This week has been nothing short of epic in the Homegrown Florida Garden, and I’m so excited to share all the juicy details with you. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s dive into the garden adventures!
Potato Planting Party
Let’s kick things off with Monday, the start of our gardening extravaganza. I woke up with a mission in mind: planting those white potatoes. Now, I’ll be honest, me and white potatoes have had our fair share of ups and downs. But this time, I’m mixing it up with three different varieties: Yukon Gold, Cal White, and Golden Nugget. Why, you ask? Well, these spuds are known for their speedy growth, perfect for us Floridians with our short growing season and impending heat. So, armed with my trusty shovel, I got to work digging holes and getting these taters into my raised garden bed with just a dash of Nutri-Rich fertilizer.
Flower Power
But wait, there’s more! A lovely viewer named Bill sent me a treasure trove of flower seeds, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re talking Yellow Rain Lilies, Bachelor’s Buttons, Confederate Roses, Larkspur Dwarf Yellow Poinciana, Blackberry Lilies, and Petunias – a kaleidoscope of colors waiting to burst into bloom! So, I grabbed some pots, filled them with a mix of compost and soil, and got to work planting these tiny seeds of joy. For improved germination rates, soak your seed in water overnight to help soften the seed. Now we wait with bated breath!
Thinning Carrots: A Necessary Evil
Ah, thinning carrots – every gardener’s bittersweet task. While it’s not exactly my idea of a fun time, it’s essential for those picture-perfect veggies we all dream of. Armed with my snippers, I set out to thin those carrot babies, making room for them to grow big and strong. It’s like playing Operation, but with veggies. Snip here, snip there, picking the healthiest seedlings to continue and voila – carrot paradise in the making!
To learn how to plant carrots, make sure to check out this post next.
Cranberry Canning Craze
And then there’s our latest culinary adventure – cranberries! With Thanksgiving leftovers taking up precious room in the freezer, I decided to whip up some homemade cranberry juice. None of that store-bought stuff for us – oh no! I simmered those berries down, strained out the juice, and ended up with the most vibrant, tangy cranberry goodness you’ve ever tasted. Plus, no added sugar means I can use it for everything from morning juice to urinary health – talk about a win-win!
I followed this recipe for making and canning my cranberry juice. They offered two ways using whole cranberries or extracting and canning just the juice.
Pruning Party
Last but not least, we tackled the challenge of pruning our fruit trees and bushes. Armed with shears and determination, I set out to shape those trees into picture-perfect specimens. From peach trees bursting with blossoms to plum trees in need of a little TLC, I tackled each branch with care, crossing my fingers for a bountiful harvest ahead.
And there you have it, folks – another week in the life of a Florida gardener! From planting potatoes to nurturing flower seeds and everything in between, it’s been a wild ride filled with dirt, sweat, and plenty of satisfaction. So here’s to the magic of the garden, where every seed holds the promise of a new beginning and every harvest is a celebration of nature’s bounty. Until next time, happy gardening!
