Stack's Urban Harvest

September is a peak month for hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida. It's also one of the best months for planting. If you hurry, there's still time to plant warm-season crops, and now is the time to start most of your cool-season crops from seed. Cold-hardy trees and shrubs planted now will develop good root systems before winter, making for better growth in the spring.

For most of the state, here's what to put in the ground now: arugula, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, cucumbers, eggplant (transplants), kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, peppers (transplants), radish, spinach, squash, Swiss chard , tomatoes (transplants), turnips and winged beans. Start to vernalize soft-neck garlic varieties in the refrigerator this month for planting out in December. All of the cool-season crops can be planted by seed or transplants this month, depending on your location (see below).

In North Florida, in addition to the above items, you can also plant kohlrabi now, but hold off on the cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes until spring unless you can provide protection from the first fall frosts.

In South Florida you can still plant okra, Seminole pumpkins, southern peas and sweet potatoes, but wait another month to plant arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, radish and spinach. You can be starting the cool-season crops from seed now, to transplant to the garden next month.

In the southern half of the state, there are many perennial vegetables that can be planted at any time including achira, aibika, cassava, chaya, katuk, longevity spinach, moringa, Okinawa spinach, and tindora. In North Florida most of these will require some winter protection.

Follow this page for regular updates on what to plant and harvest each month, as well as growing tips all month long!
https://www.facebook.com/GrowerJimsPlantsAndProduce/

SUMMER COVER CROPS 🌿
The cover crops have filled in nicely, especially the cowpea! There's also Sunn H**p, Sorghum Sudangrass, Organic Soybean, and Sesame (first photo).

ASHWAGANDHA HARVEST -
It's my first harvest! The roots are washed, cut, washed again, and in the dehydrator.

Today I learned that when translated, the name means "horse smell"! And it sure does, but with a nice floral twist. 🌼 🐴

Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic herb, also known as "Indian Ginseng," which has been a game-changer for many. From reducing stress and anxiety to boosting immunity, this herb is a true wellness warrior.

SHAMPOO GINGER BLOSSOM
Apparently it's typical that this won't bloom in its first year. But this is the second, and I was getting concerned that I was going to have to wait another year. Then I spotted this today!

Soon we'll have homegrown body wash and shampoo!

You may think August in Florida is too hot and steamy to do anything outside, but it's time to start planting your fall garden. Even though it's hotter than ideal right now for fall crops, gardeners in North and Central Florida have to plant early enough so warm-season crops mature before frost.
With the intense heat this time of year, soil dries out quickly, so keep new plantings watered well until they get established.

For most of the state, here's what to put in the ground now: beans, eggplant (transplants), okra, southern peas, peppers (transplants), squash, tomatoes (transplants) and watermelon. If you didn't get your tomatoes, peppers and eggplant seeds started by the end of July, you've still got time in the first few days of August, especially in the Central and Southern parts of the state.

Perennial vegetables that can be planted throughout the year include achira, aibika, cassava, chaya, katuk, longevity spinach, moringa, Okinawa spinach, sissoo spinach and tindora. In North Florida, all of these will require some winter protection.

In North Florida, in addition to the above items, you can also plant beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, cucumbers, kale, mustard and turnips this month, but skip the okra and southern peas. You can put in seeds or plants of any of the cool-season crops.

In Central Florida, get ready to start cool-season crops in small pots or seed flats. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale, mustard and turnips can be seeded near the end of the month for transplanting to the garden next month.

In South Florida you can also still plant pumpkins early in the month, but wait another month to plant your beans. Seminole pumpkins can be planted anytime this month.

Follow this page for regular updates on what to plant and harvest each month, as well as growing tips all month long!
https://www.facebook.com/GrowerJimsPlantsAndProduce/

IT WORKED! 🌿
After a 14-year battle against root knot nematodes in South Florida, I made a remarkable discovery when I uprooted my tomato plants. 😲💥

I dug deeper by sending a soil sample to Soil Food Web consultant, Allen Skinner. Here we dive into his discoveries and chat about nurturing the right soil biology to tackle those root-feeding nematodes!🌿

And if you’re like me, and you like to “geek out” on soil science, a more in-depth version with my virtual chat with Allen is also available. 👉 https://youtu.be/YMVYlnQaR0A

2024 Nematodes UPDATE: It Worked! If you prefer to see the longer, more detailed soil assessment, check out the link below. After a 14-year battle against root knot nematodes in South Florida...

