A Zone of Our Own - Amanda

It's January and the height of my cool weather growing season here in Zone 9, Central Florida!

What does that mean for me and my To-Do-List you may be wondering?  Well, I'm glad you asked!  In December (yes I was a little behind) I planted:

-8 Mustard Green plants
-8 Buttercrunch/Bibb lettuce plants
-1 lunchbox Orange Pepper plant
-1 Yellow Cherry Tomato plant and
-1 Roma Tomato plant

Tomatoes and Peppers love warm temperatures so typically I would not have planted them until February time when the last chance of frost may occur.  However, December was turning out to be warmer than I expected, my STRAW BALES were cooked up and my tarps ready to go in case of cold temperatures, I braved it and planted them.

 I am pleased to say that they are blooming and loving the 70's temps and rain showers we have been receiving this week!

I am also rooting and growing a few herbs in our Florida room which is screened in and gets wonderful sun all morning long.  Our herb growing season is primarily from November-April time outside since Florida summer heat can be overwhelming for many herbs, so planning your herb garden throughout the year is very important.

So what's next on my To-Do-List?  Well, this week I will be prepping for Warm Season gardening. I have seeds ready to be planted, which will be growing in our Florida room so they can be protected from the elements.  This will give them the start they need before being planted outside at the end of February.

Glass in hand and a moment to reflect, my wine of choice this week is a Bold and Robust Proprietary Red from Sonoma County, Angels & Cowboys.  Picked for its gentle touch of blossom mingling with ripe fruit and dark spice...it made me smile thinking of my blossoming plants and my hope for the ripe fruit this new year will bring.

Cheers!