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Growing vegetables in a scorching summer climate here in Florida is a true test of gardening grit! Today, I’m diving into my comprehensive plan for a flourishing summer garden in the heat, sharing the hearty plants I’ve chosen, strategic planting locations, and essential tips for conquering the relentless heat.
Setting Seasonal Goals
Every January, I outline my gardening aspirations for the upcoming seasons. This year, my focus includes nurturing hot peppers, cultivating vibrant flowers (especially perennials and medicinal ones), and dabbling in more homegrown preservatives. While I’ll sidestep preserving techniques in this post, let’s explore the robust vegetables suited for our Florida summer heat.
Vegetables Selection for Florida Summer Gardening in the Heat
- Peppers: These were started back in January and can tolerate some shade during the hottest parts of our summers, continuing to grow robustly until about November.
- Ginger and Turmeric: Initiated from rhizomes, not seeds, these are ready for upsizing to larger pots to accommodate their growth.
- Resilient Greens: Egyptian spinach and Ethiopian kale are excellent choices for your summer garden in the heat. This season, I’m also introducing New Zealand spinach and Sissoo spinach, a perennial I procured through Green Dreams.
- Tropical Squashes and Root Crops: The heat-loving Seminole pumpkin and Tahitian melon squash top my list alongside experiments with jicama from trays. Cassava and taro are other robust options for tropical climates.
- Beans and Legumes: This includes a variety of beans like Puerto Rican black beans, lima, and cranberry beans, and Whippoorwill cowpeas, which resemble pinto beans in appearance and taste. These not only enrich the soil but also add substantial biomass.
- Luffa Gourds: Luffa gourds, challenging yet rewarding, can be eaten young or used as sponges. Prepare for a very large plant.
- Roselle: Florida cranberry, promises vibrant additions to late-year dishes and is driven by day length, needing to be started early for a successful harvest in fall.
Pro Tips:
- Start Early: For heat-sensitive plants like peppers, an early start can make a significant difference.
- Opt for Heat Tolerant Varieties: Choose plant species and varieties known for their resilience to the heat.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check the health of your plants and adjust care practices as the summer progresses.
Coping with the Heat
Ensuring your plants survive and thrive through the hottest days involves strategic use of shade cloths and maintaining a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from intense sun exposure. Regular and deep watering sessions are crucial to keeping the soil cool and moist. Introducing a high-nitrogen cover crop like sunn hemp can also protect and enrich the soil, providing a shield against the relentless Florida summer sun while boosting the vegetables garden’s overall health.
Thank you for joining me in the garden today! I hope these insights into managing a garden in a hot climate inspire and guide you. Remember, a successful summer garden is all about planning, patience, and adapting to the environment. Stay cool and happy gardening!
I am planting sunn hemp in my 4×12 raised garden beds. What is the easiest way to chop and drop? Trying to reduce nematodes.
I use hedge trimmers to chop them back to about 3 feet and then let them regrow. At the end of the season, I clip them at the base and lay them down as a mulch in the bed.