Elephant ear varieties are popular foliage plants in the US that though toxic, are a starchy food for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. As Araceae family members, they include the genera Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma, and Caladiums. Some grow along the banks of ponds, rivers, and streams while others prefer uplands. Their corms are marketed as bulbs and potted up for sale as landscape material and houseplants. Select varieties are cooked rendering harmless the calcium oxalate toxin in their tissue that’s also found in rhubarb, dieffenbachia, and philodendrons.
Colocasia typically grows well in swampy areas along river banks, while Alocasia, Xanthosoma, and Caladiums tend to instead prefer moist, well-draining organic soil. They spread via rhizomes that form corms giving rise to additional stems.
There is a great deal of literature on distinguishing between Alocasia and Colocasia. The petiole or leaf stem of Alocasia is connected at the leaf notch which causes the leaf to point upward whereas the petiole is farther down from the notch in Colocasia causing the leaf to droop. Xanthosomas typically have arrow-shaped leaves that are waxy and heavily veined. Caladiums are much smaller with leaves that appear as fragile as tissue paper that point downwards. Microscopic differences in the flower structure are the most accurate method of distinguishing between varieties that are otherwise widely misnamed.
The common name ‘elephant ear’ used in the USA is interchangeable with their food variety names including taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Asia and the South Pacific, Eddoes (Colocasia antiquorum) in the West Indies and Brazil. At the same time, Malanga or Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is prominent in diets in the Americas and Africa. Adding to the confusion, “Colocasia antiquorum has been subsumed into Colocasia esculenta and is now listed as a variety of that species,” according to San Marcos Growers. Both Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma sagittifolium are considered invasive species in Florida. “No matter what cultivar you select, never plant elephant ears in or near a natural waterway; many spread rampantly and become a problem,” according to the University of Florida.
“It is an ancient crop in Asia, being introduced into Japan more than 2500 years ago,” wrote the Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition regarding taro. “It is considered a food staple for more than 500 million people in the regions of Asia, Africa, Central America, and the Pacific Islands,” wrote Advances in Food and Nutrition Research regarding taro. “In the southern Mediterranean, it is consumed more than potatoes.”
“Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is among the world’s six most important root and tuber crops,” according to Food Science & Nutrition. “However, it remains an underexploited food resource. The challenge of underutilization is exacerbated by the existing confusion in taxonomy and nomenclature which limits researchers in exploiting data from one area of indigene to another.” Notwithstanding the confusion of distinguishing between them, these corms are the potato of the tropical world. “Of all the vegetables, malanga causes the most confusion,” according to The Spruce Eats. “It looks so much like the related taro and eddo corms that a number of common names are applied to this group and they’re often used interchangeably.” The best authorities on elephant ear dishes may be at your local farmers’ market, ethnic food store, and restaurant.
The plant trade markets a large number of elephant ears with multiple synonyms for the same species. The Plant List is a working list of all known plant species that identifies the species per variety as 79 Alocasia, 73 Xanthosoma, 16 Colocasia, and 12 Caladiums. The heavily marketed caladiums with their diverse color patterns are sold under 179 synonyms.
Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’ is a jewel (dwarf) variety reaching 12” in height with white venation on the thick dark green arrow-shaped leaves. They grow best in well-draining soil and are a relatively easy-care houseplant preferring bright indirect light.
Alocasia Gagaena California is a fast-growing variety reaching 4’ maximum height with light green leaves and deep venation that lends a crinkled look to the large upward-pointing leaves. They are considered among the most cold-hardy of varieties grown outdoors.
Alocasia Lauterbachiana, the purple sword elephant ear grows to 4′ maximum height with long narrow, sword-like leaves. Lauterbachiana prefers well-draining soil and bright indoor light. Keep away from drafts as they are quite cold-sensitive and prefer temperatures above 60 degrees.
Alocasia Maharani is also known as the gray dragon is a jewel variety with a 14″ maximum height. They like bright indirect light and moist though well-draining soil. Keep Maharani at temperatures above 60 degrees.
