Florida

A guide to ‘crisis gardening’ as more people turn to backyards to grow produce during pandemic

With stay-at-home orders and social distancing, backyard gardening is a growing trend.

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, and many at home with extra time and worried that grocery stores may not be able to provide some produce, “crisis gardening” is hitting backyards.

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After this weekend’s cool snap and we head into April, it’ll be a good time to get out in your yards and gardens. Here’s are 9 things you can do now:

  • Prep your soil, take out weeds, take out unwanted plants from last season
  • Do a soil analysis; the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences can do it for free
  • Plan your new plants -- get good seed from reputable sources. Now’s a good time to plant.
  • Trim dead leaves/limbs off plants, clean up and trim back.
  • Oak trees are dropping leaves and growing pollen. Clean up leaves.
  • Mulch, you can start soon!
  • Watering the plants: Start during warm days!
  • Make sure planting locations have good light, trim plants around to allow light.
  • Make sure you have a good water source.

Happy growing! And remember, gardening is a lifestyle, and it can take 90 days to grow some seeded vegetables, and six months until your chicken can lay eggs.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.

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