Florida's hot, wet summers are perfect conditions for growing plants. Plentiful rainfall produces rampant growth of tropical leafy greens and perennial vegetables, allowing daily harvests of delicious, nutritious meals.

Here's what to put in the ground now (seeds or plants): achira, African blue basil, aibika, boniato, cassava, chaya, cranberry hibiscus, galanga, katuk, long beans, longevity spinach, Malabar spinach, moringa, Okinawa spinach, okra, sissoo spinach, southern peas, papalo, pumpkins, quilquina, ruby hibiscus, roselle, sweet potatoes, and tindora.

In North Florida, you can seed your cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes for the fall garden, but skip the boniato.
For Central and South Florida, start your tomatoes, peppers and eggplant from seed near the end of the month if you want to transplant them to the fall garden next month.

Follow this page for regular updates on what to plant and harvest each month, as well as growing tips all month long!
https://www.facebook.com/GrowerJimsPlantsAndProduce/

Some facts about bamboo:

1.Fast Growth: Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. It has been recorded at growing 47.6 inches in 24 hours. Some species can even grow over a meter per day under optimal conditions. A new bamboo shoot reaches its full height in less than a year.

2. Oxygen Release: A grove of bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than any other tree out there.

3. Carbon Dioxide Absorption: Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 17 tons per hectare every year. It can act as a valuable carbon sink given how fast the plant grows.

4. No Fertilizer Required: Bamboo doesn’t need fertilizer to grow. It can self-mulch by dropping its leaves and use the nutrients to grow.

5. Drought Resistance: Bamboos are drought-tolerant plants. They can grow in the desert.

6. Wood Replacement: Bamboos can be harvested in 3-5 years compared to the 20-30 years of most softwood trees.

7. Building Material: Bamboo is incredibly strong and sturdy. It has been used as support for concrete as well as scaffolding, bridges, and houses.

8. Soil Stability: Bamboo has a wide network of underground roots and rhizomes that prevent soil erosion.

9. Natural Air Conditioner: Bamboo cools the air surrounding it by up to 8 degrees in the summer.

10. Invasiveness: Some species of bamboo, especially ‘running’ bamboos, can be invasive due to their extensive root systems, which allow them to spread rapidly. However, not all species are invasive, and with proper management, the environmental impact can be minimized.

📸 Organizer Bamboo Nursery

After a 14-year battle against root knot nematodes in South Florida, I made a remarkable discovery when I uprooted my tomato plants. 😲💥

I dug deeper by sending a soil sample to Soil Food Web consultant, Allen Skinner, to uncover the hidden secrets below. I can't wait to share the upcoming episode where we dive into his discoveries and chat about nurturing the right soil biology to tackle those root-feeding nematodes!🌱

I'm so excited for this next episode! Trust me, you don't wanna miss this! And if you’re like me and you like to “geek out” on soil science, a detailed version with my virtual chat with Allen is on the way as well.

Let's grow together! 🌿

JAMAICAN CHERRY (MUNTINGIA CALABURA) - AKA The Strawberry Tree, known for flowers that resemble strawberry blossoms, and fruit that tastes similar to cotton candy! YUM! 😋

I prefer the Jamaican name since there's another tree that people often confuse with this because it's also called the Strawberry Tree.

It's the perfect time to kick off your summer cover crops. This is a follow-up video to the Cover Crop series.

I'm especially excited for the upcoming episode, where I demonstrate pulling up my tomato plants and discovering NO NEMATODE KNOTS! Embracing soil-building the regenerative way truly pays off! 🌿

Elevating Your Cover Crop Game In this episode, we dive into the essentials of using cover crops for healthier soil and more productive gardens. Discover I wish I knew about before plantin...

Mango Kefir - This past week I made my first batch of regular and mango kefir. This is a great way to add health benefits of probiotics to your diet.

I'm so impressed with the taste of the mango batch! It's so sweet and creamy that it's almost like I'm drinking melted sherbet ice cream! 😋🥭

The Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) is showing off. This unique plant is native to the island of Madagascar, the succulent family and has adapted to thrive in sandy, arid environments.

