June in the Garden

The Garden is looking good, however we haven't had any rain in a long time, so it's a challenge to keep up plants looking good.  The peppers are doing great, most of them volunteers from last year. I'm also trying a few different types, can't wait to try them!

Picking Time!!

It seems that just a few days ago- I began to write this blog, actually it was December 2, the trees were looking great and the crews were picking the oranges, this was a good thing since just a couple of weeks later we would be hit with some of the coldest temperatures on record in my area of North Central Florida. This is April and winter seems like far away, everything looks good and most everybody have recuperated from the hard winter days. There were many loses, but for the most part, Florida farmers have survived. A series of strong fronts crossing the area of North and Central Florida made the past winter one of the coldest ever. According to the weather service, Deland and Fort Pierce experienced the coldest season on record. Hard freezes threatened all of the agricultural crops in Florida. Of these, the citrus farmers faced another year of high fuel prices and the possibility of losing not only the year's crop, but the precious trees as well. Oranges are Florida’s most important agricultural crop, and it is the number one producer of orange juice in the United States and the second in the world. Florida together with Brazil which is the number one producer of citrus in the world dominate about 85 percent of the world's market. Brazil exports almost its entire production of orange juice, approximately 99%. In Florida, 90% of the fruit produced is consumed in the United States.

Growing Peppers

Had a bumper crop of peppers last year, also an early freeze in December, but it was fun growing them. For those of you that have asked me, peppers are easy to grow. I grow most of my peppers in containers. Containers offer portability, creativity and can be used where space is limited. The only drawback is that they need to be watered frequently. I try to keep a large shallow dish or container under the pots to make sure that they don’t dry out. Good drainage is the most important issue to consider. Always use good potting soil amended with compost and vermiculite. Do not use soil that you have digged from the garden; they could contain any number of undesirable insects. Any type of pot is good, just make sure that they have not been used for the storage of toxic materials. Always remember the most important factors that are essential for good plant development: Light, nutrition, water, soil and temperature. If you observe these simple requirements, you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest! In North Central Florida this is a good time to get started, however it is a little late for seeds. Last year I was running late and not able to start my seeds early enough. I bought my plants from Cross Country Nurseries; their plants were healthy and arrived in excellent condition. I’m using them again this year, because lately running out of time has become the story of my life!  Scroll down for more pictures of chile plants

  Their website is:

 http://www.chileplants.com/

Holidays! Anthony! Fluffy!...... and the groves!!

Awesome Fall Weather

No doubt fall is my favorite time of the year! It has been dry, but most of the plants look happy, the cool weather does wonder for my herbs and the peppers are doing just great. Hard to believe that I moved into my house two years ago! Looks like time is on fast forward and posting has been impossible. The grove is doing great and soon it'll be time for picking. I'm including some pictures of my peppers and of course one of my beautiful "flying flowers" just got in front of my camera! Of course also had to show the area where the monarchs are hiding while they hatch! I created this area in front of my office window so I could watch birds and butterflies. It is also one of my cats favorite windows! Monarchs are scarce due to the freezing weather of last year. Fall is migration time for this amazing and beautiful butterfly. Scientist estimate that for thousand of years, these amazing butterflies migrate south to their breeding grounds in Sierra Chincua, Central Mexico.   For information on these beautiful butterflies visit:    http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/

THE HEAT OF SUMMER

A very hot and humid summer! Trees are looking great and most of the wildflowers are taking a much needed rest. The rest of the garden is doing great and the roses continue to bloom.  Butterflies and Birds are visiting the feeders and I finally saw hummingbirds around.

Wild Turkey Enjoying the Day