By Andre the Farmer
Hey guys, Andre the Farmer here, and spring is upon us here in Central Florida, or at least I think it is.
Our last frost date is supposed to be in about a week, and the 10-day forecast looks promising. So this is a perfect opportunity to talk about plants. What are we gonna grow this spring?
In Central Florida, spring is one of our best growing seasons. With no fear of frosty nights and 100-degree days, we have the perfect conditions for growing pretty much any vegetable we wish—but only for a couple of months. So before we are limited to things like okra, peppers, eggplants, and sweet potatoes, we can sneak in some greens, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.
My favorite spring crops are the brassicas, which include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. All of which humans developed from a mustard plant. Without humans, none of these would exist. And our temperate weather from February to April is perfect for them. You can start them from seeds inside pots. You can directly sow them in your garden beds or buy seedlings already started from nurseries or hardware stores. There is no right or wrong way to do it. I’ve done all three. If you are a new gardener, I’d recommend buying a start as it is easier and you are more likely to have a positive result. You can also plant things in your supermarket. You can plant potatoes, harvest seeds from peppers, or plant the bottoms of green onions.
It sounds like a lot. But go at your own pace and grow things you like. Never get too attached to the plants because some will die, and that’s part of being a gardener. The difference between a good gardener and a great gardener is that a great gardener has killed way more plants.