Alocasia Odora is also known as Night Fragrant Lily exhibiting upturned leaves and peach-colored fragrant blooms in Spring and Summer. They prefer full to partial shade growing 4-6’ in height in moist, rich organic soil.
Alocasia Regal Shield grows to a 5′ maximum height with thick, dark green leaves and burgundy undersides. They don’t like wet feet, but moist rich organic well-draining soil and filtered light outdoors and indirect light indoors. They enjoy humidity and do best in temperatures above 65F degrees.
Alocasia Yucatan Princess has dark green leathery foliage with a hint of purple on red stalks reaching 6’ maximum height. Yucatan Princess is a mutation of Alocasia sarawakensis thus often referred to as Alocasia Sarawakensis Yucatan Princess. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and indirect or filtered light.
Alocasia Reginula, also known as Black Velvet Alocasia has a rich green nearly black color with silver-white venation reaching a maximum height of 3′, but are typically much smaller and suited for terrariums. They prefer temperatures above 60 degrees in well-draining soil with indirect sunlight.
Syngonium podophyllum is a vining aroid with arrow-shaped leaves that are often confused with caladiums. Unlike caladiums and other aroids discussed here, Syngonium spreads by aerial or adventitious roots and can be propagated by stem and leaf node cuttings. Syngonium prefers well-draining, aerated soil, indirect light, high humidity, and temperatures above 60 degrees.
Syngonium podophyllum
Caladiums grow to a maximum height of 2’ and are widely propagated and sold as bulbs (actually are corms) and as potted plants. Most color varieties prefer indirect or filtered light and do best in well-draining soil. They are not frost hardy resulting in dieback as Fall temperatures drop below 60 degrees.
Earth Works Garden Center/Plant Nursery, Landscaping, and Lawn Care divisions that make available and care for a wide selection of genera Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma, Caladiums, and Syngonium. A reminder that all Aroids should be considered toxic requiring caution around children and pets.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online and at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Breaking dormancy for cold-hardy seeds and bulbs requires mimicking plant germination cycles, techniques called stratification, which is accomplished by controlling temperature and moisture for a period of time. Stratification has been in practice for hundreds of years and was first described in the 1664 writings of English Horticulturist John Evelyn. Evelyn’s emphasis on the relevance of stratification had to do with efficiently growing trees to replenish timber for British Navy ships. In botanical terms, stratification is distinguished from “chilling” which is the amount of cold time fruiting plants require to blossom, also known as vernalization. Although it sounds complicated stratification is easy to do when you are equipped with the right information for each of your plant choices.
It’s important to understand that there are two types of dormancy both endo-dormancy and ecto-dormancy. Endo-dormancy is before chilling whereas in ecto-dormancy chilling has already occurred and the plant is ready to begin growing once the temperature rises sufficiently. “As the plant enters endo-dormancy, it tracks chilling units to track the passage of the winter. Chilling units are hours of time spent above freezing,” according to Michigan State University. “As long as the plants are in endo-dormancy they have the ability to acclimate to colder temperatures and withstand winter cold. After chilling is completed the plants are no longer in endo-dormancy. They are now in eco-dormancy. The plants are dormant only because of cold or cool weather. Warmer temperatures into the mid-40s will cause them to begin growth. Once the plants start to grow, they lose the ability to readjust to colder temperatures. There is usually a slow progression of development when the plant begins to grow as the temperatures slowly rise.”
Most Northeast Florida native and tropical plants germinate in warmth, but the cold-hardy varieties with thick seed coatings often require a set period of cold temperature and moisture to soften the shell and break dormancy. “Having such a tough shell ensures that germination occurs only when conditions are right,” according to The Guardian. “Weather fluctuates; you don’t want your seed jumping into germination just because autumn has a few cold nights and then a warm one. It’s not spring yet and those cold nights did not represent winter. So time and temperature are the keys necessary to unlock germination for many seeds.”
