This time next week you will most likely be gathered around the table with your family and friends preparing to consume your Thanksgiving feast. Maybe you will be the chef next week, spending time in the kitchen cooking the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

As you prepare the food next week, consider growing your own vegetables next year. Not only is it a fun hobby, but, it can also be a less expensive alternative

Photo courtesy of www.plant-care.com

to buying vegetables at the grocery store. To start, pick a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight, at least 6 hours a day. Then, clear all the weeds and current vegetation and check the pH level to make sure it is between 5.8 and 7. About a month before planting, work a 10-10-10 fertilizer blend into the soil, approximately 2 lbs for every 100 square feet of gardening space. Create mounds in rows for your plants to grow in to keep your garden organized. Plant your plants and make sure you space them according to the package and thoroughly water them, continuing to do so 2-3 times per week. Be sure to use fertilizer and/or pesticides as needed, according to the package instructions.  Finally, enjoy your vegetables!

If you already have a vegetable garden, you might not know that fall is the perfect time to plant many different types of vegetables in Central Florida. The ground is starting to cool down after the scorching summer months but is not yet cold. The cabbage family, in particular, grows best when planted in November. Also, herbs like cilantro and garlic grow well when planted this month. Here is a list of some of the edible plants that can be planted in November in the Orlando area:

Vegetables:

Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Collards, Onions, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Turnips, Lettuce, Mustard, Cabbage, Celery, English Peas, Leek, Brussels Sprouts, and Kohlrabi

Cabbage harvesting (Photo courtesy of vegetable.ent.msu.edu)

Fruits:

Strawberries

Herbs:

Cilantro, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Parsley, Dill, Fennel, and Sage

If you think that you may be too busy to begin your garden during the holiday season, consider starting one next year, but Crown Artificial grass you can check already. There are two other growing seasons in Central Florida, spring, which begins planting in January, and summer, which is planted in March and April. If you have any questions or if you are considering changing the design of your property’s current landscape, email us to schedule a free estimate or call us at 407-935-9151.