In a year when everyone was supposed to be indoors as much as possible, some brought the outdoors into their own backyards or homes. Similar to the victory gardens of World War II, pandemic gardens were springing up everywhere. A survey by Axiom Marketing found that half of those who did it took up the healthy hobby of relieving stress and getting some fresh air.
“I think we’ll always feel better when we’re more connected to the outdoors,” said lifelong gardener and owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, Heather Rippy. “I always worked in the garden. … I think it used to be what everyone did, and I think it’s really healthy. ”
Rippy has grown most of the produce division in the past, from strawberries and watermelons to pumpkins, herbs and vegetables. This year she focused on her tomatoes, but her two daughters love when the family grows green beans.
“I think it’s great that you will never know everything and that there is always something to learn,” said Rippy. “I think it’s an amazing experience to see things grow and take care of things and just be able to start with a tiny seed and turn it into something that will feed your family.”
There are a few rules of thumb that apply to most Florida plants, Rippy said. Most of the time, it’s best to plant in planters or pots, as sandy soil can make edibles difficult to thrive. Nematodes, or eel worms, are another problem in Florida. They are parasitic and chew through the roots and stem of the plants, so keep your plant babies off the ground. Every pot you place a plant in needs drainage to keep the roots from rot.
“No gardener knows everything,” said Rippy. “You always learn.”
For the newbie:
Herbs
Some herbs basically grow themselves, such as mint. If you buy a young mint plant, keep the soil moist and give it some sun, it will grow like crazy. Herbs do very well in pots around six inches wide and can grow all year round. Another easy grower is rosemary, and Rippy said it actually does very well on sandy Florida soil. However, be careful not to overwater this – keep it once a week at most.
radish
These are perfect for the impatient grower, said Rippy. If you plant a radish seed, you will have a radish in about a month. Rippy said all root vegetables should be grown from seeds like carrots. Since you are eating the root, moving an already growing plant will disrupt the growth process. Grow these in a planter with plenty of drainage, and keep the soil evenly moist, but not too wet. Don’t water it every day.
Green
Greens like arugula and chard are good to plant from seeds in September, Rippy said. They don’t like heat when their leaves are growing, but they do need heat to sprout. Arugula is easy and sprouts quickly. Plant about 10 seeds in a raised bed with a mixture of soil and compost and water frequently. As soon as the top inch of the soil feels dry, pour it out vigorously. Leafy greens (as opposed to lettuce) are great because they’re “cut-and-come-back” plants, which means you can cut leaves from a few plants and leave something for your next salad.
Romaine lettuce. Image from a picture agency.
Cucumber
This vine can be a little difficult to start off and fruit, but it’s well worth it, said Rippy. It loves water and needs a pot about 30 cm deep. Place some sticks in the pot to act as a trellis and gently tie the plants to them as they grow. Harvest your cucumbers early and often.
tomatoes
Tomatoes can be a little trickier, but Rippy said nothing tastes better than a home-grown tomato. She makes hers every year and starts them from seed. With a little patience, they are feasible. Plant the seeds in a pot and give them about six hours of full sun a day. You need about 1-2 inches of water a week; Just check that the soil is dry about an inch deep and give them something to drink if it is.
For the determined breeder:
cauliflower
Rippy often doesn’t care about cauliflower because it can be frustrating. However, if you are ready to give it a try, first arm yourself with a lot of patience and the knowledge that it is okay to fail in the garden. Start with seeds as soon as possible as they need heat to germinate. Place your seeds about a foot to 18 inches apart and in moist soil. Once they are sprouted, be sure to soak them well once a week. Harvest before the flower buds open.
