out to sea this season. We got slammed by Irma a few years back..don't want to go through that again. Also I have my passion fruit vine, Passiflora Edulis Flavicarpa all season. The vines produce flowers and fruit all year. Always have fresh seeds if anyone need some. I also have tropical milkweed and Balloon Plant milkweed and Hello Yellow milkweed all year.

Douglas

Zone9b · July 8, 2019

Damsel F1 tomato variety is said by many to be nematode resistant. A major seed vendor says, "The combined disease package of Late Blight, Verticillium Wilt and Nematode Resistance are sure to please your customers." In the Spring, I had Damsel plants in 10 gallon containers and more in raised beds. I've experienced that many varieties do much better in raised beds than in my containers. Damsel was no different, with far superior performance in raised beds. I pulled the old Spring plants recently and as suspected the containers showed my nematode activity, but to my surprise the Damsel plants in the raised beds showed very significant nematode damage. Some roots as fat as my thumb. I can't imagine how well they would have done in RBs if they truly were nematode resistant.

Barb_FL · July 9, 2019

That's interesting Larry. So even though they weren't nematode resistant, they produced well and better in the Raised Beds than the container? I still have one plant from August/September that has tomatoes.

Really consider adding the Crab Shells to your raised beds. I add a thin layer on the bottom of my root pouches and even when I put them directly on the weed barrier and they dug through, the roots were fine. I found the best (cheapest) place to buy the 4lb bag is Burpee.com when they have free shipping. Walmart.com (can have it delivered to store) is sometimes $12 something.

BTW - awhile back. I grew one of the nematode resistance varieties developed in Hawaii and I didn't think it was any better fighting off nematodes. I had also planted a ton of marigolds (from Denmark) around it.

Zone9b · August 24, 2019

I didn't do much Gardening this summer, but I do have a RB full of volunteer Sweet Potatoes. We planted a RB full of Broccoli late today. Mostly Castle Dome F1 but I am also giving Green Magic a try. We have quite a few tomato plants big enough to go in the garden, but they will just have to wait. Hope everybody had a good summer.
Larry

Barb_FL · August 24, 2019

That's so cool about your volunteer sweet potatoes. Do you water your RB regularly?

I can't believe you have broccoli already planted. You planted seedlings, correct?

And tomato plants ready to go out too? It sounds like you have been really busy.

---
My tomato season was really long; it stopped b/c I needed it to so I stopped watering; then couldn't force myself to go outside in the heat other than to pull plants. My Earthboxes got full of weeds which I am contending with now. At last count, I have 12 EB currently being solarized and 8 to go. It isn't 1-1, Probably about 3-4 EB make 2 solarized EB by the time you discard the junk. All the Root Pouches have been dumped, but few have been pressure washed and they are gross. Once that is done, I just need to clean up the garden, replace any weed barrier and hopefully be ready for the new season.

I sowed some seeds; some I'm doing via the paper towel method, others into the cells.

kilroyscarnival · August 25, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zone9b

I didn't do much Gardening this summer, but I do have a RB full of volunteer Sweet Potatoes.

That's pretty cool. I'm hoping to grow sweet potatoes; my boyfriend would like to grow potatoes which I guess will have to wait for cooler weather. Did you buy slips or start your own? I got a couple different types of sweet potatoes from Whole Foods that are organic; partly to try for taste and texture, and partly to see if they'll sprout if left in a paper bag.

JaxRmrJmr · September 17, 2019

Just got the fall tomatoes transplanted this past weekend. A little later than I had planned but it has been really hot here and my scheduled hasn't really let me harden them off at all. Pruned up the pepper plants and started fertilizing everything again. Hopefully, it will shape up for a good December harvest of both.

Barb_FL · September 17, 2019

Jax - Do you grow in containers, EB, Raised Beds, or ground?

My plants are still tiny or small and on the pool deck with intense sun 100% of the time. Some have been moved from the cells to a 4" square container. I've been doing the transfer about 5 PM and the next day they are out in the sun. (I do move them at night just in case we get a huge thunderstorm or tremendous wind). Only one has wilted after the transplant so I moved that cell pack in the shade and it recovered. I would have never believed this was possible.