These gorgeous flowers draw in pollinators, playing a helpful role in the ecosystem.

Turkey Berry (Solanum torvum) berries and cuttings available!

Torvum is what I use to graft eggplant for my perennial eggplant trees, but also it's the ideal trap, or sacrificial plant. I let the ants farm their aphids on it to attract ladybugs.

The berries are bitter, but are good cooked and mixed in a soup or rice, or cooked in gingelly oil with shallots, garlic and tomatoes to make tangy gravy.

I'm not set up for shipping, but if you're local in Broward county, and want to pick up berries and cuttings, either message me on Facebook, Instagram or email at [email protected].

This is a very limited offer.

A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in a day, and that includes mosquito larvae.

This morning I enjoyed this close encounter with one while collecting elderberry flowers for tea.

The heat is on, and many parts of Florida are in serious need of rainfall. Forget trying to grow temperate-climate vegetables here during the summer – you'll have more success with sub-tropical and tropical crops.

Here's what to put in the ground now (plants or seeds): achira, African blue basil, aibika, arrowroot, boniato, cassava, chaya, chayote, cranberry hibiscus, galanga, katuk, long beans, longevity spinach, malabar spinach, malanga, molokhia, moringa, Okinawa spinach, okra, ruby hibiscus,sissoo spinach, southern peas, oregano, papalo, quilquina, roselle, sweet potatoes, taro/dasheen and tindora.

Many of these are perennial crops that can be planted once and harvested for years, or they will self-seed year after year. What are you waiting for?

Follow this page for regular updates on what to plant and harvest each month, as well as growing tips all month long!
https://www.facebook.com/GrowerJimsPlantsAndProduce/

Cover crops have the ability to:
• Recycle Nutrients
• Build Fertility
• Build Structure
• Prevent Soil Erosion
• Suppress Weeds and Disease-Causing Organisms
• Regulate Moisture
• Attract Pollinators
• Feed Beneficial Microbes
• Protect Soil Microbiology from the Sun

It's the perfect time to kick off your summer cover crops. This series delves into utilizing cover crops for root knot nematode management. I'm currently working on a follow-up video for this series, which will be added to this playlist within the next week or two. 🌿

Cover Crops For Soil Health & Manage Nematodes Cover crops have the ability to recycle nutrients, build fertility, prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds and disease-causing organisms, regulate moisture, at...

FIRST RIPE MANGO OF THE SEASON! 🥭
Irwin mangos are purple and green until they ripen, when they turn yellow and red. Irwin is what I grafted to an unknown variety seedling.

Between the two varieties on the tree, it's very easy to see which is Irwin, and which is not. That's clearly shown in the third photo.

Coconuts, sourdough, and more! 🥥 🍞

Join us for a mouthwatering adventure in Part 2 of this Farm-to-Table series as we head back to the kitchen with Amanda Pike. Learn how to turn your garden harvest into culinary delights, like homemade coconut milk, coconut meal for cookies, and more!🌱

Quick Farm-to-Table Cooking Hacks & Surprises AMANDA PIKE'S BOOK:Transforming Florida Yards, A Regional Food Forest Guide → https://amzn.to/3GslGQ4Kindle Edition → https://amzn.to/449wlKkABOUT THIS VIDEO...

I found this very ripe papaya, brought it in, and... OH! There are lacewing eggs on it!! 🎉🌿

I'm going to have to be creative in that part of the fruit outside. Maybe under some chicken wire so a squirrel or raccoon doesn't eat it.

Lacewings are very beneficial in the garden to help with keeping aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale, thrips, whiteflies, and others under control.

This food forest Airbnb is hosted by Amanda and James Pike, from Stack's Urban Harvest's Food Forest and Farm-To-Table YouTube series. 🌿

Part 2 of the food prep series is anticipated to be published either next weekend or the following week. Stay tuned! 💚

Come learn about food forestry and permaculture! 🤓🤓🤓Stay with us in our Airbnb!🌈🌈🌈

We give free tours on a Sundays at 5 and are happy to do 1:1 consults - just message me after booking so I can block out time and days.📆🗓️

The world needs more food forests. Seeing one and living in one can help explain a lot!💚💚💚

LINK: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/bRkOeIeu

May is often a hot, dry month, as the rainy season still hasn't fully arrived. This year, forecasters expect it to be even hotter and drier than normal. Many Floridians think vegetables don't grow in the heat, but summer is prime time for tropical vegetables, just be sure to water when needed!