Considering breaking dormancy requirements are specific for each species follow the seed and bulb package stratification recommendations for time, temperature, and planting media. Additionally, if chilling in the refrigerator is deemed appropriate, ensure that the temperature, packaging material, and germination media are also appropriate. Stratification in the refrigerator is typically better done in paper than plastic, which improves air circulation and reduces threats from pathogens. While some plants germinate best wrapped in a damp paper towel in the back of the refrigerator others do just fine in a pot of soil outside. Do your research.
Seeds that require cold stratification include Anise Hyssop, Asparagus, Milkweed, Baby’s breath, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly bush, Caper, Chinese Lanterns, Columbine, Coneflower, Delphinium, Echinacea, Geranium, Lavender, Lobelia, Oregano, Poppies, St. Johns Wort, Sunflower, Violet, and Yarrow. Although Earth Works typically offers seedlings of many of these varieties of plants when they produce seeds stratification is required for germination.
Tulips grown from bulbs in Florida require cold stratification to break dormancy, as do daffodils and hyacinths. “To grow tulips successfully, the bulbs need cold treatment, but not moist stratification or storage in a damp soil medium,” according to SFGATE.com. “Although tulips prefer a moist planting site, the bulbs are mainly responding to the cold temperatures rather than water availability.” A few of the bulbs that don’t require chilling for Florida gardens include Anemone, Allium, Caladium, Crinum lily, Gladiolus, Oxalis, and Turks Cap.
By learning to mimick plant germination cycles successfully and breaking dormancy techniques you will significantly increase the varieties of plants you can successfully grow and enjoy year after year in your lawn and garden.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Christmas cactus blooms increase less from fertilization than by controlling their temperature and light exposure between October and December. Akin to poinsettias and chrysanthemums, Christmas cactus collecting has become a cherished family tradition resulting in high demand for this limited-availability plant during the holidays. Folklore from Brazil tells the story of a boy’s prayer for a sign of Christmas answered by a rainforest bounty of Christmas Cactus blooms on Christmas morning. Christmas cactus blooms appear in orange, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white with hybridization. However, the plant with its showy position at family get-togethers is likely not a Christmas but a Thanksgiving cactus if purchased in recent years.
Central Florida was once the epicenter of Schlumbergera hybridization, making Christmas cactus seemingly easier to collect than today. Barnell Larry Cobia, owner of B.L. Cobia nursery in Winter Garden, Florida, is credited for being “the most important Schlumbergera nursery in the USA in the second half of the last century,” writes Schlumbergera.net. When Coba started Christmas cactus hybridization, they were relatively rare collectibles. “A majority of the holiday cactus grown in the United States can be traced to Cobia’s hybridization work,” per a 1988 Orlando Sentinel article. His hybridizing and nursery ended with his passing in 2003. The slow growth rate of Schlumbergera and the operational expenses of independent garden centers result in difficulty in having readily available local sources of them.
“There are three main types of “holiday” cacti out there: the Easter cactus (S. gaertneri), Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), and Christmas cactus (S. x buckleyi),” according to the Farmer’s Almanac. “Each holiday cactus typically blooms closest to the holiday that it’s named after. However, most of the “Christmas cacti” sold today are actually Thanksgiving cacti, which tend to bloom from November through February and therefore pass unnoticed as Christmas cacti.”
Christmas cactus are epiphytes native to Brazil. They are leafless with flattened photosynthetic stems called phylloclades or cladodes found in other succulents, including night-blooming cereus and prickly pear cacti. The Thanksgiving cactus has 2 to 4 pointed serrations along the margins of its stems. In contrast, your grandparents cherished Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) has dull, less sharp serrations.
“A second method to distinguish between these two Schlumbergera species is based on the color of the pollen-bearing anthers,” according to Clemson University. “The anthers of the Thanksgiving cactus are yellow, whereas the anthers on the Christmas cactus are purplish-brown.”
Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus blooms both require that same cool and short-day growing cycle. “To initiate the production of flower buds, there needs to be at least eight days of 16 hours of dark and eight hours of light each day,” according to Michigan State University. “Wherever the plant is placed, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time. That breaks the dark cycle required. The temperature should be around 61 degrees. Avoid placing the plant where it receives either cold or hot air drafts.” Follow this course of action for 8 days.
