Victory Gardens of Southwest Florida

10/11/2025

What Food Crops to Plant in November Text list
⬇️ See “Starting Transplants” resource ⬇️
“Aim to start seeds indoors 4-8 weeks before the suggested outdoor planting dates. For larger plants, like watermelon, squash, and pumpkin, you might transplant in as little as four weeks.

Similarly, if you are starting plants in small containers, four weeks may be all it takes for them to fill the cell.” Quote!

North Florida
Easily transplant: arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi, sugarcane, and Swiss chard.

Transplant with care: celery, mustard, and spinach.

Use seeds: carrots, onions (bunching), radish, and turnips.

Central Florida
Easily transplant: arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, sugarcane, and Swiss chard.

Transplant with care: celery, mustard, pineapple, potatoes, and spinach.

Use seeds: carrots, onions (bunching), peas (English), radish, and turnips.

South Florida
Easily transplant: arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, eggplant, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peppers, strawberry, sugarcane, Swiss chard, tomatillo, tomatoes, and tropical spinaches.

Transplant with care: amaranth, calabaza, celery, long squash, luffa, mustard, pineapple, potatoes, Seminole pumpkin, and spinach.

Use seeds: beans (bush, lima, pole), carrots, corn, cucumbers, onions (bunching), peas (English, southern), radish, squashes, and turnips.

PDF, Printable version, and more resources
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/plant-of-the-month/what-to-plant/what-to-plant-in-november.html

Read up on:
🪴 What are transplants?
🪴 Timing
🪴 Staggering sowing

🪴 Grow Lights
🪴 Containers
🪴 Watering

🪴 Air Circulation
🪴 Heat (optional)
🪴 Hardening-off and Transplanting
🌟¡Extremely Important for SUCCESS!🌟
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/starting-transplants-indoors.html

10/11/2025

SQUASH SEASON!
Here at Victory Gardens of Southwest Florida, we've been exploring the wide world of winter squashes. So far, we've tried carnival, gteen & golden acorns, green Hubbard (thick and sweet), sweet dumpling, kabocha, delicata (my fave), and red kuri. Cinderella, swan white acorn, and Princess are next.

The health benefits of winter squashes include supporting the immune system, promoting digestive health, and providing antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and certain cancers. The high fiber content also helps with weight management and blood sugar regulation. And so tasty!!

Go outside your comfort zone and the typical store choices of spaghetti, green acorn, butternut and pumpkin... there's a rainbow of colored, smooth, striped, bumpy, sweet, mild, fibery, silky, pudfing-like, and starchy choices out there! Locally, I find the greatest variety at Detweillers. Check farm stand stores and specialty markets in your area, and buy just one or two small ones to try.
You'll have fun! Promise you.

Can't eat winter squashes? Try greens. There's about a zilliontypes of those.

09/29/2025

Calling all bug lovers! If you’re looking for something to do this Saturday, consider participating in our Bug-Off: BioBlitz at Woodmere Park. 🪲

Work alone or in a team to make observations on iNaturalist, contributing valuable data that scientists can use to track biodiversity in our area. 🔍

BioBlitz events are also a great way to connect with your local community, learn about nature, and brush up on your photography skills. Not to mention, our top three observers will earn a trophy to take home! 🏆

Register for free here: tiny.cc/ufsaraext_bugoff

Sarasota County Government, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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09/29/2025

Native!!

Native seeds are essential for restoring Florida’s ecosystems and supporting pollinators in urban corridors, but limited supply hinders conservation efforts, increases costs and restricts access to native plants. To address this challenge, the Foundation, in partnership with the University of Florida, is launching the Florida Native Seed Partnership!

Last week, we hosted an informational session to share the vision, goals and practical steps of the partnership, including how growers, land managers and community members can get involved. Learn more about the partnership and watch the info session here: https://www.flawildflowers.org/native-seed/

09/29/2025

Check out these fall flowers to plant, each with unique shapes and colors for variety in the garden. You can feature vibrant red zinnia or bright orange/yellow marigold alongside other enticing blooms.

Find the text and printable versions of this infographic on UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/flowers-to-plant-in-september/

*Generally, if planting at the beginning of the season, you can plant by seed. If planting towards the end, you can use transplants. However, each plant varies in its success as a transplant or seed, so check with your local county UF/IFAS Extension agent for more information on planting in your area go.ufl.edu/Extension.

09/29/2025

It’s time to plant cucumbers! Direct sow or start seeds in 3 to 4” peat or regular pots for easy transplanting. Many gardeners do one pickling variety and one slicer. We’re planting ‘Marketmore 76’ and ‘Spacemaster 80’. What are you planting this year?

09/29/2025

09/29/2025

HOW MANY THINGS CAN YOU GROW FROM A $2.29 BAG OF BEANS?

Here at Victory Gardens of Southwest Florida, we always share tidbits that will save you $.
Here's a favorite: 16 bean soup kits.

We know that packs of seed from major retailers are now $2-5 each. Varieties are thinning out, and prices won't go down. We want to normalize choosing alternative sources of seed, and grocery stores are our favorite place for finding less expensive options. We bought this 20oz bag at Aldi for $2.29, and until we sort them, we won't know how many varieties we have, but Gosh! 20 OUNCES sure beats the few grams in a pack of seeds.

We will use this bag in SIX ways:
--Sow some in the garden for fresh beans
--Grow some longer for staple dry beans
--Sprout some for tasty snacks
--Grow some in trays for microgreens
--Toss the split peas into a soup
--Save some seed from our plants for a future crop.

Now tell me... can we find a better value, or healthier options?

Oh and the use by date is June 2026, making these potentially viable for growing until 2029, at least. WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN!!