Here's what to put in the ground now for the entire state (seeds or plants): achira, aibika, arrowroot, basil, boniato, cassava, chaya, chayote, cranberry hibiscus, galanga, ginger root, jicama, katuk, long beans, longevity spinach, malabar spinach, malanga, molokhia, moringa, Okinawa spinach, okra, sissoo spinach, southern peas, papalo, peanut, quilquina, roselle, ruby hibiscus, sugar cane, sunchokes, sweet potatoes, taro/dasheen, tindora, turmeric, water chestnuts and yams.
Keep newly planted edibles watered well until they are established.

Follow this page for regular updates on what to plant and harvest each month, as well as growing tips all month long!
https://www.facebook.com/GrowerJimsPlantsAndProduce/

No, it's not close to Thanksgiving, but it is time to get this planted if you haven't already. Yum!

Does Florida Have its Own Version of a Cranberry? Thanksgiving week is upon on us. It’s a time for giving thanks, spending time with family and enjoying good food. For the farm to table foodies out there, eating local is all the rage. One of the ingredients hard to find locally though, is the star of the show in one of the most iconic […]

🌞 Wondering how various groundcovers are holding up in Florida's blazing heat and our ongoing dry spell? Our Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Community Educator, Forest Hecker, conducted a little experiment at our office this afternoon! All pictures were taken in full sun locations outside irrigation zones in a 15 minute timespan! Here's what he found:

1) Native Sunshine Mimosa: Chilling and green at ~88°F! With its extremely deep root system, this plant thrives even in dry spells. Check out our blog to learn more about this wonderful lawn ornament! https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/09/15/what-is-that-lawn-ornament-sunshine-powderpuffs/

2) Properly mowed St. Augustine: Cool at ~92°F! Higher mowing = greener, more drought resilient turf with deeper roots.

3) Mulched wood chips: Buffering heat at ~93°F! Plus, plant material enhances soil quality and helps retain moisture!

4) Florida-Friendly Perennial Peanut: A bit stressed at 96°F, but still cool! Its complex roots make it great for erosion control and surviving our dry season while staying green!

5) Scalped St. Augustine: Struggling at a blistering ~121°F! Remember, cutting too low weakens roots and makes groundcovers susceptible to drought!

6) Inorganic Egg Rock 'Mulch': Cooking at ~132°F! Not Florida-Friendly and greatly limits plant options for a bed.

7) Bare Soil: Hottest at ~140°F! Without mulch, roots fry quickly and the soil becomes hydrophobic!

8) Synthetic Turf / Mulches: A scorching nightmare at ~???°F! Not Florida-Friendly due to extreme heat retention and growing environmental impacts. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP612

Your choice of groundcovers and how you maintain them significantly impacts irrigation requirements, soil health, and the overall look of your landscape during a drought! What groundcover do you prefer to protect your soil? Share below! Let's keep our landscapes cool and Florida-Friendly. 🌱☀️

Sarasota County Government UF Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Dive into the kitchen with Amanda Pike and her family as we explore farm-to-table food prep. 🌿🍞 Learn to transform your garden harvest into tasty meals without spending all day in the kitchen! 🍽️

Thanks to OT Gardener for the use of her "farm to table" sign photo. 🌿 Live regeneratively, and let’s grow together! 🌱
Transforming Florida Yards

Easy Farm-to-Table Cooking Tips for Busy Days AMANDA PIKE'S BOOK:Transforming Florida Yards, A Regional Food Forest Guide → https://amzn.to/3GslGQ4ABOUT THIS VIDEO:🌱 Join us for a glimpse into our morni...

We're sad to see that Cynthia Schaefer is leaving Florida, but we wish her the best. Today, April 7th, she's having a moving sale, and her house, complete with an amazing food forest, will be going on the market.

Super Moving Sale at Cynthia's!, Sun, Apr 7, 2024, 11:00 AM | Meetup I'm getting ready to leave South Florida and have some inventory that I will sell at a deep discount, like tinctures and fire ciders and fruit vinegars and herbal tea. Also