Christmas cactus blooms set naturally without the disciplined control of their light and temperature but aren’t likely to be as full as they could be. Suppose one side of your Christmas cactus blooms well with little to no blooms on the other. Controlling the light and temperature will improve the Christmas Cactus blooms throughout the plant. A balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer application monthly during the growth period is best for Schlumbergera that does well in bright indirect light the rest of the year indoors and outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations. For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Overwintering and indoor plant propagation require special attention to temperature and lighting. Let’s say you went a bit overboard with your purchases of tropicals and other cold-sensitive plants last Spring and Summer. Now you wonder if you’re prepared for that first frost and freeze warning. Indeed, miles apart are our Northeast Florida Winters from our subtropical Summers. So winter homes become forested with houseplants, potted tropicals, palms, and many high-dollar specialty plants that would probably rather not be there.
The fundamentals are the same for plants to survive. Each variety has its minimum required amounts of air, light, nutrients, space, time, warmth, and water. Know your plant’s cold-hardiness and your area climate. The temperatures along the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean are warmer than surrounding areas. These aren’t reported in the area weather forecast. These microclimate conditions vary widely associated with factors that limit wind and temperature exposure such as large tree canopies, dunes, and structures.
If you decide to bring in plants, thoroughly inspect the foliage and soil to avoid bringing in pests that might spread to others. Like your own health, the more time and effort you put into your plants’ health, the better off they will be. Many of the same pests you protected your plants from outdoors would love to do more of the same damage indoors. And the conditions improve indoors for some pests like spider mites. Clean the plants removing damaged foliage and leaf litter that make nice homes for pests. Reduce the plants watering schedule and position away from heat and drafts. Know your plants, which involves more than a google search, but getting to know them from hands-on experience.
Spider mites on Alocasia lauterbachiana.
Oh, and before you packed all those plants indoors, did you consider each of their light requirements? You may have perfect indoor low, and medium-light suited for your Sansevieria and Dracaenas, but not enough window space with sufficient lighting for all the other plants you want to bring in. Experience will say it’s the sort of thing you realize wasn’t totally planned out that you can improve on year after year. Yet, we want to have a thrive, not just survive, attitude with our gardening. But, there is a lot to learn. “Seedlings need more light than full-grown plants, ideally as much as 16-18 hours a day,” according to PlanetNatural.com. “We’ve found that a window sill, even a sun porch, doesn’t provide enough light to grow strong, healthy, compact starts.” Research your plant’s needs and figure out if it might be better to leave some of them outside, possibly covered with freeze cloth. Potted plants left outdoors should get extra protection as you don’t want the soil to freeze.
What about a greenhouse? If you’ve got the space they have much better light and provide other benefits. “An indoor agricultural evolution is in the making,” according to Food Safety News. “That’s how some people see the surge of interest in growing leafy greens in greenhouses. Because indoor growing is a controlled environment, the farmers don’t have to deal with wildlife, domestic animals, and birds flying overhead — all of which can contaminate the crops.” Indoor growing techniques have advanced so much that about half of all US vegetable production is done indoors. The consumer market for prefabricated greenhouses is strong resulting in a readily available selection of structural shapes and styles.
Commercial agriculture operations likewise use a host of other techniques to protect plants, including high and low tunnels, cold frames, and hoop houses. “From the outside, a high tunnel closely resembles a greenhouse—it is constructed of the same galvanized steel hoops and polyethylene covering,” according to Keith Stewart author of It’s a Long Road to a Tomato. “But it is not likely to have a fan or heater, and the plants inside will not be growing in trays—rather, they will be growing in the ground and will remain there until harvested. For ventilation, a high tunnel will have sides that roll up about 4 feet along the entire length of the structure, allowing outside air to flow through when temperatures on the inside get too high.”
DIYers can duplicate these structures with clear greenhouse plastic on a pergola or other structures during the cold months and then remove and store them until next winter. Greenhouse plastic properties to consider include, durability, light diffusion capacity, and UV stabilization. Thin greenhouse plastic is less durable and doesn’t last as long as more expensive thicker woven greenhouse plastic. It’s all spelled out on their online shops. AgricultureSolutions.com is one source with price ranges from $0.07 to $0.34 per square foot.
