The new year brings about changes and resolutions, and for gardeners that can mean turning a new leaf. It’s a time for growth and planning, pruning and planting. What’s going to grow in your garden this year? Here are a few ideas for what to plant in early 2020.
Vegetable Gardening in the Florida Winter
Florida is a special case – our winters aren’t the same as in other parts of the country. For gardeners, that means that you can get some early planting done while relatives in other states are still shoveling their driveways.
- Eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes. These are warm weather veggies, but January is a great time to get them started from seed. You’ll want to start them indoors though. Fortunately, these particular plants are easy to transplant, unlike cucumbers and beans, which are a little more sensitive. Biodegradable seed trays are a great way to get those seedlings started.
- Sugar snap peas. These are a tasty little treat that do well in January in Florida. The cool weather gives a nice pop to their crisp, sweet flavor, and they are fantastic on salads.
- Beets, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, collards. These are a few vegetables that you can plant directly outside in January. The cooler weather is great for these leafy greens.
Another thing to think about at this time of year is the importance of a frost blanket. While we may not experience many days of freezing temperatures, it’s always possible that we’ll get some. So your best bet is to be prepared by making sure you have an appropriate cover handy to protect your plants from potential frost.
We hope you have a very happy New Year and your garden explodes with new growth in the coming months!
BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is the owner of Doty’s Farm and Garden Supply Inc. Founded in 1954, Doty Farm and Garden Supply, Inc. has been there for every one of their loyal customer’s budding needs. Bill Graduated from Winter Haven H.S. and then Florida State University, where he learned invaluable lessons in listening, asking questions, and reading anything related to the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and our readers each month.
