Okay, so I’m a bit overly optimistic. It *should* be spring here in SW Florida… but the temperatures just aren’t right yet. It’s been a long, weird winter for us.
Still, I took a chance and started planting my container garden. I already have broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, planted before this last cold spell hit. The broccoli is starting to form tiny heads but the cabbage and cauliflower are just growing and getting bigger.
I planted one earthbox with beets, one with Black Seeded Simpson lettuce and one with spinach. Then, I crossed my fingers and planted another with cucumbers and one with yellow crookneck squash. Growing any kind of cucurbits has been tricky for me since moving to Florida. If you plant too early, you run the risk of losing it to a late frost but if you wait until the weather is really stabilized and warm, the squash and cucumber beetles show up and eat everything. I have some seed left in the packets so I’ll take my chances with the weather.
Last fall, I opened the gate and let the chickens have the run of the shadehouse and surrounding yard. They scratched everything till it was bare so I’m hoping they ate all the beetle eggs and other critters while they worked. That’s a simple, effective and environmentally friendly way to clean up the garden… if you’re lucky enough to have the chickens.
So, we’ll see what Mother Nature throws at us now. I hope She’s gentle with me… I really, really need some fresh veggies!