My 1st garden review

[FLfarmer]

Put together a video of my 1st garden experience.  Sorry it's a bit long...
https://youtu.be/hgyexCUstFc

Looking forward to next year!

[davidjrtx]

Very nice video and gardens, well done... 

[woodchip gardener]

you have a nice set up.  i really liked the video.  congrats on the wonderful results!

[Double B]

What a great video and great gardens you have. I enjoyed every bit of the video from soil preparation, planting and harvesting. I was amazed that it seemed like you always were able to work dry soil.

Good job!

[stumpjumper400]

Next year? I am guessing that your name FLfarmer represents you live in Florida. In your climate you should be able to have something growing year round. My fall/winter garden is my favorite. It is easier to maintain and a whole lot less work. I think you have a huge start into being an experienced gardener and by your video, you're starting off very well.

If you don't want to grow anything over the winter, grow a cover crop of mustard or something cool hardy. Keep building your soil as much as you can. It is an ongoing process.

Nice video!

Steve

[Maggie13]

VERY NICE SET UP!

[thebayougardener]

Great job with the video and the garden…..Donald

[LakeRat1]

FL >< U sure have a Nice set up>< I enjoyed your movie, U have all the right things to Make it Happen, U sure have a nice drip tape set up, I have been using drip tape for years,

today I planted a raised bed of snap beans (green beans to some) I have the drip going on the planted beans to get them up, that is a big plus for drip tape, U can plant when U want, and not be worried about needing a rain to get things to come up >< Many times that is a problem with trying to grow a Fall Garden

Thanks again for Sharing Your Movie >< Someone there is very Good on The Camera

Rat

[FLfarmer]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.  Here are a few things I will do different next year:
1. Grow half as many crops and more of them.  Long rows, keep it simple.
2. Larger effort to prepare the soil before planting anything
3. IRRIGATION: Don't water everyday, 6" emitters instead of 12", water all circuits at the same time so pump does not kick on and off, use springs not rubber bands at end of drip tape.
4. BUGS: totally underestimated this problem! Next time, hit early with organic mixes, nuk with seven at 1st sign of trouble and often
5. I'm going to focus on what worked and what we ate.  Potatoes, beans, onions, peppers, carrots, cantaloupe.

Steve,  I am turning my attention to my next project: solar power.  That said, you have me wondering about a possible fall/winter garden.  Maybe something real small I could work on the side.  What 1 or 2 things would you suggest I could grow over the fall/winter as an experiment?  When would you plant them?  Do you have any suggested videos on fall/winter gardens that might help me get started?

Thanks!
David

[Double B]

Try growing some broccoli and cauliflower if that is something your family will use. It is best fresh but once we blanch it, we use the heck out of it for things like broccoli and rice casserole. Pest are less and fall gardening or all,year gardening as folks in the south would say is the easiest. Less weeds to contend with two. Since you like growing carrots, this is a good time for them too.

If you like peas ( and boy do we like peas around here ), next year grow some top pick pink eye purple hull peas and also some zipper cream peas. They are a favorite. I see you running that front tine tiller and I would hang onto that but also look for a tiller for your tractor. Donald has some fantastic videos on plant a row, skip a row and it's worth looking at for future plans. I love your setup and for your first garden I think you did an outstanding job!!

[stumpjumper400]

If I had to choose only two crops for winter, number one would be collards. I love me some fresh collard greens. I like mustard too but prefer collards. If I have areas that are sitting idle for the winter, I'll broadcast mustard seed and when they get about 2 ft tall, till them in. Next would be a toss up with rutabagas or cabbage. What part of Florida do you live in?

Steve

[stumpjumper400]

For a list of fall vegetables you could probably watch Donald's videos or look at the calendars he has posted. The dates might be a little different for you depending on how far south you live. My fall winter garden usually consists of collards, rutabagas, cabbage, carrots, kohlrabi, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, some form of winter squash, and something I am forgetting I'm sure. That is just my favorites. Most people that grow a fall garden will get frozen out farther north but in the deep south, I can grow certain ones till spring.

Steve

[FLfarmer]

Good suggestions!  Donald's rotary tiller video was the biggest thing that drew me to try a garden.  Unfortunately, the wife put the KiBosh on that purchase.  Still I gaze at it online every day:
http://www.everythingattachments.com/Phoenix-T4-Series-Value-Model-48-Tractor-Tiller-p/ph-tiller-rotary-t4-48k.htm

and if I really want to dream big, it's the T5 model:

http://www.idahoimplement.com/tractor-implements-and-accessories/tractor-rotary-tillers-rototillers/30-inch-to-49-inch-tractor-rotary-tillers-rototillers/48-inch-phoenix-3-point-tractor-rotary-tiller-model-t5-48.html

David

[Ragun Gardener]

Nice job David!  You should start a fall garden, I know people who grow just about everything year round in Fla.

[tuttimato]

I loved the video.  It's a big pleasure for me to see a newbie do well and you certainly did that.  Congratulations.  I also believe in gardening year around.  Plant something, if not for yourself then for your soil. 

[stumpjumper400]

A 3 point tiller is definitely my favorite garden attachment. It can incorporate stuff into your soil like nothing else. I saw you using a front tine walk behind tiller in your video. You made good seed beds with it but I don't ever have to run one again. The one I used would pull your shoulders apart. A disc then till method might work for incorporating crops.

I'm positive others will have some fall crops that are favorites.

Where do you live in FL? I grew up in Leesburg.

Steve

[LakeRat1]

FL >< there are so many things that grown in the cooler weather ( I really don't know what your fall & winters or like, U may be able to grow stuff year round down there,  >< Mustard, Turnips, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Swiss Char, Lettuce & different salad mixes, squash, Carrots, Snap Beans >< don't plant a big field of this stuff, it sure goes well with home cooking,

Good Luck with a Fall Garden if U decide to try one

Rat

[FLfarmer]

I'm in Gainesville Florida.  North central Florida.  It gets below freezing here about 10 times/year but only in the early hours.  The soil is very sandy.

[setx_gardener]

Very nice FL!! I'm in zone 9 and usually this time of year I plant cabbage, broccoli and sugar snap peas. Like to grow spinach, carrots and lettuce too in winter.