Gardening

Creating an at home garden is a great way to get outdoors, reduce stress, and provide food for your family. Below are some basics of gardening to help get you started. If you have questions, please reach out to the Sustainability Coordinator.

Creating an at home garden is a great way to get outdoors, reduce stress, and provide food for your family. Below are some basics of gardening to help get you started. If you have questions, please reach out to the Sustainability Coordinator. Native wildflower seeds Several varieties of Florida native wildflower seeds can be picked up at the Oldsmar public library. Here are some tips for successful planting: Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata: Fall or Spring (40°F) - 3-4 week cold treatment recommended, Uncovered, Keep moist until germination, 24" (4 seeds per plant) Butterfly Milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa: Fall or Spring (60°F) - 3-4 week cold treatment recommended, Uncovered, Keep moist until germination, water regularly through first season, 24" (2-4 seeds per plant) Blanketflower - Gaillardia pulchella: Spring (70°-75°F), Compress seeds lightly into soil, Keep moist until 4-6" tall, Scatter broadly Florida's State Wildflower - Coreopsis tincoria: Spring (60°-65°F), Compress seeds lightly into soil, Keep moist until germination, 12-18" Florida Wildflowers Mix: Spring or Fall (after first frost in Fall, or last frost in Spring), Compress seeds 1/4" into soil, Keep moist until germination, Hand-broadcast or use seed spreader Types of Gardens There are 4 basic types of home gardens: Traditional Row: In ground planting, Raised on mounds or flat, Best option for larger gardens Raised Bed: Boxes built above ground, Contains plants & reduces weeds, Reduces bending & ground prep Container: Good for small spaces (like balconies), Indoor or outdoor, Need to ensure proper pot size for plant Hydroponics: Does not require soil, Indoor or outdoor, High yield for limited space Planning your garden When deciding what type of garden you will have and what types of plants you should plant, there are a few things you should consider. Spacing: How big will the plant get? How much room do you have? Sunlight: How many hours of sun does your space get? Is the sunlight direct or indirect? Are there other plants or buildings that will shade your plants? Soil: What type of soil do you have - sand, clay, etc? Will you need to add compost or additional soil? Zone: What agriculture zone are you in (Oldsmar is Zone 9b)? When is the best time to plant? Companion planting Certain plants complement each other when planted together. By utilizing companion plants, you can help boost growth and flavor of both crops. Companion plants also act as a natural pest and weed repellent in many cases. For a list of common companion plants, contact the Sustainability Coordinator. Weeds and pests "Weeds" are plants growing where you do not want them to be. Though there are common plants that are generally considered weeds, one man's weed is another man's treasure. For example, most gardeners consider dandelions weeds, but foragers love dandelion as a tasty addition to their salads. Weed Control: Mulch - suppresses weed growth, Hand digging - removes at root, but labor intensive, Newspaper - will block sunlight to weeds, Cornmeal - sprinkle after desired plants are established, Vinegar - spray directly on weed on sunny day, Salt - sprinkle around base of weed, too much can make soil uninhabitable for all plants Pest Control: Insect netting - blocks pests from plants, Trap crop - sacrificial plant that draws pests away from other crops, Timely harvest - over-ripe crops invite insects, Hand picking - remove pest or eggs by hand, time consuming, Crop rotation - plant different crops throughout the year, Beneficial insects - encourage insects that prey on pests Common problems to avoid Wrong location - planting a healthy plant in the wrong place can cause it to die. Make sure you determine the light, soil, and drainage of the location before choosing crops to plant. Poor soil - Even if you have the right plant in the right place, poor soil can stunt or decrease growth of your plant. To ensure greater success add compost, organic matter, or other amendments to your soil to promote healthy growth. Over watering - Most people think that under watering is the biggest problem for plants, but often times over watering is worse. Over watering causes root rot and can literally drown your plant. Having a simple moisture meter will help ensure you are watering appropriately. Too many plants/seeds - Planting too many plants in a plot will cause competition for resources and reduce productivity of your garden. Before planting determine the fully grown size of your plants and space them accordingly. If you see too many plants in a space, remove the smallest plant(s) to give the hardiest ones a better chance of survival. Oldsmar Organic Community Garden In 2012 the City of Oldsmar donated land to the Oldsmar Organic Community Garden (OOCG) in Bicentennial Park to start a community garden open to residents. The OOCG established 501c(3) nonprofit status in 2014 and has been growing ever since. The garden rents plots to residents to use and hosts educational activities throughout the year. To learn more about the garden visit www.OOCG.org. Classes & Additional Resources For local planting guides contact the Environmental Management Supervisor or visit the sites below. Pinellas County UF/IFAS Garden & Landscaping Classes Pinellas County UF/IFAS Extension National Wildlife Federation