The last 2 years I was in Tennessee mountains for the month of September and brought back large plants which needed to adapt to Florida. Plus 2018 October was really hot.

My 4" pots are white so that really helps deflect the heat.

----
Larry - how is the broccoli going? I sowed some seeds - some green magic from Johnny's last year and CastleDome seed that was pretty old so I have my doubts if it will germinate. What variety is your preference?

---
Do you think we should start a new thread for the '19-20 season? I will do it and find the important posts from Marsha where she described the copper treatment to put in the first post. Let me know.

I think it may entice some new FLorida growers.

JaxRmrJmr · September 17, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Jax - Do you grow in containers, EB, Raised Beds, or ground?

My plants are still tiny or small and on the pool deck with intense sun 100% of the time. Some have been moved from the cells to a 4" square container. I've been doing the transfer about 5 PM and the next day they are out in the sun. (I do move them at night just in case we get a huge thunderstorm or tremendous wind). Only one has wilted after the transplant so I moved that cell pack in the shade and it recovered. I would have never believed this was possible.

The last 2 years I was in Tennessee mountains for the month of September and brought back large plants which needed to adapt to Florida. Plus 2018 October was really hot.

My 4" pots are white so that really helps deflect the heat.

----
Larry - how is the broccoli going? I sowed some seeds - some green magic from Johnny's last year and CastleDome seed that was pretty old so I have my doubts if it will germinate. What variety is your preference?

---
Do you think we should start a new thread for the '19-20 season? I will do it and find the important posts from Marsha where she described the copper treatment to put in the first post. Let me know.

I think it may entice some new FLorida growers.

Self watering 5 gallon buckets (Rain Gutter Gardening). My plants were kind of small and we have been having streaks of 97 degree weather. I didn't want them to fry but I may try it next year and just have some back up plants ready if things go wrong.

I think a new thread may peak some new interest.

kilroyscarnival · September 18, 2019

I'd definitely appreciate hearing more from fellow Floridians.

I'm learning from everyone's discussions, but the conditions and timing we have here are rather unique.

Ocalagal · September 28, 2019

Hi there,
New Florida grower here. Recently retired, so Im starting some gardening. Im so envious all the tomato pictures I am seeing. Your plants and tomatoes are so gorgeous! I never would have thought you could grow tomatoes like that in Florida.

Im going to use grow bags; Im finding they are easier to manage, easier on my old back, and you can move them around like furniture! Just started some vermicomposting bins in my house, and now everyone is positive Ive gone loco.

Going to do some reading here, I can see Ill be busy with that!

Barb_FL · September 28, 2019

Welcome Ocalagal.

I use grow bags (root pouches) and Earthboxes. I do really well with the Root Pouches; but during the season they get super gross looking (moss growing). I pressure wash them during the season to get the algae ??? off and at the end of the season when they are empty.

I'm going to start a new thread for the 2019-2020 season so look for it.

On the first post I will put the important info like Marsha's copper spray formula for fungal diseases, sticky card info - there is only one to buy b/c lizards get stuck on the others.

NEW THREAD is Active: Here it is:
http://http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=49703

Zone9b · November 5, 2020

I have a number of the University of Florida tomato varieties in my fall garden. Harvested first crop of Cassidy Green Beans last week end and finished harvesting my first crop of Broccoli today. More Broccoli to go in a bit later. Hope everyone's gardens are doing great, in case anyone looks at this thread anymore.

Larry

Barb_FL · November 5, 2020

Larry - WTG on the broccoli - I have seedlings but having planted out yet due to it being hot.

What U of F tomatoes are you growing? Were they fast sending the seeds? I did try to germinate the 3 I had and none germinated and then it seemed like they were slow to mail so I didn't bother. My seeds were from them - 2016 - I had older (2014) germinate. The ones I tried were Garden Gem, Garden Treasure, and their experimental "W" which is a determinate.

BTW - I ordered from TGS (tomato grower supply) this Monday morning, got a notice they shipped that day and got my order on Weds.

