Getting gardens ready for the holidays

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  • There are dozens of plants and vegetables to plant that will thrive in our area’s November cooler weather. PHOTO/UF-IFAS
    There are dozens of plants and vegetables to plant that will thrive in our area’s November cooler weather. PHOTO/UF-IFAS
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November and December are those months of the year when the weather settles on the cooler temperatures here in Central Florida – finally. How well will things grow during this time of the year?

The vegetables to plant in November include beets, sprouts, celery, kale, Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, peas, bunching onions, spinach, turnips, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, kohlrabi, radish, potatoes, Swiss chard, and cabbages. Annuals or the bedding plants to consider for November include pansy, chrysanthemum, and viola that generate great fall color. Bulb crops to consider planting include daylily, crinum, and amaryllis.

Consider planting spider lilies under partial shade if you are interested in planting herbs, plant crops such as cilantro, sage, thyme, fennel, dill, garlic, ginger, ginseng, lovage, hops, anise, angelica, and parsley.

November is a great month to do most plantings, but caution must be taken to protect these crops from the cold. It is important to have a frost blanket, but they are frequently sold out in stores this time of year. Prevention is needed to keep the plants warm so you will retain most of them and not lose them to the sudden cold snaps.

Consider some tips for your November planting season. First, for irrigation, switch off systems and water appropriately and if needed. November is a cool month in central Florida, so your plants will require little supplemental water. Second, November comes with blooms; consider some flowering trees like sasanqua camellia, beautyberry, tea olive, and Florida aster.

Consider making small brush piles from the debris of plants, and set it at the back of your yard for wild birds. Florida is a paradise for birdwatchers due to the mild climate, diverse habitat, and location attracting over 470 species. While some are native, some birds come to Florida for procreation while others are migratory, which come to feed. Finally, consider adding the current cultivars for bright color spots; also, remember to disbud to make larger blooms. Your harvesting days will depend on the soil quality; therefore, remember that your crops might take longer than their usual ripening times; remember, your plants ripen based on their germination days.

Check back in the coming weeks for a planting guide for the month of December.

For vegetable gardening information, email me at epabon5@ufl.edu for a copy of our publications. Do you want to learn more? You can register to attend one of the FREE Classes/Series, visit our Eventbrite website to see the upcoming classes: http://ocagriculture. eventbrite.com. If you have gardening questions, you can contact the Plant Clinic at 321-697-3000 for a free phone consultation with Master Gardeners who are available to help you with your garden questions.