By Lauren Goldsby
Fall is one of the best times to grow vegetables in North Florida, and local gardeners will have a chance to get a head start at a free seed giveaway and workshop hosted at the Panama City Beach Library Branch on September 17 at 1 p.m. “Gardening 101: Grow a Salad” will give you tools to start your seeds and harvest your very own salad.
North Florida’s mild fall and winter climate make it possible to grow a wide range of cool season crops that struggle in the summer heat. Options for fall planting include leafy greens, root vegetables, and tasty herbs. Most of the seeds can be started indoors or direct seeded right into your garden. The workshop will cover the basics of starting seeds successfully and caring for your plants from the seedling to the harvest stage. Attendees will also learn about how to harvest, store, and use your veggies when they are ready.
Working with a small space? You don’t have to have large plots of land to grow your own food! Growing vegetables in a container can give you more control over soil type and reduce weed pressures found in traditional garden plots. Find a sunny spot in your preferred growing area. Close access to water is an important factor to consider when selecting your site. Remove weeds if growing in the ground, they can shade out your seedlings and reduce nutrients and water available for your plants. While not required, soil can be amended with compost before planting, but refrain from fertilizing your garden until you have plants actively growing.
The seed giveaway and workshop are free and open to the public, just bring your library card or sign up to get one while you are there. Seed kits will be available at both the Panama City Beach and Panama City library until supplies run out. We look forward to sharing seeds and talking about fall gardens with you!
Lauren Goldsby can be reached at legoldsby@ufl.edu. An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.
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