PaulF · November 6, 2020

I may have asked this before, but do you plant in containers? We have a condo in Aquarina pretty close to Indiatlantic. My son will be there for a month and then we may be there for the next month and everything is so sandy even flowers don't do well let alone tomatoes and other vegetables. Or maybe it takes a native's knack.

One of these years we will have to become snowbirds and try a full growing season just to see what can be done.

June 24, 2019	#3541
Gardenboy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 784	My tomato season is usually done by Mother's Day. I then plant various flowers like amaranthus, sunflowers, salvia, basil and other herbs. Also have beans from Jan. to May. I have strawberries only for 2 months..got real hot to fast after Easter. I did not grow okra or cucumbers this season. I grow in 20 gallon containers all my veggies. My romaine and deer tongue lettuce was real good this season. I also grow sorghum during summer months. I have 5 mango trees that are producing good this season. They produce every other season. Will get less next year. Let's hope all the hurricanes stay out to sea this season. We got slammed by Irma a few years back..don't want to go through that again. Also I have my passion fruit vine, Passiflora Edulis Flavicarpa all season. The vines produce flowers and fruit all year. Always have fresh seeds if anyone need some. I also have tropical milkweed and Balloon Plant milkweed and Hello Yellow milkweed all year. Douglas Last edited by Gardenboy; June 24, 2019 at 10:29 PM.

September 17, 2019	#3547
JaxRmrJmr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Jax, FL - 9A Posts: 172	Just got the fall tomatoes transplanted this past weekend. A little later than I had planned but it has been really hot here and my scheduled hasn't really let me harden them off at all. Pruned up the pepper plants and started fertilizing everything again. Hopefully, it will shape up for a good December harvest of both. Last edited by JaxRmrJmr; September 17, 2019 at 01:35 PM.

September 28, 2019	#3552
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	Welcome Ocalagal. I use grow bags (root pouches) and Earthboxes. I do really well with the Root Pouches; but during the season they get super gross looking (moss growing). I pressure wash them during the season to get the algae ??? off and at the end of the season when they are empty. I'm going to start a new thread for the 2019-2020 season so look for it. On the first post I will put the important info like Marsha's copper spray formula for fungal diseases, sticky card info - there is only one to buy b/c lizards get stuck on the others. NEW THREAD is Active: Here it is: http://http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=49703 Last edited by Barb_FL; September 28, 2019 at 11:19 PM.

November 5, 2020	#3553
Zone9b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Central Florida Posts: 620	Fall Garden I have a number of the University of Florida tomato varieties in my fall garden. Harvested first crop of Cassidy Green Beans last week end and finished harvesting my first crop of Broccoli today. More Broccoli to go in a bit later. Hope everyone's gardens are doing great, in case anyone looks at this thread anymore. Larry

November 6, 2020	#3555
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,295	I may have asked this before, but do you plant in containers? We have a condo in Aquarina pretty close to Indiatlantic. My son will be there for a month and then we may be there for the next month and everything is so sandy even flowers don't do well let alone tomatoes and other vegetables. Or maybe it takes a native's knack. One of these years we will have to become snowbirds and try a full growing season just to see what can be done. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

July 8, 2019	#3542
Zone9b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Central Florida Posts: 620	Damsel F1 tomato variety is said by many to be nematode resistant. A major seed vendor says, "The combined disease package of Late Blight, Verticillium Wilt and Nematode Resistance are sure to please your customers." In the Spring, I had Damsel plants in 10 gallon containers and more in raised beds. I've experienced that many varieties do much better in raised beds than in my containers. Damsel was no different, with far superior performance in raised beds. I pulled the old Spring plants recently and as suspected the containers showed my nematode activity, but to my surprise the Damsel plants in the raised beds showed very significant nematode damage. Some roots as fat as my thumb. I can't imagine how well they would have done in RBs if they truly were nematode resistant.