For many plant lovers, the grow light is preferred to the greenhouse. Grow light systems include Fluorescent, Compact Fluorescent (CFLs), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Incandescent, High-pressure sodium (HPS), and metal halide (MH). Choose the appropriate light for your application. There are grow lights that emit the light spectrum best suited for each stage of the plant life cycle including seed germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and fruiting stages. For general use, propagation, and growing seedlings, the full-spectrum LEDs are best for plant health with a low energy draw as they aren’t creating heat. They are good for all phases of plant growth whereas others specialize in only a particular phase of growth.
Growers House provides a comparison and review test using laboratory data to identify the best LED grow lights of 2021 and what you need to know to get the most for your dollar and indoor plants.
For more information contact our staff with any additional overwintering and indoor propagation questions. We are here to help you achieve your indoor and outdoor gardening goals.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations. For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Earth Works welcomed the opportunity to provide landscaping for Human Trafficking victims services non-profit Rethreaded’s Delores Barr Weaver Campus before its grand opening. Rethreaded is moving from a 2,800 square foot facility to this 36,000 square foot location in Springfield. This was made possible by donations and a matching grant from Weaver, a local philanthropist and a former owner of the Jaguars football team. The mission of the Rethreaded non-profit as described by charitynavigator.org is “social entrepreneurship that is breaking the cycle of the sex trade by offering viable and creative work to those affected by the sex trade i.e. prostitution, drug addiction, and human trafficking. Rethreaded offers the oppressed a chance to grow into the fullness of who they are.” Charitynavigator assesses Rethreaded 97 out of 100 in their “Give with Confidence” rating.
We’ve been impressed by the follow-through on the vision of Rethreaded by its Founder Kristin Keen. She has been our point of contact handling even the small details herself throughout our landscaping project. “Founded in 2012, Rethreaded was inspired by the five years Keen lived in India,” according to the Florida Times Union. “She and a friend formed a similar business there, helping women in the sex trade by giving them jobs creating handmade blankets and other products. At Rethreaded, women have employment opportunities in production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance and administration. It also operates as a distribution company that sells products from like-minded businesses who also employ trafficking survivors.”
Rethreaded’s facilities expansion and increased funding will afford more opportunities for the growing numbers of human trafficking victims in Northeast Florida. “In 2020, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department identified almost double the number of human trafficking victims as the year before and twice as many children,” according to First Coast News. “Instead of only being able to help 15 people, Rethreaded will now be able to hire 60.”
Jason Duffney gives a tour sharing the scope of our landscaping for the meditation garden at Rethreaded in the provided video. He relates the caring mission of Rethreaded to Earth Works caring for its own family of employees.
The Grand Opening of Rethreaded’s Delores Barr Weaver Campus at 151 9th Street East is Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 6-9 pm.
Find out more about their grand opening at: https://rethreaded.com/events/grand-opening/ There are various ways to get involved and support Rethreaded including volunteering and donations, and Earth Works encourages you to do so.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations. For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
November lawn and garden tips start by noticing that Jacksonville’s climate this month is typically the driest with the possibility for the areas first seasonal frost day. Weather can vary greatly as Thanksgiving temperatures in Duval have ranged from the twenties in 1970 to a high of 86 degrees in 2014. Unlike northern states, our holiday entertaining can typically be done comfortably on the patio, by the pond and fire pit. Throughout the month, the average temperatures are between 75 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Be mindful of your weekly rainfall totals. Water when necessary and prepare to protect your tender plants and furry friends from that first frost.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE WATER OUR LAWN IN NOVEMBER? With an average of four days of rain in November, it’s the driest month averaging 2.34 inches and comes on the heels of a drier than usual October. Once per week watering is the rule in Jacksonville, coinciding with a return to Standard Time on November 6. Earth Works Lawn Care Operations Manager Chad Lakin urges that we continue to need two watering events per week this time of year. They can both be rain events or supplemented with irrigation and hand watering. Weird way of saying it, but concise. Stipulations for Jacksonville’s watering ordinance include: 1) No watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2) Odd number addresses, or addresses ending with letters N-Z, or no address may water only on Saturday. 3) Even number addresses or those ending with A-M may water only on Sunday. 4) Non-residential addresses may water only on Tuesday and 5) Apply up to ¾-inch or less of water one time per week.
