When you start your vegetable garden, you have a lot of decisions to make. From perusing seed catalogs and retailers websites to choosing seeds and plants to purchase.

Location: Vegetables need full sun to kick-start photosynthesis. Site the garden near a water source for easy access when it comes time to water.

As we come to the end of one of the hottest months of the year, it is now a great time to start prepping our vegetable gardens for a fall planting! Whether you’re planting a traditional garden in the ground or planting in a container, such as a raised-bed or an earth box, the information below will surely help you to start off successful for this season’s planting!

Start off by clearing your garden area of weeds. It is best to hand-pull the weeds as much as you can, as chemicals should be a last resort, especially in an area where food is being grown. Once the garden is weed-free, pay attention to what pops up over the next several days. Pulling of weeds will naturally stir the soil up and can germinate weed seeds that were sitting on the surface of the soil prior to being mixed in.

Try to avoid tilling the soil. Tilling was a traditional practice used to control weeds, prep for planting, and loosen compacted soils, but over the years research indicates that this can do more harm to the soil than good. Additionally, it can cause your soil to have less water-holding capacity. Tilling is appropriate in some cases, but you should be aware of what’s best for you. For more information, visit edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG246.

Once your garden is clear of weeds, it’s time to recharge your soil with nutrients. This can be done a few different ways, but the best way is by starting with a soil analysis test to see exactly what’s necessary. Soil-testing kits can be picked up for free at your local Extension Office. 

If your garden needs new soil or additional soil, adding new soil to your garden will provide an abundance of nutrients that will typically provide the fertilizer you need for the season, and you will therefore not need additional nutrients applied. Adding additional nutrients can cause an excessive amount, which can burn your plants. 

If you’re not adding soil, applying a small amount of a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 6-6-6, is a great start to recharging your garden, especially if you do not have access to a soil test. Follow the label’s instructions for how much to apply to the square footage of your garden. Remember, the label is law. Once applied, the fertilizer can be lightly raked into the topsoil. 

Finally, whether you are planting seeds or seedlings, make sure to read the labels for best results. A ton of research goes into the information that is put onto seed packets and seedlings labels to ensure the consumer has the best potential of an abundant, harvestable product. 

For more information on prepping your fall garden, visit edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021.

September to-do list

Vegetables: Look for cool-season crops to plant this coming fall, such as cabbage or collards. 

Bulbs: Elephant ears are in season, and come in a variety of colors and textures that are sure to spruce up the landscape!

Herbs: Rosemary, tarragon, basil and mint will do well through the last remnants of high temperatures. 

Upcoming events at UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County: Plant to Plate: Using Hydroponics, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 11, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County. Learn about hydroponics and construct your own take-home system. Cost of the class is $30. Seats go fast! You can register on Eventbrite at bit.ly/uh23a; Get the Dirt on Winter Plantings, 4-5 p.m. Sept. 14, Ocala Public Library, or 2-3 p.m. Sept. 16, Marion Oaks Public Library. Classes are free, and registration is not required; Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale, 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 7. Specializing in natives and Florida-Friendly plant options. Admission is free, and all proceeds benefit the Marion County Master Gardener Program educational outreach efforts to Marion County residents. 

— Jeremy Rhoden is the Urban and Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator at the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. For more information, contact the office at 671-8400. The Extension Service is located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470.

Source: gainesville.com