July 9, 2019	#3543
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	That's interesting Larry. So even though they weren't nematode resistant, they produced well and better in the Raised Beds than the container? I still have one plant from August/September that has tomatoes. Really consider adding the Crab Shells to your raised beds. I add a thin layer on the bottom of my root pouches and even when I put them directly on the weed barrier and they dug through, the roots were fine. I found the best (cheapest) place to buy the 4lb bag is Burpee.com when they have free shipping. Walmart.com (can have it delivered to store) is sometimes $12 something. BTW - awhile back. I grew one of the nematode resistance varieties developed in Hawaii and I didn't think it was any better fighting off nematodes. I had also planted a ton of marigolds (from Denmark) around it.

August 24, 2019	#3544
Zone9b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Central Florida Posts: 620	I didn't do much Gardening this summer, but I do have a RB full of volunteer Sweet Potatoes. We planted a RB full of Broccoli late today. Mostly Castle Dome F1 but I am also giving Green Magic a try. We have quite a few tomato plants big enough to go in the garden, but they will just have to wait. Hope everybody had a good summer. Larry

August 24, 2019	#3545
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	That's so cool about your volunteer sweet potatoes. Do you water your RB regularly? I can't believe you have broccoli already planted. You planted seedlings, correct? And tomato plants ready to go out too? It sounds like you have been really busy. --- My tomato season was really long; it stopped b/c I needed it to so I stopped watering; then couldn't force myself to go outside in the heat other than to pull plants. My Earthboxes got full of weeds which I am contending with now. At last count, I have 12 EB currently being solarized and 8 to go. It isn't 1-1, Probably about 3-4 EB make 2 solarized EB by the time you discard the junk. All the Root Pouches have been dumped, but few have been pressure washed and they are gross. Once that is done, I just need to clean up the garden, replace any weed barrier and hopefully be ready for the new season. I sowed some seeds; some I'm doing via the paper towel method, others into the cells.

September 17, 2019	#3548
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	Jax - Do you grow in containers, EB, Raised Beds, or ground? My plants are still tiny or small and on the pool deck with intense sun 100% of the time. Some have been moved from the cells to a 4" square container. I've been doing the transfer about 5 PM and the next day they are out in the sun. (I do move them at night just in case we get a huge thunderstorm or tremendous wind). Only one has wilted after the transplant so I moved that cell pack in the shade and it recovered. I would have never believed this was possible. The last 2 years I was in Tennessee mountains for the month of September and brought back large plants which needed to adapt to Florida. Plus 2018 October was really hot. My 4" pots are white so that really helps deflect the heat. ---- Larry - how is the broccoli going? I sowed some seeds - some green magic from Johnny's last year and CastleDome seed that was pretty old so I have my doubts if it will germinate. What variety is your preference? --- Do you think we should start a new thread for the '19-20 season? I will do it and find the important posts from Marsha where she described the copper treatment to put in the first post. Let me know. I think it may entice some new FLorida growers.

September 18, 2019	#3550
kilroyscarnival Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 614	I'd definitely appreciate hearing more from fellow Floridians. I'm learning from everyone's discussions, but the conditions and timing we have here are rather unique.

September 28, 2019	#3551
Ocalagal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 12	Hi there, New Florida grower here. Recently retired, so Im starting some gardening. Im so envious all the tomato pictures I am seeing. Your plants and tomatoes are so gorgeous! I never would have thought you could grow tomatoes like that in Florida. Im going to use grow bags; Im finding they are easier to manage, easier on my old back, and you can move them around like furniture! Just started some vermicomposting bins in my house, and now everyone is positive Ive gone loco. Going to do some reading here, I can see Ill be busy with that!

November 5, 2020	#3554
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	Larry - WTG on the broccoli - I have seedlings but having planted out yet due to it being hot. What U of F tomatoes are you growing? Were they fast sending the seeds? I did try to germinate the 3 I had and none germinated and then it seemed like they were slow to mail so I didn't bother. My seeds were from them - 2016 - I had older (2014) germinate. The ones I tried were Garden Gem, Garden Treasure, and their experimental "W" which is a determinate. BTW - I ordered from TGS (tomato grower supply) this Monday morning, got a notice they shipped that day and got my order on Weds.