SHOULD WE FERTILIZE OUR GRASS IN NOVEMBER? Our warm-season grasses are going dormant, but caring properly for them now will lead to a healthy lawn in Spring. Winterizing fertilizers has gotten mixed reviews in recent years. Fertilizer blackout periods prohibit nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization throughout much of Florida (excluding Duval County) from June through September to prevent surface water contamination and algae blooms. Chad Lakin, Lawn Maintenance Operations Manager recommends Fall fertilization for root health with an NPK of 0-0-26, which helps protect against grey leaf spot fungus during the growing season. Fall fertilization aims to provide supplemental nutrition to boost turf health for sustaining it through dormancy. There is a “4R Nutrient Stewardship” concept developed by the International Plant Nutrition Institute and shared by scientific and educational institutions around the world specifically related to the best use of fertilizers. 4Rs incorporates: • Right fertilizer source at the • Right rate, at the • Right time and in the • Right place
WHICH VEGETABLES SHOULD WE PLANT IN THE FALL? November North Florida Vegetable Planting Calendar from the University of Florida IFAS includes Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Onions, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, & Turnips. Did you know that Earth Works has many varieties of veggies available and ready to plant?
Compost is our model for good soil. We recommend Wild Earth Soil Mix, a nice dark rich, light-weight compost mix that’s perfect for growing your vegetable garden in and sold by the bag and yard. We’d additionally recommend amending garden bed soil with Espoma Organic Biotone Starter plant food. It contains mycorrhizae that help root development, nutrient uptake, and support. We have a variety of additional soil amendments, including earthworm castings and exotic manures including bat guano.
HOW DO WE PREPARE THE SOIL? Unless farming a large garden plot, consider utilizing raised garden beds for vegetables to better contain gardening soil mixes, composts, manures, and other soil amendments. Raised beds tend to have higher soil temperature that’s less compacted with better drainage. Growing crops directly in the ground has obviously worked for all of human history, but in urban eras especially be certain that you don’t grow your food in toxic chemicals. Unmarked dump sites and leaking underground storage tanks for gas stations, etc can be a source of groundwater pollution and soil contamination that you wouldn’t want to grow crops for your family in. Know before you grow.
WHICH PESTS SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR IN THE FALL? Protect your crops from caterpillars and other insects that like to eat our vegetables and ornamentals with the beneficial bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis available from Monterey and Thuricide. Another beneficial bacterial agent is Spinosad which likewise kills garden pests and is available in Capt. Jack’s Dead Bug Brew. Our recommendation to effectively treat fungal outbreaks in the vegetable garden is limited amounts of Copper Fungicide (also acts as algaecide and bactericide) by Bonide. Beware though that even though copper fungicide is a staple in organic gardening that there are concerns about the bioaccumulative properties of copper. Boost your Fall vegetable gardening success with once per week fertilization with Organic Neptune’s Harvest Fish Emulsion liquid fertilizer.
JOIN US SATURDAY ON THE JACKSONVILLE POND TOUR! The Jacksonville Pond Tour is our annual one-day event on Saturday, November 6, an opportunity to visit many of the area’s finest water gardens and koi ponds built by Earth Works. Take advantage of the opportunity to speak with and ask questions of the homeowners about not only the joy of having the pond but bring your construction, maintenance, and other questions. Be inspired by the beauty and tranquil nature of these custom-designed Aquascape ecosystem ponds. The Jacksonville Pond Tour for 2021 is a FREE self-guided event held on Saturday, November 6, from 10 am to 4 pm. See www.jaxpondtour.com.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations. We hope you found the November Lawn and Garden Tips helpful and remind everyone that for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
